[Top Down]

A recent FB Marketplace purchase was the blue pre-owned BRM Escort, built from a white kit.

   

 

It arrived while I was on holiday so I couldn't check it out but I was expecting it to need a complete rebuild. 'Unboxing' it on my return prompted the second purchase, again pre-owned but this time a TTS factory built British Airways version, from 'the other slot car forum'.

   

I was expecting them to be identical parts-wise except for the makers name. However, the motor platforms were subtly different, while the front end of the factory TTS version also seems to have radically more camber.

          

As already mentioned I was expecting the kit version to need significant work, so I tackled that first. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find it fired up straight away on a 9v battery. Noisy, as expected but otherwise fine. I did check the body and interior but it had all been neatly and carefully assembled and didn't even need the usual clean. It came with a little bag of parts - real metal 'disk brakes', wheel inserts already painted a dark metallic graphite, bonnet and boot straps, wing mirrors and the original rear wheels fitted with the stock BRM tyres. (Out back it was running glued and trued sponges on a second pair of alloys - bonus!)

Apart from the above, all I've done so far is paint the wheel inserts 'aluminium' and one side of the brake discs matt black and fitted them. The black Minilite inserts just didn't look right to me. I've still to decide on the door mirrors. Black or silver? Mm?

The British Airways factory built DIDN'T run from the 9v battery. Just a flash of sparks at the braids when touched to the terminals. A shorted out motor? Mm? Maybe - but the seller had said it had been fitted with the higher performance TTS one so unlikely. Turning the back wheels by hand the gears were VERY tight Whipping the back axle out seemed to be the next step - but again, the axle was tight in its bearings. The whole back end geometry seemed to be wrong.

          

Anyway, wheels, axle and sidewinder gear out and the motor span like a good 'un, so ... The bearing blocks were loosened off and the axle fed through them until it could be moved in and out freely. At that point the blocks were tightened up and the whole back axle reassembled. Things were better as the motor would now drive the back axle but it was still a bit tight. Final adjustment came with the motor mounting block. It took a lot of fiddling to get it all moving freely but I eventually found the sweet spot, so it's now running - quietly, as well as quickly too!

Attention turned to the body and interior. The latter being loose it was removed and the whole lot given a bath in warm soapy water. The windows were cleaned on the inside before gluing the interior in place. Before wax polishing the body some fine detailing pens were used to restore the damaged rear number plate and a couple of paint chips in the window surrounds.

          

Having sorted the back end, at some point I need to check out that severe front end camber, then do the same running gear/front end treatment on the blue Escort, although that seems less pressing.

P.S. Just remembered, comparing ride height I found the blue kit car needed lowering to match the factory build. BRM's rubber post caps were removed and replaced by some 1mm o-rings to dampen the chassis. Now they both sit at the same height. 

P.P.S. The B.A. car is shown in retailer's ad's as having blue spoked Minilites. I guess the previous owner re-did them in silver. No worries. I prefer them that way.

[KensRedZed]

Both cars look great, Top Down! BRM makes some cool stuff.  

I've never bought a RTR 1/24 slot car yet. But, I'm growing weary of the boulevard cruisers. Carrera makes a Ferrari 330 P4. But I'm not fond of heavy Carrera cars. This Fujimi static kit will have to do for a start. Unlike Carrera, it's extremely light.

   

[GT40Racer]

It might have to do because I doubt you will find a Carrera one for regular prices. They haven't done a P4 330 for a couple of years so any that are available are generally 'collectors prices'

:)

[KensRedZed]

Thank you very kindly, GT40Racer. I was not aware of the Carrera P4 status. You won't catch me trying to hunt one of those down.

[DPJ]

Both cars look great, Top Down! BRM makes some cool stuff.  

I've never bought a RTR 1/24 slot car yet. But, I'm growing weary of the boulevard cruisers. Carrera makes a Ferrari 330 P4. But I'm not fond of heavy Carrera cars. This Fujimi static kit will have to do for a start. Unlike Carrera, it's extremely light.

You could always put a Niemas or Slotfabrik chassis under it ;)

[KensRedZed]

Thank you very kindly for the suggestion DPJ. 

However, once a scratch builder. Always a scratch builder. 

I'll make a complete running chassis including wheels, tires, inserts, motor, gears, axles, guide, etc, at a fraction of the cost of a bare Niemas chassis. Scary expensive.

[KensRedZed]

My first RTR 1/24 slot car. Oh oh...

   
   
   

[Top Down]

Gorgeous - but beware. You're on the edge of a slippery slope! 

[Kevan]

Mind yer step on that slippery slope, once you slip it's a long way down....

[KensRedZed]

Gentlemen. Thank you very kindly for the heads up. I'll make sure to bring my toboggan just in case I slip. I might as well enjoy the ride.