TOPIC:

Sent a mail today to the woman we bought the cars from.
Hopefully she'll respond so we can shed some light on the subject.

I've discovered the (partial) F103 compatibility too.
Already ordered a (dark 99T) spur at Jason's - that's why I asked about that one.
Didn't know about the smaller spur yet.
Bought the larger one to be able to fiddle around more with the gear ratio when building a runner.

Edit :

larbut wrote:

If anyone has a reissue Group C: Please check the stamp inside the tub. It will probably say something about "C11 1990" but maybe also some marking identifying the type of plastic used? This marking is a requirement now because of recycling, but was not on the orignal models.

Also posted the question about the plastic markings on the Dutch Tamiyaforum.
Lots of fanatics there so that might bring some answers too.

I just got confirmation from Monster Beetle that his reissue Jaguar XJR-12 has the marking >ABS< on it...

Ahh, brilliant!
None of my Group C's has the "ABS" mark

-Lars

My C11 chassis is (although a little bashed) original too.
Think I'll be getting a new chassis in soon - I'll try to make a picture of the markings that are in that one.

Now there only remains determining the origin of the F40 and C11 bodies...

@Lars :
Do all the vintage Gr. C chassis have the reference "Mercedes-Bens C11" or do all models have different text?
The 58088 was the first of this chassis of course and I guess they wouldn't change the mould for every model.
Still it's a bit strange to have this text in the other cars...

Edou wrote:

@Lars :
Do all the vintage Gr. C chassis have the reference "Mercedes-Bens C11" or do all models have different text?
The 58088 was the first of this chassis of course and I guess they wouldn't change the mould for every model.
Still it's a bit strange to have this text in the other cars...

This is typical for how Tamiya does things. The first model that gets the "new" part get to have the name on it for ever

-Lars

That's actually kind of cool too since I only have the C11.
With the Manta Ray that's two cars that started a generation.
One bigger than the other of course.

This kind of info we gathered here is really useful to recognize Group C chassis in the future.

I've examined the C11 body closely and I now think it's an original.
Just doesn't look slick enough with some of the details...
So I'm going to restore it and not drive this one.



Cleaned up the chassis and FRP plates. Before and after pics :





Have a new vintage chassis and an original screw bag coming in from Victor101s to complete the resto.
The lower plate needs some more polishing...

larbut wrote:

If anyone has a reissue Group C: Please check the stamp inside the tub. It will probably say something about "C11 1990" but maybe also some marking identifying the type of plastic used? This marking is a requirement now because of recycling, but was not on the orignal models.

Here's a picture of the inside of a reissue chassis. Clearly the new ones have the marking for recycling purposes :

Sorry for hijacking your topic a bit, Lars...

But here's some new vintage (!) replacement parts for the C11.
No markings of the plastic type on the chassis :



And an original screw bag.

It's also on topic because the background for the picture is from the same (xl) carton box I send your cars in!

I might have found a way to see the difference between the Factory Finished reissue body, and the vintage 58088 C11 body:
The front headlights are fastened by two 2mm screws.
The Original one use no washers, but the pre fabricated one comes with a washer on the lower of the two screws.

Of course, this is not a definite point, but it could be a clue.

Edou, I notice your body does not have this washer, so I think you are correct, it's an original.

-Lars