18 replies to this topic

[KenMiles]

Hi Racers-

Okay, guys, I finally stopped by and took the photo of what I believe was Classic Speedway, Santa Monica. Here, in an historic 1968 pro race, the anglewinder design became widely known to the slot car world. In just one week, slot car racers all across the country were cannibalizing their inline chassis, modifying them to anglewinders!

I stopped here only once while it was open, so I am not absolutely certain this is the old Classic- but I am fairly sure. For those who frequented Classic, a little help?







This, then, must be Classic's second location, which is in Culver City, (officially named 'The City of Culver City') which during the day, I had not visited. The current laundromat still uses logos from the raceway printed on its receipts. The current occupant of the Santa Monica location, Chrysalis, is a non-profit job placement organization, which among their activities, places jobs for the homeless. Great to see the space being used for such a positive purpose. See:HERE

I recently met a fellow, who employed for Classic's parent company, signed for a shipment of Mabuchi motors. The shipment, he said, bowed the flatbed it arrived on, and the check written for the shipment was over $300,000! Classic must have been making some serious kind of money...

ThanX

[KenMiles]

Hi Racers-

Keith Tanaka turned me on to an article posted about that 1968 race, featuring the newly invented 'anglewinder' chassis. I do remember that we referred to the design as 'sidewinders', and do not recall the term 'anglewinder' used at that time.

See HERE.

It's amazing to see the names in attendance, including Jerry Cowan, our local pro racer from Revell North Hollywood, Bruce Erickson, another San Fernando Valley racer, and current SoCal D3 racers Mike Steube, John (Tore) Anderson, John Cukras, Lee Hines, and Keith Tanaka. Team Checkpoint's Bill Steube, Mike Steube's dad, is also mentioned. Is there anyone I missed? Dig that 1968 podium pic of Steube, Schmid, and Cukras!



Note: The article cites Classic's address as 1853 Lincoln Boulevard, and the address numbers shown in the pics is 185 - the number three apparently fallen off. So, this is the right Building!

ThanX Keith, Racers!

[Hworth08]

The first name I remember for an anglewinder was side-saddle sidewinder.

On the second building. Remove the last s letter, turn the h up-side-down and move it to where the s was and the name is again classic speedway.

Darin Man was the name of our local slot track in the '60s-'70s. The former tenant was a Chinese restaurant. The track owner just re-arranged the building's letters to spell Darin Man. And daring never had the letter g as the former tenant didn't have a g in their name.

[endbelldrive]

It's amazing to see the names in attendance, including Jerry Cowan, our local pro racer from Revell North Hollywood, Bruce Erickson, another San Fernando Valley racer, and current SoCal D3 racers Mike Steube, John (Tore) Anderson, John Cukras, Lee Hines, and Keith Tanaka. Team Checkpoint's Bill Steube, Mike Steube's dad, is also mentioned. Is there anyone I missed? Dig that 1968 podium pic of Steube, Schmid, and Cukras!

Hi Allen:

Slotblog member DHoward (Dave Howard - Team Checkpoint) wuz there and made the Semi-Main.

[Keith Tanaka]

Ahh, just having some fun. This photo was sent to me from Heather (controllers). It's actually your photo "after" some Photoshop changes by Bob Maxwell. Besides the name change and window writing, Bob even added the old Caddie! Great photoshop work Bob!

Thanks Bob and Heather!

Keith

Attached Images

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[68Caddy]

Keith

Still a sweet picture and nice 61Cad.

Nesta

[slotcarone]

Keith

Still a sweet picture and nice 61Cad.

Nesta

With a Handle like 68 caddy you should recognize a 63 Caddy when you see one!!!

[kuni123456]

With a Handle like 68 caddy you should recognize a 63 Caddy when you see one!!!

I started racing slot cars at the Classic Speedway on Washington Boulevard. When the track closed it was converted to Classic Speedway. The other Classic Speedway was located on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica. The picture of the building on Lincoln Boulevard is the second Classic Speedway. I played with my slot cars at that track. I did not attend the second Car Model Race at the Lincoln Boulevard Classic Speedway, but I heard stories about that race from John Cukras and Keith Tanaka.

I also wanted to say that my mother worked at Classic Industries which was located in Culver City, California. I visited Classic several times and met Sam Bergman and his parents. I have a number of Classic slot cars and parts due to the fact that my mother worked there for several years.

John K. Wakamatsu

[68Caddy]

Mike Katz

Sorry that's not a 63Caddy because the little wings on the rear fenders my friend.
59 had the bullets and the 60had the nice wings, I think it was the nicest of them all and 61 had the small remains of the wings after that year the quarter panel became straight, show me a 63and I shall be corrected.

Nesta

[TSR]

1961 Pinin Farina pillarless sedan:



1962 Sedan DeVille:



1963 Sedan DeVille:



Another '63:

[68Caddy]

Nice collection Dokk but.......

Nesta

[TSR]

CLICK HERE

And HERE.

[68Caddy]

Be careful Dokk you might find your self behind a real Caddy and loving it?
But what is your expertize in this matter 61 or 63 tell me the tale.
Thanks for those great images my friend.

Nesta

[slotcarone]

The car in front of the raceway is a 63---the metal models I believe one is a 61 and the other is a 62. The red car says 61 on the box if you look close.

[68Caddy]

Mike
What is the tale of identification I would like to know.

You must be a Caddy guy also.

Nesta

[slotcarone]

Mike
What is the tale of identification I would like to know.

You must be a Caddy guy also.

Nesta

Not really a Caddy guy just old!! I did have a 57 4 door hard top when I was a kid---It was pink from the factory. Had a repair shop years ago and you get to know the years of the cars out of necessity.

[Jeff Buyer]

My stepdad used to live around the corner form this place. It was a slot car shop called Classic Speedway in the 60's. The "Y" in "Speedway" was turned upside down to make an "H" and the "S" was added to change the name to "Speedwash". Revell was just down the street where Costco now sits.

JB

[ravajack]

Nothing much has changed over the years.

Except for the place beeing a bit more colorful...

[slotcarone]

And they got a full size S!!