MY VINTAGE RACE CAR BODY SHELL

[Harold Bascom]

I was determined to make my Redcat Rampage XR look like a 1920s Italian race car; something like the Alfa Romeo Tipo 40/60 (the red car in the photo gallery) Of course I couldn't find such a body for a fifth scale rc car (or for any other rc scale for that matter), and knew I had to create it myself.

To do so, I had 2 options: vacuum form it out of polycarbonate plastic or fashion it out of a sheet of aluminum. I knew the latter method would be less involving, in terms of process, and chose that one.

It was a five-day learning process for me--snipping and bending and drilling and riveting and micro-bleeding from nicks along the way (lol) ... and then I was finished.

What do you guys think?



 

[DougStar]

That looks awsome ?? dose it rattle a lot?
Iddle vid please??

 

[Harold Bascom]

That looks awsome ?? dose it rattle a lot?
Iddle vid please??

Doesn't 'rattle in the least. Video coming up.

Doesn't 'rattle in the least. Video coming up.

The only sound, other than the engine, is the rattling sound of the rear turnbuckle links. Shot an idling video, but for some reason it's not uploading. Will try again after my phone gets a full charge.

 

[DougStar]

You need to upload to YouTube and then paste a link??

 

[1Coopgt]

I was determined to make my Redcat Rampage XR look like a 1920s Italian race car; something like the Alfa Romeo Tipo 40/60 (the red car in the photo gallery) Of course I couldn't find such a body for a fifth scale rc car (or for any other rc scale for that matter), and knew I had to create it myself.

To do so, I had 2 options: vacuum form it out of polycarbonate plastic or fashion it out of a sheet of aluminum. I knew the latter method would be less involving, in terms of process, and chose that one.

It was a five-day learning process for me--snipping and bending and drilling and riveting and micro-bleeding from nicks along the way (lol) ... and then I was finished.

What do you guys think?

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Nice that looks really cool. Just a suggestion . If you ever decide to refine the design. Use Sheets of copper instead of Aluminum. Reason being you can solder the pieces together instead of rivets.

 

[Harold Bascom]

You need to upload to YouTube and then paste a link??

 

[Z.hb71]

Cool! Love the creativity.

 

[Harold Bascom]

Doesn't 'rattle in the least. Video coming up.

The only sound, other than the engine, is the rattling sound of the rear turnbuckle links. Shot an idling video, but for some reason it's not uploading. Will try again after my phone gets a full charge.

 

[Harold Bascom]

Nice that looks really cool. Just a suggestion . If you ever decide to refine the design. Use Sheets of copper instead of Aluminum. Reason being you can solder the pieces together instead of rivets.

Never thought of copper. Truth is I am a novice to any kind of metalworking. I just thought aluminum would be good and manageable. I didn't even know what gauge aluminum to buy and settled for 24 gauge. I should have gone thinner, but what the hell, I managed somewhat.
But thanks for the copper heads-up.

 

[1Coopgt]

You could also pick up copper wire or tubing to make a tube frame if you wanted That you could mount the body to.

 

[Z.hb71]

He could braze it couldn't he?

 

[DougStar]

He could braze it couldn't he?

Yes that's right Z plus have that vintage/rat look with copper ??

 

[Z.hb71]

Yes that's right Z plus have that vintage/rat look with copper ??

im talking about the alum, you can braze aluminum im pretty sure. but i do agree with you, copper would look vintage/ rat rod which imo would be sick!

 

[DougStar]

Yup you can but you have to watch temps coz alloy will collapse fast were as the copper takes a lot of punishment?? only down side is there copper will be soft? but if you panel beat it slightly it will stiffen up again??

 

[Seandonato73]

I like the aluminum and rivets.... I like that old time look. Cooper imo wouldnt have done it justice.

 

[Harold Bascom]

I like the aluminum and rivets.... I like that old time look. Cooper imo wouldnt have done it justice.

Lol. Thanks, Seandonato73. And I agree. Copper would not have given me that old, Mercedes Silver Arrows look. And that rough, handbuilt look complete with rivets was EXACTLY what I was shooting for. PEACE!