"TRX-2" ('92 Reedy Race Inspired)

[TRX-1-3]

I'm gonna build something like this:

Looks like a TRX-1 on a TRX-3 prototype chassis from the limited pics. So not going to be a true replica.


Color pic:
Seems to be a carbon adapter plate on the rear bulkhead to drop the inboard camber link point down

Going to assume that is a TRX-1 trans and motorplate, even though I don't see the motor guard portion (I'm not insane enough to cut one off).

It doesn't appear to have full height steering posts that mate to the top deck. Nor does the top deck have the holes for the posts.

I think though that I should at least try
to get a chassis plate set (made?) with
the top deck steering post hole delete.
Not sure what shade/tint of FG would
be available though.

Also, some of the hardware there at the rear is cone washers and taper-head screws.

I'll trim the antenna clips off the battery box sides and swap them around so the outsides will be clean.

Looks like an AE antenna mount there peeking out on the opposite side.

I realize the pics are two different buggies. Maybe one set up for stock and the other mod.

Bummer that Lunsford shuttered. Turnbuckles.....maybe one of the RC10 worlds replicas ('89 or '91) sets would work. Or GP3D has some custom length options, possibly.

I've ordered some ballstuds, repro ball cups and repro Yoke spring compression clips from/thru GP3D.

Have:
Trans case/internals, motor plate, etc.
Dog bones
Correct shock bodies/blue caps, towers
Almost all of the white plastics (no front bulkhead, yet)

So, in summary, I want/intend to build something very similar to this. I've got some of the stuff and not the other stuff. I obviously couldn't wait to post my intentions. I have squandered valuable host server space with fluff and speculation. For that, I apologize.

Oh, and I need what look to be old coins for weights.


EDIT: bit of a pivot here. After looking at the only four pics that exist of this variation, I have determined that the buggy in the color pic above is Derek Furatani's. I reached out to a few body manufacturers and it was decided that, although "possible", producing a narrowed version of the TRX-1 body (as it appears Mr. Vehlow ran) is cost prohibitive. (Duh?). So I will use the two body-off pictures to get as close to an approximation of the buggy as it appears, then get a RCPS Mirage SS body done up with Mr. Furatani's scheme.

Just trying to capture an interesting moment in Traxxas's's "history of racing".

[TRX-1-3]

[1911Colt]

Who was the driver and how did he do? I love race replicas

[TRX-1-3]

Rick Vehlow was the driver. But it's not gonna be a true replica.

Edit: going with a Furatani "replica". The V-low-pro version of the TRX-1 body is kinda too expensive to reproduce.

[Dangeruss]

Should be a very cool replica to build

But shocking that this :

Rick Vehlow at 92 Reedy Race of Champions.JPG (17.87 KiB) Viewed 2048 times

Rick Vehlow at 92 Reedy Race of Champions.JPG (17.87 KiB) Viewed 2048 times

Is the only photo of Rick's car... Gonna needs a jewelers loupe to replicate the paint job!


Derek's car on the other hand:

Derek Furanti 92 Reedy Race of Champions.JPG (22.42 KiB) Viewed 2048 times

Derek Furanti 92 Reedy Race of Champions.JPG (22.42 KiB) Viewed 2048 times

So much pretty...

[Frankentruck]

Derek looks like he has an RC10 Turbo Mirage body shell on his. Maybe?

[TRX-1-3]

OK, got the tires and wheels sorted out. I messed up some HPI front wheels so, I'm going with these JC Racing 5-spokes.

[1911Colt]

Rick Vehlow was the driver. But it's not gonna be a true replica.

Screenshot_20231003_224535_Samsung Notes.jpg

Wow, what a competitive field! Great to see so many manufacturers represented. At my local track the top 10 was always:

Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi
Losi

[1911Colt]

I found these, not much help but perhaps a clue in there somewhere

[1911Colt]

These pics are from here if you want to read the article: https://www.reedyrace.com/common/pdf/1992-Reedy-Intl-UK-RRC.pdf

[TRX-1-3]

Gathering. I still gotta dig some shock bodies out, misc. hardware, etc. Kinda floundering on replica vs. variation on the prototype...nothing is perfect I guess. Anyway. Still need to determine some rear hole locating (bulkhead attachment) for the battery box side plates. Plan is to get battery strap, front bulkhead and battery box 3D printed in that whiteish stuff that the '89 stealth kits (GP3D) have.

From the pictures, it looks like the front steering rods are Tecnacraft with the rest of them being Lunsford "classic" style. Might just go ahead with "placeholder" items...

Anybody got a bead on some M3×8mm flanged white plastic nuts (for the steering posts)?

[Retro rc]

Rick Vehlow was the driver. But it's not gonna be a true replica.

Screenshot_20231003_224535_Samsung Notes.jpg

Edit: going with a Furatani "replica". The V-low-pro version of the TRX-1 body is kinda too expensive to reproduce.

Have you thought of the team blue groove narrow trx1 body? It’s not exact but pretty close

https://teambluegroove.com/products/traxxas-trx1-trx-1-body-and-wing

[jwscab]

You can use standard white nuts on the m3 threads. They are 1/4" hex but those plastic nuts are usually good for a #4 or #5 screw and m3 is right in the middle of those. Probably what he used.

[TRX-1-3]

Rick Vehlow was the driver. But it's not gonna be a true replica.

Screenshot_20231003_224535_Samsung Notes.jpg

Edit: going with a Furatani "replica". The V-low-pro version of the TRX-1 body is kinda too expensive to reproduce.

Have you thought of the team blue groove narrow trx1 body? It’s not exact but pretty close

https://teambluegroove.com/products/traxxas-trx1-trx-1-body-and-wing

I think this body is one of those chassis-huggers. Essentially, the footprint of the chassis plate. I'm working off a TRX-3 chassis/width. I may just go with a standard TRX-1 repro still, not 100%. I love the TRX-1, but they missed the boat on the chassis width. 0.25" more on both sides and a guy could mount the electronics "normally". Anyway, I gotta revisit this project.

Last thing I ran into is the front shock lean/angle. The prototype buggies really look like they are running 1931 front arms, but the lower shock mount/slot sits too far back when using a 2630 front bulkhead. Thought about shimming the tower back 5mm, but that jams up the steering linkage clearances. I was stoked to find the NIP 2630 bulkhead, but I think the only solution is to tweak a 3D file and print one with the arm mounts moved 5mm forward (and bumper mount holes). This will punch out the wheelbase. Currently, I am mocked up on a LWB chassis set. So, I gotta go back to a SWB chassis and gain the length at the bulkhead.

Buried in the race report(s), there is a reference to short front arms being available, but definitely not needed for that race. I mention that because I could just slap some white 2631 short arms on (correcting the shock angle issue) and say, "close enough", but I don't wanna.

Don't get me going on shock springs selection/finding...from the color pic, I suspect Yoke copper springs with AE lower cups and rod ends. I'm sure Rick and Derek had deep pit boxes and all kinds of goodies, were handed some steamy piles and told to make them work. 30 years later some dork is gonna nail a "replica" from 4 or 5 grainy thumbnails of two different cars!!??

[jkelm24]

Yep, really hard to tell from these photos, but looks like Rick's car had the later four hole 1931 arms found on the LSII. Just guessing based on mount location and angle.

Tower looks like the early 4708 graphite tower, not the later 2839 tower found on the LSII and in Rad II and Hawk II front end upgrade kits. I think I can make out the three link mount points. 2839 Tower had four link mount points.