1959 Cadillac
This is the Revell kit of the 1959 Cadillac De Ville which I decided to motorise
but wanted to keep as original as possible as the car doubles as a car park
item on my track.
I wasn't interested in a Neo-magnet Fly eater as I think cars should look realistic on the track as well as off it ( I'm happy to have 1990's F1 cars stuck like glue, but 1960's sports cars should corner "tail out.")
I decided to try and use the cars original static kit chassis. I wanted to keep the full interior and this meant either a front mounted engine with a propshaft or rear mounted configuration. There is no tunnel in the car's interior for a propshaft , so I went for rear mounting. To save myself the problem of making up rear axle mounting points I used the Pro Slot sidewinder engine /axle assembly in it's cradle.
I used the kits rubber tyres to cast up some copies in silicone and fitted a guide blade (easily removable for car park duties!)
It drove appallingly ! I had to fill the hollow chassis rails with resin to stiffen it up and also fitted a rectangular magnet, fortunately, this is exactly the same size as the models gearbox sump and hides itself well.
The motor fits where the models fuel tank is and is painted to hide it. It now drives respectably and more important to me, realistically.
Trevor May
