Old School builds

[Fumbles]

So my son and I ordered some old school kits to build together. I'm going to re-create my first PWD car and he's going for his own design. This kit isn't exactly what my first kit looked like so we'll modify it slightly to be like the original before we begin. We'll finish them and then race 'em against each other... I hope it makes it to the end of the finish line.

 

[Halo Blu]

Our wood was square, when did those wheels come with dowel rods? Our axles were nails.
When did BSA bodies go to this design?

 

[Fumbles]

So far I've not been able to find the exact kit that we used way back when..
Yep - I remember rectangular pieces of wood for the axles as well as nails. I remember the block of wood also had a cutout for the driver's cockpit. The wheels were similar but harder plastic and both sides of the wheels were the same. The ones that came in this kit were different looking on each side. I did find the original wheels and rectangular axles at a different website and ordered them so I'll combine the two kits to make a more correct version.

 

[Halo Blu]

I saw an un-used vintage kit for $50.oo on E-Bay. It still had directions, but no box.

 

[ngyoung]

Here is a thread that has a pretty comprehensive time line of BSA kits through the years:
http://www.derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5613

 

[Fumbles]

Here is a thread that has a pretty comprehensive time line of BSA kits through the years: http://www.derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5613

That's a great link! Thanks!

I ended up snagging a complete kit that was period correct for what I built from eBay for $40.

 

[kickaxe]

Hi Fumbles. The kit you posted is what the Royal Rangers originally started with. They were produced (and still are produced) by S&W crafts mfg. The dowel rods are tough to work with since both the block and dowels need to be drilled square. You can find a few tips in the Royal Ranger section of the forum. You can purchase the car kits with the cut out for the "driver" for only $3.65 at the S & W website.

http://www.pinewoodderbycars.com/Pinewood-Derby-Cars-s/31.htm

Have fun with the build.

 

[Fumbles]

So I didn't want to use the original kit I got off eBay so I glued the round wooden axles into the body slots of the Royal Rangers kit and the turned the block on it's side then cut out where the original axles & cockpit would be. Turned out to be a modern version of the original kit so at least I didn't use my original kit (yet).
Had the car with me today when we had a test n tune at Zeebzob's track today - it clicked off a 3.121 backed up by another 3.121. Bracket car !

 

[tmeyer]

For what it is' that car is fast! I saw it go down the track loud and proud with an emphasis on loud. Nice job Tony!

 

[oxford]

love those intakes. put some whistles in there LOL