Vintage Slotcars

In 1963 Aurora introduced the Thunderjet 500 slot car. These cars were produced by the millions and are still being produced today. This is where a lot of kids got there first taste of d.y.i. performance modification. If you've ever raced T-jets, you understand how much you can improve their speed and handling just by making adjustments in spring tension, lubrication, motor balancing ect. Even though it could never take the place of building a real car, it's not hard to find yourself in that same zone, wondering where the last three hours went while you were de-winding that motor, trying to get a little more off the line.
So maybe next time you're waiting for parts and it's raining out, don't pick up that remote. Get down in the ba*****t and grab that old cigar box. At least it might keep your head in the game.
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you're right, slot cars are a lot of fun. I still have my Strombecker set from the 60's.

 

Good god, how big is that track?

 

been collecting afx auroua since 1970, have some old stuff from the 60's hundreds of feet of track, don't get to play with it to often, don't have a good place to leave it set up

 

I have all those cars in the picture except for the Mustang! There is a place in Reno to rent and race 1/32 cars on this big *** track, what a blast!

 

yeah,i'd like to know that myself?looks like fun tho

 

based on the shape of the electrical connectors at the joints, I don't think it is Aurora track

 

found another pic...I was amazed how much stuff could be had on feebay for cheap, like any vintage project it takes a lot of parts, I have had my own aurora junk yard since I was a child, lots of fun, really cool that my son likes slots too, it's tough to compete with the electronic toys, it's hard to beat powersliding vintage slot cars on a twisty track

 

It's 8 by 24 feet. It's 6 lanes. It belongs to a friend of mine.

 

We race t-jets in North West Indiana

 

I have a lot of English Scalextric from when I was younger. Including 2 Parma 34 Ford Coupes

 

Looks like later TYCO track, I have enough in the ba*****t to fill 3 connected 4x8's, alond with all the adaptors to go to different brands of tracks

 

Awesome!!

 

Took the T-Jets out for a spin. The truck is a screamer...

That's my brother having a beer on the park bench in the background.

 

The coupe looks good with the flames, but pretty can't keep up with power. The roadster can always pull it out on the straights...

 

Looks like the "Rolling Bones" tour has come to town.

 

The Falcon Coupe is molded in a green fat flake. The Falcon Ranchero is just a parts runner.

 

And here's the lay of the land. Basically it's three tracks connected to each other. 4 cars can run at one time, each having their own power pack.

 

That Porsche CANAM car was the best handling HO slot car I ever had. Gary

 

Wow! That brings back some good memories.

 

Cool stuff...and memories. My Dad built us a track on a 4X8 table that folded up on hinges. It was half aurora car and half HO train track with a crossing. Had a blast racing the cars around trying to beat the train. Then we moved up to the AFX cars....probably still in the attic back home ???

 

I still have a few of my HO's, and remember well doing a few "de-winds", IIRC taking off 100 turns?
Also still have my like-new 1/24 Cox Chaparral 2E, with the working wing that went up and down just like the real car. First time I showed up at the track with it, three guys crashed in the race because they were watching the wing move

 

you want to see some unbelivable tracks try this It"ll entertain you for hours
http://www.oldslotracer.com/

 

WOW! I had all that stuff. That track is incredible.

 

Well this thread has got me digging out my old slot cars tomorrow. I am the age of AFX Magnatractions and G-Plus slot cars from the 70's to earlly 80's, I might have a few tyco 440's also.

Jon

 

I played as much as I could with my older brothers old Aurora Thunder Jets, but it wasn't until AF/X came out, that I went crazy on the stuff. Now my older bro, and I will race for hours on his hu****ous track.

 

Here are some of my old slot cars.I really like to run my old T-jets and after a tune up and new skinny tires they run quite well.

 

Here is a vid clip of my green T-jet Shelby Daytona.

 

WOW! It's been a long time.........

Here is what is left of my slot car stuff from the early '60s.

It's 1/24th scale. I rode my bike to the track where it cost (I think) 5 or 10 cents for 5 minutes on the track. They also had a separate drag strip track.

Of course this led to an addiction of the hard stuff when I got my drivers license.

 

I have a lot of Scalectrix buildings, mechanic's garages and a few grandstands. Lots of specialty track. A complete workshop for building cars along with jigs for frame construction. Who wants it?