Topcat restoration

[Headling]

Nice work! Looks amazing!

Can you still get that Lexan gear cover from Schumacher??

[8rad]

No. They're as rare as rocking horse s***.

[Headling]

I'd better crack on with getting one done!

[8rad]

Ya. Whats the hold up anyway? Didnt some nice Canadian chap send you one to copy?

[Headling]

He sure did, very nice bloke!

Just been busy working on the house but will get it sorted soon I promise.

[8rad]

No worries. Just bustin yo nuts.

[CAT3K]

All that polished alloy looks sooo soooo good. (can you see your reflection in it?)

It's not quite mirror reflection, but it's pretty good. You can sort of see how reflective it is on the cell straps and the layshaft on the gearbox

I'm trying to figure out a rear shock mount at the moment, the standard one is pretty poor really. What i'd really like is one similar to the rear tower i have on my Cougar. Anyone know of anything similar?



Paul.

[CAT3K]

The front end is nearly complete now. The rockers look cool, but they are pretty much identical in shape to the originals so no real improvement except in strength.



I've got a couple of sets of roller driveshafts that would look good on the Topcat, unfortunately they're all in bad shape and need a rebuild and polish up. Some of the plastics are broken too so i'm going to have to figure out something for that too. Maybe i can get 1 nice set out of the 4 driveshafts.



Paul.

[moozo]

Hey Paul,
I have a service kit for one of those driveshafts let me know if you need it.

Car is looking good now mate keep up the great work

Mick

[DerbyDan]

Phwooor! - Loving that polished chassis, you really know how to turn these old Cats into things of real beauty!

Its inspiring me to get on with mine, but unfortunately I'd vowed to get a JRX2 runner up & going so it will have to wait. My TopCat has the silver anodised finish on the chassis which has the odd scuff from being stored & moved around occasionally... I much prefer the polished look (I used to regularly polish up the chassis with 'Brasso' on my original TopCat BITD) - so i'm wondering if I should pluck up the courage to strip my chassis & polish it up???

[DerbyDan]

I'm trying to figure out a rear shock mount at the moment, the standard one is pretty poor really. What i'd really like is one similar to the rear tower i have on my Cougar. Anyone know of anything similar?



Paul.

I brought a glass fibre shock brace from these people - got the hub mouldings and rear arm mounts too

http://shop.classictoysandmodels.co.uk/TOP-CAT-C124418.aspx

[CAT3K]

Thanks for that Dan, I've used that shop before and had forgotten all about it.

I'm still not sure on what mount i'm going to use, I have some aluminium sheet that i could cut a custom made one from. I could also use the one you've just shown me, or perhaps a Procat mount which i seem to remember was a popular mod back in the day.

Paul.

[CAT3K]

Bit of an update. I went with the rear Procat shock mount as it looked the best. I've fitted a new front bumper, polished and fitted the rear shocks and fitted the works drive shafts.







Some of you probably saw these wheels on ebay last week. I couldn't help myself, i had to buy them as they'll work perfectly with this buggy. The seller didn't have a picture of the wheel face and as expected they're scuffed and kerbed, especially the rears. Does anyone have any tips for restoring chipped/kerbed aluminum wheels? I don't want to attack them with my dremel yet incase there's a better solution.



Paul.

[moozo]

Lol thats not a procat shock mount ......but it looks great mate

Mick

[CAT3K]

Lol thats not a procat shock mount ......but it looks great mate

Mick

Don't know why i called it a shock mount Im using it as a shock mount though

Paul