Thursday July 24, 2003

THE MONOGRAM

SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE!

Final Release!

Things are certainly changing in our small hobby aren't they? One major change I have seen is the recent introduction of several new companies entering the 1/32nd scale slot car scene. However, one in particular seems to stand out away from the rest, and for good reason too. When Monogram announced their intentions of coming back into the slot car scene with a brand new release, I wasn't the only one happy with the news.

If you are looking for a history lesson on the "Revograms" of old, I apologize, but you won't find it here. That is simply because I wasn't there then, and I won't pretend to act like I was. If you are reading this, then you have the means to find out just about anything you ever wanted to know about the "Golden Age" of our hobby, so I will let you investigate this on your own. Instead, I will get straight to the NEW model, because if this pre-release is an indication of what Monogram has in store for us, we won't be looking back, at least I won't.

The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe has a rich history in motor sports to be sure, and for Monogram to choose this model as their first release pleases many enthusiasts I assure you. The photos I have been seeing lately of their model only fueled the fires of anticipation for me, and made me hope that it ran as well as it looked. When the model finally arrived here, I opened the package and just stared at it! My photos will not come close to letting you know how beautiful this model is.

The packaging is simple, yet attractive with a history of the model printed on the back: The Daytona was the coupe version of Carroll Shelby's famous Cobra roadster. Its aerodynamic body designed by Pete Brock was ahead of its time. Drivers Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant won the GT class at the 1964 24 hours of LeMans in car #5. I like having a small history included with these models, as it allows those of us who had not followed the series to gain a little more knowledge of the prototype. On the bottom of the box cover Monogram also invites you to write them for new product release information via email and provides the address and their customer service toll free number.

Fit and finish of this Cobra is excellent in my eyes, and is just as good, if not better than some of our industry "regulars" today. All markings were opaque and crisp, with no fading or peeling. I noticed that these Tampo markings were a little thicker than I have seen on some models, but they still looked very good. An even, dirt-free clear-coat sealed all the markings nicely, and the finish is smooth, with no orange peel effect found anywhere on the model. According to prototype photos, it appears that they have captured this hot rod in 1/32nd scale VERY well, at least close enough for me.

Detail level here should please most enthusiasts, as they have included some nice touches that make this model even more attractive. From the visible spare tire, to excellent dashboard markings, Monogram is certainly trying to please the detail enthusiast crowd. The passenger seat has the safety belt molded in place, and the buckle for it looks like you could actually use it. Our full driver figure seems decently proportioned as well, gripping the steering wheel and ready for action. There will be 2 versions of this driver with the helmets to match both Gurney and Bondurant. The interior is not removable however, but that is just fine by me. Although they have included a decently detailed interior, it doesn't interfere with the disassembly or maintenance of the model, and as far as I am concerned, that is the way it should be for a slot car.

Looking at the wheels and tires, I almost thought they were metal. The two-tone finish really impressed me, and not only do they look great, but they are very round and true. The tires seem to be of a medium-to-soft compound that provide acceptable grip, with nice lettering work and although the blue stripe is present around the tire, Monogram has indicated that this will change in the release version to more accurately resemble the prototype. One tire on the left front was very slightly out of round, but a little hand working had it setting on the wheel evenly in no time. The axles are steel with knurled ends for the wheels to mount tight and secure.

Time to get under the hood. 4 screws hold the body to the chassis and were removed easily. From the bottom of the chassis we can see magnet pocket assembly and that it is a front-motor configuration. The guide is a nice effort, with wider braid that snaps into place, being held by the brass wire connectors. There is however some up and down free-play present, and a slight amount of it from side-to-side. For those that feel they need to change this assembly, there is room for this modification, although as I will cover shortly, there is some trimming that might need to be performed.

