66 replies to this topic

[don.siegel]

That's incredible stuff Peter, thanks for posting. 

 

I noticed on the "AMT" double kit that it shows a 50,000 rpm motor that looks like one of the Riko models with the square can, but in the car is a more normal 16D style - any more info on that? 

 

AMT did four of these vac-form 1/32 cars, and the bodies were some of the ugliest ever released by a major...

 

Don 

[Peter Davison]

Hi Don

 

Motor on the box side is the Riko Thunderbolt. No brakes!

 

Can't be sure that the car shown has its original motor, or that it even came in the box originally. Could have been from one of the later card mounted kits where you chose your own motor. I've seen one or two of these with the 13UO sized Johnson 111 fitted.

 

Yeah, those AMT bodies were ugly, but the chassis

 

Best regards

 

Peter

[Gator Bob]

Wow... What a great find. Congrats Peter!

[TSR]

Peter, thanks! One more added to the listing...
The green car is definitely a Ford GT, regardless of how poorly rendered it was. The side pieces look like AMT but were likely local production, possibly using discarded AMT molds after 1967 since this is when they pulled the rug under their slot car program.
For the same reason, the "Revell" chassis could have been produced locally too, from discarded Revell tooling since they abandoned that chassis in 1966. Will we ever know?
 

[Peter Davison]

Hi Philippe

 

I'm pretty convinced that they acquired the chassis tooling. There just seems to be too many of them around for a one off purchase & still being sold into the late 70s early 80s.

 

I have to go back to the guy I obtained these from to get the rest of the chassis fronts. The motor mounts still have oil residue on them from the tooling.

 

As I said I have acquired the 'AMT' box, so will post better images once received

 

As for the motors, they would have been the cheapest available for the import licence money

 

Regards

Peter

[Peter Davison]

Philippe

 

Found this today

 

 

 

Unfortunately still no indication as to who was producing this product in New Zealand

 

Regards

Peter

[TSR]

Peter,

very nice! We now know that the RSL were of course using Marusan and HIT components brought in loose form from Japan, and it is good to have a copy of the instructions since so far all we have is a box with an assembled car in it... Thank you!

Regards,

 

P

[oconnor]

hi I am looking for some lightning 1/32 chassis adjustable please can some one help ,ebay is a little to pricey thanks chris

[Peter Davison]

Further information now gathered.

 

Lincoln Industries of New Zealand & Hong Kong fame produced plastic kitsets under license from Revell in the mid to late 60s. They were also the distributor of Revell in NZ

 

Images of aircraft kit attached

 

Lincoln Industries was associated with the department store chain known as The Farmers Trading Company in NZ

Owned by the Laidlaw family. Lincoln toys was owned & run by Lincoln Laidlaw in the suburb of Penrose, Auckland.

 

It is possible that the Lightning Corvette bodies may have been produced by Lincoln

 

The only information I have found regarding the RSL/Marusan/Hit & Hurricane ranges is a PO Box number, also in the suburb of Penrose, suggesting that Lincoln  may have been involved as well

 

If any NZ members of this blog have any further info I would be glad to see it

 

Cheers

Peter

[Peter Davison]

Just an update

 

Acquired this fold out catalogue recently

 

Hurricane Slot Car Sets & RSL Classic Kitsets were distributed in New Zealand by 'Sargoods' a longtime local general merchants, now no longer trading

 

 

All product appears to be Marusan sourced & rebranded Hurricane, RSL Classic kitsets & RSL Action Time for HO Sets - shown in catalogue as 'Hurricane' but all those I've seen are 'RSL Action Time'

HO Sets sold in US as Atlas

 

Hurricane track is marked San, only ever two cars

[TSR]

Peter, thanks!
Do you know if RSL marketed any other models, beside the Porsche and the Ford? Both had a special chassis and a HIT motor, but used standard Marusan bodies. We would love finding intact kits of both to set on the shelves at the museum, next to the Lightning Corvette kit acquired a few years back in the US, and still the only boxed kit we have ever run across so far.










 

[Peter Davison]

Only the Ford & Porsche marketed as RSL in NZ, but I think some 250GTOs with Hit Racing Line packaging may have been sold here.

 

I may have found an intact RSL kit, but waiting on confirmation from prospective seller as to state

 

Here's hoping!!

 

Peter

[don.siegel]

Thanks for the update Peter! 

 

Don 

[Peter Davison]

Hi Don

 

You're most welcome

 

Regards

Peter

[Peter Davison]

A small update

 

Came across these yesterday

 

Both RSL instruction sheets 50 plus years old

 

 

 

[TSR]

Peter, thanks! Indeed, these instructions show the Marusan sourced bodies, but the twin-slot motor is not what's in the kits, they have a 3-slot HIT motor, likely from Marusan too.








 

[Peter Davison]

Hi Philippe

 

I think just a lazy graphic artist! 

 

I've seen & have lots of chassis from these cars & all have the 3 slot HIT motors

 

Peter