[dgersh]

We're more used to converting static kits to slot cars, but over the years, modelers have also converted slot car bodies to static display models - probably because slot cars had a much wider range of race car models, especially in the vac-form version. Here are four examples I've found over the year, on ebay or in the diecast shop across the street from me!

First, the two vac-forms: an Indy car I think, maybe a Lotus 38, and then a big Maserati, maybe the 300S? Experts please pitch in! Two different approaches here: the open-wheel car has a pseudo slot car chassis, of soldered brass and piano wire, and even a can motor bracket, but model kit wheels and thin axle on the back. In fact, as I look at it, this one was probably indended as a slot car in the first place, because of the chassis and the front Cox Lotus wheels with 1/16" reducers... Either never finished, or partially disassembled and converted to a static.

The Maserati is also well painted and detailed, but the "chassis" is a rather slapdash affair, with miscellaneous bits of plastic from sprues and some nice wire wheels from a kit.

 

[dgersh]

Here are the two hard-body static conversions, this time from regular slot car kits: a Russkit Cooper F1 and the Cox Ferrari Dino - both with drop arms and other extraneous chassis items removed, but keeping the original wheels and tires. I picked up both versions of the Dino, spyder and coupé, but have already the other body on a car. It's easy to find the Russkit drop arm, but harder for the Cox drop arm and motor plate!

 

[dgersh]

Yep, but I think they only did part of the first series: the Ferrari and BRM F1s, the Cheetah and the Chaparral. Don't think that Cox did the Lotus 40 or Ford GT as statics. The Dino would have made a good static kit too...

I remember a couple of the writers at the time talking about using vac-forms as shelf models, and there may have been an article or two.

Don

 

[dgersh]

Thanks Andy - I did hesitate between the two, but the 300S popped into my mind first!

Not that I know of on the Lotus 38, and not sure who made this body. It looks longer than the ones I know, and nothing like the Russkit, which didn't have any trim parts at all. Both intakes and exhaust are molded as one-piece plastic units, so they must come from another static kit - probably IMC. Besides Russkit, Pactra also made this body according to the Car Model Handbook, but they also list one from Revell, which didn't make a Lotus 38!

Don

 

[dgersh]

Those are some nice static models guys!

P, thanks for the correction.

Don