132 replies to this topic

[Bob Rule]

I got my name Noose around 1967

 

Mine started in 1966 but pretty much only used by Fred Chastain around Champion

[TSR]

So did Bob, and so did Ray... but New Joysy is far from Geoh-gia...! 

In California, "nooses" were "geeks"...

 

Here are a few interesting pics of stuff willed by Ray Gardner to the LASCM library:

 

Prototype of the 1967 catalog:

 

 

 

The whole series of Champion catalogs and price sheets from 1965 through 1977 (there could be some more we do not know of...):

 

 

Some of the Champion News newsletters:

 

 

And many thanks to Bob Rule for loaning us his precious old pictures, we are selecting and copying them as fast as we can for a safe return to Georgia. But Scott wants to see them too, so there will be a few more days, Bob, I hope that you do not mind! 

[Bob Rule]

This also might help? 

 

champion_noose.jpg

 

Interesting. Thanks. Have no idea who "D" is 

[TSR]

Bob, neither do I but this was part of the pile of stuff we got from Ray, and apparently addressed to him! There was a company then marketing some kind of lubricant called Dri-Slide because I saw an ad in an old mag, but beyond that... ??? 

[Howie Ursaner]

"Noose" was used by all of us as a word that referred to choking under pressure.

 

We were all "Noose's" many times. It referred to hanging ourselves with no one else to blame.

 

The LASCM has an F1 body of mine painted by Bob Strauber in 1966 that has a little rope with a noose on it. It might say "boy noose".

[Bob Rule]

"Noose" was used by all of us as a word that referred to choking under pressure. We were all "Noose's" many times. It referred to hanging ourselves with no one else to blame. The LASCM has an F1 body of mine painted by Bob Strauber in 1966 that has a little rope with a noose on it. It might say "boy noose".

 

You are correct Howie. I remember now. Thanks for refreshing our memories.

[Bob Rule]

Bob, neither do I but this was part of the pile of stuff we got from Ray, and apparently addressed to him! There was a company then marketing some kind of lubricant called Dri-Slide because I saw an ad in an old mag, but beyond that... ??? 

 

I remember the name Dri Slide. If I am not mistaken I have some in my stuff somewhere. Greg and I will find it if I have one :-)

[TSR]

The LASCM has an F1 body of mine painted by Bob Strauber in 1966 that has a little rope with a noose on it. It might say "boy noose".

 

 

Yes indeed, and it has a little noose painted on it, just like the ones Joe uses... I had wondered if Joe had done it but you told me about Bob Strauber.

In the pictures sent by Mr. Rule, there are photos of you holding the controller now at the LASCM... this one:

 

 

 

[don.siegel]

Mad Dog tires, I think.. 

 

This is great stuff, guys, hadn't seen this thread for a couple days, and Bob is looking very good. 

 

Bob, I'd also be interested in any more memories/reflections on AMR.... that they would have just been around for a year sounds very bizarre off the bat, but actually, when I looked up their ads in all my magazines (model car and hobby trade), they only really ran ads for about a year, in the 1965-66 timeframe - it may have been more than a year, but definitely no more than two. And that seems odd, given their production and presence in the industry... 

 

But in a sense, it makes sense: the big commercial slot car boom really started in 1965, and was more or less over by early 67

 

Anyway, looking forward to more photos, info and memories! 

 

Don 

[Gator Bob]

Micro Cell ...

Mad Dogs does ring a bell.

then Blue Dogs? ..  or the 'color' Dogs ... IIRC

Later i.e. 70s ... Orange Grabbers - 'color' Grabbers

 

they gray ones shown might be the other Champion.

 

CHAMPION Slot Car Products Inc.

9255 Sunset Blvd. Suite 720

Los Angeles, CA. 

213-271-6212 ... give them a call .... LOL

 

"TireMagic"  is the tire line name.

[Gator Bob]

I remember the name Dri Slide. If I am not mistaken I have some in my stuff somewhere. Greg and I will find it if I have one :-)

 

Graphite based.... IIRC.

[TSR]

Don,

AMR and AMCRC started their business in 1962, albeit modestly at first. They moved in their big offices on Wilshire Blvd in early 1965. 

[Horsepower]

Bob Rule,

Thank you for years and years of memories and fun.

Man, when the new issue of Car Model hit the stands I would devour it. It was the greatest, most interesting read in my life. I still read 'em (especially your column) whenever I need to lift my spirits and refresh my memory. 

I do have quite a collection myself and managed to snag the tire trimmer from one of your auctions on eBay about eight years ago. It's in my little collection of slot car treasures, stuff I will never part with. 

Although I can no longer build stuff, I just wanted to say thanks for being the coolest! I used to watch the "Mr. Yo-yo" commercials on the old black and white but never connected that and slot cars until the '90s.

This little history lesson on Slotblog is fantastic!

[Bob Rule]

Thanks, Gary. Slot is very much part of my past. Many fond memories and many many great people in those memories.

[Joe Mig]

Headed for the rack soon, but I thought I'd post these pics to end the day.
 
This is some of the equipment that was used in running the Arco races. Evidently these boxes were used to interface with the tracks being used for the Arco races, but I do not know exactly how they worked.

If I'm not mistaken, Buzzy still uses a set-up like this.

[sidejobjon]

Bob,

Look in some tiny corners for us HO guys.

 

 

 

Thanks SJJ

[Bob Rule]

Sadly I don't think I have a single product. I believe I do have a price sheet. Sorry.

[TSR]

Here is the price sheet. Note the graphics by Ray Gardner...

 

[John Miller]

What year did you guys start using the term "Sano".

[Bob Rule]

Best I can remember Mike Steube, John Anderson, and friends brought it to us (Champion-Georgia) when they came for the Champion Nationals.

[TSR]

An adventure in itself, as their car broke down and they ended spending a night in jail, only to be flown with Champion Jack Lane's help.

[sidejobjon]

Here is the price sheet. Note the graphics by Ray Gardner...
 
champion_HO_price_list.JPG

Thank you, guys; that was quick.

Bob,

Was there ever any prototype HO chassis in the works at Champion? I also thought I saw a NJ Champion address somewere?
Thanks, Bob.

I also go on Model Encyclopedia to read our old articles from Model Car.

[TSR]

John,

Champion had distributors all over the nation. The first New Jersey address was that of Bill Holland, the Champion distributor until let go by Ed Lewis who somehow was Champion's general manager at one time. Bill Holland was a former Indy 500 winner.

Carl Ford took over the distributorship and eventually bought the company from Bob Rule, who had himself purchased it from its founder, Jim Williams.

Boy, is my book badly needed. I am going as fast as I can to finish it!
 

[Gator Bob]

Look in some tiny corners for us HO guys.

 At least two of these are correct; not sure about the magnetic upgrade kit and the front weight/pin tube mount.
 

[sidejobjon]

At least two of these are correct; not sure about the magnetic upgrade kit and the front weight/pin tube mount.

Bob,

I have the front weight and tube mount; my packages are Twinn-K. Yours are also in package but Champion???

I have a set of set screw wheels; the package is the C without the word Champion spelled inside and green checker flag. Did not know they were Champion until I read this tread and saw the HOCCI race approved was on Chanpion products.

Thanks,

SJJ