[Fergy]

Well, not quite as vintage or as pretty as Howmet's brass rod frame, nor as cool as Russell's turbine car (though I was around at that time), but from just a few years later, here's my oldest surviving 1/32 chassis - a "plumber" style anglewinder from about 1970-71 if I recall correctly. It was a great runner and won for me several times. All brass, except for the guide mount, is 1/16". Last motor in it was a short-stack custom Mura, balanced single 27 wind, cut-down Arco mags, fully heat-sunk endbell with 36D brushes - still have the motor! 3/32 axles, ball bearings at the rear. The last body I recall using on it was a vac Porsche 917/30(?) with interior, screened vents, etc., done up as Mark Donahue's Can-Am car, that won concourse for me - not sure if Lancer was the maker or not and I don't even recall the year (age

).

(Sorry about the pic quality, I don't have a digital cam and these were done on my flatbed scanner!)

 

[Fergy]

Howmet, did they actually cross over, or just converge in the center of the car and flare back out again? I built one like that. The idea was to give the front end more twist going into a corner but have it snap back at corner exit - like having suspension in a way. My chassis above accomplished it by using small diameter rails to the front axle instead. The front wheels had lots of vertical flex and lateral twist but would remain "loaded" and wanted to return to a flat state. Rail diameter and degree of freedom was critical, and very much a reflection of the driver's style - then, as now, many felt that the front wheels did serve a purpose and felt that the "tripod" chassis wasn't necessarily the ultimate - I still think the front wheels help in turns but hinder on the straights, and I've always built my chassis so the front tires 'barely skim' the track on straights but are there for stability in turns. I don't recall an actual "cross-over" design but then again, there were SO many chassis developments back then that it was almost impossible to keep pace, or even understand half of the design rationales used!

PS - I don't want to know why there's fluff between your G and H keys...

 

[Fergy]

Thanks, Grah!

On the 'X' frame idea... wouldn't one side be much more "loaded" than the other? I mean, wouldn't one side of the front be free to twist while the other side would have to actually twist against the cross-over too? Or am I missing something (as usual!

)

 

[Fergy]

Okay, good, for once I've understood a chassis I haven't even seen.

If I was to build one now... and will shortly, I hope... I think I'll give a look at the torsion rod versions that I've seen done by people like Chris Briggs. I have an idea for tying the front wheels into it in a different way.... gotta love it, there's always a different way to build a scratchbuilt chassis!

 

[Fergy]

I'm still trying to find all my all old chassis, let alone thinking about new ones!

 

[Fergy]

Thanks, John!

Now... if I was a chassis that hadn't been seen in 20 years, where would I be hiding...

I think everyone who actually scratchbuilds a chassis can sit back and feel very good about it - there's something about building your own (no matter how well it runs) that is enormously satisfying. And it's impossible to ever get to the point where you can't do it better or can't find a different design to try - for me, it's the slot racing equivalent of being an Adrian Reynard or a John Barnard, etc. Great fun!

Chris: Love your pages on chassis construction. Anyone wanting to get their feet wet should check them out.

I've got to do one up like Russell's too. Love the basic rod frame and brass pan designs, especially for older open-wheel cars! So much to do, so little time..

 

[Fergy]

Larry.... as always....

Now, are you gonna divulge how you finished the underside???

 

[Fergy]

QUOTE 1/32 scale golden alligator hide!

I keep setting traps for those, but haven't caught one yet.....

 

[Fergy]

Chris, it comes from staring at all that shiny brass!

Love those torsion bar chassis - next on my list!

 

[Fergy]

Nice work, John! Looks like there's a few scratchbuilders here after all!

And... you're not late! Remember to use a good excuse, er, ah, justification! "...you can't rush a genius..." or "...it's like fine wine - it has to age!..." or "...I didn't want to outclass the other builders of the time..."

PS - what are "mole grips"

 

[Fergy]

QUOTE Mole grips are an english device for handling small underground rodents

...and you Brits do that a lot?

QUOTE (a self locking wrench really)

Okay.... probably similar to what we call "vice grips" or "locking pliers" in North America.... like pliers but they are adjustable for opening size and lock when crimped - released by an auxiliary handle under one of the main handles.... I'm alway amazed at how two "english" speaking countries can have such dissimilar names for things...

 

[Fergy]

QUOTE thanks for all the excuses Fergy - all noted for future reference - especially for projects relating to decorating and general household maintenance

Where did you think I got them from!

QUOTE You say tomato and I say tomato

Glad you didn't pick "potato", we don't want Dan Quayle to get in on this...

(Probably only my US friends will get that...)

Can't wait for the complete chassis, John. I love seeing the variety of styles that have been done over the years.

 

[Fergy]

QUOTE Or you can just call it a frame!

Dang.... exactly what I was gonna say!

 

[Fergy]

Okay, John, let's get that puppy painted!

Hmmmm.... I know which driver I'd do it up for!

 

[Fergy]

(Good grief... when did I get 3 thumbs...

)

 

[Fergy]

Very nice John!!

QUOTE And the controlled power slides? Love 'em!

Well, what did you expect with that number on the car?

 

[Fergy]

...and a good thing!...who'd want a 5-wheel F1 car?