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The 67 vette I'm currently working on has a new composite rear leaf.

XLR8 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:32 am The chassis looks interesting.
I drove a C4 Vette for many years and they used a single transverse leaf spring at both ends and they were PLASTIC!

We prefer the word 'Composite' It's more fancy. I had a '90 Olds Trofeo that also used a transverse leaf spring. It's a pretty neat way of lowering CG and saving space.

Retail is $589?

Apparently the leaves are plastic and the knee action shocks have torsion springs wound into them...

Vids for those who cannot live on pics alone...

RogueIV wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:04 pm

XLR8 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:32 am The chassis looks interesting.
I drove a C4 Vette for many years and they used a single transverse leaf spring at both ends and they were PLASTIC!

We prefer the word 'Composite' It's more fancy. I had a '90 Olds Trofeo that also used a transverse leaf spring. It's a pretty neat way of lowering CG and saving space.

That's interesting. I wasn't aware that Olds also used a transverse leaf.
Anyway, as you've pointed out, there's nothing wrong with the springs. Actually, the type of spring used isn't nearly as important as the shock absorber -- we know that from tuning our off-road buggies. The Traxxas sprint car appears to be using early friction disc shocks. Not as effective as fluid shocks but I reckon they are period correct.
I also like the spoked wheels. Very cool!

And... First one sold...

www.ebay.com/itm/166553976330

Also, for those interested... footage of one running:



... and FPV footage:

Before I bought my 68 Camaro, I swear I looked at another one that had fiberglass monoleafs on it. Mine has steel ones, and the back would sag so much under acceleration the tires would rub the fenders. For a quick and temporary fix, some new VW dune buggy coilovers went in place of the shocks. ...They're still on it 25 years later.

It's kind of funny that this sprint car discussion is in the 21st century modern sub forum.

Dangeruss wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:26 am Also, for those interested... footage of one running:



... and FPV footage:

That actually goes pretty quick and I have to say that FPV footage is pretty fantastic

Frankentruck wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:33 am It's kind of funny that this sprint car discussion is in the 21st century modern sub forum.

I put it in the vintage Traxxas forum... thus the lead in, "It doesn't get any more vintage than a 1920's sprint car...

...then I woke up and *poof* it was in 21st century modern.

I think Lowgear likes to go *poof* in the night...

I would love for this to catch on and become a new oval class. Not Traxxas, though. Tamiya would probably be best given their expertise with scale accuracy.

Fun fact, Cecil Schumacher runs a vintage Talbot Lago grand prix car and he is also among the world's top mechanics specializing in pre-war racing transmissions. Maybe this will catch his eye....ok it won't happen, but it would be cool if it did.

scr8p wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:47 am The 67 vette I'm currently working on has a new composite rear leaf.


20240118_114336.jpg

Interesting jack stand placement....

RC10th wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:03 pm

scr8p wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:47 am The 67 vette I'm currently working on has a new composite rear leaf.


20240118_114336.jpg

Interesting jack stand placement....

It's a roadster, so when it's just on the lift, the rear hangs. Fitting the doors the rear needs to be supported. Easy enough to put them there... doesn't hurt anything.

1911Colt wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:36 pm I would love for this to catch on and become a new oval class. Not Traxxas, though. Tamiya would probably be best given their expertise with scale accuracy.

Fun fact, Cecil Schumacher runs a vintage Talbot Lago grand prix car and he is also among the world's top mechanics specializing in pre-war racing transmissions. Maybe this will catch his eye....ok it won't happen, but it would be cool if it did.

Fun fact indeed.

I think a scale suspension vintage sprint car class would be cool.

For now, the first Traxxas sprint car race:

and... for those interested, a longer, more in-depth look at the car:




The wheels were kinda cool... I expected them to be solid with a mesh cover but it turns out there's lacing in the perimeter of wheel center.

I foresee someone gutting one of these to build a period hot rod. Actually, if Traxxas releases the car and parts to the general market it creates the possibilities of period hot rods becoming something the average enthusiast could build. How cool would a vintage drag racing class with tall skinny tires be... or Bonneville style cars... rat rods... an untapped market just waiting for someone like Traxxas to exploit it!