Playtron Lynx quick resto

[GoMachV]

Picked up a “vintage white plastic chassis and parts” on eBay and I was surprised that it was in pretty good shape. I quickly disassembled it and gave it a simple Dawn and hot water bath in the ultrasonic cleaner. I didn’t go crazy with it. One part, the front idler gear, was cracked but it was such a simple piece I was able to use a pinion gear on a shaft to replace it. Here are some pics from along the way.

If you haven’t seen a Lynx (or even a Doberman) they are very cool. Obviously they were heavily influenced by the chassis shape of the frog, but the rest is pretty unique. The shocks are very much like early kyosho shock (just as bad). The front has one way bearings in the wheels and a spool. It’s a very compact Gearbox and uses some tiny 3x8mm bearings. The 90* gears are identical in the front to rear- no reduction. In the rear gearbox, the idler gear has a shaft fixed to it that protrudes and drives the 90* gearbox. I would say it wasn’t an afterthought, butseems like it could have been decided midway in the design. The rear arms are quite sturdy. They have a hole in the arm to access the joint. Also interesting to me is the layout of the electronics. The front servo mounts to the chassis, and the rear of it attaches to a sliding plate much like a frog. However on this one, it also attaches the throttle servo, which then attaches to another sliding plate that keys into the chassis. If you were to lose the front servo screws the whole assembly would float front to rear. Also of note is the very odd recommendation for servo orientation. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, so I went with the alternative installation. The speed control has variable forward and brake, and full speed reverse.

[Phin]

Thanks. I've wanted to get a look inside the front gearbox on these for a good while.

This is one of the budget cars I like to imagine how Hot Trick might have hopped it up into a "racer".

[GoMachV]

Honestly I think they would have been a killer competitor for the yokomo dogfighter. They got most of the recipe right, minus shocks.

[Phin]

It does look better designed than I thought. How are the front wheels driven? Front axles don't seem to have hexes, drive pins, or a taper for a press fit. Looks more like an axle for a one-way bearing.

EDIT: Doh...reread your first post.

[GoMachV]

Yeah unfortunately the wheels have the oneways pressed in which isn’t ideal, but the concept is there.

[Phin]

Yup...the way most cars did it back then.

Dang. Now I want to find a cheap parts Lynx to mod.

[Zac_F71]

If you ever want to sell this let me know.. I have a restored Doberman.. helped MCI make decals for it, and TBG has bodies.

[Dadio]

How good are the plastics ?, they always looked kind of weak especially the rear shock mount to the chassis .
Nice job of cleaning , I think I'd have done the same thing with the steering . Have you or will you drive it and if you have how did it go ?
It's also strange that the rear bevel gear shaft is extended through the housing presumably to give some extra support but without a bearing ? I think I'd have to modify that if I intended to run it .

[GoMachV]

The plastics were not great back in the day, by now they are too weak imo to run it. Its capable of running, but out of respect for its age I will pass. It can live out it’s days on a shelf

[Dadio]

I can fully understand and agree with not running it but at the same time it always seems a little sad not to , I don't think I'll ever be able to restore and then not run a car at least once gently , I just don't have that kind of restraint .
I like the mechanical speed controller as well , it's more how I remember things bitd , virtually nobody had an ESC at my school club .