Although it makes excellent electrical contact, the guide rubs VERY lightly with the chassis molding around the front of the motor. It really isn't a big issue to me, as this area could quickly and easily be sanded away for a clear range of motion. Remember, this is the pre-release, so we shall wait and see if this is present on the regular release. Even if it is, it won't stop me from buying them, I have spent years trimming and sanding guides, and the effort to cure this is just as easy. The wiring itself is seems durable enough, and all the solder joints were strong and should hold up to many hours of hard racing.

I sanded a slight amount off the rear of the guide to make sure it cleared. As the photo shows, you don't need to sand a great deal to complete this. Monogram is aware of this, and are working on a re-tooling of the guide for future releases to prevent this issue.

The motor, which appears to be of standard Mabuchi heritage, sits in the front-motor configuration we are all familiar with. However, although Monogram has done this configuration very well, it still requires a little adhesive on the tops of the bushings in the rear, and for the shaft, to keep them from spinning in the mounts. The plastic bushing used for the motor shaft, and for the front and rear axles snap tightly in the chassis, but once they are snapped in, they will spin while the model is running. It is important that you know this, as premature wear of the bushings or the chassis itself will occur over time. The motor, snapped in place, utilizes a spring for the shaft-drive connection that holds a 10 tooth pinion turning a 26 tooth crown gear. These gears seem durable enough, and the absence of rear axle side-to-side free-play helps keep them that way.

Finally, it is driving time! All I can tell you is that Monogram has produced a winner, at least in my opinion. From the first pull of the trigger, you will discover a VERY quiet and smooth model racing car. I found that acceleration and control were precise, although the braking is a little lighter, in fact, almost non-existent. This proved easy to get used to however, and soon I was sliding this car easily in the turns. The magnet system here is an adjustable one, allowing you to slide the magnet forward or back to suit your style of driving. The magnet itself seems to be right in the middle between a Fly bar magnet, and a Slot-It/Scalextric/Professor Motor bar magnet. It allows that little extra correction time in the event of a slide, and provides decent magnetic traction for those that use it. It isn't hampered by a heavy drag effect either, and I found that having the magnet as far forward as possible to be the most fun for my driving preference.

Lap times were impressive, having an average of 3.4 seconds on our Carrera track using the DS timer. This car seems to be in a class by itself, as it should be really. I compared it to several cars, and ironically, the MRRC Cobra was a very close match. Both these cars have almost the identical wheelbase, with the MRRC having a wider bar magnet. Regardless of this, the Monogram Cobra was .2 to .4 tenths of a second faster.

For those that might want to remove the magnet completely, don't worry, as it is easily freed from the chassis. First I removed the motor assembly, and using a small flat-tip screwdriver, press forward on the small clip as shown in the photo. The magnet mount assembly will pop right out revealing the magnet and the metal plate the magnet secures to. It is here that tuning possibilities show themselves, as you could remove this plate and glue the magnet a little higher from the rails if you prefer a little less drag, or if you want even more, you could add a smaller magnet, such as a Tweaker, right next to the original and it fits perfectly.

In closing, you better believe I think this car is a winner. Visually appealing, nice detailing, combined with a whisper-quiet drive-train most always make me think this way, and this new model from Monogram has all this and more. Some might disagree in the future, but nothing will stop me from buying every one they make. This slot car is FUN like it should be, and even if you are not a fan of the series, I still have to advise you get your order in today. I am very happy that Monogram is back...once you drive your model, I have a good feeling you will be too.

Advanced testing has shown this model is a winner. The more we drive it, the smoother it becomes. This model is one that I must advise you strongly consider adding to your collection. Monogram seems dedicated in listening to the consumer, and to provide us with even more quality models.

Harry

As always feel free to contact me about this review, or just the hobby in general at wiseone@yhti.net. Or better yet, drop into our Message Board and share your thoughts with other enthusiasts

Thanks go to MotorCityToyz for providing me with these final releases. They have plenty in stock, so head on over and give them a call today.

Many thanks go to Monogram for providing me with this pre-release model. Check out their website for all the latest information on this model, and those to follow.

For a great reference source try here at TheCarSource.com