23 replies to this topic

[Pitt Man]

Hey guys,
 
There is so little info out there about Hoffman boxes, I thought I should share what I have.
 
Here's are a couple of scanned shots from a Hoffman flyer that came in a NOS box I bought a few years back.
 
I'm thinking it must be early '60s as it does mention slot cars.
 

 

 
Here are a couple scans of a flyer that came in the same box, showing the marine grade plywood that Hoffmans were built with. It has a copyright year of 1957.
 

 

 
Got any more info? Post it up here

[MG Brown]

Gold, baby, gold!

[Mach9]

I have one! No literature though. And the decal has faded away.

[NY Nick]

Did not know that. thanks for posting it.

[Bill from NH]

I still have a no.1600 box I bought new in 1969 or '70. I hadn't seen the Hoffman flyer or the Harbor Plywood Co. brochure  before. I keep saying I need to build a bigger slot box, but I never have.

[Samiam]

I have three old Hoffman style boxes. Could never understand why when they copied the originals the newer builders did not make the top compartment deeper so a standard glue or oil bottle could stand up in it.  Thinking they were not slot racers but cabinet builders. I am adding a 2" extension to one to accommodate taller bottles. Or maybe I'll just buy a new box from HVR.

[tazman]

I got one. My dad got it for me before he went to work overseas on Johnson Island. In fact it's #1100 and and I still have it. I just pulled it down from my storage and took a few pics - well used with decals and stickers. I even found my Scaleauto 1/32 Toyota LMP in the box and it was a very pleasant surprise.

I've used it for 1/24, 1/32, and HO slot car racing. I am really happy it weighed only 8 pounds but, when you put in your cars, controllers, supplies, and parts – pretty heavy to say the least. It well crafted and solid.

I would like to find a #4.

Aloha,

Rick

[spudboy]

I too have a No. 1200 box bought in 1969 or 1970. I use it to this day and love it. I refinished it in the mid-'80s, wish I hadn't. 

At least I have not spoiled with stickers and race plaques.

[Samiam]

And they still make 'em wrong.

So where do I put my oiler?

[Champion 507]

Yup, still got my 1200 from 1965. Mine doesn't have the removable tray up top, just slots for 3 dividers which I discarded years ago. Hoffman label is still on the box but is quite worn.

 

Back in the 1960s I had put several vinyl stickers on the outside. In the 1970s or early 80s, I managed to coax them off with pretty good success. Glad I did. They might have been on there permanently by now.

 

I did manage to spill some liquid flux in the top right corner of the box over 40 years ago and the stain is still there to remind me.

 

Great post, Bob. Very interesting historical info.

[Steve Deiters]

Interesting post.  Hoffman Boxes.......an absolute icon of a certain era of slot racing and the standard by which everything else is judged.  Still have my original two.

[Gator Bob]

Good post !!!

 

Thanks, Bob.

 

I use one 1100 for tools and controller that goes to the track regardless if I'm racing FCR, Retro, or Flexi/wings. 

 

Have three 1200s

One Mint like brand new. - not in service.

One excellent used with original water slide shellac coated vintage decals. FCR and Womp roundly round racers.

One former pro racers 60s box .... well worn original. - not in service.

 

One other that is a nicely made knock-off I use for retro cars.

 

Always wanted one but ever had a Hoffman back in the day.

[88honcho]

Nice post.

[Pitt Man]

Hey guys,

 

I just received a Hoffman box, from a close friend, that I had never seen another example of.

 

It's about 3/4 the size of a 1200.

 

It measures 12" wide by 9 1/2" by 9 1/2".

 

Three slots for cars on top about 8 1/4" by 3 5/8", a removable drawer with three slightly smaller slots and room for three more cars on the bottom with removable dividers.

 

All dolled up with Flower Power stickers, I'd guess it to be from 1968-70.

 

The Hoffman stamp includes a zip code that none of my other boxes have.

 

Written in pencil inside the lid is what I believe to be a possible model number, 900, and a price of $13.75.

 

It has been modified in the past with a buckle for a padlock.

 

This is now my new favorite in my box collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pitt Man]

One more shot, the possible model number and price.

 

[CoastalAngler1]

Very sweet - Nice score!  Congrats, Pitt Man - 

 

Even the penciled handwriting is old skool - handwriting was taught differently pre-1950.  I bet the wooden rulers hurt when the teacher walked around the room!

[Bill from NH]

Bob, I never saw a 3 compartment Hoffman either. It makes sense that since the 4-compartment is a 1200, the 3 would be a 900. At $13.75, it looks like it was marked cheap. The 1200 I bought in 1969 or 70 was about $60 as I recall. This 1200 of mine does have the same zip code in the Hoffman stamp as yours.

[Gator Bob]

#900 sounds right.

 

Great shape and original finish, C00L stickers.....  nice score Mr. Pttt Man.  

[Steve Deiters]

I worked for a slot racing wholesaler at the time and that model number is correct and the price is just about right.  You could multiply that number by 10 to get a close approximation of todays pricing comparable.

[gjc2]

Do you guys think there are any other boxes that will be as sough after in the future as Hoffmans are now?

 

I'm specifically thinking of Webster boxes.

[Bill from NH]

I would say Webster boxes are already sought after. There was a St. Louis cabinet maker (whose name escapes me) who raced slot cars & posted on Slotblog up until about five years ago, who made some great looking boxes.

[Tim Wilkins]

For those of you that have old faded Hoffman pit box stickers like the one below, or no sticker at all, I was fooling around and created my own sticker ( see link below). Two sizes available under $5 each. I make nothing on the deal. Just sharing the link where you can order your own (Paypal) if you're interested.  

Of course, I realize the old faded sticker just adds to the value of your Hoffman box.    
 
Hoffman Boxes repro sticker
 

 

[Arne Saknussem]

I still have my vintage 1968 Hoffman 1100 in reasonable shape and in regular use. I re-glued the drawer slides after the first 40 years.  Other than that, smooth sailing and I may be buried with it.

[MG Brown]

I wonder aloud if there is a market for reproductions of these boxes, at a reasonable price (~$150.00) of course.