Scratchbuilding 1/32 Lotus 21 and 1/32 BRM P61 slot cars The 10 year and 7 year projects
I started both of these cars more than a few years ago. In fact the Lotus 21 began life a decade ago and the BRM P61 about 7 years ago.
I had intended to enter the Lotus 21, (J Clark drove it in the 1961 French Grand Prix) in a Tasman Series Proxy race but never finished it. It sat on my shelf, about 90% complete until this spring. Upon inspection, I determined that the car needed:
a new driver and cockpit and detailing
new wheels and tires
new guide, leads and braid
new motor
different sized crown and pinion gears
a reconstructed faux space frame chassis
and a whole lot more
Here's the finished car:
The BRM P61, modeled to represent the F1 car Graham Hill drove at the 1963 French Grand Prix, was built for and entered in a VRAA series, but suffered a near fatal crash which resulted in chassis damage and I withdrew the car early in the series. It also sat on my shelf, unrepaired for at least 4 years.
This car required:
Chassis repair of the main rails and motor mount and,
A new motor and revised gearing
new wheels and tires
new guide, leads and braid
significant body repair, new rivets, painting and decals
and of course a new driver figure and cockpit detailing
Here's the finished car:
Both cars were finished a couple months ago and will be raced in proxy series beginning in December this year. Rather than attach or link a host of additional pictures, I've linked the photogallery where I documented most of my rebuild process.
Thanks for looking
Mark H.