I was wondering if any one out there knows when Aurora came out with their HO Model Motoring race sets. My memory says 1960. I had one of the first ones w/the vibrator cars. Thanks.
Aurora Model Motoring
Started by
Mike Patterson
, Apr 17 2009 09:25 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1
Mike Patterson
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Posted 17 April 2009 - 09:25 AM
I am not a doctor, but I played one as a child with the girl next door.
#2
TSR
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Posted 17 April 2009 - 09:46 AM
The origins of HO scale slot car racing can be traced to England, where in the late 1950's the English inventor, Derek Brand first developed a small motorized car to be used with model railroads.
These early cars were designed for use with the popular English model railroading 'OO' gauge, or 1:76 scale. The 'OO' scale was slightly larger than the popular American 'HO' gauge which was 1:87 scale.
A 2-lane track system was also designed for these early model cars to run on. The first track system was marketed in England by Playcraft under the brand name Electric Highways Model Motoring.
This early track system was designed to be used with model train layouts. Straight tracks had a dashed white 'passing' line painted along the center of each section, and curved track sections had a solid 'no passing' stripe painted down their centers to better duplicate real highways. A railroad crossing section was also available.
The very first boxed sets were powered by small AC power packs, or directly from the accessory circuit on transformers used to power model trains.
The speed of the cars running in the two lanes could be controlled individually using a pair of small controls with steering wheels connected to rheostats which varied the voltage to the power rails, and ultimately the cars' motors. Aurora Model Motoring The American model company, Aurora Plastics Corporation first saw the Playcraft Model Motoring system on display at an English toy fair and promptly acquired the marketing rights to the Model Motoring product line for sale in the U.S. Market.
The Aurora Model Motoring system first appeared in U.S. hobby stores in 1960 just in time for the Christmas buying season.
These early cars were designed for use with the popular English model railroading 'OO' gauge, or 1:76 scale. The 'OO' scale was slightly larger than the popular American 'HO' gauge which was 1:87 scale.
A 2-lane track system was also designed for these early model cars to run on. The first track system was marketed in England by Playcraft under the brand name Electric Highways Model Motoring. This early track system was designed to be used with model train layouts. Straight tracks had a dashed white 'passing' line painted along the center of each section, and curved track sections had a solid 'no passing' stripe painted down their centers to better duplicate real highways. A railroad crossing section was also available.
The very first boxed sets were powered by small AC power packs, or directly from the accessory circuit on transformers used to power model trains.The speed of the cars running in the two lanes could be controlled individually using a pair of small controls with steering wheels connected to rheostats which varied the voltage to the power rails, and ultimately the cars' motors. Aurora Model Motoring The American model company, Aurora Plastics Corporation first saw the Playcraft Model Motoring system on display at an English toy fair and promptly acquired the marketing rights to the Model Motoring product line for sale in the U.S. Market.
The Aurora Model Motoring system first appeared in U.S. hobby stores in 1960 just in time for the Christmas buying season.
Philippe de Lespinay
#3
don.siegel
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Posted 17 April 2009 - 04:36 PM
Mike,
I'd also recommend Tom Graham's book on the history of Aurora for an excellent look at the company's slot cars and history.
Don
I'd also recommend Tom Graham's book on the history of Aurora for an excellent look at the company's slot cars and history.
Don
#4
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Posted 17 April 2009 - 04:39 PM
Indeed. 
Philippe de Lespinay
#5
Mike Patterson
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Posted 21 April 2009 - 09:08 PM
The Aurora Model Motoring system first appeared in U.S. hobby stores in 1960 just in time for the Christmas buying season.
PdL, thank you
!!! I was sure that i received my set the first year they were introduced, which also happened to be our family's first Christmas in our new house. Good memories. Thanks again for the info.
I am not a doctor, but I played one as a child with the girl next door.
#6
chaparrAL
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Posted 25 April 2009 - 02:49 PM
heres a 1960 vintage speedster
Al Thurman
"Everything you love, everything meaningful with depth and history, all passionate authentic experiences will be appropriated, mishandled, watered down, cheapened, repackaged, marketed, and sold to people you hate." Von Dutch [Kenneth R. Howard] 1929-1992
."If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Pheonix." Dr Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005
"Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?" - Jack Kerouac 1927-1969
"Hold my stones". Keith Stone
My link
"Everything you love, everything meaningful with depth and history, all passionate authentic experiences will be appropriated, mishandled, watered down, cheapened, repackaged, marketed, and sold to people you hate." Von Dutch [Kenneth R. Howard] 1929-1992
."If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Pheonix." Dr Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005
"Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?" - Jack Kerouac 1927-1969
"Hold my stones". Keith Stone
My link
#7
Mike Patterson
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Posted 25 April 2009 - 08:47 PM
Al, is that a pink Cadillac?
I am not a doctor, but I played one as a child with the girl next door.
#8
chaparrAL
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Posted 25 April 2009 - 09:13 PM
Yep
Just like what Elvis gave his mom , she did not drive.
Just like what Elvis gave his mom , she did not drive.
Al Thurman
"Everything you love, everything meaningful with depth and history, all passionate authentic experiences will be appropriated, mishandled, watered down, cheapened, repackaged, marketed, and sold to people you hate." Von Dutch [Kenneth R. Howard] 1929-1992
."If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Pheonix." Dr Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005
"Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?" - Jack Kerouac 1927-1969
"Hold my stones". Keith Stone
My link
"Everything you love, everything meaningful with depth and history, all passionate authentic experiences will be appropriated, mishandled, watered down, cheapened, repackaged, marketed, and sold to people you hate." Von Dutch [Kenneth R. Howard] 1929-1992
."If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Pheonix." Dr Hunter S Thompson 1937-2005
"Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?" - Jack Kerouac 1927-1969
"Hold my stones". Keith Stone
My link
