70 replies to this topic

[Martin]

Decades ago I saw this Unique Lotus 30 with it's painted chassis. I always wanted to replicate that car. As it was posted recently I felt it was time to gather parts for this car.

It needs to be said it takes a village to build this exact car. At least for me, and I have a lot of stuff.

I have had much help near and far to gather the correct parts. Don pointed me to a car on e-bay with the correct body and motor mounts. I was lucky enough to win the auction. Matt had the correct wheels and Tommy the tires.(not yet arrived)

Still looking for the hard to find Shark body. But in my search I found several Lotus 30 bodies, but no Shark.

The Du-bro is the closest, but there are some small differences between the Du-bro and the Shark.

So this is what I have so far.

Thanks to all above mentioned.

 

 

 

 

 

[SpeedyNH]

wow what a collection of parts! i never heard of a shark body though. 

[Zippity]

Doesn't the term "shark", refer to the nose shape of a particular Ferrari F1 car?

 

 

 

EDIT: My apologies  

[MSwiss]

I'm pretty sure Martin is referencing Shark, as the brand.

[MattD]

Shark is the company name.   The 61 (I think) Ferrari was called the sharknose and  might be the car Phil Hill won the World Championship with. 

[Martin]

Yes it is the brand of the body they (Unique) used. It is mentioned in the article text. Just below center of this page.

http://slotblog.net/topic/40829-shark/

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[Martin]

This is the donor car Don led me too. I was able to salvage and straighten the front axle support, body and motor mounts.

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[Larry Horner]

Cool project Martin ... I've never seen a chassis like that. And with all the lovely anodizing, you almost want to leave the body unpainted to show it off.

[MattD]

I think he does plan to leave it un-painted.  Just like the cover car.

[Isaac S.]

Looks great so far, hope you can find that body. 

[Martin]

Would be nice to find a Shark brand Lotus 30 body. It differs from the Du-bro in that the Shark Lotus has defined wheel arch lips and the front hood line comes closer to the front of the windshield.

 

The other part that I do not have is that red/brown guide.  Was it died or did they come that way? Anybody seen one?

 

Another oddity is the cover picture shows a red motor but has a Russkit label. So is it a Monogram motor with a Russkit label?

Or did the builder paint the gold motor red?

I do not think Russkit motors ever came red so some effort was made here.

[Isaac S.]

I do think that they painted over a Russkit motor. This isn't the exact same guide but it is red. https://www.ebay.com...IUAAOSwYNpeqzov

[Martin]

Thank you Isaac, I looked at your link.

Decided I will try to color what I have first. Shape first color second.

 

 

Found this thanks to JHW

http://slotblog.net/...that-pink-gear/

[Isaac S.]

That is what I would do too if I was trying to recreate a car. To dye plastic parts I have used Rit dye. It comes in a variety of red colors like wine, scarlet and cherry. 

[Martin]

Thanks Isaac, that's exactly what I did,dyes on the way.

 

The purple gear is interesting. Notice It has the gear hub is opposite the teeth. I found a brass gear, and will paint it.

Unless there is a nylon gear with this configuration?

[Alchemist]

I have never heard of the Shark Brand of slot car bodies.

 

I searched and discovered this information provided by our illustrious member, Steve Okeefe, back in 2013.

 

Just wanted to share - Thanks Steve for providing the info!

 

http://slotblog.net/topic/40829-shark/

 

Ernie

[Martin]

Thanks Ernie, I did post this link in post # 6.

 

Now I am Shark fishing. Part number 511.

[Alchemist]

Oops! 

 

Please pardon the redundancy Martin.

 

Thank you.

 

Ernie

[satchmo]

The more I look at the cover, I notice more details that were added to the frame....the front axle carrier is painted purple.  The main frame is painted blue up to the point where the front body mount is attached, then detailed in blue along the top of the frame rail and detailed in blue around the inside of the long hole at the upper rear of the frame rail.  As already noted, crown gear is painted purple and Russkit motor is painted red.  Wheels are obviously painted yellow.  Made for a really great photo, in my opinion!

 

As a side note, there is a mention of the wild chassis paint job on page 3 of that issue (table of contents page) that I've attached to this msg.

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[Martin]

No worries Ernie, redundancy is a good thing in this case.

 

Thanks Jim for posting, Paints and dies are on the way to replicate this car. Now we can put a name on the builder of the original.

I was so focused on the car that I did not pay much attention to the French racing poster. I bet Don has one

[Martin]

As the paints and dies come in I can chip away a this  project. The Johnny Cash song "one piece at a time" comes to mind.

 

  I had 4 options I considered on how to paint the wheels.

 

1/ Thin the paint, dip the wheel on a vertical axle into a cup of thinned paint to create a water (paint) line.

 

2/ Paint the whole wheel, then wipe the edges off to expose the polished outer rim.

 

3/ Hand paint with a brush as the wheel is slowly spinning.

 

4/ Cut a mask and center on the wheel then tape the O.D. spray prime with Testors yellow enamel.

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[Isaac S.]

Those wheels look fantastic. 

[Jairus]

I only have one Shark Body.  Not a Lotus but a Hussein from 1965, your's if you want it Martin.

Shark racing shells were touted as being made of high impact plastic for 1/32 and 1/24th scale.
They even molded a 1936 Ford Coupe!
Located in Sun Valley, CA 1964 - '66.

Respectfully submitted,
 

[Martin]

Wow, that's a fantastic offer. I would love to have it. I am working on a Dynamic swinger. I have a stock version with the hard body but this body would make for a "Super Swinger" I have the wheels and special front section but would put a 16D motor an make the car Dynamic could have made.

You made my day.  

[dc-65x]

Possible Shark Body