9 replies to this topic

[Mbloes]

From the January, 1970 issue of MCS, coverage of the "Fifth MCS/USRA Road Race".  I imagine this race took place in September of 1969 or so.

 

Here is a pic of Mike's car:

 

 

I just re-typed the caption text (bold is mine):

 

"Mike Steube took a second in the main with this unusual chassis.  Mike made his drop arm from double rails of piano wire.  The front of the drop arm and the front of the bat pans are soldered together instead of being hinged, and some extra brass is added to the front of this to put more weight on the pickup.  Power comes from a Champion motor and, naturally, a Steube armature."

 

I couldn't figure out what this meant.  Does it mean the whole front end is all "locked up" like this?:

 

 

If so, it may be the first instance of this type of rigid design.

 

Or do you think the pans still tilt from side to side?  He still has the (low CG type) pan stops, which would indicate they do.

 

I just can't tell from the pic.

[SoCal Bill]

I think the difference would be that the drop arm hinge allows the front of the pans and drop arm a little bit of play referenced to the front axle.  You can see the pans are hinged to the middle rails, but the motion would be severely limited, though still much more than the stamped chassis.  -Just my guess

[Mr. M]

The plumber rail looks solid to the drop arm with no hinge. The drop arm looks hinged with a down and up stop. Thus the pans are solid to the drop arm and are hinged floating to the plumber rail. So this is not quite as solid as the stamped steel chassis shown.

[tonyp]

Chris, you got it, standard floppy pans but plumber rail instead of being hinged to the front of the drop arm is soldered solid.

[Mbloes]

Thanks, everybody.   Weirdly, I took that pic with my phone and it actually came out better quality than the original in the magazine.

 

But I still couldn't see all of the detail.

[Jesse Gonzales]

That Champion stamped chassis was used for many years in various class racing, mostly Group 20 and Groups 12 & 15. I actually handled vary well and could be pushed very hard in the heat of battle.

 

Jess Gonzales

[stoo23]

Hey, Hi guys,... perhaps a slight thread 'drift',.... an old Slotter at our local club came across a couple of the (Champion ??) Stamped 'chrome' chassis like in the 2nd pic' in this 'post' and asked if I would build one up for him.

 

Just wondering if anyone can suggest any appropriate 'build tips' / design methodologies etc to keep it like it would have been built back in the day ??

 

Whilst I Have been around and racing a long time myself, I don't recall ever seeing one of these before he handed it to me and then saw one referenced here.

 

Any suggestions or pics of 'built' chassis would be great

 

Thanks in advance

[Slot Car Rod]

Here is a Champion RTR.  Front "L" axles are hinged.  Champion C can motor.

 

My guess, maybe mid '70s-'80s?

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[Isaac S.]

That is the mid-late 70's Grp. 15 chassis. Rodney's Lawman Grp. 15 Desperado is a perfect example.  

[stoo23]

hey,.. thanks for the pics

 

Much appreciated !!

 

Kept pretty basic ,.. just wasn't sure how 'elaborate' people got with them.

It came with all the necessary 'bits' to build it (apart from Front Wheels), but I have suitable units around

 

Might even have a suitable (similar era) body for it as well.

 

Will 'post' a pic or two when finished

 

cheers