25 replies to this topic

[TSR]

We have now nearly completed the display room at the LASCM in Los Angeles. One part of the large room is dedicated to 1960s plastic model kits by AMT, Revell, MPC, Monogram, Jo-Han... but 3/4 of the display space is dedicated to 1/24 and 1/32 scale American slot car kits, factory assembled RTR and related hardware, controllers, power supplies, motors, parts... as well as American inspired Japanese and European slot cars. This is not a museum where you will find a lot of Scalextric or Jouef cars, but there will be 1/24 scale Scalex cars, MRRC cars and kits and Italian Unicar, Mini Dream and other slot cars more hobby (rather than toy) oriented. Lots of original artwork as well as periof pictures will adorn the walls. This has been a long slog, over 10 years in the making, but early visitors have been quite impress by the museum's owner, Scott Bader, dedication in this tremendous achievement.
These pictures were taken with the lights off, but I will soon put some with the full lighting effect, and that is quite something!

The entry up a flight of stairs, showing what will be 12 flat-screen TV to show split and full vision of period pictures, films etc. on a 1-hour loop:




The main room has a set of larger cases for full racing sets and larger items. Artifacts installation begins this week.



Temporary installation of a few Dynamic and Riggen kits and RTRs, lighted by LED hiddenbehind the stainless steel lip on front of the shelves.



The main room seen from its entry, with the stainless steel table/showcase still under the assembly process in its center.



The "pro" cars have a dedicated area where the largest collection of survivors and quality replicas by the three best builders we know of, will be displayed in chronological order with the trophies earned by the race winners. The cutoff date is 1972.

I hope that this will make your day a happier one. 

[C. J. Bupgoo]

                                                           

 

                                                 

[MattD]

Ready for the virtual tour!!!

 

Congrats to Scott for spending so much and working so hard and pursuing this to fruition.   Not many people would have this much dedication for so many years.

 

I also appreciate the effort Philippe has put in to help, encourage, and research  with Scott.    Now get on wit the photos for the book!!!

[Bryan Warmack]

 Will the track be open?! 

[MG Brown]

Has anyone contacted Jay Leno to ask if he would be interested in a segment on Slot Car History at the LASCM for "Jay Leno's Garage"?

 

It never hurts to ask.

 

BTW- thank you to everyone who has put their efforts into making the LASCM a reality.

[slotbaker]

Awesome...

Nice use of the columns.

Looks fantastic.

[brucefl]

phillipe and al who made this possible thank you  for preserving all our fond memories with dignity in this beautiful museum.

 

now wiil it be accessable via internet possibly with a virtual cam that can zoom in on specific cars etc.so us too far away to visit can enjoy our legacy?

[brucefl]

Id gladly pay for a membership with this interactive option.

[don.siegel]

Looking very nice Philippe, thanks for sharing. It's funny to hear slot cars being called "artifacts"... Scott and his team have done some very fine work. 

 

Ditto for the track - has it been installed? what was finally chosen? 

 

I didn't realize there would be model kits also, at least not that many of them. 

 

Any major pieces still missing in the collection? 

 

Don 

[Dave Crevie]

Wow! Nice job so far. Wish I had something signifiant to donate, but none of my stuff has any historical value. But I

will donate financially down the road. Slot racing really was a big part of the '60s.

[MattD]

We are a small group, but worldwide there are still  quite a few grown kids that fondly remember 1965!     This is good as it can/will be kind of ground zero for slot car collectors and gives us a little bit of credibility among other collecting hobbies.

 

There is a track in the facility that I think was built by master builder Bob Scott (Criuizin).   I believe you can see it on the website or maybe on some Youtube videos.

[TSR]

Don, answering your questions:

It's funny to hear slot cars being called "artifacts"...  it is my own use of words, and since it is after all a museum, all items on display become "artifacts".

 

Ditto for the track - has it been installed? what was finally chosen? The track has been installed years ago but has had little use because of all the construction around it.  It is currently being "dressed" for an upcoming TV show featuring Jay Leno. 


 

I didn't realize there would be model kits also, at least not that many of them.  The collection has several thousands of 1960s plastic model kits, pristine in their original boxes, with about a hundred or so expertly assembled and decorated by the best.

 

Any major pieces still missing in the collection? Yes, we are looking for the rarest of the rare: We are looking for very late, end of 1967, early 1968, “last issues” by several companies:
- Pactra Porsche 904 with lights.
- International “Furious Fiat” new in box (we have a loose one in perfect shape but packaging is as important to us as the contents).
- Rannalli Lola T70 (you will be amazed when you see the pics).
- IMC Lola T70
- Testor Honda F1 in metallic green with original stickers on it (we have one but the stickers are repro).
- Precision Hussein “Series 2” with Russkit “33” motor.
- Unicar Ferrari Dino kit MIB
- Unicar ALFA Romeo “Canguro” kit with injected body.
- Unicar “noleggio” rental car
And another few Japanese kits such as the Nitto Hino-Renault “Del Contessa” racing car.

And of course we are always looking for pre-1973, period pro-racing cars with genuine history and provenance, or any original components from such, painted bodies by Dave Bloom, Kovacs… Champion 525/535/545 motors in their original boxes with card, Mura motors in the same condition…

Stupid prices paid.    

 

[brucefl]

Don, answering your questions:

It's funny to hear slot cars being called "artifacts"...  it is my own use of words, and since it is after all a museum, all items on display become "artifacts".

