17 replies to this topic

[TSR]

Since I was posting these on our friends' SlotForum site, I dupe them here:

The first pics are of a rare Monogram McLaren-Elva RTR. This model came two ways, in kit form, stock # VSR2418) that is easily the rarest of all Monogram kits, and as a RTR model (assumed stock number SR2478) that is one of the rarest Monogram models.

I have not taken pictures of the kit, I will do this soon for you. The standard "SR" number is preceded by a "V" to denote the vacuum formed body. We have ever see ONE example, that we fortunately were able to acquire for the LASCM.

The RTR came in the same packaging as that of the "thingies" (Snake, Vampire, Assassin) and that of the other vacuum formed cars (Ford GT, Lola T70, Ferrari 330PLM).

I got a few pics for you here from the LASCM website:





As you can see, most of the packaging is unfortunately gone, but the car is still sealed in what is left...

The others are in better condition:



Here is the carton in which these things were marketed:



And this lovely tag inside the carton:



Here is the Vampire:



And the Ford:



More soon...

[One_Track_Mind]

Very nice, Philippe

Isn't it funny though they never painted the driver's head? Just plain molded white.

The rest of the cars looks are outstanding with nice paint jobs.

Or is it just me?

[TSR]

The simple reason could well be that Monogram did not have their cars built in Hong Kong like Cox or K&B, and simply did not have the labor force to stick some paint on the plastic head.

Also these cars were rather inexpensive compared to other RTR on the market, so they had to trim their cost I assume.

[slotbaker]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Looks like the same wheel inserts are used for all of them.
Would you know if they are available? Re-pops or otherwise?

[TSR]

Steve,

These are the same as used on the Monogram Scarab, basically a Cooper wheel. I am sure that there are replicas made because it is such a common insert. Try Al Penrose at BWA?

An interesting note: some of the Snake and Vampires came with BLACK (unplated) inserts. And the cars look better that way. I have never seen an Assassin with the black inserts, so I assume that the earlier models were the ones fitted that way.

[68Caddy]

Philippe,

Thanks for sharing those pictures. Can I have one of those Monogram McLaren-Elva RTRs? After all, you have two of them?

Nesta

[TSR]

Sure, Nesta.

All you have to do is to go pry it from Scott's fingers. Bring a few friends and a howitzer.

[slotbaker]

[Pete L.]

Thank you for the pics!

[68Caddy]

I think they are in a safer place now. Still love them but it is what it is.

Really don't need more cars.

Nesta

[TSR]

Here are the last two in the series, the Lola and the Ferrari:





This makes seven cars with the McLaren. What did I forget?

[Pete L.]

Great pics! Can you show us what's underneef one a dem?

[Bruce Neasmith]

PdL,

Um-err , where is the 'Assassin', it should be in the grouping, shouldn't it ?

Hope you have sealed displays of more than one to show the colour variations.
A very nice grouping of cars all the same. I have some of the cars but none of the packaging! These cars may have been simple, but they do have character .

Bruce Neasmith

[TSR]

Hey Bruce,
How's things in Aussieland?

Hope you have sealed displays of more than one to show the colour variations.

Yes, but there is little time, II am trying to close that book!

I guess I better put the Assassin in the listing, here it is:

1968 marked the end of Monogram's involvement in the slot car business. Before the demise of the program, Monogram issued three models that were still on the pipeline, but sales were very poor and few are to be found today.
The first was a re-issue of the 1/24 scale McLaren-Elva kit, now fitted with a metallic red, factory painted vacuum formed body of the car, that fitted with mounting screws over the original chassis. This kit, # VSR2418, is possible the rarest Monogram kit at this time, only one example known to exist.
The second issue was a RTR version of the model, decorated with self adhesive racing numbers and marketed in the same type of packaging as the other vacuum formed RTR cars, meaning that it was necessary to destroy the packaging to get to the car, not an ideal situation.
The third was a thingie, called the Assassin. I was told that its design was due to Tom Daniel, but others claim that Tom Bradley did it. Either way, it came at a time when hardly anyone was paying attention, and sold very poorly. Most were issued in a bright red with gold fogging, and each being individually painted gives them a personality of their own.



Once the packaging has been thrashed to get the car, this is what it looks like:



A much rarer version was produced in green with silver and gold fogging, and that one is really tough to find.





Today, the Assassin is tough to find, but when found, provides the perfect companion to monogram's other thingies, the much more common Snake and Vampire.

Great pics! Can you show us what's underneef one a dem?

Pete, your wish is my command. look above.

[NHBandit]

Seems that nearly all pictures posted by Phillipe "TSR" are gone

[Bill from NH]

Those missing on this thread are from 2010. PDL probably cleaned out some old photo galleries.  It has happened before. If the photos had been uploaded to Slotblog, they would still exist, but they weren't.

[Mark Onofri]

I've found that if you have a similar photo, it's a 50/50 shot of googely lens directing you to a Slot Blog thread that ACTUALLY has the pictures. It's worked for me! I've posted it in the General section.

[Mark Onofri]

PS: and to think,(3) three years ago I couldn't even post a picture.