* Characteristics of the Mexican Superfine Turbine! *
The Mexican Superfine Turbine is unique in three obvious ways and a fourth difference is notable upon closer inspection.

1. White interior
2. Paint color
3. Capped wheels on the front
4. Base Modification

All three of these characters are consistent on all of the four known pieces.


White Interior

The white interior seems to be made of the same type of plastic as the normal black interior as it has the same feel and texture. The definition of the details is sharp and crisp. It is unaffected by heating with hot tap water. The casting numbers on the inside of the door are the same as a black interior. No mold variations are observed.




Paint Color

The unusual shade of yellow/orange enamel paint is unique to three of the four Mexican Superfine Turbines. The fourth is a medium enamel green.
Both of the enamel colors are unique, unlike any other colr used on the HK 73's or Flying Colors.
The paint can be seen on the internals of the car, extending down the spin post to the base to the base.




Capped Front Wheels

The capped front wheels are one of the peculiarities of the Mexican SFT's. Although not unusual for many 1973 issued castings, all other Superfine Turbines have the 1973 style wheel with the hole in the center. Close inspection of the compression clamps shows no indication of tampering or modification.




Base Modification

While inspecting the base, I noticed that it had been modified. The normal SFT has small protrusions cast into the base along the axis of the rear axle. These "nubs" prevent the wheels from rubbing against the base. The nubs have been ground off of the base of the Mexican SFT, leaving a visible grind mark in front of the rear wheels. Close inspection the photos of Mexican SFT #1 shows the same markings. The grind marks are not prominent on SFT #3 however, the nubs are not present.



While pondering a possible reason for this, I compared the disassembled base of a HK piece to the mexican piece. The axle length of the HK piece is about 1 mm LONGER than the Mexican piece's axle! I now suspect that the axle and wheel assemblies supplied for the Mexican pieces were too SHORT to fit into the base without rubbing on the nubs. Therefore, the nubs had to be ground off before the axles were fitted into place.




Mexican SFT #1 <--- Grind Marks ---> Mexican SFT #2


Rear Rivet

Close inspection of the rear rivet from the outside shows that it was spun flatter than most HK assembled SFT's. When inspected with a loupe, the spun part of the post on the base shows signs of corrosion and decomposition. By prying the interior up in the rear on SFT #2, I was able to see that the spin post is painted all the way down to the base. The post is continuous with no sign of tampering or modification.

Based on the condition of the rear rivet and the absence of the motor, I believe that the questions regarding the rivets on Mexcian SFT #1 can be explained. The rivets are spun with a different tool, resulting in a substandard spin. More of the material is removed and the remaining material is flat and thin. The spin on the motor rivet for #2 was so poor that the motor rivet broke free and the motor was lost. The spin on the motor rivet of Mexican SFT #1 looks like it has been stressed i.e. the motor rivet looks like it has nearly pulled through. The rear rivet of SFT #2 is similar in shape and condition to the rear rivet on SFT #1.

The spins on SFT #3 are also abnormal. The rear spin is so deep that it grinds well into the base. The front spin is consistent with SFT #1.

Also, if you look back at the photo of the capped wheels, notice the remnants of glue around the motor post hole on the top. Evidently, the motor fell out and an attempt was made to glue it back on!






Follow these links for more pictures of the known CIPSA Superfine Turbines.

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