31 replies to this topic

[Gene/ZR1]

The "Stinger," was it a Manta Ray? Or a stand-alone? Year - 1966.
Any history or an actual slot car out there or body that survived?

Just looking for a new project.

[TSR]

Hi Gene,

The Classic "Stinger" has nothing to do with the Discount Hobby Distributors' "Stinger" that is a re-labelled Classic Manta Ray.

The only common feature on both is their name.

DHD used their stock of Manta Ray painted bodies with Classic chassis and FT36D motors so as to liquidate these parts. They also used an early pen drawing of the original Classic Manta Ray by John Power to advertise their RTR car.

[Gene/ZR1]

Hi TSR,

I thought it looked like the Manta Ray, but the sketch made me wonder. O well, I thought I was on to something for a new project.

Now I must search for a new body project.

Thanks ever so much for the history on the Stinger/Manta Ray.

Gene/ZR1

[Superbird]

Here is the ad you are probably referring to. There is a great article on Manta Ray production from VSRN-Online if you have an interest in Mantas. The Classic Stinger was a cool car, too.

[TSR]

In all my years of collecting slot cars, I found literally hundreds of the Classic Stingers, but only one genuine example of a DHD Stinger.

Anyone out there seen another?





I also would love to find out what kind of packaging it was shipped in...

[MattD]

Wonder how many have been through eBay and most of us just figured they were Classic models.

[TSR]

Matt,
 
Since 1992, likely, zero.
 
We have a system alerting us of a listing of cars from names or description, from all categories, so it is unlikely that we would have missed one. We did not miss the one above, offered in "tinplate toys" and not "vintage slot cars"... 

[don.siegel]

And it has the buyer's name, as advertised! 

 

Have never seen one of these either, in 20 years on eBay, and I look pretty closely, though maybe not as much as Philippe... 

 

Don 

[Gene/ZR1]

The word "Stinger" as shown on decal on the car in the magazine add doesn't match from what is on the posted car.

 
Also, as shown in the magazine ad where it says "your name," the fancy decal art work (that doesn't match what's on the car anyhow) around the word Stinger is flipped or upside down from what is on the posted car, but on the back of the posted car. The decal matches the car in the magazine except for the fancy decal art work.
 
Wondering, if the advertised decals as shown on the car in the magazine ad was ever released for sale, or did they run out of the more fancier Stinger decal and made do with what they had until supplies ran out?
 
Well, you can't expect much for $10 bucks.
 
g...

[TSR]

Gene, impossible to be certain of course, but it is likely that the car pictured in the advert was simply a handpainted sample, and production went in a slightly different direction once the distributor figured out that their ploy would not work if your name was too long, like, let say, "Anthony Przybylowicz" or "Philippe de Lespinay." Those are tough words to deal with.

In any case, still looking for another. "Ferris? Ferris Bueller?" 

[Gene/ZR1]

"Anthony Przybylowicz"  or "Philippe de Lespinay." Those are tough words to deal with.

 
Tak to jest prawda.  

Z powazanien.

gene

[TSR]

[Horsepower]

Gene,

Repos of the Classic Stinger would be fantastic. It would be even better if you could get the wing on back cut-out or cast separately.

[olescratch]

Gene,

Repos of the Classic Stinger would be fantastic. It would be even better if you could get the wing on back cut-out or cast separately.

You may need to check again, Gene already produces the Stinger with/without working wing, and a open cockpit roadster!!!

[Horsepower]

Thanks! I didn't know that, and since Gene was asking about the Stinger I thought that would be a great repro. However, if he ALREADY makes one that is even better! I'll go check. Thanks again John.

[TSR]

To make everyone happy, here is the Classic Stinger in all its glory, along with its original box artwork:

[Horsepower]

That's great! If only I had the Stinger roadster.......

[TSR]

Gary, that's ambitious... but there are a few here and there. Most of the people who have them in their attics likely have not a freaky clue of what they are, so there is still hope for you! 
 

[Horsepower]

That's funny, everyone always says, "There's no hope for you"!

 

Thank you!

[Horsepower]

I had a chance to talk to Gene ZR-1 today. What a great man! I wish he was my next door neighbor, although I'd probably drive him nuts.   

Thanks Gene! It was a real pleasure talking to you!

[olescratch]

Did you ask about the roadster?

[Gene/ZR1]

This is the "Classic Roadster and an interior."
 
I put together this quick body example to show how it looks with the interior. 
 

 

 
Regards,
 
g

[MattD]

And... it is top quality body.

[TSR]

Hello Gene,

Actually the interior you have on your car is the standard Auto Hobbies interior.

Below is the correct cockpit from the only intact kit know to exist at this time (I would hope that someone, anyone, would come up with another... feels lonely out there! 

The correct cockpit has the driver on the left side and the seat's pleats going the other way. it is also made of clear butyrate.



Gene, I would be more than happy to loan you a proper part to copy, but the museum only has that one, and the loose cars we have all have the wrong cockpit. 

[Gene/ZR1]

Well now that's a let down; the donor body and interior was off of a complete Stinger car. 
The interior was clear but painted, even had the plastic head that I even made a head mold to cast the head.
 
The interior and seat appears the same, best I can tell.


 
Well, that shoots this one all to hell,
 
It will have to do. I worked my rear end off to get this correct, so the guys could get a complete setup.
 
Do you think this was a substitute to finish up remaining kit cars?
 
I borrowed your photo (below), the driver is on the right side on the box art, that is strange, well what is correct?
 
I may be able to reverse the interior, will be a lot of work, what do you think?

Regards,

gene