15 replies to this topic

[David Weisenthal]

Hey guys, why did so many model kits go with the 1/25 scale size, and the slot car people like 1/24? Is using a 1/25 car on a track running 1/24 scale frowned on? I would think the difference would be barely noticeable..

[MattD]

Among the earliest slot car kits were Monogram 1/24 scale cars.   These were based on  their model car molds.   I guess, they took some molds and did the mods needed to make slot cars with them.   Not much more than adding rear mount posts.   Maybe...they converted a few molds from each model and saved some for continued model kits.   I'm sure they would have had several molds for each car.    Maybe they used the existing molds and copied them with some process,  Not sure what that would have been in 63 or if they could have even done it.       

 

Those kits were 1/24, so that was probably the quickest and easiest way to quickly get into the slot car market.  Why else would they issue slot kits with opening doors and hoods!    They did get lots of those kits in the pipeline early 63, or 64 I guess.    About that same time AMT got into the market, but their kits were mostly 1/25, so that was their scale of choice.   So both scales entered the market backed by big companies.

 

This is speculation on my part, but it does explain two scales at nearly the same time.   Both companies wanted in the overnite million dollar market and that was probably the quickest way to do it.  I doubt either company even considered the difference in scale.

 

I'm sure there is a little more history involved here but I leave the details of Unique and a few other early cars to Philippe or one of the guys that knows more than me.

[mark1]

I used to work at AMT in 1970-71. They moved south about that time. Wasn't a job worth moving for. Still friends with several of my co workers to this day!

[Bill from NH]

At one time AMT was heavily into producing "promo" cars for some of the 1:1 automotive companies. These were 1/25 scale & it became their standard scale for model car kits. Later they released a few 1/32 cars. The AMT Model Car Turnpike released in 1962 had 1/25 cars. Also in the '60s was a company called SMP (Scale Model Products?) that also made 1/25 model car kits. I don't recall if this was a separate company or a division of AMT. MPC also made 1/25 models & slot cars as did Revell. Johan made 1/25 model kits. I only recall Monogram making 1/24 scale slot cars & moel kits, but perhaps there were others too.

[Ramcatlarry]

I heard a story that "1/24 scale model cars" was patented and defended by Monogram.  Fake news?

[James Wendel]

David, the original poster said: "I would think the difference would be barely noticeable.."

 

It is quite noticeable.  We race hardbody model slotcars here in Oregon, and generally speaking, both scales are welcome.

It usually comes down to availability and personal preference.

 

The difference between 1/24th and 1/25 NASCAR models is significant.  Most racers use the large scale because they are wider,

but I have had some success with a 1/25th T-bird that is lower and lighter... and yes, narrower.

 

There are not a large number of race-able models that come in both scales, but comparing a 1/25th Lamborghini Diablo to a 1/24th model.... H U G E difference.

[David Weisenthal]

Good info for me guys, I appreciate it. James, when I see the two different scales side by side on a track I will probably see the size difference as you mention. I havent been to a track in decades now. I heard there is a new one in Mesa AZ now I'll have to find.

[Dave Crevie]

We in the Mid-America series don't specify 1/24th or 1/25th. The difference isn't that great. The track width of the chassis

is the same for both. You would think it would be obvious in how much tire hangs outside the body, but not really because

there is naturally differences between the body widths depending on what body you are using. The biggest difference is

between cars that run in our super-stock class and pony stock classes. 

 

I know someone who worked for Monogram, and we had this discussion years ago. He claims Monogram had rights to

use the "1/24th scale" moniker. 1/24th scale makes sense for reducing dimensions, since it is one-half inch in scale to

one foot in full size. The math is easier.  

[mreibman]

I skimmed this, so please forgive me if I repeat something.

 

1/24 model cars typically have a 4.5" wheelbase

1/25 model cars typically have a 4" wheelbase

 

Sound familiar? Since we have had 4" vs. 4.5" chassis..... you get the idea.

 

This is not a rule or a law.... just a general piece of info to file in your brain.

:-)

[MattD]

If you compare "scale" cars, I don't think you will find anywhere near 1/2 inch difference in wheel base for the same cars.    I think if you look at a Revell Stingray (1/24 maybe) and an AMT Stingray (1/25) i don't think wheelbase is even 1/4 inch different.    One of you smarter guys can do the math and figure the same measured wheelbase in 1/24 and 1/25.    Not much difference.

[Mbloes]

Well, a '65 Corvette has a 98" wheelbase.

 

1/24 = 4.08"

1/25 = 3.92"

 

Difference = 0.16" - less than 3/16".

[SpeedyNH]

I once got b1ched at for running a 1/25 scale car (what I had) in a 1/24 hardbody race because it was smaller and lighter.  open wheel wells, took the same chassis.

they were right, but the difference was small.

[Bill from NH]

Speedy, did you use to grind on those hardbodies like Dick P. did?   I heard he had quite a streak going one time at Somersworth.

[Dave Crevie]

Most organizations use 4 1/2 inches as the length for their NASCAR classes. Those chassis work fine for 1/25th and 1/24th scale

model car bodies. 4 inch work for some sports cars. The big issue is that the wheels will hang outside the sides of the bodies.

The local rules vary from track to track. Most groups try to make the rules as simple as possible, so more people can enjoy the racing.

[SpeedyNH]

Billy, I didn't take much off 'em, just enough to get the tires in, cut off the extra internal widgets and put some body mounts in. I wasn't looking for a Penske/ Pelletier-type 'unfair advantage'- we were all friends. I just wanted something to be in the mix, using what I had on hand.

but it turned out that the smaller body was in fact noticeably lighter and more nimble so I went out and bought some bigger ones just to keep it even.  

I did keep my favorite Fairlane, though, just because it was so much fun to drive. but that thing shed so many parts (plastic seemed thinner, I think) that by the time I retired it, it was pretty much just a shell.

 

Dave, when I ran my "scale" series, we made all the chassis etc. "cheating" mods legal so that everybody could be fast. The motors were carefully controlled. people loved it. Bill, you remember Annie.

and yes, 4-1/2's for the big cars (and even the paper-bodied modifieds) are what I prefer as well.

 

speed

[Bill from NH]

Speed, yes I remember Anne. She always tried to convince me to  try yellow mustad on bacon, just because she liked it.  Awhile back I heard she was living in FL. is she still there?

 

There are several "bull ring" ovals up in Maine that run those 1/24 paper-bodied modifieds. I haven't connected with any of them yet to see what goes on at them. As I recall, the 1/32 paper modifieds used a modified brass womp chassis & the 1/24s use a modified 4 1/2" FCR similar to the Reality Racing mods.