24 replies to this topic

[don.siegel]

Hi guys, 

 

Here's my entry for the R&C proxy - finally got started on it this weekend, and chassis is almost finished, except for final trimming, etc. I'm going to use an original Russkit McLaren SP-1 body - I think that's the McLaren Elva used in the first race by a couple of the Russkit guys. It's fairly short and narrow (WB: 3-3/4, width 2-3/4). 

 

Not copied after a particular chassis, but combines a couple from the first series. may add another side bar as well. 

 

 

About the wheels... those are my jig wheels for this car! Using the Russkit jig, you should use your regular wheels & tires and that always slows me up, so since these happened to be on my desk and about the right size, I used these old spongies! (hmm, a few things don't look quite square, must be the jig...)

 

About the motor... a patented canless design! Seriously, not sure what I'll use yet. I wanted to rewind one, but time is getting short, and I may try one of my period rewinds, a French or a Tracker... (or one I did a couple years ago, hmmm)

 

About the guide weight... don't ask! I wanted to just use a down-stop, but then I looked at the track again, and realized cars would need some weight... 

 

I will use Russkit wheels on the back with VC spongies, and probably Russkit fronts with their tires, turned down. 

 

South Shore is the neighborhood in Chicago where I grew up during this time period... 

 

Anyway, have to get working, if I want this to be ready on time! 

 

Don 

[Bill from NH]

Nice chassis Don. Is that a Dynamic guide block I spot on the front of the droparm? 

[don.siegel]

Yep, that is indeed a Dynamic Bill. Bending drop arms is one of my weaknesses, so I like using the Dynamic block... thought it would add a little weight up front too...

 

Turns out I have four or five French motors in various states, so may try one of those - and I also have a BRM F1 I built a couple years ago with my own Russkit rewind, so looks like I'll have a team!

 

Question on the French: I have one that has a black endbell without heat sinks; seems to be original, but I can't be sure of course, since it's used. Anybody else ever see one of these? Is this a very, very early French?

 

Don

[SlotStox#53]

Great chassis Don!! Love the sound of your rewinds and period motors

Now I know what that dynamic block is! Got a few in a junk lot and wondered what it was

[Gator Bob]

Looks 'sassy brassy' good

 

Elva with a white French sounds ... well ... 'just right' !

[don.siegel]

Here's the BRM I built a couple years ago, trying to copy the Bryan Warmack model that Philippe brought to Bordo a few years ago; failed miserably, but the chassis isn't too bad. Never quite finished the detailing, and this is a factory paint job. All Cox BRM wheels, with period Russkit spongies on the back that seem to have retained their bite. 

 

 

 

 

Don

[Gator Bob]

I don't see the 'fail'. 

[don.siegel]

Here's the Warmack BRM that Philippe brought to Bordo a number of years ago. 

 

 

 

It's not that I'm unhappy with mine Bob, but I wanted to do more detail in this style, and just didn't have the time, or patience or talent. To use our old language, this car was very "sano" - and also very beautiful, in every sense of the word. Still worked very well, almost 40 years after the fact. Probably the most impressive car I've seen in 14 years of the Bordo race, both for the construction and as an artifact of everything we admired as youngsters... 

[don.siegel]

On to other matters. 

 

Hemingway once said: "A man who runs the bulls at Pamplona without fear is a brave and true man, but a man who is able to mount a clear plastic slot car body without trembling is a man with cojones the size of coconuts."

 

Having just spent an hour trying to mount my McLaren straight and true, I can understand Ernie... Here's the project as she stands, with and without flash. 

 

 

 

Now I have to finish in time to send to Rick. 

 

Don 

[SlotStox#53]

BRM looks great Don As does your inspiration in the form of Bryan's original Know what you mean about detailing, trying to get my 2 cars finished in time! & seeing if I can fit in some concours detailing Although the spray job on the Porsche 906 didn't go according to plan so damage limitation time may curtail any extra fancy stuff

 

That French motor looks perfect sitting under the McLaren

[Pablo]

I'm glad you chose that 2 3/4" wide body, Don, because it will make for great competition with my 2 3/4" wide Chaparral

 

[don.siegel]

Amen Pablo! But your's looks wider - is it the dogs?

 

Don

[Pablo]

No.  But the vet says the Chihuahua / Rat Terrier (on the right) is getting too fat.

My vet is no Twiggy herself, though.......   

The rules say the wheels may extend past the wheel wells 1/16" on each side,

2 3/4 plus 1/8 = almost 2.9"   

[SlotStox#53]

Think you guys may have a 3rd competitor in the 2 3/4 bracket. Just measured the Porsche 906 and it's that wide too

May have to exploit that little 1/16 rule

Your Pitcrew look very healthy Pablo

[don.siegel]

I know it's the rules, but I just can't do that 1/16¨ extra.... wanted to try a flared wheel well, but maybe not on a mint Russkit body first! 

 

Don 

[dc-65x]

Hi Don,

 

Sorry I'm late finding this thread

 

Anyway she looks great!

 

Time is running out guys!

[don.siegel]

Thanks Rick, put some paint on it this evening, and started a few details... 

 

When do you need to receive it by at your house, before leaving for the track? 

 

Is FedEx possible? 

 

Don 

[dc-65x]

I need them by the 17th and from France, send it anyway that works for you.

[don.siegel]

Here's the finished car, I did a strictly stock Russkit body version, using all the bits that came with the body, including all decals and their clear plastic driver, who used steroids on his left shoulder, but not his right... The real car, from 64, had a very nice dark paint scheme, but I kept it simple, just red and a few matte black and silver highlights - probably no better nor worse than I would have done at 14 in 1966... well, maybe the solder joints are a bit cleaner! 

 

These are the cut down VC tires, and I'm also preparing a set of Graupners as spares - didn't have any modern foam tires, so can't include that option... 

 

Don 

 

 

 

 

[SlotStox#53]

Perfect Don! ! About as original and Korrect as you can get. Literally like you went back in time & grabbed an R&C car and hopped back to now

I love it

[don.siegel]

Well Paul, an original R&C car probably would have had spoilers and cutouts and used the extra 1/16" rule, but I kind of made like a young kid doing his first major scratchbuilt, with what he had at hand. 

 

I was going to try at least the rear spoiler, but the idea of slitting the body shortly before having to send the car made me too nervous... Not sure if this was really the model that Team Russkit used, or if they were already using the slightly later McLaren MkII like in the Carrera sidewinder kit - nope, just checked, in the first R&C race (May 66 issue), it's indeed this body for Mike Morrissey, a McLaren-Elva with spoilers front and back and cutouts on front and rear fenders! At least his chrome paint on those four indents in the rear deck aren't any better than mine! Kinda looks like he used the original Russkit driver, but shortened his arms... 

 

Don 

 

PS, here's the original, looks like they were still using black tires then: 

 

[SlotStox#53]

Don't worry about the spoilers Don, it's still a proper R&C car

I would of been nervous slicing that original shell for spoilers !

[Pablo]

I love it, Don !!!   This is going to be a blast !!!

[dc-65x]

I love it Don!

[Gator Bob]

Two very nice cars.