[graemet]

Hi All,

Just picked up the two Bathurst version of the Scalextric Sierra Cosworths (C474 and C475), which are missing the headlight lenses. I also have the black Texaco version C455, so was thinking of moulding its headlights, but when I opened all the cars up, I found very different configurations.

The earlier Texaco model has a solid axle and working headlights and taillights, and the newer style guide with the contacts fixed to the under of the chassis. The newer version have stub axles but no PCB or light fittings, even though the chassis had all the same mounting points to attach them. I thought at first the previous owner has ripped all that out, but a closer look at the motor connections made me think it had been built without them.

Soooo, two questions:

1. Were there lighted and non-lighted versions of these Sierras? Or have all the light units been neatly removed?
2. If there are non-lighted versions, what is used for the front headlight lenses? All the pics I have seen show headlights that look identical across all models, but these are all external shots. I haven't found any pics of the internal workings, so can't tell if it the same large single clear headlight unit is used in all variations.

Does anyone have complete examples of both the lighted and non-lighted versions, and would be willing to take photos of the internal chassis workings for comparison?

Thanks in advance,

Graeme

 

[rastas]

Not sure if this is the one you are talking about? If so, I will pull it apart and take some pictures for you! This one was stub axles and I changed it to soild fixed Hight to try and get it to handle but ended up giving up on it and was going to do a 3d chassis for it but lost interest and it went in a box for a later job!
Cheers,
John.

 

[scuderia_turini]

Yes, there are lighted and non-lighted versions. Some have blanking panels instead of the headlight lenses.
Ford Sierra Cosworth on Slot Car Portal

 

[RikoRocket]

I have the first Texaco one (from new), it had lights and stub axles. Drove like a pig... changed it to fixed axles

 

[scuderia_turini]

I have the Fina and Heuer versions. Both have headlights and brake lights. Hueur car has floppy front wheels whereas Fina car has solid front axle.
Seems like the solid axle was introduced in later cars. Both my cars are totally original and another difference in construction is that the Heuer car has a black body retainer screw whereas the Fina has a chrome finish screw !

Leo

 

[matthew77]

I believe the headlights may be a single piece unit like in the Porsches from the same time. A clear headlight piece is for working headlights and a coloured unit for non lighted versions. Non lighted versions were built, I have the Cortez version which in the Scalextric catalogue is listed as a Z car If I remember correctly. These are described as cars used in the motor trade to test components in the Scalextric catalogue. Non lighted versions will have been cheaper to buy brand new.

 

[RikoRocket]

X cars 1992, normal cossie £24, X car cossie £17.75

 

[RikoRocket]

the original design:

 

[scuderia_turini]

Here is how they ended up:-

 

[matthew77]

That's it Riko, X Cars, great find. You can see the 1 piece headlight unit in the photos of the Sierras chassis as posted by Riko and Leo. I'm not sure why Hornby changed the front axle so some have stub axles and some have a solid axle.

 

[beardy56]

Assuming the standard axle is on later cars then probably a cost saving. Less parts to make, same wheels front and back and just an axle also quicker, cheaper, to put together. It couldn't be for performance or handling could it (sarcasm off)

 

[PatB]

Assuming the standard axle is on later cars then probably a cost saving. Less parts to make, same wheels front and back and just an axle also quicker, cheaper, to put together. It couldn't be for performance or handling could it (sarcasm off)

Oddly enough, I suspect it may be the opposite. I've got a pair of XR2is from roughly the same period, which show every sign of being an effort to make slot cars as cheaply as possible, and they have front stub axles, albeit moulded in one piece with the wheels.

 

[RikoRocket]

Assuming the standard axle is on later cars then probably a cost saving. Less parts to make, same wheels front and back and just an axle also quicker, cheaper, to put together. It couldn't be for performance or handling could it (sarcasm off)

They are undriveable, if you corner hard then the front wheel grips and tucks under, lifting the guide out and deslotting you. Good idea, poorly executed. I would just have added a stop prevent the wheel from coming down more than a couple of millimetres. Clearly a case of inadequate testing before launch.

 

[rastas]

Yes, even if you put a fixed solid axle in it , the centre of gravity is way too high! Alright for a casual drive around the track but a racer it's not!
John.

 

[graemet]

Thanks for all your responses guys, much appreciated and has helped me put the history together (I think).

As it turns out, a mate of mine had a complete version of one of the unlighted cars, and yes, it does have the exact same one piece headlight unit, it just doesn't include the light globe or wiring. I also think the early units had the solid axle, and the later units had stub axles to better handle the banked turns, as the Bathurst set the red and white cars came in had banked curves. Can't be 100% certain on that, but seems a logical explanation. Anyway, at least now I know I can just mould up and cast clear copies of the single piece headlights and they will fit all models.

Cheers,

 

[RikoRocket]

No, wrong way round. I had the very first release and it had the stub axles. The solid axle came later.

 

[beardy56]

The service sheet for the stub axle car is 151 dated July 1991.

The service sheet for the steel axle is 151B and states for cars produced from mid 1992