169 replies to this topic

[dc-65x]

Here's the latest vintage drag racer restoration from Rodney:

 

I got around to restoring the second Brooklyn dragster.  

 

 

Magnesium frame rails were shortened to cut off the corroded part of the frame and the frame was lightened mainly for a kooler look.  A big brass weight is in the nose.  An International axle bracket is installed along with Weldon gears.  The usual set screw Russkit wheels and German tires are used.  A long drop arm was made.

 

 

This dragster had the RAM armature that powered the proxy event winning "Fred Dragster". A new motor was built a while ago using a Ram 850 6 volt motor.  The motor was lightened.  The armature was epoxied.  The non-brush side end-plate is shinier because a second one was made due to finding a crack in the first one made.  The magnet took quite a charge.  Ball bearings were used throughout.  A Ram stiff spring is used for the brush tension.

 

 

 

Thanks for the Hubley Stinger body Ron.  The chassis has the usual aluminum sheet covering.

 

 

 

Beautiful Rodney! Thanks for sharing.

[SlotStox#53]

Wow!

Never get tired seeing vintage padlock dragsters and especially Rodney's restorations! Thanks for sharing.

[dc-65x]

Another cool original '6's dragster restored by Rodney:

 

Pictures of the dragster that ran at J&J and Lee's. This was part of a box of dragsters that was sold on eBay.

 

 

The box had dozens of winner ribbons and plaques from J&J and Lee's Raceways (eBay pictures attached).  

 

 

The body number 9 is the original body.  

 

 

Also attached are pictures of the unrestored car. I noticed the other dragsters posted on the French version of Slotblog.

 

 

Years ago, Gary and I ran the dragster and got a couple of crazy ETs of close to 1 second flat. Then the commutator glazed over and times were reduced to 1.3 seconds. I did not have any comm drops.

 

I cleaned up the car and installed a new body. The motor was rebuilt. The motor was originally set up for 36 volts. Crazy spring tension. I had to change the spring to get it to run on normal voltage. I kept the original body.

 

 

 

 

 

Note the wheelie bar wheel. The car was not run in our proxy drag race because wheelie bars were not legal for our event.

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing Rodney!

[don.siegel]

Excellent, thanks, guys! 

 

Didn't think wheelie bars were legal at the time either; at least, never seen one in the period reports. 

 

Don't remember seeing the photos on any French site: was it FOLM, French Slot Forum, or Retro Slot? Those are the three main ones I know of... 

 

Don 

[dc-65x]

Hi Don. From Rodney:

 

More cars shown on  France - SlotForum

 

 

 

 

I paid around $120, the cheapest mag car.

 

Rodney

[don.siegel]

Thanks Rick and Rodney - should've known, our old buddy Fred! Who's built a couple drag strips here in France and even had permanent premises for awhile in Dijon, but lost them. And he was in our club in Paris about 15 years ago... 

 

I was lucky enough to get a period magwinder (with lots of period corrosion!) in the early days of ebay, but since then prices have skyrocketed. 

 

Don 

[SlotStox#53]

Amazing finds and restorations

Rodney certainly has the magwinder finding and winning these pieces of history.

Would love to grab one but those prices have definitely sky rocketed

[dc-65x]

Here's the latest drag racer from Rodney in his own words:

 

 

I finished one of the aluminum dragster frames I recently purchased.  The chassis builder says he used T6 alloy for the chassis.  The main chassis is one piece. This chassis has an aluminum drop arm.

 

The wheel-base was extended with some brass rod.  The chassis extension also allowed the front end of the chassis to be dropped.

 

A Pittman 65-6 motor was used in place of a Parma D-can motor the chassis was built for.   No modifications to the frame were needed for the motor transplant.

 

Bevel gears with a 4 to 1 ratio were installed.  Russkit wheels and German tires are used along with ball bearings for the rear axle.

 

A tin motor shroud was constructed to hold the plastic Ford engine and blower.  A Cox driver figure, plastic gear cowling, a brass "gas tank" and some hand lettering complete the detailing.

 

Rodney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful car! Thanks Rodney

[SlotStox#53]

Had the exact same idea when these popped up on the auction site! Great job Rodney really looks the part

[dc-65x]

Wow, it's been almost one year since Rodney's last post............but he's got something new and cool to share.

