Sometimes in life things get a bit frustrating and a bit annoying. I have been feeling a little like that with this project. One of the reasons is a current total lack of knowledge about all the current bits that make these cars work. I knew getting back into the hobby, although in a limited means would be tough but thought things may have gone a bit smoother. Anyway that’s enough of the moaning (for now) here is what’s been happening.
Progress is slow but moving in the right direction. Some of what I have been doing maybe time wasting
One of the time wasting aspects is sorting the screws into matching types. I also started to sort the spares for the racer into order.
I visited the local model shop, weather was good, other half was busy so I took a drive down there with the hopes I would walk in with my old Tomy and at least pick up some matching paint to paint one of my repro shells. I should have known things were not going to be that easy. None of the Tamiya paints on the shelf matched, I was then advised many where out of stock due to the Christmas rush. I was further advised my shell has white backing which will have lightened any colour first applied.
I was also advised that the shell may have been painted in another companies paints who were popular back in the day but no longer exist.
I decided to buy some masking tapes and body shell scissors instead. I find spending money helps me until I get the bill!
The replica shell may have to be painted in slightly different shades to the original. I don’t think it’s worth me asking someone to mix up the colours and then spraying the shell for me. Especially after costing up all the other spares I am looking at. I will buy some Tamiya paints online which I think could be the correct ones and then practice on the under tray and see how they come out.
I asked in the shop about diff pulleys, I was hopeful the guy would give me a box to go through for me to check if anything matched. He basically told me to go look online. Problem with that is I can’t match up the pulleys side by side to see what is a close fit.
I asked about turnbuckles and got pretty much the same response.
I’m not joking, if the guy had been more helpful and spent more time with me I would have purchased a lot more, such as electronics etc. I have got a list of what I would like to get and checked out compatibility on another forum. I’m certain the shop I was in had the items or very similar. Their loss, I will just order on line even though I do prefer to help out local business.
I bought a set of shocks of ebay at the weekend, not going to say what ones, they weren’t cheap, I want to make sure the fit before I make myself look silly. In fact I want to test them on the vintage racer before I post the pics. Hopefully the vintage race meets are more about fun than having a pure vintage racer. The shocks are old but a lot newer then the Tomy era.
I ordered some drill bits, I want to drill out some of the old hubs that have seized screws. Not essential but I want these in the box of spares, I want to know what I can and can’t use.
I did manage to get some others freed and liberated the drive shafts. A few of the spare ones are slightly bent so it’s good to have more options here.
I moved the shock mount to the front of the car where it should be.

I still think the car looks ugly, just need to get it finished up and get some wheels on it.
I was handed a package at work today from Canada, I knew immediately what it was. A few sets of reproduction decals for the intruder. Oh man, I really wanted the bold Tomy logo to be displayed. I know these cars got some stick because of the name when they first raced, they probably still do but I am proud to own one or two of these and can’t wait to show them off on the track.
I have an address I will be sending some belts to. Hopefully the place has something which will work out.
I watched an episode of Top Gear many years ago which featured the TVR Sagaris. The presenter was driving the car and mentioned there had been a European directive regarding safety aspects of cars. ABS, air bag requirements etc. The TVR had no such safety aspects, the presenter commented the owner of TVR had simply said “Don’t Crash”! I think I will have to adopt the same mentality..