 

Ditto for the track - has it been installed? what was finally chosen? The track has been installed years ago but has had little use because of all the construction around it.  It is currently being "dressed" for an upcoming TV show featuring Jay Leno. 

track.jpg
 

I didn't realize there would be model kits also, at least not that many of them.  The collection has several thousands of 1960s plastic model kits, pristine in their original boxes, with about a hundred or so expertly assembled and decorated by the best.

 

Any major pieces still missing in the collection? Yes, we are looking for the rarest of the rare: We are looking for very late, end of 1967, early 1968, “last issues” by several companies:
- Pactra Porsche 904 with lights.
- International “Furious Fiat” new in box (we have a loose one in perfect shape but packaging is as important to us as the contents).
- Rannalli Lola T70 (you will be amazed when you see the pics).
- IMC Lola T70
- Testor Honda F1 in metallic green with original stickers on it (we have one but the stickers are repro).
- Precision Hussein “Series 2” with Russkit “33” motor.
- Unicar Ferrari Dino kit MIB
- Unicar ALFA Romeo “Canguro” kit with injected body.
- Unicar “noleggio” rental car
And another few Japanese kits such as the Nitto Hino-Renault “Del Contessa” racing car.

And of course we are always looking for pre-1973, period pro-racing cars with genuine history and provenance, or any original components from such, painted bodies by Dave Bloom, Kovacs… Champion 525/535/545 motors in their original boxes with card, Mura motors in the same condition…

Stupid prices paid.  

 

   why not the blue king track,that would be consumate track.please make some virtual capability for us too far away,we would all love to reminisce like we do here on slotblog,and maybe a virtual interactive slotcar video game,where we can race against eachother like in the old days,maybe theres a way to interact and race a car on the track with computer controller interface,we'll pay for track time and tip the marshals.

[Dennis David]

What is required to visit the museum?

[JimF]

Wow on that 4-laner. That would be a great track for a retro type class with mini brute motors. Maybe Retro Can Ams with the more "classic" bodies.

[Phil Smith]

Neat, but I'll never see it. I could buy a book though!

[TSR]

"why not the blue king track,that would be consumate track.please make some virtual capability for us too far away,we would all love to reminisce like we do here on slotblog,and maybe a virtual interactive slotcar video game,where we can race against eachother like in the old days,maybe theres a way to interact and race a car on the track with computer controller interface,we'll pay for track time and tip the marshals."

Bruce, an AMR "Blue King" track is exactly the type of track we would not want. They are speed bowls and require a minimum of driving talent. The 4-lane layout we designed and that Bob Scott built requires attention and a learning process to drive it successfully. Voltage is limited to keep things under control.
As far as interactive, we are a museum of vintage items and do not want to put too much science in that layout. But there will eventually be lots of interactivity on the museum's website, including virtual video tours and a two-way communication system allowing anyone first screened to make comments, ask questions ask the like. Now, if someone wants to create a video game using a King track, more power to them! 

"Wow on that 4-laner. That would be a great track for a retro type class with mini brute motors. Maybe Retro Can Ams with the more "classic" bodies."

Jim, this track is being run "dry", meaning that sponge tires would not work well. Silicone tires are forbidden because of the film they leave. Urethane tires are the only ones used, other than standard vinyl tires from currently available "toy" slot cars. Not sure how a "Retro Can Am" or "Retro F1" would behave with urethane tires... good question we will address when we can breathe! 
"
"What is required to visit the museum?"

Dennis, we already have had many visitors over the years (but very few in the actual display room since it was only created in the past 3-4 months) but at this time, until all is completed, there are no visits. Once ready, there will be a method shown on the LASCM.com website to request a visit, depending on time available by the museum's owner. We do make exceptions at this time for visitors from outside California, as for some it might be their only opportunity ever, and we would be sorry to disappoint anyone traveling from far away countries.
There will be a series of gatherings organized towards the end of the year, first for VIPs, then 'regular" enthusiasts, at the occasion of the publication of a book written to celebrate the history of the hobby.



 

[bbr]

Understandably, this is someones private collection and not every yahoo off the street can visit

[TSR]

But Mike, we'll let you in anyway!

[brucefl]

What is required to visit the museum?

are you the infamous dennis david who raced in the day nationwide and there are photos of racing at nutley raceway.

 

and may i say its amazing,according to your reported age its supernatural your youthfulness, how do you keep so young looking,is it slotcars that is your fountain of youth,hats off to you mr.David

[Martin]

Epic job guys, congratulations. Looking forward to a visit when appropriate.  

[TSR]

 

are you the infamous Dennis David who raced in the day nationwide and there are photos of racing at Nutley raceway ?

 

Bruce, different person.

 

 

Looking forward to a visit when appropriate.

 

Martin, you will be welcome and will have lots of fun.

[Bryan Warmack]

Wow on that 4-laner. That would be a great track for a retro type class with mini brute motors. Maybe Retro Can Ams with the more "classic" bodies.

     Scott's track was originally set up at the Petersen Museum several years ago for the Slot Car Exhibition and it is fairly large and awesome!  I know Philippe is very busy but maybe he could post a picture of it here. 

[TSR]

Hi Bryan, please see post # 12...

[Phil Smith]

"There will be a series of gatherings organized towards the end of the year, first for VIPs, then 'regular" enthusiasts, at the occasion of the publication of a book written to celebrate the history of the hobby.
 

 

Too bad there's not a book for us VUPs.