 

Here's his latest project in his own words:

 

Rick, 

 

I purchase a pile of early '60s slot car dragster parts.  There were some tall unfinished dragster frame side plates that looked interesting.  I always wanted to build a dragster that did away with the Ram/Pittman motor end plates (magwinder style).  So here goes.

 

The side plates were cut down and I added holes for the axle bearings, brush spring studs, drop arm pivot, etc.  Weldon gears with a ratio of about 3 to 1 were used.  Rear wheels are Russkit with German tires.  The motor armature is a Ram with fairly thick wire.  Ball bearings are used throughout.  Monogram driver figure was used.  A .010 Aluminum body was added.

 

Rodney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very cool Rodney. Thanks for sharing! 

[don.siegel]

Very cool indeed, thanks Rodney! 

 

I've got some parts like this, but haven't quite worked up the courage to start actually working on them... one of these days! 

 

Don 

[dc-65x]

Rodney's latest dragster project in his own words:

 

This is the latest magnesium dragster build.  The unfinished magnesium frame rails and motor bits are from ebay.

 

As we know, this type of slot car is period correct for 1965.  The dragster is similar to the Gene Hustings IMPOSSIBLE Dragster featured in the January 1966 issue of Rod & Custom.

 

Bits and pieces form ebay:

 

 

Completing the front axle assembly:

 

 

Drilled and reamed the rear axle bearing hole for a proper gear mesh:

 

 

 

The finished car:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details of the build:

I soaked the old corroded and rusty parts in Mobil 1 motor oil.  This really helped with cleaning up the parts.

The drop arm is brass with a lead weight around the guide post.  A Cox guide is used.

The motor is a Ram 857 with the magnet lamination's contoured for higher R.P.M.  The armature is encapsulated with epoxy (very period).

The Weldon gears give a gear ratio of about 3 to1.

The usual Russkit drag race rear wheels and "German tires" are used.

The front wheels are Associated.

Body made from 16 thou. aluminum.  The two piece body clips to chassis.

If I could find some 1/16" magnesium sheet, I could make a gear guard.

 

Amazing build Rodney. Thanks for bringing this wonderful piece of our slot racing history back to life.

 

 

[Tom Katsanis]

I think I remember seeing that on eBay the front wheels are what I remember seeing.

I look forward to seeing what it runs at the track.

[Phil Smith]

Yep. I had that in my watch list. I just looked it up in my sniper bidder. It sold for $132.50. Ron did a really nice job on it.

 

https://www.worthpoi...ject-2010017499

[Dave Crevie]

That looks very much like a Hustings dragster. Especially the way the magnet lams are contoured.

[dc-65x]

Rodney's latest build is the Lindgerg 4 Banger Dragster:

 

 

Here are 2 versions of the Kemtron chassis built especially for this model:

 

 

The instruction sheet on how to build the chassis.......

 

 

.......and modify the model kit to fit it:

 

 

Here's Rodney on his build:

 

Rick,

 

I completed the chassis for the Kemtron/Lindberg 4-Banger dragster.  Most components were polished.

 

The Kemtron X-503 is equipped with a 4 volt Mini-Auto Calif KTM armature (part number 184). and ball bearings.

 

Ulrich stock car rear wheels as you suggested along with German slick tires:

 

 

Weldun gears provide a smooth gear mesh.

 

 

The instructions call for a tube spacer between the bearings.  I may narrow the rear tires.  Rear track is 2 7/8":

 

 

Time to assemble the body. Templates applied.with double sided tape:

 

 

Body trimmed for chassis and motor clearance:

 

 

 

Tamiya lacquer paint for the body. Several undercoats were tried to get the color as close to the box art as possible:

 

 

A Cox driver figure is a perfect fit:

 

 

 

Beautiful build Rodney.         Thanks for sharing!

 

 

 

 

[don.siegel]

Welcome to the monkey house Rodney! Great minds think alike... 

 

I finally did one of these earlier this year, which I think I've posted here somewhere. 

