My original CAT XL - freshly uncovered

[Dadio]

Thanks for that info uzzi - that does make some sense. I asked the previous owner and he couldn't recall why he made that swap.

Are adapters available with the unusual Schumacher wheel fittings to convert to alternative wheels? I know the lovely gold Gisom wheels were available for the CAT back in the day, so i presume there was some sort of means to switching to Tamiya-esq triple nipple fittings? Are such items available or being remade today?

I modelled up and 3d printed a set of 12mm hex wheel adapters for a friends cat re re , he's running a mild brushless system and they seemed to work OK so far , don't know if they are of any interest to a vintage restoration though .

[dinglem]

If you notice, the Gisom alloys I have on the car have adapters fitted.... and they have been 3D printed with the Schumacher castle fitment. The 3rd pair leading in the middle of the car have the castle fitment machined directly into the back of them

[dinglem]

The subject fascinates me so I'll be watching this one closely.
Please feel free to ignore this request if the matter has been discussed elsewhere but it would be great for us yanks if you provide a few more details on the Brimod CAT parts as I don't recall seeing them here in the states. How do they differ from the kit parts?
Thanks, looking forward to the next update.

Thanks for the interest in the build. With it being my original '87 XL it has a bit of sentimantal value associated with it, which is always a nice thing to have.

OK, on to Brimod. Well first of all, they were based about a ten minute drive from where i grew up, so a local company. When i first started out Brimod shockers were already around and were often seen on Pb Mini Mustangs at my local club. They were VERY expensive, at just under 20pounds a pair, which back in 1986 was beyond the reach of most drivers. As such they were seen as super high-end and only the top drivers at my local club ran them.There were also extremely well engineered. At the same time Brimod had other nicely engineered items out, Pb UJ's for example.

I have a lot of period adverts which i will post below.

They subsequently started to produce a LWB chassis conversion for the Mid before the Kyosho version appeared, and the same for the CAT saddle pack chassis, which came out before Schumacher released their own version.

What is very interesting is that Schumacher themselves used Brimod shocks on their own protoype and press cars, so quite some endorsement. If you want to period tune your early CAT, then you probably need these although they are virtually impossible to find anywhere. A massive bundle of NIB fronts popped up a while ago, but the rears hardly ever come up. Whenever i see them for sale i buy them, and i have been digging around and hassling people for several years now in the hope of uncovering a few complete sets. I have 4 pairs of fronts, one intermediate pair and 3 pairs of full length rears at the moment.

They eventually produced their own thermal charger and even a prototype car was pictured, although i don't know whether they ever made it into production.

[dinglem]

The Brimod CAT chassis is unusual in that firstly it was out before the Schumacher version, has the added panels to prevent sideways battery movement, but mainly because it completely fills the undertray of the car, even sitting on either side fo the rear gearbox astride the motor which the original stick or saddle versions do not. It even has cut-outs for the velcro!

I have to admit i have never seen another example of this chassis.

Here's a very early SWB CAT review from '86 which shows the Brimods on it. The early CAT kit box art car also had Brimods on it.

[XLR8]

Well, that was in interesting read, thank you posting it.

So, the Brimod shocks use a u-cup seal rather than an o-ring? … or maybe they use a quad ring?

I found this passage amusing (referring to the volume compensation diaphragms); “Not a revolutionary new development, in fact you may recognize a similar idea used on some well known oriental dampers.” Hmmm, I wonder who they are referring to.

I used to run a set of CRP (I think) diaphragms in my RC10 shocks – until I realized it just made them leak faster. I have a set of Delta shocks that use a small spring acting against a floating piston to prevent the oil becoming aerated – however the piston requires a seal which increases stiction – the diaphragm seems like a much better solution.

I’ve found the standard kit shocks the least impressive part of the CAT. But it is a fact that Masami won the IFMAR Worlds with CAT shocks.

So, do you know what has become of Brimod – are they still in operation today? What relationship did (do) the execs at Brimod have with Cecil Schumacher - were they considering Brimod as a possible OEM supplier?

[dinglem]

I actually documented a Brimod shock build-up a few months ago, including fresh out of packet component pictures, and the original instructions. I also added some shots of the Brimod car and a few NIB pairs i have.

Can be seen here:-

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=44070

[XLR8]

I actually documented a Brimod shock build-up a few months ago, including fresh out of packet component pictures, and the original instructions. I also added some shotd of the Brimod car and a few NIB pairs i have.

Can be seen here:-

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=44070

Awesome! I guess I'd missed that one. Thanks for the link.

[dinglem]

Well, i though I had been fortunate just to locate the pair of super-rare red SJP front uprights, but having spent a little time researching them over the past week I stumbled across a guy who had a complete set (in pink!) which he had acquired in a box of misc spares and had no use for.... Now i have to decide which to use and which slightly lurid colour combo to go for. I have seen pictures of one car from bitd running red uprights and the pink upper fronts and they looked pretty cool. The rears were for the ProCAT only so won't be going on to my car.

Some rare optional items indeed.

[Dadio]

"Think pink " its period !

[Coelacanth]

"Think pink " its period !

Now here's a theme I'll bet hasn't been done...do a pink-themed Cat and call it "Pink Panther"...or perhaps "Puss-in-boots"?

[Typpo]

Add another vote for a Pink Panther color scheme. It would already have a supporting theme song.

[dinglem]

Well, I opted for a red/pink fade out from the front to hopefully tie in the red and pink front suspension components.

It is going to look quite effective against the polished alloy wheels and Brimod shocks i think.

There is al so a belt observation window on the undertray which should highlight the orange belt nicely. A few stickers on the black panels will really set it off too.

Considering this was 1987, a bit of floro seemed necessary(!)

[winner_evo]

That's some original paintwork, should look really good on the car

[dinglem]

Details on this are pretty epic!

[XLR8]

I was gonna say incredible but "epic" seems more appropriate. I envy your painting skills.

Epic!!