Uncle Sal trying new material for banger cars...

[nerfbarz]

After a rather unsuccessful attempt utilising chrome auto body repair tape, Uncle Sal is urging DaBoyz to try employing aluminum (aluminium?) sheets made from soda cans. The auto body tape method, despite the use of reinforcing rods in the cabin, failed to produce a body with much structural integrity. The purpose is to fashion slot banger bodies that will show the consequences of repeated contact; the body tape constructions were just TOO pliable.
The soda can source seems, theoretically, promising and a youtube vid demonstrated an easy method to harvest the metal while eliminating sharp edges. The gang has been downloading and, in some cases resizing to 1/43 scale, paper car templates for the bangers--Jag XJ-6, Caddy hearse, London taxis, assorted limos and station wagons. Until a new track is routed with a tight-laned straightaway, the bangers will compete on the Jehu Speedway dual figure eight located on the oval's infield.

DaBoyz also stumbled upon a paper plan for a 1/43 three-wheeled Reliant Rialto SE, the unstable racing cars popular on many UK circle tracks. A separate formula than the bangers, the Rialtos will rest on the pickup for the lone front "wheel." Depending upon the performance, washers (changing the CoG) may be added to duplicate the absurd handling characteristics of the 1:1 Rialtos. Sal intends to use thin plastic sheet to mimic the Reliants' fiberglass (glass fibre?) bodies.

DaBoyz will update you on the progress of these projects.

Nerf

[Kemtronracer]

Can't wait for some pictures!!

[pfuetze]

Interesting idea, Nerf! Looking forward to see some progress pics

[Cjent]

Sounds like fun, Tom. Had an acquaintance in Bloomington, IN that made really great models of airplanes with beer cans. Got one we hung over the track until we moved here. It hangs in the office now.

[nerfbarz]

Hmmm, CJENT, "hung over" could be the operative phrase on that endeavor... ;)
Nerf

[a110alpine]

about 46 years ago the great mag "model car and track" or "rod and custom" ran a feature on a sf bay area club that was racing aluminum body slot cars. they would get clear plastic bodies fill them up with plaster of paris get some thin aluminum sheet and bang them out with a hammer and anvil. the cars looked pretty good. I remember the photo of a chap 2. the vents looked really good. actually I don't see why you could not use some cheap diecast or expensive if you have the money. . anyway thanks for the update. research and development is what I like best about the forum. I have to check that video out. I am always finding cars when I go for my run.

[Cjent]