The PCS 32 chassis is very easy to work with and comes with different size spacers for the front axle and a screw with a plastic nut to lock the wheelbase when you are ready. The motor mount is for a standard Mabuchi style motor as used by Scalextric. The rear axle mounts fit standard Scalextric nylon bearings. This makes for an easy and cheap build.
I have decided to use one of these new PCS 32 chassis to build an Airfix Jaguar into a slot car. I happen to have 3 of the same kit lying around. Truthfully I kept picking them up cheap at swap meets and who can resist a bargain.
This model is so narrow and short it is difficult to find a suitable donor chassis or as I do occasionally fabricate one from scratch. My reasoning in doing this build then is if a PCS 32 chassis can do an Airfix E Type build it could easily be used for any 1/32nd scale body conversion to slot.
Shown in the first picture are the basic body components needed to mount the chassis to before any cutting is done. The only part not shown in the photo is an old scalextric wheel from an XR3i found in my spares tin that will be stuck in place with Araldite to make a front chassis screw mount.
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Shown in the first photo are the kit
used with the basic body components needed to mount the PCS 32 chassis
onto for this conversion |
The second photograph shows the parts
from the kit with the sills cut from the Jag chassis and the suspension
mounts cut from the rear body tub. If you do this conversion and handle
the kit parts it will be more obvious what has been cut away. |
The first thing is to cut the 2 sills from the kit chassis so that they can be joined to the body tub prior to chassis fitting. At this stage you also need to cut the suspension mounts from the rear valance section of the under body tub. If you compare the first 2 pictures you will see clearly the before and after cutting pictures.
When this cutting is done and all the edges are filed smoothly to your own satisfaction the construction work can begin. Firstly glue the rear lower valance section to the body tub and then in turn the 2 sill sections. At this point leave the front valance to one side as it needs the inner headlights attached to it before fitting and this must be done after painting the valance anyway.
The PCS 32 chassis now needs to be assembled and the wheelbase set to the correct length. For this car the chassis needs a small section cut from the front part to allow a shorter wheelbase for this car. If you look at the third photo you will see the small section I have cut away. Also in the picture you will see the 2 lines on the chassis sides. The chassis needs to be cut away outside these lines to fit the Jaguar body as this is quite a tight fit.
The fourth picture shows the chassis completed with all its wheels and a Scalextric motor and guide fitted. The two holes have been drilled in the body tub for the rear mount. If you screw the Scalextric XR3i wheel that has been used for the front chassis mount to the chassis then glue in place to the body shell with Araldite when the 2 rear screws are fitted the front mount will line up in the correct position for you. Let this dry overnight and remove the 3 screws to take out the chassis to paint the body shell.
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The third photo shows the chassis with
a small part cut from it to allow the adjustable front section to fit
the Jaguar’s wheel base. Above the chassis is the body shell with
the sills and the rear valance attached ready to create body mounts. |
The fourth picture shows the chassis
completed with all parts and the two holes drilled in the body tub for
the rear mount. Also the Scalextric wheel glued in place to create a front
screw mount.
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It is also worth mentioning at this stage in order to fit the chassis to the body first remove the rear wheels leaving the rear axle in place and totally remove the front axle assembly as this chassis needs a little bit of manoeuvring to fit to the body when the motor is fitted. I found the best way to fit it was to put the chassis in on one side and then move it right over to that side to get the other side in.
Once you are happy with the fit of the chassis remove it from the body to let the painting and construction work begin on the upper bodyshell.
I used acrylic car spray primer and then a nice spray maroon colour for the bodywork. As with all model painting you need to make sure the body is cleaned in soapy water and left to dry totally before spraying. The small body parts I brush painted with Humbrol model paints.
Basically this is a simple build but all painted parts need to be totally dry before assembly. I did the painting of this kit over about a week to allow each stage to dry.
Total build time including painting about 3 hours give or take 15 minutes or so. But you need to allow time at each stage for drying etc.
The fifth picture shows the chassis fitted to the painted body with all wheels etc in place.
Finally the sixth picture shows the car finished with the number plate decals applied and ready to run or display.
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Picture five shows the chassis fitted
to the finished painted Jaguar. |
The finished car ready to run |
The finished car runs really well even with no magnatraction. This is due to the very low centre of gravity. It is not an out and out racer but a beautiful Sunday drive for free practice club sessions on any slot circuit.
Final thought is this chassis is almost idiot proof and very easy to use. At last a mass produced chassis that is good value and designed properly for easy slot car building.
See our PCS Scratch Build Spares range