10 replies to this topic

[Lone Wolf]

Did the original Atlas 1/24 McLaren use a Tamiya body?

 

Also, did they come with both brass chassis and steel chassis?

 

Thanks

[MattD]

I'm not sure, but I think it is more like Tamiya used the Atlas bodies. Somebody should have correct info on this.

The Atlas chassis I've seen were brass or steel.

I've never been interested in Atlas. I've only gotten a little info here and there.

[Lone Wolf]

Here is how I found this with the exception of stripping the body. Note the Tamiya logo on the underside at the injector area.

 

 

 

[MattD]

Maybe they just shared molds and costs.

[jokar124]

Philippe de Lespinay stated in his first slot car book that Atlas used bodies from Tamiya, Marusan, Midori and other Japanese

manufacturers. There is a picture in his book showing the same chassis as above paired with a Tamiya Lotus 30 body in a 

NOS sealed Atlas kit.

[Lone Wolf]

Thanks, Jo. Have the book here, haven't looked inside in a few years.

 

I hear there is a new book coming out SOON         

 

I knew they crossed over with Marusan especially on the H.O cars but di not recall they used others too.

[don.siegel]

Yep Joe, they used the Tamiya bodies on this line of cars, at least the McLaren and a Lotus 30. Offhand, I only remember the brass chassis, with hypoid gears and what I think is the Hitachi type 16D motor, like a Russkit 27 with three horizontal cooling holes. If you want to replace your Russkit motor here with an Atlas, there are a lot of Riko motors from England that look very similar... 

 

That made for a lot of empty space, because the Tamiya bodies were originally designed for inline chassis with 36D motors, hence that bulge in the cockpit. 

 

Have never actually run, or restored any of the Atlas cars I have in this lineup - seems they'd run pretty well if the body were lowered a bunch! 

 

Don 

[MattD]

New book? Is this the "new" book we have been waiting on for a couple years. P get it done so we can read and look at the pictures while we can still remember the 60's. What is the status, still working on pictures?

[Lone Wolf]

Yes, I was breaking PdL's nuts about the book.

 

 I know he can dish it out as well as take it. 

 

Don, I am familiar with those slotted motors. Not really rare but not easy to find after 50 years.

 

Sadly for me this car as well as many other projects I had slated will be off to ebay for sale. 

 

This would make a great resto piece as you can use the currently available body for parts.

[don.siegel]

Joe, 

 

The Riko motors are very common in England because they were the entry level motor for all kids - and adults - moving up from Scalextric or VIP. Not even that sure what distinguishes the Atlas version of this motor - will have to take a closer look! 

 

Yep, this one needs restoration because it's missing the back panel and front valence - seems to be very common on this body! I've found a few cars missing one or both... Too bad, because otherwise it seems to be in pretty good shape. 

 

I checked and the other two cars that came out with the Lotus 30 and McLaren were the Canguro and the Lynx (their Thingie that looked a lot like a Ferrari 330 P2!). 

 

Don 

[MattD]

In comparison to the other Tamiya bodies, the Lola T70 has front and rear panels molded in the body, not separate. I think the Lola is the best body of the whole bunch. They seem to get thru the air and handle a little better.