24 replies to this topic

[Pete L.]

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.

[Cheater]

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

 

[mreibman]

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.

[Cheater]

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.

[MSwiss]

Recent discussion was below;
 
Parma stuff? Jig? Maybe a chassis?
 
I texted Bud and he doesn't remember.
 
He believes the patent was filed before release, but that sort of goes against my recollection that I was dropping them off after work to Jerry Kulich, before I switched jobs in July or August of '85.

[Jaeger Team]

Some pictures...

 

 

[MSwiss]

Did you mean 1984?

[Jaeger Team]

I guess 1984. In 1964 Parma started up.

[NY Nick]

The drawings are great; thanks for posting.

So is it vintage?

[Pete L.]

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...

[mreibman]

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.

 

:-)

[GE53]

 

 

]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. 

[MSwiss]

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.

[GE53]

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.

[MSwiss]

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.

[Half Fast]

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,

[MSwiss]

Thanks, Bill.

While I was contacting Bud about something else, I asked again.

He said he worked for Parma from '81-86.

[tonyp]

Well, that settles that.

[elvis44102]

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.

[GE53]

    Looking back through the slot car literature I've had packed away for years I found this letter about the race prize chassis. Believe or not, to each his own.  

[philk]

Ron Hershman just covered this pretty thoroughly on Between The Lanes #60.

[MSwiss]

Phil,
How about the CliffsNotes answer on the Flexi 1 release date? Lol

[MSwiss]

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.

[Jaeger Team]

IIRC Ron Hershman wrote that "1985 is when the Flexi-Kar was introduced by Parma. The idea came from a trip to Italy where Ken Mac Dowell picked up a 1/32 stamped brass two-piece chassis and brought it back to the Parma R & D guys to develop something like it for 1/24 scale"

[MSwiss]

See my post above yours.

 

It was late summer, fall of 1984.