Matchbox 1/32 Tyrrell P34/2 slot car conversion
Parts used:
Matchbox 1/32 Tyrrell P34/2 plastic model kit.
Scalextric Williams FW15 chassis and motor.
Scalextric F1 gearbox cover and rear suspension arms
SCX F1 rear axle and bearings.
Fly sports car driver
Scalextric F1 driver helmet
Description:
I incorporated the monocoque, front suspension and wheels of the kit into the car. I cut back the sidepods of the chassis, leaving the screw holes intact, then trimmed the nose section of the chassis to 11mm wide, to fit inside the box-section of the monocoque.
I temporarily fixed top and bottom halves of the monocoque, positioned it on the chassis to find the correct wheelbase, and marked and cut away the unneeded sections.
Once I had glued the top and remains of the bottom of the monocoque together I trimmed the front to clear the slot guide, then parts of the monocoque rear so that the motor and wires could fit.
With the monocoque mounted on the chassis, I drilled through the screw holes, then enlarged the pilot holes in the upper moncoque. I screwed in hard plastic tubing, cut to length, then applied five-minute epoxy and taped the bodyshell into place. Then I assembled the wheels and accessories onto the monocoque, modified the driver to fit in the seat and under the bodyshell.
The bodyshell and rear wing were sprayed white, the cockpit area was masked, and everything was sprayed blue. The decals were applied followed by a final coat of laquer. I glued the gearbox in place with contact adhesive for safe disassembly and attached the rear wing.
Finally I positioned and glued the driver's head.
The car handles nicely, like the donor Williams and slides the tail out in true 1970s fashion when pushed hard.
Tim Bissell
