67 replies to this topic

[TSR]

I never saw a Manta Ray in a model shop window.

Truth is, not a single slot car store in the 1960s stocked much of the actual huge and incredibly-varied production, limiting themselves to a few dozen varieties. So virtually no one but a few collectors, to be counted on the fingers of one hand, has ever seen the totality or near it of the astounding variety and beauty of all what was made. This will happen for the first time ever when the LASCM will be opened to visitors, with over 2,500 DIFFERENT models on display, over one MILLION different parts in its vaults, and an extensive period library.

[sportblazer350]

Well, now that you answered my question, first I think more of the company logos before I think of one car, and Aurora and Cox come to mind first.

With Aurora, I still think of a Mustang and the Batmobile (HO scale).

With Cox, the Chappy, Ford GT, and Cheetah come to mind. And I still remember seeing a lot of Cox products around everywhere in the early 1970s in 1/32 scale.

I hate to actually say this, but I also remember Eldon being everywhere too, as it was more of a toy-like product, but still everywhere . . .

At raceways I remember seeing a lot of Russkit products, Dyanmic, Champion, and Riggen . . . as well as AJ's, but mostly parts . . . Du-Bro and Lancer for bodies . . . these are the names that stick out in my memories of several decades ago.

[slotbaker]

So Glenn, considering all of that, what's the most iconic slot car to you?

[sportblazer350]

OK Steve, you are making me strain to pick out one . . . :shock:

HO scale: Aurora Batmobile

1/24 scale: Cox Cheetah

1/32 scale: Revell Corvette

I am choosing these cars based on what I have seen as widely-purchased in the 1960s era when this hobby was most popular. I am not choosing these cars based on today's values or popularity. Yet, these cars remained quite popular with buyers throughout the 1960s and right up until today.

I do understand PdL's choice of a very rare and desirable (today) Cox Chappy. For my personal choice as part of my own collection, the BZ Little Red Wagon remains my icon.

[endbelldrive]

What about O scale? I'm partial to the Aurora '36 Ford ragtop!

[sportblazer350]

well, i did think to mention o-scale, which the best were Aurora's cars, those old hot rods are great!! but to pick just one......since my cars are packed away now, i need to find one of my Aurora books and look up the cars...... i like them all!1 8)

[Russkid]

MPC Dodge Charger. You could have your promo and race it too! 8)

[TSR]

What? No Hell Done? :shock:

[milmilhas]

For me are the COX Cheetahs but about COX Chaparral? and COX Ford GT`s?

[Mark Wampler]

COX CHAPARRAL PUT THE "KIT" IN KIT CAR RACING 36D, MAG CHASS, TAPERED SOLID AXLES, EQUALS CLASS. ALL THE OTHERS CAME AFTER

[tjsguns]

Some of u guys hit the nail on the head with comments about the art work in the ads for these types of slot cars. It seems like you are limiting the choices to RTR's and Kits from commercial manufacturers. If U take that as the guideline Classic wins hands down! The box art for that entire line was (IMHO) heads and shoulders above all else. They made the cars look SO SEXY that it was hard to resist buying one if you could afford it. However, in virtually ALL of the popular RTR or kit cars I ever got my hands on and actually ran, the preformance was EXTREMELY dissapointing.......and UNFORTUNATELY Classic was the WORST culprit when it came to the differnce between what the car looked like...(box and ad art included) and how it preformed on the track. I would have to agree that the Cox Cuc was the LEAST dissapointing as far as preformance vs looks but again (IMHO) it couldn't hold a candle to ANY of the Classic designs. My Icon among all the Classic designs was the Viper. It looked so simple, sleek and super fast.....but once u got it outta the box and on the track...forget it it didn't handle worth a damn and wasn't very fast either.
I think that all of this dissapointment had a great deal to do with the emergence of homade Thingies and thier early development in the Detroit market (where I'm from originally) Guys that raced at the Groove and other popular venues like Larry Shinoda (and many others that NEVER get mentioned in these threads) took the sexy box art and other outrageous ideas they had for body design and turned them into futuristic looking ROCKETS that would and did KILL all commers as far as looks and actual preformance on the track.
The true Icon for me (if we include scratchbuilts) The Shinoda Bullit or Mongoose with an inline brass tube & wire chassis powerd by a 16D Dyna- Rewind ( has to have the yellow can as well).

[slotbaker]

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread.

Obviously there is no winner here, it's only what you feel is relevant and what triggers your mind into slotcar mode.

The thing that triggered the question in my mind, was;
What slotcar image would best represent the slot car scene of the 1960's, that would make a good logo for a web site?

My initial thought (and preference) was Cox Cheetah. I just love them. But I figured that not everyone may love them, or regard them as 'iconic'. Hence the question.

After digesting all of the great stuff that has been posted here, I'm leaning toward having 2.
The Manta Ray to represent the 'hey man, way out' 60's, and Cox Chap 2E to have a scale looking car that truely represents both slot cars, and the fantastic motor scene of the 60's.

[pn6]

HO  -T-Jet Corvette

 

1/32  Strombecker Ferrari Testa Rosa

 

1/24  Mid 60's  Monogram Chaparral

1/24 later on 60's Cox La Cucaracha

 

 

Kit Car night saw everything from Cox GT40's winning to Russkit Carrera 6/Lotus 40 to Dynamic 26D sidewinders and the Classic ASP and finally all eight lanes loaded with different colored LaCucs!

[Mark Onofri]

The museum is one more reason for me to take a vacation in California

[MG Brown]

I'm going to go a different direction and nominate

The Cox 1/24 NASCAR Ford Galaxie #121 Dan Gurney - Riverside.

[Mark Onofri]

Detail Models: Iso Griffo
Atlas : Alfa Romeo canguro
Maybe not iconic but, just drop dead gorgeous. It's like a choice of Ginger or Mary Ann.

[Tim Wilkins]

I started racing in August 1967.

 

The slot cars at my local raceway that had the most "cool factor" were the Cox Chaparral 2E with the movable wing and the Classic Stinger with the moveable real flap. 

 

I felt the Dynamic Super Bandit was the best RTR slot car at that time.