Mike Vitale is one of several Home Production (HOPRO) people in the hobby to make resin cast cars for slot cars. This one fits on a Thunderjet or ThunderPlus chassis quite nicely. Let's talk about that. I have never seen a car fit so tightly around a chassis. All the way around. The wheels also match up perfectly, and a set of silicones on the regular rims clears everything, and a set of TuffOne rears should, as well, if you don't mind something that looks like a 4 passenger skate board after you add those wheels.

Vitale's creation captures all the necessary lines of a car that has few. The grill isn't quite right, and the front parking lights are missing, and the glass posts are a bit out of proportion, but the rest of the features are there. One thing we wouldn't mind seeing is a rag top version, like the picture (upper right). This would add a little detail, and some color (painting it flat black). But the car, as is, is an excellent reproduction.

For most of us, how it would react as a race car is a very important question. This car leaves little room in the rear for lowering, without some creative carving on the chassis that would not be allowed under many track regulations. The front could be lowered considerably. In either case, the wheel wells would require some whacking. Serious people might even hog out the side glass to reduce weight. We took a set of Tyco 440 x2 rims, strapped some Hiester Extra Low silicones on the rear, and they fit without any cutting.

So how did it perform with that setup? Like a little bat, especially sans the glass. This baby is ultra light (It would pass the Fray minimum requirement rules). Very little weight beyond the chassis, and not much above it. MEV Originals has chosen a great car to replicate

Cost is $18 for assembled/painted detailed Mini Shell ($15 unassembled/unflashed/unpainted detail). Add $6 for chassis/pin here as well.