Mike Steube's First Anglewinder
Replica chassis construction and photography by Col Neaton
By March 1968 Gene Husting was showing the pros on the SoCal slot racing scene a faster way around the track. Although most were still skeptical, a few of the braver ones decided to try it out, and the results were spectacular!
In its first big appearance, the Side Saddle Sidewinder, or "Anglewinder", took five of the top eight places in the second MC&S/USRA Race; a convincing performance! Among those pros who took the gamble were Mike Steube, Terry Schmid, John Cukras and Keith Tanaka. They finished first through fourth with Steube winning. To see the race report... (Click here)
Col Neaton, one of the very best scratch builders around, is building a replica of the car that finished first in that race, and has sent a series of photos illustrating his efforts. Col's craftsmanship is utterly superb as usual, however I believe his attention to historical accuracy is what makes this such a very important build.
Older now than most current day slot racers, the primitive design of this chassis represents one of the very first attempts to implement the concept that permanently changed how slot racing cars would be built.
Laying down the middle piano wire main rails:
Adding cross rails to form a motor box. Note this is a California style left-side endbell-drive configuration:
Adding the front axle tube. Note this chassis has full (front axle to rear axle) rails and no separate motor box:
Adding the outer brass main rails:
Adding the inner brass main rails:
Checking wheelbase and guide lead:
Building up the drop arm:
Adding drop arm hinge tubes and rear axle braces. Note the rear axle tube is not notched:
Setting guide lead and soldering the hinge tube to the drop arm:
Adding sidepan hinges:
Clamping center down and adding sidepans & pin tubes:
Trimming pin tubes, adding downstops and pan springs:
Drop arm installed; chassis complete:
Comparison to photos of the original:
Chassis bottom:
Wheels, gears, motor and guide installed:
A few close-ups; all that's missing is the body:
Excellent build, Col! Thanks for sharing the photos!
