8 replies to this topic

[Domingo Favis]

Hello all.

 

I'm new here and was searching the net about this Tamiya I recently acquired on eBay. It a motorized version of the slot car. It is missing the windshield and exhaust tailpipe. I recently bought a repro body just to get the windshield but it is a tad smaller. There is a hole up front after I put in the repro windshield. The tabs don't match up.

 

Anyone do repro parts for this?

 

Thank you.

 

 

[Allan Feldman]

Domingo,

 

I am not sure because in the Cox slot car Lotus 30/40 version you could build both versions. You have the original motorised kit version. Recently these were reissued by Tamiya as body kits with no plated parts. These were the motorised versions, not the slot cars. 

 

I was thinking if the Tamiya repro reissued came in two versions; since the original Tamiya kits were I think sold as two separate Lotuses, the Type 30 and the Type 40. Then the bodies would be slightly different?

 

Also these were taken off the motorised kits not the slot cars and some of the posts especially for the sprung suspension sidewider chassis are in the wrong place.

 

So could some of the windscreens mount be different? The reissued repro motorised Lotus 40 kit would have come with non-plated tailpipes. I might be completely wrong but perhaps you bought the Lotus 30? Phil Smith has some bodies (scalecars) he might be able to help. I hope this helps.

 

Regards,

 

Allan

[Domingo Favis]

Hi Allan,

Thanks for response.

Yes, the repro body I received is of a different body style so it might be a type 30? As can seen the photos the windshield tab holes are each different position. Also found out it didn't come with a motor so if will looking to find out too what type they used in the motorized version.

For now I just made sub tail pipe. Still has the original tires. I took it apart to check if this one can accommodate a slot chassis.

[James Wendel]

Domingo -
 
I own both repro bodies: Lotus 30 and 40 (sorry, they are not for sale) I purchased them a long time ago from Hobby Link Japan. They no longer have the Lotus 40. The Lotus 30 (which I realize you already have) is HERE.
 
Your painted car is a Lotus 40 and appears to be almost identical to the repro body that I have, although mine does not have to two posts on the underside, in front of the rear wheels.
 
The windshields are not interchangeable. Looking at your photos and my bodies, I would guess that the windshield from the repro-Lotus 40 would fit your earlier car. It is slightly longer (the front pin is farther forward) that the Lotus 30 item. Also it is a nicer piece: the bulge in front of the driver is more finely molded with less distortion. The molded-in windshield wiper is smaller and on the driver's side. On the Lotus 30 it is centered in the windshield.
 
Good luck in your search. Tamiya bodies show up on eBay occasionally, although they tend to be spendy. You might also try modeling forums on Facebook. I don't use Facebook, but have a friend who has found great bargains there.

[Domingo Favis]

Allan, I now just realized the mistake i've done thinking that the the windshield for the lotus 30/40 would be same with the just the difference in body style. Am new still to the slot car scene and have tons still to learn about these wonderful cars. I've been browsing and this forum have great and amazing info about slot cars. 

 

James, there is one lotus 40 repro on ebay right now but its a bit pricey for about $40 or so shipped from japan. If you think that the windshield repro of the lotus 40 will suit with the current car i have then I will get but want to make sure that will fit so i'll wait for others to chime in regarding this. i'll check out other slot forums as well.  Thanks.

 

 

 

Domingo

[gluebomb]

Hey Domingo,

Pretty sure the windscreen of the recent repro of the Tamiya 40 will fit but i'd let your query hang around here for a bit as someone may have a spare ?  All the detail parts of the repro body are un-chromed in white.

I've only ever seen the slot body in white or an off-white so nice to see it got molded in green for your version; curious also, as the repro bodies don't have the 2 mounts in front of the rear wheels - it look like yours would fit one of the magnesium sidewinder chassis with no fuss at all.

 

I've always wondered why Tamiya chose to put that rather large bump in the drivers tray - did the slot version ever get offered with anything other than the sidewinder chassis ? 

[Domingo Favis]

Hi gluebomb, I don't have any clue if the slot version was offered in any other configuration as I'm new to this still and don't know a whole lot about Tamiya slot cars. Im learning a lot here on this forum now tho as I have been browsing a lot. 

 

AS for the molded green body, i"m glad it polished up nicely as when I recieved this last week coming from Italy, It was all grime and dirt. So I wash it up with some soap and warm water and it cleaned off nice and then polished it with carnuba wax. It crossed my mind that I was going to restore or remove the hand paint but im afraid it will destroy it so I will just leave it alone. My skill of doing a resto is not that good yet unlike some other people here who does great great restorations. 

 

yes, I'll wait awhile for other to pitch in. Maybe I can get one where I won't spend another $50 just to get a windshield and tail pipe. Thanks.  

 

Domingo

[don.siegel]

The Lotus 30 by Tamiya came with an inline chassis, so that would explain the bump in the cockpit; that doesn't explain why they kept the bump for the 40, which only came in sidewinder version, but maybe they just modified the original molds. 

 

Atlas also used a couple of these bodies in their cheapo slot car series, with a Lotus 30 and McLaren in common with Tamiya. They needed the bump even less, because they have an inline chassis with a Riko type 16D size motor and hypoid gears! But the bump is still there... 

 

Don

[Allan Feldman]

Domigo

I have a mint kit of the motorised non slot Prince GT R-380 the body is moulded in Red.I think as all the motorised Tamyia cars were moulded in colours. Not the same as the slotcars which were usually moulded in White. The only Taymiya cars I know produced in colour were the 1/32nd Homeset cars.

There were three types of chassis for Tamyia Slotcars 1) the early tube inline; 2) the sprung inline in Brass or Black anodised and the 3) Sprung sidewinder chassis. 

The motorised bodies differently do not fit the sprung sidewinder chassis as the posts are in a different positon.

 

Regards Allan