The Sloter Opel Manta has gotten some negative comments concerning its less than perfect representation of the 1:1 car, the unorthodox layout, and the somewhat weak and overly flexible chassis. These complaints are not without substance, but simply dismissing the Sloter Opel as not worth buying is much too harsh. When I looked at the car, I saw an innovative model design of a “not done before in 1/32†Group B rally car. Although not AWD like most Group Bs, the Manta was very competitive on the paved rallies. And since I collect Group B cars, which are the “Can Am†of rally cars, I thought I would take a closer look. The first thing I noticed was the lack of a traction magnet, which I believe is only correct for rally cars, as they are meant to slide and drift.
The unusual aspect of the cars layout is the wide angle, anglewinder (AW) SCX Pro Speed motor set up. The Pro Speed is one of the most powerful SCX motors (20k rpm), but it is still controllable when running with no magnet. I actually prefer SCX motors for rallying because they have a smooth powerband without too much torque and still have a good top end rev, which is good for rally because it is easy to drive. This also makes for a fun car to just race with a friend. The AW layout moves the center of gravity (CG) back slightly compared to an inline, improving rear grip, but also gives more room for the drop arm guide within the stock wheelbase.
The AW uses what appears to be a standard inline crown gear and pinion. Because this gives a smaller contact between the gears, the gear mesh is critical to avoid damage. Mine was a bit on the loose side, so some adjustment was in order. By carefully squeezing the rear axle just beside the crown with a pair of needle nose pliers, then twisting the pliers slightly, you can move the pressed on gear slightly on the axle adjusting the mesh. Do this in small steps to avoid making the mesh too tight. Mine runs very smooth and quiet after setting the mesh to minimum free play. Since the gear seems to be just a standard inline crown, aftermarket inline crown gears should also work. The mesh would also be much easier to adjust with a set screw type gear.
The drop arm style guide may be new to some people who aren’t familiar with rally cars or vintage slot cars, which also sometimes use this style. The drop arm allows the car to traverse bumps and uneven surfaces, as found on rally tracks, while keeping the guide in the slot. If properly adjusted, this style of guide should have no negative affects on the cars operation. There is a screw mounted on the chassis just above the guide which limits the upward travel of the arm. This should be adjusted so that the guide is fully engaged in the slot when the car is sitting on the track. Use either a set up plate or an extra piece of track to check this adjustment.
The drop arm mechanism includes a small spring which ensures the arm will drop and follow the surface of the track. This spring should be very light and not put excess force on the guide, which might cause the front of the car to lift off the track. I found the spring was a bit too strong and made a slight adjustment by bending the spring a little flatter than it was originally. I also managed to break the chassis were the arm attaches, but made a fix by gluing on an old axle bushing. I have been told that Sloter is aware of the weak chassis and is sending free improved replacement chassis’ to customers on request. I have made a request and will report back when it arrives. This is some very impressive customer service.
After adjusting the drop arm, I noticed some slight interference between the guide and the body when the guide was all the way up. The guide was moving through it’s full travel, but it was contacting the body behind the grill which made for some inconsistent drifting action, which is critical for a rally car. It was an easy fix to take the Dremel and make an arc shaped relief on the back side of the lower part of the front valence and grill. The relief did cut through part of the grill, but because the grill is all black plastic, the hole is not visible when the car is assembled.
I also did some standard tuning tricks, such as truing the wheels and tires on some sand paper. I added some lead on either side of the motor because the car had good grip (with stock tires!), but tended to roll at the limit. I installed some low profile front tires to eliminate some interference with the front fenders. With these changes, the Manta went from an erratic mid pack car to one of the quickest 2WD rally cars I have. I hope the new chassis makes the car even better and will report back when I am able to try it. So although it is far from perfect out of the box, with some relatively simple tuning, the Manta joins Sloters other cars as some of the quickest non magnet slot cars available.
Related Blogs
- Related Blogs on motors
- Tata Motors an underperformer: Merrill Lynch
- Buy Tata Motors above Rs 425: ICICIdirect.com
- Related Blogs on race
- The Presidential Race: A Way for Teachers to Teach Skills and Get …
- Comment on Helio Wins In Thrilling Chicago Race by Joy
- Obama deploys Clintons as race tightens
- Related Blogs on wheels
- In4mation Skateboard Wheels
- Canine 911, Part 2: Woof and Wheels
- ITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation Regarding Certain Cast …
New Sloting Plus wheels and other products can be found at Professor Motor at this link.
From Jacques at Sloting Plus:
This wheel, as the previous models, doesn’t need insert because this is already integrated in the design. The model is drawn to fit a greater number of sizes, both in diameter and in width, in order to satisfy the customer as well on the esthetic and dynamic point of view.
