Scale bodyshell to suit the Losi 5ive / HPI Baja

[darrenelmslie]

So I was looking for alternative bodyshells for the Baja and remembered the Mk1 Escort that was doing the rounds a while back. it looked awesome and got a lot of positive feedback. That was a fibreglass scale shell created by a friend of a guy called Jari, over in Finland who since stopped making them.

 

A Belgian guy called Claude has also been making Escort shells, in the more versatile PetG material but his are for FG Bajas, which are slightly smaller than the HPI.

 

I managed to get in touch with both after thinking about vacuum-forming my own shell, which I was going to carve out of foam or MDF, from some scale blueprints.

 

Well it turns out that Jari had kept hold of the last Fibreglass Escort bodyshell and offered it to me as he's not intending to return to the hobby.

 

It arrived today, along with some silver Mad Max / Over Lander wheels which I reckoned would give a pretty close match to a set of MiniLites.

 

I'm quite pleased with the overall look; The car I was using had a 5SC rear bumper and mudflaps so I left them on. I think the mudflaps help with the scale appearance

 

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32471-mk1-shell-shot1/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32476-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32473-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32472-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32475-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32474-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32477-/

 

I'm going to get a set of RS200 decals commissioned and make up a set of rally spotlights for the front. As there aren't any spares for this body, I'm going to look at vacuum forming from it, rather than running it. Once I've built the rig, it should be possible to turn them out for people if there is still an interest.

 

One point of note is that because the shell is truly scale - in fact from the dimensions it's closer to 1/4 scale; the usual Baja wheelbase is slightly too short. Jari and his friend modified their Bajas to lengthen themslightly. I'm going to look at making an extension piece between the main and rear chassis to do the same, a slightly shortened bodyshell would also be a possibility however. These pictures are on a standard 5B. It's pretty close as it is.

 

I think it's probably close enough to suit a Losi 5ive too, although I suspect it'll need lengthening and widening slightly. I've got a chassis coming to test it with so will post some more pictures on that over the coming weeks.

 

Next step, the vacuum forming machine..

[Tug]

Too short by mere millimetres! But still looks fantastic! I look forward to the finished product!

[Carpmart]

To say I'm jealous is an understatement.  Look at my thread from a few weeks back.  Is there anyway that there is another around anywhere... by any chance please god!  

[Carpmart]

Just read this again, will you be offering a shell to suit a Losi 5ive T?  If you do, assuming decent quality, I'll buy one off you in a heartbeat!

[darrenelmslie]

I'm thinking along the lines of;

i) fettle the f/glass shell to get it perfect (trimming the wheel arches properly and checking joints).

ii) pull subsequent shells off the mold, in 1.5mm or 2mm PetG

iii) lengthen+widen a PetG shell slightly (Losi), fill resultant shell with expanding foam to create a Losi mold and pull a shell off that

iv) shorten a PetG shell slightly (std 5B ), fill with expanding foam to create a std Baja mold and pull a shell off that.

(iv) might not be necessary - reducing rear toe (I've got an extreme 4deg on that mule chassis) and opening up the wheel arch a tad might be sufficient. I'm aware that shortening the body risks screwing up the scale proportions

There's a similar risk for the Losi; that'll need an additional 20mm length (2%) I think but as much as +50mm in width (10%). That imbalance could end up looking rubbish...but we'll see

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited February 27, 2015 by darrenelmslie

[Carpmart]

I'm thinking along the lines of;

i) fettle the f/glass shell to get it perfect (trimming the wheel arches properly and checking joints).

ii) pull subsequent shells off the mold, in 1.5mm or 2mm PetG

iii) lengthen+widen a PetG shell slightly (Losi), fill resultant shell with expanding foam to create a Losi mold and pull a shell off that

iv) shorten a PetG shell slightly (std 5B ), fill with expanding foam to create a std Baja mold and pull a shell off that.

(iv) might not be necessary - reducing rear toe (I've got an extreme 4deg on that mule chassis) and opening up the wheel arch a tad might be sufficient. I'm aware that shortening the body risks screwing up the scale proportions

There's a similar risk for the Losi; that'll need an additional 20mm length (2%) I think but as much as +50mm in width (10%). That imbalance could end up looking rubbish...but we'll see

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Regarding the Losi. I think a little extra wheelbase and width, with the increments you suggest will have minimal impacts to the eye.

Timescales?

[Nitroholic]

If this comes off ....and the PetG shell looks as good as the original, then I'll have one for sure.

[darrenelmslie]

If this comes off ....and the PetG shell looks as good as the original, then I'll have one for sure.

I'll make a note to keep you posted (you too Carpmart) on progress.

 

Not sure on timescales; there don't seem to be enough hours in the day as it is, with the job, the wife's job, the children and the house but It's at the top of the 'me-time' priority list

 

I'm aiming to get the list of materials for the vac-former sorted over the w/e, then I can pick the parts up this week and get it constructed next weekend. If I can try the first shell by the end of March, I'll be happy.

