Cartrix/Slot Classic 1196 Universal Chassis

[goosenapper]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I just checked over at Pendle's and the PCS2 is 15 pounds, which is $24 and change minus the VAT that we don't pay. I think I''ll pass on the nearly identical version at ED for $53.

[goosenapper]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Wrong-o! It is in the exact same spot on the next page, $58, not $53, and I just realised its a different name and 1/43. I am getting old. Pendle's does have a great selection of wheels you can choose from for the RTR chassis, though, as well as cheaper, even after the shipping from England.

[goosenapper]

[dreinecke]

Really nice looking car! Is it slush cast or smooth inside? Just curious as I'd like to get one.

As for the chassis, I still really like my PCS version and how simple it all is.

[goosenapper]

[balsaworks]

Really nice project, looking forward to the finished car. Any ideas about the paint?

Cartrix has some interesting wheel sets, like the Lotus wobbly disc in yellow or black:



And the BRM steel wheels;


I used the BRM wheels for this projects. They look very convincing after removing the spinners and adding some paint:

[goosenapper]

Wow! You're not kidding. Those BRM steel wheels look great on your car. Thanks for the tip. And yes, if you want classic Lotus wheels, Cartrix is the only game in town as far as I'm aware. There's not too many projects that call for them, but it's nice to know that they are available.

Ah yes, the Devin. I have done some more work on it and it's ready for paint. I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up as I can only paint outside. I have a lineup of cars just waiting for the first 70 degree day! As for color, it's good that it's cold outside because I keep bouncing around. I'm thinking of either a deep purple or maroon, but I originally had planned an orange that was pretty close to the Slot.it logo color. I don't think I'll know for sure what color it will be until I actually grab the can to begin spraying. But, this car is at the head of my project line, so it will be posted as soon as it's done. Thanks for asking about it.

By the way, since my original look at the Cartrix 1196 Chassis, I've since found that one of the wheels on the front axle is not drilled straight. The axle will wobble along the desk when removed from the chassis. The good news is that it's a front, not a rear, so as long as I set up a tripod, I don't think that it will end up being a big deal. However, I do have a set of BRM classic wheels on stand-by just in case it starts to run poorly. But so far, all of the test drives have been positive.

[dreinecke]

Pendles has the bare chassis (the PCS32 version) for what converts to $9. Considering I remotor mine with Mark's motors and SCC wheels, PG tires, slot it gear, that is plenty cheap for a decent platform I'm already spending money on. A fully-loaded one with minilites comes to about $27. So, both options are not bad in my book, and I think it is a great companion to the NINCO classic cars.

[goosenapper]

[goosenapper]

I wrapped up my Penelope Pitlane Devin SS kit today and tossed it on the Cartrix chassis. Whoa, boy. This car is a blast to drive!

Since my initial posts on this chassis, I've rearranged my track and currently do not have a lap timer set-up, so unfortunately I will not be able to compare how this chassis runs with the finished body with how it did on its own and with the raw body mounted to it. But honestly, lap times were the furthest things from my mind as I was turning lap after lap with this car. It's a thrill.

The low RPM motor combined with the weight of the resin and metal detail parts of the kit went together to create a very responsive car. Plus, this thing is planted to the track. Even with no magnet, I only de-slotted once while testing it today. Gone was the tendency to roll-over in the corners that the bare chassis exhibited.

I hesitate to stay this as it could on the surface be misconstrued, but I feel that now I have a car that drives very similar to a Carrera 1/24 or even a Racer. I don't mean that to say that this car will perform as well as either of those brands, but it feels the same to me as those do. The weight of the car seems to increase the responsiveness that I feel through the controller. That is the same sensation that I get driving those two brands that I mentioned. That was an unexpected bonus.

So here are some shots of the completed car on the Cartrix chassis:



I'm sorry that these shots are so dark, but the paintjob is weird in that it turns from purple to blue in either sunlight or a flash:


It drives so well, that I'm starting to not care so much that the paint is sporting a hefty orange-peel or that some of the detail work could have been done better. It's a heck of a driver, so it's going to get driven! :D

[goosenapper]