The WR-02C Rally Machine
Status: Runner
Date: 8-Jul-2016
Comments: 13
I can (and do) go on at length about the inspiration that TC members IBIFTKH and JennyMo have given me. Both have taught me to look at Tamiya's WR-02 chassis differently, and this has led to my latest project: a Tamiya Opel Ascona 400 on an extended WR-02C chassis.
Having owned an original Audi Quattro, I loved the similar concept to the later Lancia Rally but did not like the scarcity of parts, especially as old plastic gets brittle. After selling it on, I still wanted a rally car with oversized tires but also wanted it to be rugged and easy to maintain. Parts support was a priority, as was ensuring all components could be replaced without any modifications.
The Honda City Turbo re-release was timely as the WR-02C is a durable chassis and a recent release, meaning parts are still in great supply. The lineage between the original Willy's Wheeler and the old rally cars also directed me to its selection. Despite owning a Quattro, I was interested in building up an Opel Ascona 400 as both the car and the WR-02C are rear-wheel drive.
The chassis needed to be extended by 30 mm to produce the required 215 mm wheelbase. This was done using handmade brackets attaching the gearbox to the front of the chassis at the desired spacing. It was very much in the spirit of IBIFTKH's Mitsubishi Montero WR-02, but this one used plastic sheet and screws instead of metal plates and long bolts for attachment. The whole arrangement felt sturdy enough, but a shakedown will ultimately determine its strength.
The shell and decals were made in Canada - a point of pride for me as a Canadian - while the bumpers and spotlights were produced in resin by a British supplier. It seems that no authentic vintage Opel Ascona parts made it into this project, but that makes it easier to drive hard!
The car presently runs an aftermarket brushed 23T motor; a waterproof HPI SF-10W servo; an MTroniks Sport-Tuned 20 ESC; and a Spektrum SR200WP receiver. The electronics are identical to my Honda City Turbo, and with good reason: the chassis is my Honda City Turbo, which was used in order to cut costs. I loved it, but love the classic Tamiya rally cars even more, it seems.
Nonetheless, the brackets and extra screws represent the only additional parts to the chassis. The wheelie bar had its extension spacers removed to fit under the shell. Aside from guessing wrong on the body post holes out back, no major mistakes appeared in the build. I have thus achieved my goal of producing a classic rally car with great parts support. Where my Lancia Rally feels like an exotic racer with its Frog-based chassis, this Opel Ascona feels like a simple car - and that will make rally shootouts an interesting proposition!
Among miscellaneous details of note: the driver figure comes from my old Audi Quattro, and was originally mounted using a metal part from the F103 15th Anniversary kit and a lot of double-sided tape. I have since replaced it with a sturdier plastic mount that bolts to the left frame rail. The #8 was chosen for this car as Internet images show the Opel Ascona 400 registered JS 34523 running with that number at another rally, and my Lancia Rally uses #1. The taillight trim and the front spotlight caps were not painted black and white, respectively, although sources differ on the former.
The WR-02C rally machine - the car that promises hard running and easy maintenance - is the subject of this showroom entry. I hope to get it out on the stages soon!
If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
More of Kristiansen^s Opel Ascona 400
Comments
yogi-bear
very nicely done!
IBIFTKH
That turned out really well - I want one!!
Hitch
That sits better than the original.
koenc
Great built. I am starting my built (from NI next month during my holidays. I've built one earlier ... that is: 32 years ago
RACECRAFTERS
Great write-up and awesome result! Havablast driving it!
Steffen
Gorgeous build, I'm only enough to have seen it race in the 90s in another livery. I did see Jens-Ole's Manta 400 and 205 T16 during 80s though. Pure nostalgia
MAD-BEE
Love it! Totally COOL!!!!!!!!!!
s2-g2
So well done!
njmlondon
Another masterpiece! It looks like a perfect marriage. Keen to find out how it handles. I am guessing the longer wheelbase reduces the desire to pull wheelies?
Grastens
Thank you, everybody! I just took it out for a drive; it handles beautifully on loose dirt and gravel, but can get a bit twitchy on pavement! The long wheelbase does indeed reduce the tendency to pull wheelies, but on a fully-charged battery you might see some air beneath the front tires
JennyMo
Love it! - plenty of ground clearance too!
Urbancowboy 426
Top job,
I appreciate this is quite an old post now but,do you by any chance remember where you found the front and rear sections for the shell?. I am undertaking a similar project at the moment and this is quite the sticking point.
Cheers in advance.
Grastens
Yes. There is a British eBay seller who makes resin reproductions of these parts. Check back often; they are listed as he makes them, which is infrequently. Best of luck!
Want to leave a comment?