yes, those chassis are available.
they are also known as Aurora 4 gear ( specialty because they have a narrower rear to fit wider wheels and tires) chassis and are frequently available on eBay.
AW makes a sort of clone with one major difference. ... on the Auto World 4 Gear chassis there are "ears" or "handles" on the side ( similar to an Aurora AFX or Magnatraction chassis) that allows the AW bodies to clip on.
original Aurora Specialty 4 Gear chassis were retained with a screw through the chassis into the body.
it may be possible that a new Auto World brand 4 Gear chassis might fit under the Rolls Royce body with no alterations ....
or ....
you could cut the "ears/handles" off the AW chassis. there is a hole in the corresponding place for the body post that accepts the screw.

confused yet?

 

FYI, Bearsox is selling New Old Stock- Complete Aurora Specialty(4 Gear) chassis on his BallsOutRacing site/store for $13.99...check it out > BallsOutRacing Link

 

Just did it now. Unsnapped the body, chopped off the mounting nubs with a pair of fishing wire cutters (what I had handy, and they would have been the only thing thin enough), grabbed a screw from my parts box and then mounted the Rolls Royce body.

Only main difference was that the rear tires aren't as beefy as the ones the period chassis would have had.

Total cost--$12 with with the 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby. The body even turned out to be a chrome John Force chase, which for some reason, at this particular Hobby Lobby seems more common than regular releases. A good condition complete one with the period correct chassis would have cost me $45 or so--ouch!

I thought the two holes underneath the headlights were for body mounting, but there was no place on the body for them. Any purpose other than decorative?

 

Just did it now. Unsnapped the body, chopped off the mounting nubs with a pair of fishing wire cutters (what I had handy, and they would have been the only thing thin enough), grabbed a screw from my parts box and then mounted the Rolls Royce body.

Only main difference was that the rear tires aren't as beefy as the ones the period chassis would have had.

Original chassis has wider rims than the AW style. I think they can still be found. They also have the BIG FAT tires. There are many aftermarket tire makers, and you can still occasionally find NOS ones. I had to replace the crown gear on the original chassis on mine. The chassis is a pre MT version, and they did not have the gear plate hold down screw. They had a tendency to strip crown gears because the back of the gear plate would lift up after awhile.

Total cost--$12 with with the 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby. The body even turned out to be a chrome John Force chase, which for some reason, at this particular Hobby Lobby seems more common than regular releases. A good condition complete one with
the period correct chassis would have cost me $45 or so--ouch!

Great idea! I may have to make a run to HL today. I need a few chrome wheel chassis.

$45??

I thought the two holes underneath the headlights were for body mounting, but there was no place on the body for them. Any purpose other than decorative?

No real reason I can see, except as decoration. They are too close to the pickup shoe tabs on the chassis for any other use.


If you need a pic of an all original one, except for silicone rear tires, let me know. Mine is the yellow version.

 

Dad gave me his old Tyco slot car track. He didn't have the original cars from it, but he did have two Ideal cars, and some assorted parts. One of them was an AFX Roarin' Rolls Royce.

I keep hearing "specialty chassis" when seeing complete ones and bodies online. What chassis do I need and is it readily available?

The Roarin Rolls is a blast to drive. It slides VERY well in the turns. It is long enough to hit the guard rails from the inside lane and still keep going. My brother had one (its mine now) and he used to block me all the time when we raced.