[David Lawson]

I have just started to build a Lotus 25 using this original 1960s fibreglass bodyshell which I bought a few years ago along with a knobbly Lister shell by the same maker.

Does anyone know who made these shells, they both have very coarse weave and green resin. I may have asked this question before on the forum but don't remember getting a definitive answer.

There was some damage to the gearbox cowl which I've repaired and in fact there was a large bulge on the offside of the shell which I have also repaired. I've carved the windscreen buck for vacforming. As I get this slot car ready for a race at the Southend Club later in the year it would be nice to know who originally made the shell.

David

 

[superhornets]

hi david
judging by the shape (very similar to a 1/32 version of that car i had ) and the fact you state that the weave of the glass is coarse ie a loose weave ,i would suggest it is auto hobbies of america

cheers tony

 

[David Lawson]

Thanks very much Tony. I'll go with Auto Hobbies.

In fact this afternoon I've been comparing the shell to an old metal Auto Kit Lotus 25 that I have. It appears that Auto Hobbies have copied the kit body but then done a few changes to avoid complaints of copying...

Thanks for your help.
David

 

[dgersh]

David,

The only other manufacturer that made fiberglass shells in 1/24 to any degree was Braverman (Bob), but not at home now so can't check - I think I have already put up lists of these cars on SF, so try a search... I think that AH made more bodies in the larger scale however.

Don

 

[merkit the grof]

Here are some scans I nicked from the web ages ago.

Joel

 

[David Lawson]

Looking at those scans I am reasonably sure that the Lotus and the Lister shells I have are in fact Auto Hobbies. The finish in the cockpit area of the 1/24 Lotus that I have is identical to the 1/32 Lotus illustrated.

Funnily enough the bulge in the side of the grand prix Porsche in the scan is identical to the bulge that I had to correct in my Lotus...

David

 

[bwaminispeed]

The bulges were probably for Brush gear clearance on the old train motors used at the time. Strombecker's Mercedes GP car has a similar bulge in the side.