activexp Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Much to my surprise I won this very unusual kit for a very modest price in a eBay auction. It's pretty much as new, in good condition with all parts in original sealed bags. I haven't had a chance to examine it in detail but from what I've seen it looks well engineered. Not particularly bothered about the motorization but I'll use it anyway. It also appears to have fully working steering. As for the actual vehicle, there's very little information about it on the Information Super Highway other than it's circa 1906 and 15-20HP. As I've got something else on the bench at the moment, it'll be a while before I update this WIP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanroon Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Wow. I was expecting to see a pale blue motorcycle. The carriagework! Grant 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 On the real thing is there any suspension on the wheels or by the looks just the springs for the passenger compartment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 The chassis is fully sprung with leaf springs front and rear. The passengers must have had a very comfortable ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arni Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I loved it when kit manufacturers had the courage to build odd vehicles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzulscha Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I love oddball models. This is certainly one. Looks like it'll be an interesting build. Looking forward to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 Now got round to a closer look at what's in the box. On this sprue there's a breakage, the U-shaped piece on the end of the chassis rail. As far as I can tell this is the only broken part. The individual leafs for the springs are a nice touch. There's even a tube of grease. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 11, 2016 Author Share Posted August 11, 2016 The build didn't get off to a particularly good start as I found that the pressed steel valve lifters are oversize and don't clear the inside of the casing. After spending some time trying to work out a fix I gave up with the lifters but left the shaft in place as this also turns the fan. The rest of this section of the build went OK. The motor and gear box work fine. The fan belt supplied in the kit disintegrated, literally turned to dust, made of some sort of vinyl I guess, the only part that so far has died of old age. I substituted it with a rubber band. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 A small update on the engine build, cylinder heads and exhaust manifold fitted. A second reduction gearbox which also acts like a clutch, the drive to the wheels can be disengaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 The battery contacts and switch wired up. Remarkably it all works including the gear lever/clutch but I'm a bit suspicious of the switch which appears oversize for its allocated space and might cause problems later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 The next step on this build is the steering box. After a bit of 'scratch building' I managed to get the switch in the correct position, the slider sticks through a slot in the floor. This slot had to be enlarged to allow clearance for the slider. It's also supposed to have two holes for the mounting screws but the holes are absent. At this point I gave the motor and mechanicals another test run. All seemed OK until I became aware of a smell of burning . I assumed it was the motor until I saw smoke coming from the switch. On examination I noticed that the insulation on some of the wires had melted. One battery was also extremely hot! The switch is three position or supposed to be, on-on-off for selecting fast or slow (one or both batteries). Unfortunately the switch is faulty (not my wiring ) but still useable as on-off for single speed operation. No great loss. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 A little more progress on this build: floor, steering column, firewall, radiator, bonnet/hood and a few other bits fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mpfiend Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 A very interesting kit, coming along very nicely. Keith. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianI Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 An interesting kit, especially since it is motorized. I'm glad you didn't lose too much magic smoke from the battery! Looking forward to seeing this built and running! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 An interesting kit, especially since it is motorized. I'm glad you didn't lose too much magic smoke from the battery! Looking forward to seeing this built and running! It was a close thing but luckily no serious damage done. Surprising how many amps a shorted alkaline AA battery can deliver! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzulscha Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Looking good! I like the rust on the exhaust manifold particularly. So, when you're done you'll do a video of it scooting across the floor yes? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 Looking good! I like the rust on the exhaust manifold particularly. So, when you're done you'll do a video of it scooting across the floor yes? If past experience of making motorized models is anything to go by, it'll be a miracle if it moves at all A bit more done, front axle and steering. The tyres are rubber and gone a bit sticky The main parts for the cab. I couldn't decide what colour to paint it but then I thought that a wealthy VIP or royalty would be chauffeured around in something like this, so gold it had to be, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 Back axle and suspension completed. A test run of the motor was successful with drive to the axle so I'm a little more confident that it'll be a runner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 a motorized model ! very interesting ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 24, 2016 Author Share Posted August 24, 2016 Due to warping, assembling the cab was awkward and I'm a little disappointed with the finished result. The hinging method for the doors is poor so I've glued them in. The windows are held in by 4 small contact points and are likely to fall out with the slightest encouragement. Very weird, What's wrong with a lip I now believe in gremlins. Two brackets for supporting the rear mudguards have vanished from my workbench. They're not small parts, about 30mm x 8mm, but after an extensive search there's no sign of them anywhere. They mount at the rear of the cab and I've replaced them with cocktail sticks which should be OK as they're not seen once the mudguards are in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 A little more progress on this build, cab suspension springs fitted. The cab isn't fully suspended as the rear sits on the chassis. I think this is a design flaw as the links on the rear springs don't meet the anchor points on the back of the cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkennerley Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 nice kit and good start on the build - I think I will look out for one of these Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activexp Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 There was one on eBay recently for silly money - £99.99 - described as new and ultra-rare. The box was in very poor condition, falling apart and badly stained but the contents looked OK but difficult to tell. Unsurprisingly no bids. Might get relisted at a more sensible price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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