179 replies to this topic

[Rotorranch]

https://www.google.c...qZsM1Gx5woNzwv4

[Martin]

Thanks Jeff for all the info on resin tints. Good stuff.

I have been gathering parts for the Lotus RTR body I bought for $29. I will post pics soon of my progress.

[strummer]

Thanks Jeff for all the info on resin tints. Good stuff.

I have been gathering parts for the Lotus RTR body I bought for $29. I will post pics soon of my progress.

 

Ah, so you did pick up that body; am looking forward to your pictures... 

 

Mark in Oregon

[Martin]

It was still on E-Bay as a BIN like a unwanted puppy.

I have most of the parts now. Had to rummage through my junk Cox Lotus box to find the missing parts.

[strummer]

Judging by eBay listings, the "40" seems to be a fairly common model.

 

Although I'm into 1/32, reading all these fascinating threads regarding 1/24 is really tempting me to explore this size...please talk me out of it!   

 

Mark in Oregon 

[Martin]

Get on board Mark.  1/24 was what I grew up with. Never got into the home set stuff.

Now it comes down to picking a scale that you identify with.

 

Somewhere there are production numbers for the Cox cars, wish I could find them.  

I think you are correct the Cox stuff is very common, but well used in most cases.

To think that those paper numbers on the Lotus RTR stayed in place and with no damage after 55 years is rare.

[strummer]

Get on board Mark.  1/24 was what I grew up with. Never got into the home set stuff.

Now it comes down to picking a scale that you identify with.

 

Somewhere there are production numbers for the Cox cars, wish I could find them.  

I think you are correct the Cox stuff is very common, but well used in most cases.

To think that those paper numbers on the Lotus RTR stayed in place and with no damage after 55 years is rare.

 

Thanks Martin, but that's not what I asked.     I can feel myself falling into the abyss...    

 

Question: I was heavily into HO scale model railroading for 20-plus years, and the "Kemtron" brand was very well known to me. I didn't know they also made parts for slot cars (mostly 1/24, it seems). 

 

Do those items reflect the same high quality as their train stuff did? I know if you were serious about your trains, Kemtron was the way to go...

 

Mark in Oregon

[don.siegel]

There's probably some more info about Kemtron here Mark, if you do a search. 

 

They mainly made brass chassis, to be assembled/soldered yourself, and had a fairly extensive line of motors, all imported from Japan. Good quality all around, altho comments at the time seemed to indicate the motors weren't as reliable as a good old Pittman. The ones I've used have been fine, but usage isn't at all as intense as when I raced in the 60s. Here I'm talking about their "laminated pole" motors, also dubbed "padlock". They also imported all the usual Mabuchi cans, well, at least 13D, 16D and 36D, but not the 26D models - by the time they came out, late 66 or so, Kemtron must have been withdrawing from the slot scene already. 

 

Their chassis are excellent - I've used them on quite a few vintage build-ups, and they generally run well right from the beginning. 

 

Kemtron laminated pole motors in the front: the X-503 Screaming Banshee and the Bronco and Mustang: 

 

 

Back to our regularly scheduled programming... do try a search here. 

 

Don 

[don.siegel]

Offhand, I think the production numbers for the Cox Lotus 40 were something like 400,000. The champ was the Chappy with something like a million and the La Cucuracha must have been a bit less than that. 

 

I had a Lotus 40, so that's at least one accounted for! 

 

Don 

[strummer]

Thanks Don.

Those motors look very similar to what I used to put in my HO scale locomotives...

I suppose it's safe to assume that I were to pick up a car with a Kemtron chassis, it would probably be only as good as the original builder's ability...(?)

Mark in Oregon

[Martin]

Offhand, I think the production numbers for the Cox Lotus 40 were something like 400,000. The champ was the Chappy with something like a million and the La Cucuracha must have been a bit less than that. 

 

I had a Lotus 40, so that's at least one accounted for! 

 

Don 

Thanks Don, for the numbers. Is that Lotus RTRs and kits or????

Are those production numbers posted somewhere?

 

....and I can account for 9 more. All 7 in the container have issues, but are good for parts and some paint jobs down the road.

 

Here is a parts collecting pic for the RTR #1 and I just found the rear wheels and tires also.

Below the paper work that came with the RTR, it came with the BIN  #1

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[don.siegel]

Martin, 

 

I think that includes all types. The numbers were posted by PdL and should be on here somewhere, or maybe on SlotForum. I first saw them in an Australian magazine, since a guy there had found some figures, maybe working with PdL... seems they've been updated a bit since then, but should be about right. Will check when I have a bit of time. 

 

Don 

[Martin]

Thanks Don.

So you know how you notice details better in pics, well take a look at the scrap 7 bodies in the bin (post #111) does the one on the far right have a residue mark where the paper number would be?

I never noticed that before. But if that is evidence of a paper number. That would bring the count to 15 door 15 fender. Nice place to end the research with an even count. 

I will look closer on the opposite side,  to confirm.

[strummer]

This just came on eBay...

 

 

...does that change the tally? 

 

Mark in Oregon

 

 

[Martin]

Thanks Mark, No, to answer your question.

To give you a little history on this subject. At some point Ready to Run (RTR) Cox Lotus cars were thought to have there paper numbers only stuck on the doors. Then we collectively found evidence that some RTR Cox Lotus cars had there numbers on the rear fenders.

Bottom line, we now know they came both ways.

Now, what you found is a boxed KIT car that would assemble by owner as a Lotus 30 or 40. They came with water slide decals. NOT paper numbers. The kit had a straight front axle and Lotus style wheels FRONT and rear.

The RTR was factory assembled, had guide steering front FORD style front wheels (Lotus rears) a factory painted driver and factory applied paper numbers.

 

Hope this helps, and thanks for playing

[Martin]

Now this is a RTR  Mark, notice it comes with the RTR instructions too. One more for the door for sure, makes it 15 even. https://www.ebay.com...4AAAOSwSkpeNbaX

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[slotbaker]

Here's my Lotus 40 RTR.

 

 

 

One more for the door.

[MattD]

The other option for paper sticker placement that we have found.   

 

[strummer]

Martin

 

Thank you for the clarification; and for not judging this "newbie" too harshly... 

 

This sure is fascinating stuff...

 

Mark in Oregon

[Martin]

Thanks Steve, nice clean car. I assume we have not seen your RTR before. If that's true then the DOOR placement  moves ahead, 16 to 15 for the "other option" FENDER. (Matt)

 

Your welcome Mark. It feels good to help a fellow slot car guy.

[slotbaker]

Martin, correct, I have not shown this car on its own before, but it has been seen in the below 'display case' shot on a facebook 'Rat Fink' post where it wasn't the main focus of the pic, so I think it would be safe to say that it hasn't been in the "Cox number placement" count yet.

[Martin]

Thanks Steve, that's a fun gathering of slot car goodies.

Could not help notice your driver has goggle frame and strap detailed in black. Did you add that or could it be factory painted?

I am interested as I am about to paint a driver for mine. 

 

Confirmed, we now have 16 door and 15 fender.

[slotbaker]

Thanks Martin.

No, car shown as found.

Car is untouched by me.

Looking at the paint finish up close, it doesn't look like a factory job.

It's not a bad job, but can see brush strokes...

[Martin]

Go it, a nice detail but not factory.    Unless we find 30 more of course  

[MattD]

I like the little extra detailing like the driver goggles.     I notice the Cox sticker is on the rear fender.   I think all the rest have been on the front, but I'll have to go back thru this thread and see the other pictures.