08/21/2012

1/32 Flyslot 512 S Coda Lunga #707102

Since Flyslot announced that there would be a new inline chassis for these classics, I wanted to try one for myself. Many of you are fans of this series, so I thought a quick look at this design approach was warranted.

To start things off, there are some obvious items missing from the original release years ago. Aside from the missing Ferrari emblems, which is due to licensing issues, there are a few more changes. Detail level has been simplified over the original release. Rear stabilizer fins and rear exhaust are no longer here. Headlight lenses also gone. There is a new wiper blade. The flat tray interior has a new driver as well. It is also a different shade of red.

This model never one any scale awards when it was released years ago, and I am sure this one won't have many trophy's either. Here is a shot of the 1:1 car for reference. I can count rivets too. More often than I should. But it does not bother me that much because I have different reasons for buying it. Mainly just to review it and hopefully answer enthusiasts questions.

There is a clear coat over the body that is really attractive but it does nothing to protect the stampings. They have been placed over the top of the clear coat like many Fly models before it. Markings are crisp and clean though, aside from the rear spoiler that has some bleed through.

Wheels and tires seem to be stock Flyslot fare and are better quality than I really expected. Very round and true and no cracks. Stock rubber is not going to work well on my track, but I knew that when I bought it.

The big deal about this car is the new inline chassis. It now has dual bar magnets front and rear that really do keep it planted. 3 screws mount the body to the chassis and are easily removed.

Yes, it is stamped Made In Spain.

Up front there are loops molded into the chassis. You could run your guide wires through here to help them stop rubbing the axle since Flyslot did not. If these serve any other purpose, I don't what it would be. If some digital chip mounts there, it is one I have not seen.

Guide seems ok to me, but I guess they ran out of braid on the assembly line. You can see there are different types. One thing you might want to check for is the ferrules sticking down to far. One side had it rubbing the track. Just push it back up into the guide and you will be fine.

Gearing is industry standard with a 9 tooth pinion turning a 27 tooth crown.

I have no idea what the motor is rated at. I can at least tell you it is milder than any stock Fly motor from the past. Fine by me really, but some will want more. Most advanced racers change things to suit themselves anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue for them. While you have the body off, before running this car you need to glue the motor in place. I say it needs it because it sets very loose in the cradle. I used a small bead of hot glue on each side. This way I can remove it rather easily.

You also might want to go through the interior and hot glue/inspect the headlight and glass assemblies. They are not installed very well and I had to glue them in place. They make a very loud rattle during operation.

I swapped tires right away after a couple laps of testing. Not a bad running car. In fact, it has a lot of potential in my opinion. The motor is mild but I like it, makes it very easy to drive. Yes, likely too easy. I will swap in a H&R HAWK and that will bring it up to classic Fly speed so it will run with the rest of my fleet.

Only you can make the call of course. Either you like this new chassis and design or you do not. I paid under $50.00 for it so at least the prices have been lowered. This makes it a little easier for some of us on tight budgets.

-Harry