Wanted (and now Found): Lancia Rally (58040) Body or Kit

[Grastens]

This is very tentative as a new project at this stage will probably require me to sell one or two of my models, but I wanted to see if anybody had a vintage Lancia Rally body set, kit or already-built example to sell. After my most recent RC car experiences I find myself looking for a rally-car-type experience with a bit more useful ground clearance, and the Audi Quattro and Opel Ascona seem scarcer/more expensive.

As there are certain budgetary limitations I will be looking mostly for a body to pair with a re-re Brat or Frog chassis (as long as all the parts on the body are there, it is good; I can figure out paint later), but if you happen to be able to sell a runner or even an unbuilt kit on the cheap I would be ecstatic to accept that, too!

Please let me know if you have anything. Thanks!

P.S.: I already considered the re-release version on the TA03R-S chassis as a few of them are still around, but I am looking for a bit more off-road capability and the original Lancia Rally had a look all its own, I found...

[30YrsL8r]

There's an un-built kit (fleabay item 121013805325) that's a steal at $1,250

Given that the 58040 is rare, expensive and doesn't have a diff, coupled with the fact that you want a runner, you might be better sticking with the re-re/pre-loved Frog and putting different wheels and a lexan rally-type body on it.

It's an old showroom entry, but how about this shell?

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=20147&sid=60

[Grastens]

I do see a shell for $340 all up ($280 + $60 shipping), but am not yet in a position to purchase. If it is still around in a month or two I am going to go for it.

And that is actually more or less the plan I outlined for it. Even if I do end up with a kit with all the parts there, I would probably sell off the chassis and pick up a re-release Brat/Frog. OEM wheels are virtually non-existent, so I would build it up with Brat tires and Buggy Champ rears all around (I like the 5-spoke pattern better than the 8-spoke design on the Brat).

I am looking for an original shell mainly because I cannot cut symmetrical wheel arches in polycarbonate on two different sides without a precut line (as I would have to do for that bodyshell), I enjoy working with hard bodies, and to be honest I think it simply looks better. The polycarbonate shell, though, does resemble that used on the Hirobo Lancia Rally 44B.

I suppose I could try that polycarbonate shell, and it would be easier to work with and replace, but somehow it just would not be the same... Thank you for the suggestion, however, as that does broaden my horizons a bit.

Edit: Looking at other polycarbonate bodies online, it actually does not look as odd to me as I thought it did. Still, if somebody does have a hard bodyshell or kit...

[Grastens]

The car in question has been acquired. Thanks for the tips!

[djmcnz]

The car in question has been acquired. Thanks for the tips!

Soooo.... what did you get?

[Grastens]

In short, I ended up with a very nice original Lancia Rally for a reasonable price considering it was essentially a new-built vehicle. The chassis and body are new, with apparently lightly-used original wheels and bumper. The body kit is unfinished, but all the pieces will be sent to complete it, and it even includes an original manual Looking back, it was truly a bargain.

I was a bit surprised that my offer was regarded as fair enough, but am happy nonetheless. Many thanks to TC member Mikkelsen for being a true gentleman with the whole thing, and I hope I can do this car justice!

I do admit to feeling a bit self-conscious about this purchase, though, as I felt I was complaining a bit too much about the current market for these cars (which I have since come to understand) and felt I almost wanted one too badly given my recent acquisition of a Striker. Despite this, I think a semi-scale rally car like the Lancia has a niche in my collection, and I am still excited about finally getting to own a rare vintage model.

This one will be on the shelf for a while as I do not yet have the means to get it running, but when I do I hope I can make it everything I dreamed of!

And with that, I think this thread can come to a close as I have already gone too far off-topic. Thus begins another adventure in my RC career!