Champion RTR kit or clone ?
So I thought this might be a factory Champion RTR when I saw this UK Model cars magazine page. Car in box top left (thanks, John). It does have all Champion ingredients (maybe) plus the Russkit Lola T70 found on the RTR car.
But I do not believe it to be factory-painted. Although nicely done, Champion (I believe) did not have the black stripe on the front or the old English #88 script.
The ad does say all same parts sold as a kit. So it makes sense this is a Champion kit car, #161 (K) painted and assembled by customer.
Anybody know how it was sold, bag, box, UK only???
Champion RTR makeover?
#1
Posted 18 January 2019 - 11:01 PM
- Pete L., Lou E, Old Pilot and 4 others like this
#2
Posted 19 January 2019 - 06:45 AM
I know Champion (orange pickers Etc Etc) motors were imported into the UK in component form to avoid the UK "purchase tax" then assembled by B.I.C.O the distributor, possible the RTR was assembled in the same way as Champion parts were sold with "Champion of Europe" packaging.
(oneofwos)
Requiescat in Pace
#3
Posted 19 January 2019 - 12:04 PM
Hey John, it been a while since I have worked with shillings and pence. But it looks like you save 17 shillings and 4 pence if you buy the kit.
Why do they not give the prices in pounds ?
For those that are not familiar with the old ways its 20 shilling to the pound and 12 pence to the shilling.
Cleaned up the interior. added the fire extinguisher in the hole that was already there and added the red seat belt that was missing. Also painted the steering wheel spokes chrome as it was brown along with standing the gear shift in a realistic position.
I noticed the glue residue on the dash. I will look for a suitable mirror for this location. Looks like it had a round base,any clues ?
- Tex, Pete L., Lou E and 3 others like this
#5
Posted 20 January 2019 - 12:03 PM
Cool car Martin.
Those blue rears look like they might have enough meat left to clean up.............love those Champion "baby moon" style wheels.
Thanks for sharing your project.
Rick Thigpen
Check out Steve Okeefe's great web site at its new home here at Slotblog:
The Independent Scratchbuilder
There's much more to come...
#6
Posted 20 January 2019 - 12:21 PM
I had those on a couple of my cars back in the day. So I have a soft spot for them too. I still think they look great.
This builder did that black background like you did awhile back. I keep it original to this car. Cleaned up the Blue rears. Looks good for display only, I'm sure there is no traction here. Maybe they can be soaked in some sticky stuff ? Got any methods to make them driveable.
- miko, Peter Horvath, Samiam and 1 other like this
#9
Posted 07 February 2019 - 07:23 PM
I made a little progress on the Lotus body. I decided that It would look best to eliminate the 4 skinny stripes and run a continuation of the front stripe. I ordered some 1/16" chrome tape but when it came I found the original is thinner than that. I guess I should have measured first and not assumed. So I ended up cutting it from a old chrome decal.
- miko likes this
#10
Posted 07 February 2019 - 07:40 PM
Looking really nice Martin. Do you need the chrome Russkit quick fill gas caps for your project? I have extras.
Rick Thigpen
Check out Steve Okeefe's great web site at its new home here at Slotblog:
The Independent Scratchbuilder
There's much more to come...
#11
Posted 07 February 2019 - 07:51 PM
In the photos, that body now appears to be a new one. Nice cleanup, Martin.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#12
Posted 07 February 2019 - 08:56 PM
Thanks Bill, I really enjoy taking an original weathered orphan and making it as it once was, when first built. With the added 50 years of yellowing of course.
Thanks for the offer Rick. I found the 3 gas caps I need for this project. Was it 2 gas in the side pods and one water at the rear, I presume?
I do still need info on the stacks( post 8) anybody?
#13
Posted 08 February 2019 - 05:08 AM
Martin,
As far as I know, the 8 tall stacks are for the Lotus and the 4 short pairs are for the McLaren... I bought a built-up Lotus 40 with its box many years ago, that had the shorties, and Philippe explained that it had the wrong stacks... I've seen this a couple times, so I wonder if there weren't a few kits that came with the "wrong" stacks, but in any case the tall ones seem to be the right choice.
Don
#14
Posted 08 February 2019 - 07:44 AM
Thanks Don,
I am starting to believe they came both ways also (or just with the body kits) maybe based on stock on hand, This original builder here used the shorty's.So I will stick with them. I actually like them better, the tall stacks look a bit toy like to me
I do have unopened Lotus 40 chrome kits in the brown envelope that came with the body kits. Pass the envelope please. I will check later.
#16
Posted 08 February 2019 - 05:20 PM
Rick Thigpen
Check out Steve Okeefe's great web site at its new home here at Slotblog:
The Independent Scratchbuilder
There's much more to come...
#17
Posted 08 February 2019 - 06:53 PM
Beautiful
Paul Wolcott
#18
Posted 08 February 2019 - 07:11 PM
Looks like a new build! Nice restoration.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#20
Posted 15 August 2020 - 01:02 PM
- Ramcatlarry likes this
#21
Posted 15 August 2020 - 05:22 PM
Thanks Rich for the informed info.
I was confused when I had to make a choice, so I went with what the car came with.
As a slot car that body has been sold with both types of intakes.
I even found pics of Lotus 30s (red car)with tall stacks and 40s with the shorty's
- Jencar17 and Tex like this
#22
Posted 18 September 2020 - 07:57 AM
Great job
#24
Posted 29 September 2020 - 07:53 AM
Has it been back on the track yet ? How did it run ??
#25
Posted 29 September 2020 - 10:09 AM
At this point in time she sits in the display case. I do have a nice 4 lane track but dry space is in high demand, so I have not found a safe place to set it up.
But that would be the plan to have a home track where I could test. For now I am content with building, restoring and displaying.
The shop where I work had bought this track for us to have fun on, but the pandemic forced us to down size, so we lost the space to set up. Still have the track, now in storage unfortunately.
Thanks for your interest Paul. Did you have one of this model back in the day?
- Samiam likes this