 

We came up with a lot of the same solutions, incluidng the Cox driver that does fit perfectly, and the Weldun gears. I used a couple pairs of wheels that I was unable to identify, plus some homemade urethanes on the back, since I ran it at the Bordo vintage race. I also didn't want the guide sticking out, so I made a trailing guide - maybe not a good idea, since the car was a bit twitchy when pushed, and a regular guide, and/or a drop arm might have helped on the American Black in Bordo. I also used a KTM 4V, but the whole motor, not just the arm. 

 

I also used a spray can orange, since I didn't think I could really duplicate the cover color, but I'm very happy with the result. 

 

4-Bangers at 4 Paces on the drag strip? 

 

Don 

 

 

[Phil Smith]

I've seen those kits on eBay. You guys did a great job, but to me the frame on the outside of the body is pretty weird looking.

 

I sure like the Lindburg dragster though.

[dc-65x]

Rodney was inspired by your beautiful build Don. 

 

Phil, I bet the Lindgerg - Kemtron 4-banger dragster was the original exoskeleton slot car.    

[don.siegel]

Thanks Rick, I'm flattered that I could inspire Rodney! 

 

His builds inspire me too, but I don't think I've got the talent to come up with one of those beautiful Magwinders - still, hope springs eternal in a not so young man's breast, and all that... 

 

I think the exoskeleton slot looks great, and it's unique. 

 

Don 

[MSwiss]

I think the exoskeleton slot looks great, and it's unique. 

I agree.

 

No different than the partial bodies, canopies, and drivers, that are on longer magwinders.

[hiline2]

Here is a nice assortment

 

 

Attached Images

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[nomad2race]

Hey Guys!  It is time to get the Vintage Drag Iron out to play again....

I am slot racer since 1964 and have been admiring the cars on this thread for some time.  I have built a restored a few early 1960's drag cars myself.  Since 2003 i have been producing slot car events mostly for corporate clients world wide. I have taken my portable track or built custom track l for event as far away as Dubai, Barcelona, Budpest and all over the US.  Since the event biz is pooched for now I have turned my efforts to an event closer to my heart.  I have participate in and really enjoyed several proxy races,  Buolding cars has always been a big part of the hobby for me. So....    

 

I want to invite your input and I hope, participation in the Slot Car Drag Race Proxy World Challenge.  We offer an opportunity for many classes (29 actually) of slot cars including retro chassis cars, vintage and reproduction cars.

 

We have invested in a switchable 16/25/37 volt system with big capacitors and massive amperage to be sure any car sent can run to it's full potential. I am putting effort and resources to make this a landmark event to grow the visibility of slot cars on a world stage.

Please visit the webpage for full details. I look forward to hearing from you and especially for the honor of seeing your cars in the event.
 

[dc-65x]

Hi Jim,

 

Thanks for sharing the info on your event here. We wish you much success with it!  

 

Kind regards,

 

Rick

[dc-65x]

Here's the latest to Rodney's drag race collection in his words:

 

I completed a 1961 Plymouth Valiant gasser.  Most of the "stock body" drag race cars back then were bigger cars.  The big tires on the slot car emphasize the short wheelbase Valiant.  My high school friend Tommy had a couple of compact size Plymouths with V8s back when we were in high school.  They did not really handle the V8 power and went sideways when hammered.  The 'Cudas and Challengers did not have this problem because they where based on large car architecture.  My high school friend Albert had a mid '60s Valiant with a slant six engine and Michelin X tires.  They used to rally these cars, and Albert's car was great fun to drive on mountain roads.

 

With the slot car, the body is a very used AMT1961 model kit body with the fenders opened up.  I repaired all of the cracks in the body and painted it with Tamiya lacquer paint.  The intake pipes are from a Chaparral 2D.  Champion driver figure with Russkit driver head was used.  Gauges were added to the top of the dash.  Simple roll bar hoop was constructed.  Custom rear bumper was faired in.

 

The chassis rails are homemade, and are an EBAY find.  I re-drilled the chassis for the wheelbase of the Valiant.  The chassis was also "straightened and aligned."  It is still a little off, but close enough.  A new drop arm was fabricated out of brass.

 

The stock Pittman 85 motor was re-magnetized and cleaned up.  Brass gears are used.  Wheels are from the junk box.  German tires on the rear were glued on and trued.  Dynamic guide flag added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very cool Rodney. Thanks!