Steube F1 Replica
By Pablo
with additional photography by Brian McPherson
One of my slot car goals is to be able to build replicas of vintage cars using parts on hand. This car is one of the results of my pursuit of that goal. Here is the story behind it...
I opened up my vintage motor drawer and wondered what would be really cool. I found a vintage Champion motor bracket assembly:
I also found one used Champion 517 flat sided can with factory ball bearings and original magnets, along with some Parma .005" shim stock. Using the shim stock, I set the airgap to .545".
Next, I dug out one Mura M-8 .525 OD armature blank with a Kirkwood commutator, and a new Champion endbell:
After rebuilding the endbell, I used an RGeo winding tool (La Ganke replica) to apply 30 turns of 26 gauge wire to each armature pole.
Why 30 turns of 26? My theory is, this F1 car needs low torque and high horsepower for smooth power. To finish it off, I sent the armature to Paul Pederson to be professionally balanced and trued:
Then I opened up my vintage body drawer, and found an F1 Eagle Weslake body (more about that later). So, I decided this car, including the motor, would be a 1967 Steube car replica. Not an exact clone, but close to it. I took the liberty of making some alterations.
My experience with vintage anglewinders taught me to brace motors. I have experienced firsthand the wheelhop that results from a motor that is allowed to flex, and the smooth result of bracing the motor. So, I thought it would be good to eliminate motor flex from this inline car also.
I built a nest for the motor and soldered it in. The right hand side facing forward is tubing; left side is rod. The motor does not flex.
The body is a 1/24 vintage reproduction of the Eagle-Weslake Formula One V-12 that Dan Gurney drove to victory in the June 18, 1967 Spa-Francorchamps Belgian Grand Prix. All decals are on the inside of the body.
Bob Dylan said "The song always comes out sweet on a stolen guitar". I'm not a thief, but the fact that the original car was stolen under mysterious circumstances is fascinating to me.
Pablo
Here are some additional photos of the finished car:
