Subaru 360 slot car

[DHansen]

Well it's been awhile sense I have posted anything new. I have several projects in the works, but never seem to get anything done. But I got this Fujimi model of a Subaru 360 racer from Jon (Slydog2009) not long ago and proceeded to turn it into a slot car. It turns out that this is a motorized kit meant to run on a track with fences on both sides to keep it on the track, hence the guide/roller contraptions on each corner. I thought about making a brass chassis for it but liked the idea that the chassis it came with was 4 wheel drive. (the full size cars were never built with 4 wheel drive, so this was interesting to me) So out came the Dremel and the modifications began. First I built the chassis up box stock then removed the upright roller guide contraptions. I even used the 3 volt motor for now. (says it's rated at 15,000RPM's at 3 volts. I wonder what that works out to at 12 volts???) It's the same style of motor as most of our ready to run slot cars so it will be no problem to change out at a later date if needed, I have several slower motors that have been replaced with faster ones. Then I proceeded to make a guide mount and wire connections.











Then I built the body up and detailed it and sense it was molded in black, I chose not to paint it.





I added some lead weight where the batteries are suppose to be and velcro to the out side of the battery box to hold the body on with.





I'm not sure what scale this is suppose to be as I can't read most of the printing on the box, but it looks to be close to 1/24 scale or slightly larger. Here it is next to a 1/24 scale VW bug die cast and a 1/32 scale Scalextric slot car. The real Subaru 360's were about 1/2 the size of the VW.







All and all it worked out fairly well. If I use my Professor motor controller I can dial the power back and tame down the 3 volt motor so the car handles nicely. But it still gets warmer then I would like fairly soon so it will get replaced here shortly. The tires that came with the car provide plenty of traction, but are showing a few cracks already so I may need to make or change them out with some new ones some day. It makes a cute little and fun slot car.

[TuscoTodd]

VERY cool conversion! Being 4wd I imagine it zips around the track pretty good! :)

[Reslotted]

Well that's certainly different.
I like it.
Looks like Garfield is pretty happy too. :)

[Dundee Denny]

Looks like a fun build!!

Am sure you are like me and now hooked on the "tinkering" aspect of the hobby, as much as the RTR cars.

thanks for sharing!!

Dundee Denny

[dreinecke]

Very cute!

[DHansen]

[Slydog2009]

Nice conversion Dave! I didn't realize the car was all wheel drive!

There was a time, (before the internet was so commonly used)when 1/32 slot cars were not being sold at the local Hobby Shop that I would look for 1/32 scale battery operated plastic car kits like this one to convert to slot cars. It was kind of fun to modify the cars to run on my old Eldon slot car track...still have my first slot car track my dad gave me as a Christmas gift back in the 60's stored in the attic.

-Jon

[DHansen]

My first track was a Revell. Still have it and an assortment of cars from back then. I use to make chassis using Popsicle sticks to convert models into slot cars. The popsicle stick chassis haven't past the test of time to well. The glue has dried out and they turn back into popsicle sticks. I may revive them someday.

[Slydog2009]