1980's .21 engine from the Netherlands/USE

[8valve]

I recently bought a Serpent Sprint 6000 series 1/8 on-road car from 1984 0r 85, made in Holland. I did not purchase it for the car itself, but for the engine. It had a USE 3.5ccm engine installed, including paperwork from the factory (which was in Utrecht, the Netherlands) with an accompanying letter which said that the receiver of the engine was to have it for free and if he wanted to comment on the performance and reliability as the race-season progressed. As I understand it only a few really talented drivers were handed the first batch of engines for free.
The unique feature of these engines is that the cilindersleeve is integrated with the lower half of the cooling head. USE started making engines first for line-controlled flight, and later developed a car version.
I got mine together with some spares like new cilinders and cooling heads and a piston and spare crankshaft. The aluminum cilinders are coated on the inside with a hard-wearing coating.
By the way, the exhaust pipe is also a Dutch product, made by de Ridder. De Ridder also made model engines, and with the same integrated sleeve design!
Here are some pics. I took the whole thing apart and cleaned it. Bearings were still as new.

[oca1]

I never heard of this USE engine and de Ridder pipe before. I used to race a Serpent Sprint in the 80's using the Serpent S-power engines which where made by Rossi engines. Thanks for sharing this interesting information

[a4roues]

Hi

I have a USE engine too, on my Serpent MK3 Super Competition. Here:

http://a4roues.jimdo.com/voitures-de-piste-onroad/

An original engine.
@+
Pascal

[8valve]

Very nice Pascal! You must have bought that in Holland!:)
Mick

[oca1]

Hi
I have a USE engine too, on my Serpent MK3 Super Competition. Here:
http://a4roues.jimdo.com/voitures-de-piste-onroad/serpent-mk3-super-compétition/
An original engine.
@+
Pascal

Hi Pascal,
Wow!! That's an awesome rc car collection and nice website.

[a4roues]

Hi

Yes, i bought this car in... your country.
On the photos, i thought it was an OPS and i was surprised when i received the car. And more surprised when the engine was in parts: original engine!

Thank you OCA1!
Now, after the restoration of many europeans car, i will try Delta cars. A new challenge, a "little" more expensive!
I have just to finish some PB Nova and another Yucan 4wd.

@+
Pascal