To make the size identification easier, we have innovated by drawing a channel with a green mark on the 15,9 x 8,5 and 15,9 x10 sizes, two channels with a blue mark on the 16,5 x 8,5 and 16,5 x 10 sizes and finally three channels with a red mark on the 16,9 x 8,5 and 16,9 x 10 sizes . No channel on the smallest 15 x 8,5 size.
Wheels are in a very light and resistant Aluminium-Magnesium alloy with a weight between 0,6 g (for the smallest size) to 0,9 g (for the biggest size) !
The “zigzag” design of the holes is conceived to avoid the abnormal usury of the tire and beyond this it authorize the use of low profile tires that are not adjusted to wheels with bigger diameter holes.
In the history automotive designs have been created some very strange, however, by more strange that they were always had one thing in common-they were propelled by the application of motors to the wheels that supports him. Más no esta máquina, no obstante. More not this machine, however. Se propulsan a lo largo por un tractor de configuración. We propel over by a tractor configuration.
A plane built with a tractor configuration is one in which has been mounted engine with the propeller forward so that the aircraft is “pulled” through the air, as opposed to the pusher configuration in facing propeller backwards and the plane is “pushed” through the air.
The propeller was invented, developed and manufactured by Frenchman Marcel Leyat, 1913 y 1926. 1913 and 1926. Se dice que se construyeron un total de 30, aunque se desconoce si se incluyen algunos prototipos. It is said that were built a total of 30, although it is unknown whether includes some prototypes. Varios fueron construidos para la venta de los cuales sobreviven dos. Several were built for sale two of whom survive.
Designed in 1913 tricycles and two seats engine seems to be a V-Twin. It is difficult to believe that this was bequeath and walk down the street.
This is another model from 1914 called “The Helicocycle”
Helica es propiedad de Jean Francois Bouzanquet de Paris, el cual fue comprado nuevo por su abuelo en 1922, y lo ha sido en la familia desde entonces.
The engine is a British two-cylinder 1203cc to ABC, driving a diámerto of 4.5 feet; wooden propeller the maximum speed is 60 mph, more or less, good for the era.
The Peugeot 888 is billed as the “personal vehicle for the future Metropolis.” For designer Oskar Johansen from Norway, that means a car with space for two with room for luggage, as well as a nifty shape-shifting body. On the highway, the Peugeot 888 stretches itself out flat so that it’s stable and aerodynamic. In the city, however, it scrunches up for easier parking and taking up less of the road in general.
Just to make sure it’ll fit in with the eco-minded future, the 888 is powered by electric motors in each of its wheels, runs off of an array of lithium-ion batteries stored in the trunk, which, in turn, is covered with solar panels.
CARFAX searches its nationwide database and provides detailed report in seconds. Recreational Vehicles Campers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, bus conversions, class & Cs, park models, parts or an ATV dealer… Our new customers continue to contribute to the growth & popularity of our auto classifieds network accounting for over 100,000 new visitors per month.
Car Insurance Please tell your friends & family about MotoSeller. coms FREE Ads or link to us from your website or blog! .My Account Welcome America! Here you can BuySell used cars, trucks, boats, RVs and motorcycles… Selling used car or looking for private sale ad? Join with hundreds of happy customers from Orange County to Chicago to Miami & New York and buy or sell your next used car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, ATV, classic car, aircraft or heavy equipment with MotoSeller. coms classified listings network! Selling Cars.
Boats & Watercraft Power boats, speed boats, sail boats, fishing boats, motor yachts, catamarans, personal watercraft, parts or boat dealer… Partners AutoSeekandSell. comBrowse by Showroom Autos Late model usedcars, minivans, SUVs, jeeps, modified, limousines, luxury, sports, parts or car dealer… Thankyou for choosing MotoSeller. com Why sell my car with MotoSeller. coms classified ads? Because people searching the web, like you, to buy & sell cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, RVs, ATVs, heavy equipment and other vehicles find our website through searches because of our advanced placement and online reach across internet search engines.
Car Insurance Please tell your friends & family about MotoSeller. coms FREE Ads or link to us from your website or blog! .My Account Welcome America! Here you can BuySell used cars, trucks, boats, RVs and motorcycles… Classics & Collectors Vintage, antiques, restored cars & trucks, muscle cars, street rods, parts or classic car dealer…
Share, bookmark or promote this site Worldwide United States . ATVs & Snowmobiles All Terrain Vehicles, 4×4, 3wheel, 4wheel, snowmobiles, parts or an RV dealer… Selling used car or looking for private sale ad? Join with hundreds of happy customers from Orange County to Chicago to Miami & New York and buy or sell your next used car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, ATV, classic car, aircraft or heavy equipment dealer… Dealers We provide tips so cars sell fast on our classifieds and you can include more photos then on cars.