What to do with a Scalextric Datsun 240Z

[Modlerbob]

I picked it up about a month ago and immediately discovered how much Scalextric has improved over the last 20 years. The body is adequate but the running gear is not much more than a joke. My first thought was to mount the body on a sebring chassis but after inspecting a Scaley ford escort I think it's chassis could be trimmed to fit inside the body shell. Have any of you upgraded this oldie to a more modern chassis?

[Nor Cal Mike]

The original chassis is beyond improving with a guide and power train change? If I were tackling it, that is what I would look at first.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I forgot Scaley made that car a long time ago. As I remember, it was decent scale sized, and a good chassis and good scaled wheels and tires would really make a great car. The chassis of that era from Scaley were junk, and a vastly improved example of one of those chassis would still be vastly improved junk. The Sebring chassis kit or the pan from another car is definitely the way to go. If it helps, most of these cars raced with 5 spoke mags like the famous red, white, and blue Datsun team. But there were also steel wheels, 4 spoke mags, minilites, and those aluminum dish wheels (similar to Halibrands, but smooth). The point is, you have a huge variety to choose from, and they are all easy to make inserts for. Good luck.

[Modlerbob]

I have already replaced the guide and the pinion gear but any further modification to the chassis would be a waste of time. The wheels and tires are so tiny as to look ridiculous. I can get a used escort for about $30 so I will try that first.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I think that will also get you material for minilite inserts from the correct era, too.

[Modlerbob]

[Nor Cal Mike]

I don't know why you don't like that chassis Bob. It looks plenty rigid. The guide location is located in a good place and looks like a Slot.it screw in guide would fit easily. The only downside is the cant of the motor made necessary by the small diameter wheels. Put some taller, more scale looking wheels, and the motor can't could be lowered to flat while at the same time changing to a conventional C can motor or slimline motor. Heck, I have an Airfix Triumph Harold body here that I would be might proud to use a chassis like that chassis under.

[Modlerbob]

If the escort chassis idea works I'd be glad to send you the chassis in running order.

[Nor Cal Mike]

Well to that let me say, good luck with your Escort chassis Sir! :-)

Best, Mike

[btaylor]

Im with Mike on this,that chassis just looks like it is stiff,and well braced. I have been using artin chassis's and although cheap and versatile,they are not near as strong as the one you show. looks to me like you will need to modify the wheelwells anyway,so add some tires and wheels of your choice and drop that motor! nothing fits better than the original chassis.
(not wanting to cheat mike out of a chassis!)
Bob

[munter]

A mate of mine put flares on the 260Z and I cast a few. I used an HRS chassis (first time user) and another guy used the slotit GT40 chassis.
Some creativity was needed for the body mounting process.

[Modlerbob]

[Alaskaracer]

Look great, what paint scheme are you thinking of, maybe a BRE type design?

[Modlerbob]

Yeah red, white & blue would be great.

[dge467]

Looks great on that chassis.