1/24 Russkit McLaren "Carrera"

[chrisguyw]

In the mid 60's Russkit launched their 1/24 "Carrera" series cars...(Lotus 40, Chaparral 2D, Porsche Carrera 6, and McLaren) and these aluminum pan chassis cars with a 16D sidewinder, were THE RTR cars to beat...in fact, you had to be an accomplished builder to scratchbuild something much quicker. Invariably they were re motored, re tired, and tuned to make a formidable car for the commercial tracks. They are still a favourite today among Vintage racers.

I did have a couple of these in my box. and they were run very successfully until 1967 (ish) , when both my scratchbuilding skills improved, and companies like Champion, started to sell competition chassis.

I built this one from some NOS parts that I collected.......it also has a few chassis mods/original formula Ortmann tires and a fully reworked Russkit 22 motor from John Havlicek.

It is quicker than any of my plastic cars on my home wood track!!

Cheers
Chris Walker

PS The mid 60's cars were quite accurate in their 1/24 dimensions (they were not stretched until the late 60's)......so.....they fit very nicely on my 3 3/4 lane spacing

[gascarnut]

Wonderful!

I see you used a Parma guide rather than the old Russkit angled-post thing. Did you have to flatten out the drop arm, and how did you do that? I'm always a little wary of trying to rebend old aluminum.

[RBPhillips]

Again, I love those things, too. In our area each New Big Thing hit quickly and the Carrera series stamped chassis cars hit right after the Cox guys gave up for good and just before the 26Ds hit. They were universally referred to as Russkit Pan, not the name on the box. For some reason, we had many Porsches and some Chapparal coupes, then nary any of the other body offerings. I got one, naturally, and up to that time it was the fastest lapping out of the box car ever. The snappier motor - the 23? really made the car. RIggen rears ruled our parlor, so most sported them. I believe I tried 'em, but soon went back to my favorite U-Gos.

But gosh, would they run. Easiest to get started with, be respectfully competitive, and easiest not to look stupid with!

[HomeRacingWorld]

Outstanding result.

[chrisguyw]

[Broman62]

Gorgeous looker :auto-driving: :auto-driving:

[kidvoltage]

She's a beauty for sure.

Were you able to find the green (strontium I think) axles? I'm still looking for one to rebuild the one I have which also has a Havlicek motor at the ready. I'm going with the Carrera 6 body on mine.

My favorite body from back in the day.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Russkit was great. I still have a few motors in their original boxes from them, including a purple 26D. I should get them out and run them just to see.

Great job, BTW. If I were to pay someone to build one for me, that is exactly what I would be hoping for.

[chrisguyw]

[Lou E]

That is a gorgeous car, very nice work!!

[olskoolslotz]

Nice effort on the McLaren.

In the Carrera series there was also the Chaparral 2 roadster and the inline Carrera series Eagle and Honda F1. The Russkit 16D motors used in the series progressed from the "22" to the "23" and eventually the "27". I've had examples of all of these and new mint kits through the years. I used a Carrera sidewinder chassis and "23" motor in the building my 2002 Bordeaux vintage entry. It worked out very well being beaten in the racing only by two Italian Mini Dream chassis which were not truly in the spirit of the rules due the the small non-scale diameter wheels & tires used for those cars. I just sold my last 2D several weeks ago, still have a Chappy roadster, one Mclaren and about three of the Porsche's. Sold all of my Carrera series F1 cars too, had several of the Eagles along the way.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I knew I was going to regret saying that. Now I have to go dig through 55 years of slot car stuff to find out... yeah, like I don't love doing that! I'll know pretty soon what that rascal is. There's also some "Bobcat" motors I think were for drag racing, and some rough looking Cox motors, along with new brushes still in the package that I never used, maybe some armatures, too.

[chrisguyw]

[VTECFOUR]

Hi Chris,

Really appreciate seeing and learning about this vintage stuff. Just missed that era as all the local raceways had closed by the time of my interest.

Keep on posting!

Dan

[waaytoomuchintothis]