Hey, guys!
Wow, how cool to stumble upon this website! So glad to be here!
Back in the day (mid-'60s, before I could drive) I was an avid slot car racer at the Revell Raceways in LA on La Tierra near LAX (as well as several other tracks around the greater LA area). As I recall there was a small track at Reginald Denny's Hobby Shop on the NW corner of Sunset and Western; one (drag strip?) on Melrose in West Hollywood; another larger venue out in Van Nuys (on Woodman?) and of course, the Classic Speedway in Culver City (now a laundromat). Wonderful memories and fun times... and so fantastic to see all the photos of tracks and cars on this site.
The best and fastest car I ever had in my collection was a mash-up of a Cox aluminum/magnesium "sidewinder" chassis with their larger motor with a candy apple red "Classic Manta Ray" body with the clear bubble canopy painted black (on the inside) for a glossy tinted window look.
Ironically, as an adult, I've worked in the film industry in LA for decades and became friends with Pyro-FX Specialist Don Power, and got to meet his brother John Power, who was the original designer of the Classic Manta body. John was a fascinating guy and I was sorry I didn't have more time to talk with him as he had come to the set I was working on with Don and we were so busy, I only had a few minutes to chat. Amazing guy!
Anyway, again... glad to be here, looking forward to exploring the Posts!
Hmmm... anyone have any color shots of the Revell Raceway in LA? Or the Classic Speedway on Washington in Culver City? Thanks, guys!
PS: By the way, I found this site because of a post on Pinterest.
New member once met Manta Ray designer John Power
#1
-
- Full Member
-
- 2 posts Joined: 27-July 16
Rookie Keyboard Racer
- Gender:Male
- Location:SoCal
Posted 28 July 2016 - 11:44 AM
- MSwiss and Samiam like this
#2
-
- Advertiser
-
- 5,620 posts Joined: 29-January 07
Grand Champion Poster
- Gender:Male
- Location:Formerly Aerospace Central
Posted 28 July 2016 - 02:37 PM
I have some pictures of Classic Speedwash, as it's now known. The building is still there with the Classic Speedway sign (with the letter Y changed to sh) proudly displayed.
I was too young to drive and Revell was my local track because I could ride a bike to it... Revell's building has been divided up into smaller businesses. Before Revell, that building held a ThriftyMart grocery store.
- MSwiss likes this
Click HERE to contact Sonic Products. The messenger feature on my Slotblog account has been disabled.
#3
-
- Full Member
-
- 730 posts Joined: 13-January 09
Race Leader
- Gender:Male
- Location:Prattville, AL
Posted 29 July 2016 - 06:51 AM
I love old slot cars, especially the Manta Ray, maybe the most popular of all thingies . I even have a Manta Ray body that's fits a modern 4" flexi chassis.
