17 replies to this topic

[mike1972chev]

Hey to all,

 

Can anyone tell me the origin of this brass pan type chassis?  I almost sold it at one time,but got the "OOH,shiny object" feel for it and bought a body to mount on it.  It looks to be well assembled and very stout.(and also,a bit on the HEAVY side. )

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[Steve Deiters]

Yes.

 

This was marketed by REHco.  The center rail is from the Cobra steel CanAm chassis of the era, but is made of brass.  The drop arm was most probably REHco.  The guide flag was the typical Associated "Jet Flag" of the era, but dyed orange to identify with the brand.  REH had cornered the market on 36-D motors and this chassis and others were seen as a vehicle for them.  A low cost beginner car with a relatively strong and durable motor.  Considering the era it filled the bill. 

 

The chassis was probably fabricated by Matt Sedeen who made many of the chassis that REH marketed at the time.  The tires and brass spur gear probably are not original to the car, but the use of 5-40 axles and locking nuts may have been.

[Martin]

It looks very similar or at least has some DNA of what we knew as American Line . We had a class here in north Ca. They handled great. Very derivable.  I am wondering if someone took the side pans off?

[Steve Deiters]

"American Line" was a product line of REH Distributing which also had the REHco products.

[Martin]

We bought them as a kit in a box with a clear top. Painted Can Am body, threaded axles etc.The only thing we kept was the yellow can 36D motor and then blueprinted the chassis for racing. Pretty bullet proof. Good cheap fun.

What body do you plan to put on this narrowed chassis, or do you plan to add the side pans?

[Bill from NH]

REHCO sold clear repops (Lancer?) of a California Sportsman & a '30 Ford roadster for their 36D brass inlne chassis. With motor mounts, those would probably fit this 36D anglewinder, as would one of the numerous hard plastic model kits of vintage coupes & sedans. REH companies take their names from their owner, Robert E. Haines.

[mike1972chev]

Martin,this will be project #3 in my short list of assemblies planned.I somewhat cleaned it up.(It was NASTY!!) I plan on dis assembly and buffing the chassis too a high luster and sealing it to start with. I will post some photos of my plans for it later.

[Bill from NH]

Not the only product available, but I like Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish for a high luster. It works easily on brass, if more effort is given, it'll put a mirror finish on steel.

[Martin]

Hey Mike.Look forward to seeing your progress, have you decided on a body yet. Are you are not going to add side pans or keep it narrow ?

[mike1972chev]

Yes,I have got an awesome body for it. A 1957 Kellison GM based kit car . I saw these bodies and just HAD to have one to put away in the cabinet and never deface it ! I so enjoy the chassis that are both COOL and a bit strange to look at all  at the same time. (LOVE them so much,I bought TWO of them !   )  You guys are telling me they made these with wider pan extentions  also??? (Any photos???)

 

 

 

 

But it will be awhile until I do this one. Like I have said ,I need to REALLY detail the chassis to more of my satisfaction.All I did was "de crud" the nasty thing. I want to get it apart and really spit shine it to death!  It will be awhile down the road. The weather is still nasty out side,but when it straightens up a bit,I will have to turn my attention to more outside projects. Will save the slot car construction/restorations to late night weekends only during the warmer months.

 

 

 

[Martin]

The Kellison is a Very appropriate body, as this was a fiberglass kit car back in the day. I will drag out my American line race car. Its a bit rough, its been driven hard in many races.

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[Allan Feldman]

Martin please do not taKe this as a criticism You have every right to finish your Ford GT40 body as you want. But I assume you already know(?) its the wrong body for using the colour scheme of the JWAE Gulf 1968 Le Mans winning GT40P/1075. Your body is the 1966 Ford MKII.

Regards Allan

[Martin]

Yes I did realize this. You are correct. I actually was given this body and motor by my racing buddy. The body was in kind of in a junk pile, so I ask him I could have it. He also built me a killer 36d motor and it was always faster than his car, I felt a little guilty, just a little.

A little memory on the subject of GT40s, my dad worked at Heathrow airport in 1966, I was about 12-13ish when he asked me to come down and sit in, you guessed it the Gulf Ford GT 40. He was about to load it onto a jet to some where, it was just sitting there on the tarmac. I can remember the  feel of the grommets on my back as I slide into the seat. Beautiful car, I am sure it had an influence on my love for motor racing.  

[Allan Feldman]

Hi Martin 

The JWAE Gulf GT40's were racing from the 1968 season. The only other car to wear that colour scheme earlier was the 1967 Gulf sponsored JWAE Mirage M1. If as you say it was 1966 it might have been the F English Le Mans entry which was painted in Cambridge Blue and had White centre stripes. But it had nothing to do with Gulf

Regards Allan

[Martin]

Hey Allan, It was a was a GT40 in gulf colors of that I am clear, what was unclear is 1966 that was the year my Dad started at Heathrow, he worked there for 20 or so years. In 1968 I was 14 years old, so, as we can document that that is when the Gulf colors were on the gt 40 thats works for me. Thanks for putting a date on my encounter.1968 it is. Could it have been going to Lemans that year?  By the way 1968 was the year my love for slot cars peaked.

  Eye candy, I do remember the orange on the nose so this would be the car.The other cars have less orange wrap around on the nose. Not sure why there was only one car there at the airport on that day.

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[Allan Feldman]

Hi Martin

The double Le Mans winner GT40P/1075 had the Gulf Colour scheme of Power Blue and Marigold (Orange. The west coast colours for Gulf. Gulf corporate colours were Dark Blue and Marigold (Orange). Number 9 shown above was the 1968 Le Mans winner. Which also won the following year with the number 6. This had the moustache scheme. The other two 1968 Gulf GT40s had a marigold central stripe and one scheme that ended up as a point on the front clip.

Regards Allan

[sportblazer350]

here are my 2 REH Can-Am cars, one is new in box:

 

 

 

 

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[mike1972chev]

I wish I had one of those bodies . Cool factor is HIGH.