slot cars

[cfz2882]

neighbor and I were discussing cars and the subject of slot cars came up-that reminded me of a vintage slot car set i fished out of the trash~1980 and fixed up;set was basicly intact and featured a pair of '65 mustang racers,these were the "medium"size slot cars and IIRC,the selenium rectifier power pac put out 20v to the track.I have seen that the larger size slot cars(say around 5-6"long) were a bit of a craze around early-mid '60s and people would race these "big"slot cars at a track at the hobby shop,in someones basement or wherever in competition with others.I think some of the better competition slot cars may have had ball bearing motors or wheels-anyone race slot cars or remember a cool set you had?

 

[whirlcool]

When I was growing up I had a pretty nice Aurora HO set. The little cars that came with the set would run forever. I used to race with my friends 7th grade through junior year of high school. Putting those pieces of track together with the metal pins and plastic clips was a pain, but done right they stayed together pretty good.

Before the Aurora set I had an Eldon set. It was pretty large in size. But because of that you couldn't make as many different layouts as you could with the Aurora set.

 

[hydralique]

I had some slot cars once but never really got passionate about that. What I'll never forget though is the Christmas I got a set of Ideal Motorific cars and the track. I was about 4 or 5 and must have gone through boxes of AA batteries playing with those. Unlike a slot car there was no control over the speed, you just turned it on and set it on the track, perfect for a little kid. The track was super simple since it carried no power and I spent endless hours re-arranging it, so much fun! I think my favorite car body was the little Lincoln Continental sedan in a purple-ish color. My dad's best friend had a couple of the convertibles, one after the other, and I thought they were beautiful so I was only too happy to have my own tiny copy.

 

[tolivac]

Sort of vaguely remember my brother had some of those slot cars you used at the hobby shop tracks.Was kinda fun.My brother was into model and slot cars when he was little---and is still into cars--the "life" size ones!And he has a HD motorcycle.

 

[goatfarmer]

We have quite a few HO scale slot cars, mostly Aurora, from the 60's, and 70's. It's been a while since I looked at them, but I know there's a Batmobile in there, a pair of 65 Riviera's, some Mustangs, and Firebirds, etc. Some of the older Aurora's can bring some decent money these days.

 

[cornutt]

If you spent any time racing slot cars back in the day, you'll love this story:

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?5946-OH-MY-GOD-HELMET-STOGIE-IS-STILL-DEAD&p=902828