93 replies to this topic

[Jairus]

Okay, time to move the wayback machine to 1964.
I want to build an old-school Pittman powered Grand Prix car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
Yeah, there was a model kit by Strombecker back then but the proportions are WAY off even for the 1954 car in my opinion so the only possible way to do better is to carve the body from wood.






But first I need a plan.

The plans I downloaded from VSRN and were published in some model magazine about February '59.



Okay now, time to start playing with the wood.
Using a sheet of 1/16" Basswood a profile of the floor and two key bulkheads are cut out. The profile is actually 1/4" off the bottom of the car due to the pan roll.

Then blocks of balsa are glued to the pan along with the two bulkheads.


After an evening of sanding (gotta find a mask next time) the body is getting close (booger city).


Underneath we have Basswood rails (3/16") tying the fore and aft together like a spar holds the wings on an airplane.
This also provides a hard-point to screw the chassis to the body securely.


Onto more sanding...

[RichKraft]

Great start. Sweet! Looking forward to this one. They are such pretty cars, those old Maserati's.

[Dennis David]

This is one project I am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I see a lot of wood bodies built by our British friends. Nice to see one made on this side of the pond.

[TSR]

there was a model kit by Strombecker back then but the proportions are WAY off even for the 1954 car in my opinion so the only possible way to do better is to carve the body from wood.

Hi Jairus,
Not that it matters much at the smaller scale but the drawings by Walkden Fisher are grossly inaccurate in its general proportions...
The Strombecker model in the 1/24 scale is in fact quite accurate except that it is not really a 250F, but an A6GCM/250, a precursor to the actual classic 250F. Their 1/32 scale model is a bit all over the place.
Both MRRC in the old days, and very recently, Scalextric made accurate 250F models in the 1/32 scale.

When building a slot car with a wooden body, accuracy is however not as important as "period charm" and flavor.

[Jairus]

Good to know Philippe. Thanks.
Now... how am I going to make a scale De Dion tube rear suspension.... hmmmmm?

[Tex]

Heckuva a project, Jairus! Bon chance!

[dc-65x]

Looking good Jairus

I'm looking forward to following along with you build

[Jairus]

Made some progress on the cockpit opening. Using some .005 sheet brass a windscreen base is formed and installed. Squadron Green putty smooths the transition. Rivet heads will be added later.


The front tires are something I had in my wheel box, front rims BWA. The rear tires are Revell Tiger and the rear rims Taper-lock wheels that might be from K&B. But I am sure someone will correct me. Wheel inserts are BWA.

The underside has been carved open in prep for opening up the axle clearance holes.

But first... I gotta make an intake scoop and open up the exhaust port area.

[Jairus]

Didn't have a lot of time to work on the car today but did manage to get an airscoop made and installed. Also finished trimming down the inserts to fit all four wheels.... and, opened up the underside to fit a Pittman motor.

Guess the pipes are next on the list.

[Marty N]

How cool is this project? Love this sort of thing. Keep it going sir!

[Jairus]

Thank you Martin.

Well, after a nice session with some brass tubing I managed to form an exhaust pipe that roughly replicates the original.
The individual tubes are 3/32" (.0937) and the collector is 1/8" (.125) carefully bent and soldered together, along with brass rod and copper wire bits to make up a rear tube mount.



 

[dc-65x]

That's really looking nice Jairus

[Regis4446]

very well

[Jairus]

One of the biggest problems I had with the Pittman axle bracket was the bearings. They were way too narrow for the track of the Maserati and with an axle installed seemed to have way too much free play. So a replacement was needed.




This vintage Champion can drive bracket will work nicely!


The bearing forks are removed off a spare endbell.


But the bracket is too deep with the motor inserted so some trimming will be required.


Here is the rough cut bracket. A brass rod is bent and installed prior in order to ensure 90 degree angles are retained.


Quick mock up and I think we are ready for solder.


After cutting the pan out I worked all day Friday to solder and align the next step correctly.
On the test bench the motor spins up nicely and the vibrations sing smoothly throughout the pan with a might song. (gear mesh is clean and smooth)






Next, the front axle.

[munter]

Jairus
I have been following this thread along and enjoying it hugely.
I am glad to see you cutting the axle arms off as I have had similar issues with using this motor.
Please tell me how the motor is fixed...just the screws either side?
Regards
John

[Russell Sheldon]

Stunning! Simply stunning

[Champion 507]

Looks great from here, too!!!

[Jairus]

I am glad to see you cutting the axle arms off as I have had similar issues with using this motor.
Please tell me how the motor is fixed...just the screws either side?

Yes John, by just the 4 side screws. The endbell fits tightly inside the "U" shaped cut out and can slide back and forth some but NOT side to side. (The pinion gear can also be loosened up and be slightly aligned on the shaft) This ensures tight but smooth gear mesh and a quiet car. But... I found a slight imperfection on one tooth of the brass crown gear. You really hear it when the motor is spinning at 2v and I didn't notice it till now. The noise is less at highter rev's. But, I have another gear I can clean up and replace it with. I just hope the ratio is the same, since I already made my calculations and these vintage bevel gears are not very common.

[Old pink can guy]

Wow. Just beautiful.

[Bruce Wayne]

Outstanding workmanship and progress Jairus (slow down!). Exhaust looks amazing, almost expect to see a puff of smoke on take-off

Nice workaround on the Pittman too, should give a good gear mesh.

[Marty N]

Anything going on with this project?

[Jairus]

Bruce said to slow down... so I did. 
Now I can't seem to get started again...

[Gator Bob]

Coolness factor set on high

[Marty N]

 

Bruce said to slow down... so I did. 
Now I can't seem to get started again...

 
Well...this is to slow LOL

[Jairus]

Right.

Biggest problem is that I got involved with a 2nd proxy (THAT car is now done) along with a lot of private paint and building for other forum members. So... hope to get the car back out on the bench right after this very crazy weekend.

 

What I didn't show, prior to putting the car back in the box, is the front axle.

I got this far creating a faux independent front suspension with working steering.
The width of the front wheels is misrepresented here.  The front tires will be narrow with the inner portion of the rim to be modified to represent the exposed brake drums of the Maserati 250f.