World Engines Mercury Xi 4 any info?

[scootmike]

Hi all
Had an email with this unusual looking car in it.
Said it is a World Engines Mercury Xi 4, I've heard of World Engines, my wife's brother actually worked for them many years ago.
Were they an importer who slapped their label on other mfg's kits?
I've read this car was also sold as a Mugen and another name that escapes me right now.
Any idea who made the car? Is it a knockoff-copy?
Thanks for any info!
Mike

[Lonestar]

prp has one for sale under the graupner brand! not sure of the exact link with mugen but i recall there is one indeed!

Paul

[Bormac]

I remember racing against one back in the 80's. Not sure on how competitive it was but at the level of racing I was at (540 silver can) it didn't seem to do so well.

I'm interested to see if anyone got these cars to a competitive level. I know they were run at Romsey in 87 IFMAR worlds.

[scootmike]

Haven't been able to figure out if it is a clone or not, was going thru some parts and found a parts bag for the World Engines Rockbuster, it was a clone of the Grasshopper Hornet. I am thinking this may not be a clone since they used the Mercury Xi 4 name and the body and box looks the same as the Mugen.
Waiting to hear back from the owner.
Mike

[Bormac]

I'm pretty certain it's the same car no matter what name and manufacturer/agent sold this car under.

Be good to see a build and review thread on this car either way.

[prp]

Hi, the car have different brand, Mugen & Ryuz for Japan and Asia, Graupner Europe, World Engines for the USA

[Mr. ED]

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=5595&p=53032&hilit=ryuz+mercury#p53032

thanks to prp I found this thread again, but I know for sure there's one more somewhere on the forum...

[scootmike]

Thanks for the info, can pick this up tomorrow.
Haven't decided if I will, starting to run out of room, might have enough for this one.
It is an odd looking car, doesn't look like it would be much for performance.
Decisions Decisions!
Mike

[prp]

The starting car:



My replica: