29 replies to this topic

[Martin]

This was a bit of an E-Bay gamble but If I can get it for around $50 I thought I would try to save this cool Thingy. They even made a movie poster, cups and T-shirts about it 

 

So here (this is the add pic) is what I bid on and won for under $60 with shipping. Wish me luck.

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[MattD]

Looks like a reasonable price and project.

[Martin]

The correct wheels are hard to find, as is that center body mount. It looks like it is all there and all original too,with some extra goodies to sweeten the deal.

 

Big question, what is under that brush painted black ooze?  The clean up begins.

 

Trying a mixture of Plastic polish (#2) and paint thinner on a soft cloth.

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[Stangster]

Very interesting project.  Keep us updated on how the cleanup process is coming along. 

[Martin]

Making progress, gave up on the rub method. Went to a super sharp blade. This is going much faster. Some of the paint pops off when I get the blade under the paint.

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[Martin]

Almost there. Taking a break to straighten the front axle (which by the way is special to the car) and clean all brass parts with Bar keepers friend.

 

Looking for decals that are close to stockish.

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[Martin]

Getting ready for reassembly with all parts cleaned and now back in one piece only need rear tires and I am done with this Bandit. Until I find rear tires that is.

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[slotbaker]

Looks good, nice save.

 

Can you let us know what lengths the wheel spacer tubes are?

 

Also, is there an odd knock off there? Looks like 3 x Dynamic, and one Cox/BZ?

[Martin]

Thanks Steve, Yes, I will put a caliper on the spacers tomorrow and get you those measurements . Are you restoring a Bandit?

 

Knock offs>You are correct Steve, just seeing if anybody is paying attention  Really I just missed that. I can fix that when I get to do the rear tires. Now where do I get grey sponge?

[Pablo]

I have gray Cox donuts in original pack. Both 1/2 and 5/8 wide.

Maybe you should just send them to me and let me re-rubber them?

[Martin]

Hey Steve,the fronts are .820" long and the rears are .693" hope this helps. Are you building a Bandit, we are forming a gang, wanna join?

 

Mr Paplo, your too kind,   what a great offer. But  I must learn to do this myself. I want to have a complete restoration/building  hobby shop.

 

At to that end I have been working on my tire grinder. I made a clamp for my Dremel tool so I can fit into my tool post on the small lathe I have,and will be trying it to day. 

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[slotbaker]

Martin, I think I've got all the chassis bits, just missing a body, so If I can build a complete runner, I'll look out for a body.

 

Where did you get your decals from?

[Bill from NH]

That body looks great!  I can't imagine why anyone wanted to hide it under that black coating of whatever it was. Fortunately, it doesn't appear that whatever it was, etched the Bandit body. I've never been a big fan on using the pronged knock-off nuts, but I thought in your photo, you had one turned over.

[Pablo]

Steve, I have an airhead re-pop if you want it, it's yours.

[Martin]

Decals are from a collection of save bits and pieces. The number 44 is made from 3 parts and is from a 1/32 sheet. The Dynamic is common and the stripe is Pactra blue pin striping tape.  Let me know if you find a body and I will make up a decal kit for you.

Thanks guys for put ups. This one was fun and easy.

[ajd350]

Nice! Love the saves.

[slotbaker]

Steve, I have an airhead re-pop if you want it, it's yours.

Thanks for the generous offer Paul.

 

I've ordered one from Gene, to go along with the Vampire interiors and a couple of other bits, so I'm covered on the Bandit.

[slotbaker]

Let me know if you find a body and I will make up a decal kit for you.

That would be great, thank you.

[Martin]

Steve P.M. me with your address and I will put a package together for you.    I will also make a copy of the original #44 ( not the one I used) and the U.S. auto club sticker. You will have to cut it out and stick it on, but it will be hard to tell from the original.

[Jairus]

Wow, the body came out very nice Martin!

[Martin]

Thanks Jairus, I have plenty of mint bodies.that I save for the right project. But I am in "save" mode. Hard to mess up something that's already messed up. Its a safe bet I can make it look a little better than it stared.

Very satisfying saving it from the trash can.

 

Anybody else have "mint stuff" anxiety?

[mike1972chev]

That was some pretty "MAJOR OVERHAUL" you just did to that bandit body in my opinion Martin.But i think some people are a little to finicky about taking a body with slight cracks and needing of light paint works and using them at all. :/ 

 

Sometimes with a little body tape,glue,sanding,paintwork and good old elbow grease and innovation,you can make some really nice cars that are still very usable. 

 

I wonder how many vintage bodies have been tossed in the "round file" just because they didn't quite look right or were not good enough in the eyes of the guy who owned it at the time??? 

[Bill from NH]

Mike, I think that many of us just don't have Martin's know-how or talent for reclaiming some of the old bodies. I know i don't.  I was a model builder before slot cars, so I could probably restore na injection-molded body, but vac bodies are a horse of a different color.

[Martin]

Thanks to all,

I am making a Bandit sticker set for Steve. So my question is what is the editing program I should down load so I clean the image then get it printed, then I/we can cut and stick on all Bandits and Renegades to follow.

I will then redo mine with the correct font.

I have used photo editing programs before, just have nothing on my latest PC. Thanks in advance for your help.

[slotbaker]

Doesn't look like much joy for image software suggestions.

 

Martin, I can't see from your images if you have the skinny brass, front motor mount bracket to the endbell installed.

Is it there, or missing?

 

I had a search through my Dynamic stash, and don't have that chassis nose piece with the solid axle mount cast in.

I've got a Dynaflex version, and the usual 2 piece tongue and screw on axle mount.

So I'll fudge that part and use the standard screwed assy.

 

I also don't have the brass body mount, so I'll have to make one of those.  Your photo will make a good template.