This car utilizes a relatively lightweight TCP pan kit. These kits were probably the easiest for a racer to install back in the day. Very little on the chassis has to be modified and can be done with common tools and skill. For this car, Doug fabricated a 'shaker plate' to hold the body on and impart some extra ballast. The period lexan was cleaned up and painted by Jairus Watson. I like to think of it as my Bullitt Mustang! And it sure runs like it!
RiggenHO.com has extensive information on the 'Brass Wars' era - http://www.riggenho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=117&Itemid=18 There are 6 or 7 pages devoted to specific topics. Much of Doug's story is on these pages. If you didn't participate in racing in that period, these pages will provide a great education on how it used to be done. In a way it makes one appreciate today's snap-together cars from off-the-shelf parts.
Doug Morris A/FX Full-Pan HOPRA Car
Doug is a fantastic guy and a skilled craftsman. His goal with any of these cars was to replicate what once was leading-edge technology. I consider them running museums. This particular car utilizes a full heavy-weight TCP pan kit. These kits required a good deal of skill to install correctly. The chassis have to be relieved, brush cups installed, epoxy filled... I've decided I am not that motivated to build one of my own. The Scale Auto lexan was painted by Doug in period detail.
Doug Morris RiggenHO Limited Edition Full-Pan Car
In early 2010, Doug crafted a dozen very special Riggen cars for RiggenHO.com. Once again these represent racers' quest for performance in the 'Brass Wars' period. Doug fabricated motor uprights to secure the can motor. The rear end is stiffened with piano wire. The front pan extension runs a pickup system modeled after the TCP A/FX cars. The shaker plate was fabricated to hold the body on and add weight. The lexan was painted by Doug in period detail.
Riggen Drop-Motor Car
The Riggen drop-motor chassis was an evolution in the production history for the model. The theory is that lowering the center of gravity increases performance. This may be true in the engineering sense, but can be hard to show on the track. Too many details can vary from car to car to attribute this one thing to superior performance. In my personal collection, the early top-mount motor chassis can run as good or better than and drop-motor chassis. Gear mesh, tire selection, body style, and motor quality all work together to make a smooth runner. And smoothness seems to be the key to fast laps.
This car was an eBay salvage item that underwent a complete re-build. As many items and details were preserved as practical. The Riggen factory lexan NOS body from RiggenHO.com was painted and decaled in period detail.
