Willy's Wheelie Rally - O-Three-Stump-en?

Just a day after a full year since I first cut up a beater Lancia Rally shell, I rigged the lights on the reassembled components and united it with a WR-02 chassis. The result is a 'stumpified' version of one of Tamiya's classic rally models!

Drawing extensive inspiration from JennyMo's StumpSCO and IBIFTKH's wonderful WR-02 projects, the Lancia shell was sectioned; plastic-soldered together; extensively puttied and sanded; covered in primer numerous times; and finally painted and decalled in a custom scheme. That paint was not borrowed from any particular Lancia 037, but was designed to accommodate the much-shorter side panels of the sectioned shell and uses several Tamiya re-release decals.

The shell was the most difficult component of the project by far. As both the focal point and the key distinguishing feature of this car from any other WR-02, care was taken to get details such as the front fender transitions smoothed out. Smaller details were rushed a bit - such was the excitement to get it going! It was always going to be a runner, anyways... The majority of the body work is documented in this showroom under other entries.

The finished product finally ran on grass, where its rambunctious demeanour and natural ability to pull wheelies did not fail to please - or strike fear into the heart for the sake of the shell! The WR-02 chassis is stock apart from full ball bearings.

This car uses a Yeah Racing Tritriton brushed ESC; a Spektrum SR200WP receiver; the SF-10W servo from HPI; and a GT Power LED kit. It runs on Venom Racing and Reedy Wolfpack Ni-MH batteries.

Presently, this car is in running condition but is admittedly a little rough in finish. Over the lifetime of the car, refinement and upgrades are quite likely in order.

Willy's new rally racer - finally done and ready to run - is the subject of this showroom entry.