 

Watch this space

[flatout!]

I think take the 4

[(-:AD:-)]

Would like a baja one.(price dependent) Would look great!

Would prob stay on the shelf lol

[GLYNSAVAGE]

put me down for one for the losi 5t

[Renllek]

Hell Yeah, love that. I would be interested in a Baja one. Cant think of anything better than a shell on it of my favorite car

[darrenelmslie]

Cheers for the kind words. Interests duly noted

 

I've figured out what I think my cutting list is for the vacuum former. I just need to pull my finger out and get the parts to construct it this week. I've also stretched the mule chassis to get a better fit (and reduced the rear toe angle to improve things a bit)

 

I still need to track down a source for decals. I think I may need to ask someone to create them from scratch which is a pity. I was hoping that I'd be able to find something online for such an iconic car, which I could scale for the sizings to pass to someone for creation. Ho hum!

Edited March 2, 2015 by darrenelmslie

[kangarilla]

Is there any options for the losi 5t anywhere,

[andy and dan]

OMG that looks fantastic price dependant we will take 2 to fit the losi 5ive ive got the colour sceme allready my first car was a 13 sport mk 1 in lime green the wife hated it and made me sell it for a mk 2 estate

Edited March 3, 2015 by andy and dan

[darrenelmslie]

So I've got the dimensions and parts list for the vacuum former. I'll try and get along to B&Q this week to pick up what I need.

I suspect it'll take a bit of practice to get a good technique sorted but I'll post the progress.

My 5ive chassis turned up today, so i did a quick test fit. As it stands, it's not actually to bad for the 5ive either but the shell will definitely need widening:

 

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32637-mk1-shell-on-losi-5ive-shot4/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32636-/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32635-mk1-shell-on-losi-5ive-shot2/

http://www.msuk-forum.co.uk/gallery/image/32634-/

Edited March 4, 2015 by darrenelmslie

[Carpmart]

Darren - come on young man, get you finger out, get to B&Q and get me a couple of shells made for the Losi....

 

On the plus side, I found a box!  Its al packaged up as of this evening, so will send tomorrow!  

Edited March 4, 2015 by Carpmart

[Carl160180]

I'd also be interested in a shell for a Baja 5b or 5sc. Loving the old school escort bodies, why has'nt any of the major body manufacturers grabbed this idea by the short and curly's already? There's obviously big demand for them!

 

Keep us posted fella

[Tamiyacowboy]

I'd also be interested in a shell for a Baja 5b or 5sc. Loving the old school escort bodies, why has'nt any of the major body manufacturers grabbed this idea by the short and curly's already? There's obviously big demand for them!

 

Keep us posted fella

 

 

Cost of the more refined plastic used in the body.

one off moulds for both differnet chassis.

 

the costing of a hard puller mould, usually you pull from a solid moulding and draw onto the block mould.

thats more cost in releasing agents yadda yadda. 

Oven, your standard kitchen over is no way big enough to hold the required size for large scale body pulls.

delivery is no goverened by size and weight , that can add a huge cost ( upward to

[Thunderwolf]

came across this on facebook from a guy in Australia.

 

Porsche shell to fit the Baja line of large scale cars made in fiberglass, side mount hole not drilled for user to select their own ride height, high for rally or low for on road.

 

thought it worth a mention in here given the discussion

 

[GLYNSAVAGE]

i think rovan or km do a porsche shell for the baja,that looks wicked on the losi chassis just needs bigger arches!

 

Edited March 5, 2015 by GLYNSAVAGE

[Noj]

Up for one myself, for either platform, or both!

I'll pray for a group 1 e9 CSL, 427 Cobra and a Metro 6r4

[Carpmart]

came across this on facebook from a guy in Australia.

 

Porsche shell to fit the Baja line of large scale cars made in fiberglass, side mount hole not drilled for user to select their own ride height, high for rally or low for on road.

 

thought it worth a mention in here given the discussion

 

 

Any more details please?  Contact etc?

[darrenelmslie]

definitely

 

Up for one myself, for either platform, or both!

I'll pray for a group 1 e9 CSL, 427 Cobra and a Metro 6r4

Definitely.

 

The porker looks good. I was thinking on my drive home tonight that an Imprezza 5ive would be pretty nice.

 

We need

i) someone who can carve foam/mdf

ii) someone with a 1/5 scale vac-former

ii) some co-ordination

 

and the world could be our oyster...

Edited March 5, 2015 by darrenelmslie

[Carpmart]

Cost of the more refined plastic used in the body.

one off moulds for both differnet chassis.

 

the costing of a hard puller mould, usually you pull from a solid moulding and draw onto the block mould.

thats more cost in releasing agents yadda yadda. 

Oven, your standard kitchen over is no way big enough to hold the required size for large scale body pulls.

delivery is no goverened by size and weight , that can add a huge cost ( upward to