14 replies to this topic

[stevefzr]

Hi Folks,
 
Did Globe/Versitec ever sell bodies or complete cars? I'd like to run a Globe motor and chassis in an upcoming vintage race over here, but will probably have to run a Globe body as well. As far as I know they never sold bodies or complete cars. Does anyon know for sure? I'm hoping they resold some Dynamic or Pactra ones so I can build a legal car.
 
Failing that, I'd like to run a vintage Mura car based on their wire inline chassis. Same question, did they ever sell bodies or RTR cars? They need to have sold them pre 1972 to qualify.
 
Thanks,
 
Steve C

[Steve Deiters]

I don't think Globe ever sold bodies. They did sell a chassis, but I can't recall if you had to buy the motor separately.
 
I think back in the late '60s Mura did sell what was referred to as a "thingie" body. This style of racing was very popular on the west coast, but not so much so in other parts of the country. 
 
You could make a strong case that these "thingie" bodies were one of the genesis points for the "wing" bodies of today.

[Pappy]

I've got a Globe/Versitec sidewinder chassis still new in the box. I'm pretty sure they also had an inline chassis.

[Ramcatlarry]

Not sure of "RTR or bodies," but Versitec made both inline and sidewinder diecast 1/24 frames for Globe motors. I have both.

Was 'Versitec" a brand for Globe Industries?

[MSwiss]

I don't think it would be possible to fashion a Mura or a Globe RTR car.

PdL would certainly be the ultimate yay or nay on that.

Foe pre-1972, it seems like the Dynamic stamped brass anglewinder RTR, especially with the Mura motor, would be a good choice.

A nicer frame, but not sure if they ever sold it as an RTR, would be the Riggen plated anglewinder.

[Ramcatlarry]

 (?)  Do your rules limit you to 'cars sold as ready to run or kits to assemble'... or just period era parts as typically raced pre-1972...

 

Several 'proxy races' have been run for vintage cars and correct 'made in 196x parts' can be difficult if not impractical to locate and use.

[TSR]

Globe Industries was a maker of industrial precision electric motors with their main market the US military. The "Versitech" division was a separate corporation established for the small slot car items.
 
When they became aware of the slot car boom, their modified one of their small motors for use in slot cars, with two basic models, the SS81 and SS91. They were very reliable, almost indestructible motors, but were hampered by their shape and their 1/8" shaft, hampering the use of a proper gear ratio.
 
In 1965, they issued two chassis kits made of cast aluminum, first a sidewinder (could only receive the round motors), then an inline, suitable for the SS81/91 and other "round" motors. These nicely made chassis also included flanged 1/8" ball bearings of decent quality, the same used... in the motors. They also offered spur and crown gears and some aluminum wheels. Spare parts also included motor brushes and springs as well as inner endbell parts and the 1/8" ball bearings. Replacing motor brushes on a Globe motor is a serious exercise in patience and frustration.
 
In 1966, a new motor based on the SS91 armature, the SS101 shaped like a standard Mabuchi can motor, was introduced as well as another inline chassis drilled specifically for it.
 
The SS101 had the same problems as the SS91, its 1/8" shaft unable to receive pinions small enough to offer an acceptable gear ratio. By 1968, Globe was gone from the slot car market.

No bodies or complete cars were ever produced.

[Ramcatlarry]

Thanks, PdL, for all of your endeavors.

[stevefzr]

PDL: "No bodies or complete cars were ever produced."

 

Well, that's bad news. I have a selection of Globe motors and Versitec chassis. The SS101 car is particularly fast. I was pretty sure Versitec wouldn't have made bodies, but I hoped they were resellers of Pactra or Dynamic ones.

 

So that just leaves Mura. Did they sell any bodies? Thingies aren't eligible, but "handling" bodies would be OK.

 

Mike, I thought about the Dynamic anglewinders. I'll have to check if they're allowed.

 

Larry, don't worry that 'made in 196x parts' can be difficult if not impractical to locate and use. Most of our racing uses vintage cars and parts. Braids and tyres are the only non-1960s parts in most of our cars. Pink gears do make their way into a few as well. Modern motors are banned in a lot of our classes, so 36D and 26D motors power the majority of our cars. At the Adelaide meet this year we have two classes that mandate open frame motors and two classes that require Ackerman steering.

 

Regards,

 

Steve C

[Phil Hackett]

Mura sold bodies. Thingies only.

[boxerdog]

Who was Racer Products??? I was thinking that Mura did a few RTR wing cars at one time...???

[MSwiss]

While they used Mura motors, Racer Products was a different company.

And well over a decade later of the year cut-off the OP mentioned.

[mjsh]

Not sure I am remembering this right but, I talked my friend Larry into buying a Mura RTR in Macon about 1968. The frame was a multi-rod inline, drop arm, and probably Mura Bravos rears.

I don't know if Larry ever got to run it before the orange track closed. I do remember compared to my Dynamic 507 with brass pans and a Cuc body, his new car looked like what I was seeing in the magazines at the time.

[John Streisguth]

Plenty of pre-'72 Grp 12 and Group 20/22 stuff around. I doubt most RTR producers made their own bodies, probably used Dynamic.

[Phil Hackett]

Who was Racer Products??? I was thinking that Mura did a few RTR wing cars at one time...???

 

Racer Products was owned by Les Koenig... he was friends with George Mura.