16 replies to this topic

[dc-65x]

I won this sorry looking sod on eBay:



It's supposed to be a 1/32 scale Mecom Lola GT:



I'm not working with 1/32 much currently so why did I go for this thing? Lookie underneath:



That arrow stamped on the white can means it's a French rewind and an early one at that. I planned on pulling the motor and junking the rest of the car but when I took the body off...



... the chassis design and construction got my attention:



The "main rails" are a single piece of 1/16" brass tube. Starting at the rear where it protrudes through the body acting as a body mount and an exhaust pipe. Then it goes forward anchoring the rear bearing block, rear motor mount.....



... and forms the distinctive "paper clip" shape:



Then it goes forward to catch the front motor mount...



... and finally the front axle tube and guide block:



Here it is with the motor out for a better view of its construction:



That front body mount tube has been threaded for a 2-56 machine screw with a tap. I don't think this is just some young kid's car. There is some real fabrication here. The design also causes the front axle to have a "suspension movement":



What do you guys think?

Hey, Don Siegel, is this something you'd bother with???

[MG Brown]

I think it's an interesting design and perhaps something that could be restored and running chassis added to the LASCM?

I would think it would be a good representative of design experiments in the pre-pan era.

[don.siegel]

I
Hey Don Siegel, is this something you'd bother with???

Rick, I think I'm in love... seriously, this is a great find, and really a very imaginative design. It also reflects something I've seen in a lot of cars from the time: very creative, even sophisticated features, combined with some pretty naive construction.

Rock on Rick!

Don

PS: is that a French without the brush heat sinks?

PPS: MG, judging from the wheels & tires, I'd guess this is more a post-pan design, or a pre-jail door... paleolithic in any case!

[MG Brown]

I'll defer to your opinion Don- but at least in 1:1 vintage racing, one has to be careful as the wheels and tires may not be period correct!

[dc-65x]

Rick, I think I'm in love...

I was hoping you'd like it Don. As soon as I got a good look at it I thought of you. May I send it (less motor) to you please?

[ravajack]

Yet another early black-endbell Gordon French motor!
Nice find. Congrats!
Apparently they're not as scarce as hen's teeth any more...
Oh, and I also love the chassis!

[Mark H]

great score! thats a cool little car.

[Pablo]

Great find !

[don.siegel]

Mon cher Rick,

I'd be more than honored! (I even have a French motor I could put in there...). Do you have my address?

Don

[dc-65x]

PM me your address Don and I'll "ZOOM" her off to you.

Here's the French motor. It is an early example with the "pre-brush tube" end bell. It's built from a Cox chrome can motor using stock Mabuchi magnets.

Here are some before and after restoration pics:



Most of the Crap-O-La on the can's paint was mold. Some Windex kitchen spray cleaner with bleach took care of it.





A VERY light buff with fine polish brought out the paints shine nicely:





A Dremel wire wheel got the rust off the arm. A Cratex burr cleaned out the balance holes. The brush springs got a soak in Tarnex and a wire wheel polish:



The arm reads 1.7 ohms and has just a tiny bit of CW timing of the comm.

[TSR]

Now we know where Bryan Warmack and Tony the "P" got their inspiration for their retro chassis!

Now Rick, you KNOW that this is a mental condition, don't you? Bless you for it and long will you live to entertain us with your wonderful talent.

[Mark H]

WOW that motor looks brand new great job!

[Hworth08]

A good chance that the 1.7 ohm arm is 90 of 32 that was considered to be be a six volt wind. 80 of 32 is 1.2 and my favorite wind till the Arco days. With the weak Mabuchi or French magnets that wind would live, have decent brakes, and lots of RPM. Well, for a 1965 motor anyway!

Very nice little frame! I've never seen a peice of round tubing used as a motor mount or square used for the guide mount.

[TSR]

If one thinks of it, it was certainly not stupid, for both the flex in the frame and the guide mount.

[Mike]

I recall having a card of 16 size cans in the Marx (1/24 ) mustard yellow color. These were from an aftermarket source and I believe claiming Arco (?) Magnets. Could those have been "French" or were they Tradeship? Some time later I picked up a thrown together 1/32 chassis with this same colored can and a hotter arm , certainly wasn't stock Marx. Being this late date I don't know if the motor was issued or built more recently. Still have the motor. Any clues Dok?

[dc-65x]

WOW that motor looks brand new great job!

Thanks Mark. I'm really please with the way it turned out....you never know!

Now Rick, you KNOW that this is a mental condition, don't you?

I know, I can't help it. I just love the old motors!

If one thinks of it, it was certainly not stupid, for both the flex in the frame and the guide mount.

I think so too. That's why it didn't get thrown in the junk box. Don will give it new life

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Yet another early black-endbell Gordon French motor!
Nice find. Congrats!
Apparently they're not as scarce as hen's teeth any more...
Oh, and I also love the chassis!

Hey Rick maybe we have a pair of "Rare" motors! I have a perfect mate to that car.... Let me dig up pix.... These chassis came from our local track from one builder. I believe I have a the same Lola body for the little 1/32 .... the 1/24 came with a GT40 bod.

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