Strombecker Lotus 30...

[strummer57]

I bring this up because "Bluevista" posted yesterday about the set he got for Christmas and mentioned it ( the "30") "was low and fast".

The way the back end sits "low" had bothered me for some time, so I thought I'd see about raising it up a bit. I found some fibre washers that are 1/16" thick and was able to cut them down enough to fit in the space on the frame next to the motor.

Here's an example of a "stock" Lotus (from an eBay listing):



Here is mine (still looking for a windshield) after washers installed. I think you can see it now sits more "level":



The mounting pins are long enough to accept this added depth; so far so good.

Just thought I'd pass this on...

Mark in Oregon

[TAMELESSTGR]

Looks great, I scored 2 of these bodies in the dollar bin a the local slot car show, need to figure out how to get a good running setup under each.

[strummer57]

Looks great... need to figure out how to get a good running setup under each.

Thanks!

I'm sure someone here can/will suggest a few things...

Mark in Oregon

[chrisguyw]

Hello Mark, your collection is growing !!

Instead of raising the rear end, you may want to consider lowering the front end to make it level..............it will look more like a Lotus 30, and less like a double decker bus

Cheers
Chris Walker

[chrisguyw]

Looks great, I scored 2 of these bodies in the dollar bin a the local slot car show, need to figure out how to get a good running setup under each.

Well, If you want it to be original, you could look for one of the Strombecker adjustable wheelbase brass chassis on epay...they show up fairly regularly and are generally fairly inexpensive. Well set up , they run really really nicely !!

Or, ......a couple of folks at our club have used Slot-it HRS chassis and, if you really want something special build a chassis from scratch

Cheers
Chris Walker

I just stole the attached pic. from "images"........it is the Strombecker adjustable wheelbase brass chassis (fits your Lotus) , and is the only one to look for.....the all plastic, the aluminum, and the plastic/aluminum Strombecker chassis are not worth the time/effort.

[strummer57]

Hello Mark, your collection is growing !!

Instead of raising the rear end, you may want to consider lowering the front end to make it level..............it will look more like a Lotus 30, and less like a double decker bus

Cheers
Chris Walker

HA!! I thought you might be the one to chime in here, Chris!

You're right (of course). I hadn't seen any of these photos, and lowering the front end might prove (and look) better in the long run, thanks!

I don't suppose YOU have a spare windscreen...?

Mark in Oregon

[chrisguyw]

You're right (of course). I hadn't seen any of these photos, and lowering the front end might prove (and look) better in the long run, thanks!

I don't suppose YOU have a spare windscreen...?

Mark in Oregon

It will also handle better !!

I may have a spare Lotus windshield......the bad news is that I won't be looking for it until I return home....end of March...Sorry !!

Cheers
Chris Walker

[strummer57]

Just hope you enjoy your stay in the "warmer climate"...

Mark in (reasonably warm-ish) Oregon

[Mitch58]

Mark,
This is how mine sits on it's original brass chassis.

[strummer57]

That looks great Mitch...and way more "proper".

Mine has an aluminum(?) chassis; could there be some kind of difference between the two that would cause mine to ride high like it does?

Mark in Oregon

PS: nice wheels, too...

[KK Racing]

I have a few versions of the Strombecker Lotus 30 I've completed over the years.

Fast version:
This one was set on a Slot.It Alfa 33/3 chassis with .5mm offset pod 25k motor, 12/34 gearing. With a touch of trimming this chassis fits like a glove.
The ride height on both builds looks very similar to the photos Chris posted. It appears I used a staggard wheel setup on this one to get it to sit really low at the front.
Both were built with the use of a chassis jig and will ride at approx. 1 - 1.5mm off the track.




Slower Version:
On PCS Chassis with Vanski FF 15k motor and 10-23 gearing.




Hope this helps you with your build.

Cheers
KK

[strummer57]

Those are both VERY nice; thanks for posting them.

Mark in Oregon

[Bluevista]

I like the tape holding the clear headlight covers on in the pic of the actual car.
I've lost and found those things more times than I can count in the last 50 years.
I'll tape them on, should of thought of it a long time ago.

[chrisguyw]

Hard to see from this angle, but, this one sits quite low (top of the tires just above the fender wells), and it is on a Strombecker brass adjustable chassis.

I used Lotus "wobbly" inserts, which were used only the "30", not the 4 spoke versions which were used exclusively on the "40". (The 4 spoke wheels also appeared on the "30" at some races).

Cheers
Chris Walker

[strummer57]

As usual Chris, a thing of beauty.

I went ahead and removed a little from the front mounting post to lower the front end. Here is the result:


This is what it looked like before:



I think it helped, although I'm embarrassed to show mine after some of the other examples posted...

Mark in (wet and windy) Oregon