'What if' Mini Dream Can-Am car
Started by
Jaeger Team
, Jun 15 2026 05:39 AM
36 replies to this topic
#26
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 04 July 2026 - 01:32 PM
...mocked up!...
- Joe Maxey likes this
Maurizio Salerno
#27
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 05 July 2026 - 08:22 AM
...this triangulation prevents the motor from rotating downwards...
Attached Images
Maurizio Salerno
#28
DeanJ
-
- Full Member
-
- 96 posts Joined: 13-March 26
Backmarker
- Gender:Male
- Location:SoCal
Posted 06 July 2026 - 11:23 AM
Is it going to hold up to the forces at play? Looks like itll snap going around the first turn, or the first deslot.
- Jaeger Team likes this
Dean John
#29
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 07 July 2026 - 12:34 AM
Is it going to hold up to the forces at play? Looks like itll snap going around the first turn, or the first deslot.
...I hope not; I soldered it using Koford silver solder, anchoring it firmly to the can right where the magnet stop hole is...
Maurizio Salerno
#30
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 17 July 2026 - 08:20 AM
...preps
for the guide and old tricks...
for the guide and old tricks...
Attached Images
Maurizio Salerno
#31
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 23 July 2026 - 11:32 AM
"Lento pede" (The work is proceeding at a slow pace).
Attached Images
- Pablo likes this
Maurizio Salerno
#32
Pablo
-
- Administrator
-
- 18,579 posts Joined: 20-February 06
Builder
- Gender:Male
- Location:Cleveland, Tennessee
Posted 23 July 2026 - 03:05 PM
Will the body color match the pan color? 
- Jaeger Team likes this
Paul Wolcott
#33
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 24 July 2026 - 12:33 AM
That's a good idea!Will the body color match the pan color?
Maurizio Salerno
#34
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 24 July 2026 - 02:15 AM
Speaking of bodies..
These two pieces from 1970 represent the grassroots innovation that defined our hobby's golden era.
The white one is a Mini Dream Can-Am, I modified in period(guessing) for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
The light blue body(thanks to Achille Zaoner) is far more remarkable: the first vacuum-formed body made in Palermo by Ninni Nobile, a brilliant engineering student. What makes it extraordinary? Ninni crafted the mold from sheet aluminum and used as thermoforming material... the plastic covers of spiral-bound notebooks! This resourcefulness epitomizes the DIY spirit that built our sport.
Ninni's intelligence and ingenuity produced what may be the first locally-made vacuum-formed body in Sicily. These aren't just car bodies - they're artifacts of passion and innovation.
These two pieces from 1970 represent the grassroots innovation that defined our hobby's golden era.
The white one is a Mini Dream Can-Am, I modified in period(guessing) for improved aerodynamic efficiency.
The light blue body(thanks to Achille Zaoner) is far more remarkable: the first vacuum-formed body made in Palermo by Ninni Nobile, a brilliant engineering student. What makes it extraordinary? Ninni crafted the mold from sheet aluminum and used as thermoforming material... the plastic covers of spiral-bound notebooks! This resourcefulness epitomizes the DIY spirit that built our sport.
Ninni's intelligence and ingenuity produced what may be the first locally-made vacuum-formed body in Sicily. These aren't just car bodies - they're artifacts of passion and innovation.
Attached Images
- Pablo and Bill from NH like this
Maurizio Salerno
#35
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 27 July 2026 - 03:24 PM
...the roller is almost done; I got 82,8mm track width using .780" wide wheels...
Attached Images
- Pablo and Bill from NH like this
Maurizio Salerno
#36
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 31 July 2026 - 11:29 AM
...I added some weight to the front of the plastic pan to improve the balance...
Attached Images
- grooverunner likes this
Maurizio Salerno
#37
Jaeger Team
-
- Full Member
-
- 586 posts Joined: 27-January 17
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Palermo, Italy
Posted 02 August 2026 - 04:00 AM
Back then, the "plastic pan" movement was left unrestricted; today, however, reduction and damping are required, especially on flat tracks.
Attached Images
- don.siegel likes this
Maurizio Salerno
