Fellas,
I've looked just about everywhere I could think of trying to find out the release date (year) of the Parma Flexi-1 chassis. Anyone know?
Thanks,
Pete L.
Posted 28 August 2018 - 01:34 PM
Fellas,
I've looked just about everywhere I could think of trying to find out the release date (year) of the Parma Flexi-1 chassis. Anyone know?
Thanks,
Pete L.
Posted 28 August 2018 - 01:53 PM
Peter,
The US patent for the Parma Flexi-Kar chassis was granted on October 7, 1986, so one would assume that would be close to the date it was introduced.
Parma Flexi-Kar chassis patent
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
Posted 28 August 2018 - 02:01 PM
We had this discussion a few weeks back. The Flexi was most definitely released prior to the patent (issue) date, as I know I had one or two before moving in September of that year. I believe it was released before the "baby Brasskar" as well, as that prompted more racing changes locally for us.
Since the filing date was July 3, 1985, I am going to trust that more than my memory, and say it was sometime in 1985.
Posted 28 August 2018 - 02:14 PM
I agree with you, Mike, in that I believe the chassis was introduced before the patent was granted. Patents take a notoriously long time to be issued.
The date that sticks in my mind is roughly 1984, although I was not actively racing then so don't put a lot of importance to that year.
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
Posted 28 August 2018 - 03:08 PM
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 28 August 2018 - 03:33 PM
Did you mean 1984?
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 28 August 2018 - 03:45 PM
I guess 1984. In 1964 Parma started up.
Posted 28 August 2018 - 04:23 PM
The drawings are great; thanks for posting.
So is it vintage?
Posted 28 August 2018 - 04:27 PM
Fellas,
Thanks for all of the input, it's really appreciated. I say that the C.A.R.S. Vintage Slot Car Club should strongly consider putting the Flex-1 into the "vintage category" as of our Sept. meeting. Thereby enabling us to run the cars on our monthly meeting night...
Posted 29 August 2018 - 11:07 AM
Vintage?
I still have what I believe is my original one, but not quite sure it is. We still play with these things on Sundays.
Just ask NY Nick.
:-)
Posted 29 August 2018 - 03:45 PM
]In 1978 and 1979 I would go to Lincoln, Nebraska, to race every three or four months. One race I received a new at the time Parma Flexi 1 chassis as a race prize. Never used it. At about the same time a friend that gave up on slot cars gave me all his old stuff that included an old Parma Flexi 1 car he had bought at the local track before it had closed sometime in 1979. I figured the race prize was the newer version because of the 1/16 front axle, the other had 3/32 front axle. I sold them both on eBay five years ago.
Glenn Evans
Life is only as fair as you make it.
Posted 29 August 2018 - 04:03 PM
Sorry, but they weren't out in the '70s. I got back into slot racing in late '81 and they still weren't out.
For non-wing racing, we raced Womps.
Maybe '84, because Bud said they tried to get stuff out for the beginning of the racing season, in September but most likely '85.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 29 August 2018 - 05:08 PM
Mike, I respectfully disagree. I've never been as deep into slot cars as you are and have been. All I have to go on is my own timeline. Being the first Flexi it should definitely be considered vintage.
Glenn Evans
Life is only as fair as you make it.
Posted 29 August 2018 - 05:40 PM
Sorry, but the filing date for the patent was July of 1985. They didn't wait six or seven years to get it to the patent office.
I worked for a wholesale distributor and met Jerry Kulich (JK Products) in late 1981, when he came in with his daughter to order Parma stuff for his newly-opened raceway, Fun Island, in Berwyn.
There was no such thing as a Flexi-car.
It wasn't until after he moved to Chicago, in 1983, when they came out. I use to drive them over to him, after work, grumbling the whole time.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but in this case, I'm correct.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 29 August 2018 - 05:49 PM
Mike is correct: you are not allowed to file a patent on a product hat has been on sale for more than one year from the filing date of the patent.
Cheers,
Bill Botjer
Faster then, wiser now.
The most dangerous form of ignorance is not knowing that you don't know anything!
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
Posted 29 August 2018 - 06:06 PM
Thanks, Bill.
While I was contacting Bud about something else, I asked again.
He said he worked for Parma from '81-86.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 29 August 2018 - 06:41 PM
Well, that settles that.
Anthony 'Tonyp' Przybylowicz
5/28/50-12/20/21
Requiescat in Pace
Posted 30 August 2018 - 01:08 PM
Brings back good memories, seems like another lifetime...
I seem to remember being at buddy's house around the early '80s and he had a 1/32 track in the garage.
Posted 03 October 2018 - 08:52 PM
Posted 03 October 2018 - 09:45 PM
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 03 October 2018 - 10:10 PM
Sorry, but they weren't out in the '70s. I got back into slot racing in late '81 and they still weren't out.
For non-wing racing, we raced Womps.Maybe '84, because Bud said they tried to get stuff out for the beginning of the racing season, in September but most likely '85.
Ron Hershman just covered this pretty thoroughly on Between The Lanes #60.
I fast forwarded to a random spot, and it was in the middle of the discussion.
That's what clean livin' will get ya. Lol
Anyway, using a couple issues of Scale Auto Racing, as proof, Ron showed, it indeed was September of 1984, with John Ford probably getting one a little earlier, to review.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
Posted 16 October 2018 - 02:12 PM
Posted 16 October 2018 - 02:25 PM
See my post above yours.
It was late summer, fall of 1984.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559