MUst ‘ang on

just before the outbreak of Covid-19. However due to various issues, notwithstanding the forementioned pandemic, it is only just coming to market. Now some of you, if you know your Mustangs, will think from some angles it is a little bit quirky, in fact there’s been quite a bit of debate on this on some of the forums, I also contacted Thunderslot about the shape offering them some ways to improve it. However, the project had been delayed for some time by a change of body designer and by the time the cars were at Gaydon, that was how they were going to look in final production. Making any kind of change would just have put the project back even further. But it’s really what’s underneath that sets this model apart. While the type of chassis is not revolutionary in its design, it is the first time we believe, that it has been attempted in plastic, and it works!

What is different to previous Thunderslot chassis, and indeed the chassis of their contemporaries, is that unlike most that have a separate motor mount/rear axle carrier, this chassis has a centre “spine” which also connects the motor/rear axle to the guide blade. This means that the rest of the chassis which attaches to the body, carries the height adjustable front axle assembly. I nice touch is that the body mount screws have small little rubber doughnuts which not only isolate the body and chassis, but also rather usefully, keep the screws in place when the body is removed – so no more scrabbling around on

So this is what the fuss it about! A two-piece chassis that replicates many metal types raced around the world, but now offered in plastic. It works well and expect further models based on this design - a Camaro has been mentioned. As you can see, this thing from the factory sits very low. The Magnum 500 wheels are neat inserts that push into the front plastic and rear alloy hubs. I have separated the central spine from the rest of the chassis. The out riggers at the front are designed to stabilize the car under cornering with the holes taking optional push in ball bearings – who needs front wheels?

the floor looking for tiny body screws! When I first saw the prototype being put through its paces on a large wood track at this years UKSF at Gaydon, it was most impressive, and I have been waiting to try one as soon as they became available. Unfortunately, because of time constraint I can’t give you any idea of what this production sample can do down on our 100’ wooden routed club track, but I still had to try it - so a long oval of Policar track was set up on the carpet and the ‘Stang was duly put to the test. Getting the elephant out of the room, Thunderslot do not fit magnets, even though this chassis has mounts for them both in front of, and behind the motor. So, racing one at home is going to need more skill unless you pop a mag in. The beauty of not having the artificial ground effect is you can power slide the car around the track, bit like a real Mustang! I drove my own 2011 5.0GT to the Orpington Swap meet on greasy roads, and it was pretty scary! So, while this is not the whole story here, I hope that it gives you an insight to this new slot car due before Christmas. It will be available in Wimbledon White, Silver Frost, Dark Moss Green and what you see here Acapulco Blue. There are another 5 colours, but these are exclusive models commissioned by ‘Great Traditions’ in the US. Perhaps I can indulge you with a bit more of this model in the next issue once I really have a chance to put it through its paces. n

Close-up of the doughnut. Later after taking these pictures, I fitted a spacer to fill the gap between it and the rear mounting post, to improve its stance. Most slot racers will frown at me doing this!

With its 21.5k rpm motor it was plenty fast enough for my temporary Policar test track at home. Power slides are the order of the day, unless you want to run it with magnets, yuk!

While not 100% correct in its body design, it will look to most, like a Mustang, and to be honest by the great way it handles I don’t think serious slot racers will really care!

All up weight of the Mustang was 72g, with the body/interior coming in at 22g.