19 replies to this topic

[Steve Deiters]

Carlo Tonalezzi has a new book out on "The Rise & Fall of the Golden Years of Slot Car Racing."

 

Here's the blurb on the Amazon LISTING offering this book for sale:

"BUILD – RACE – WIN- REPEAT...The Rise & Fall of the Golden Years of Slot Car Racing Explained. Text includes articles from the main magazines of the period. Also includes a Worldwide Racing Directory, listing active slot car raceways from countries in 5 continents...! By 1966, model-car racing was so popular that it threatened to replace bowling as the nation’s favorite indoor sport. For as grand as the outcome, the force that propelled slot-car racing into a national pastime was a simple one: the realism of the original slot cars. The builders and racers of these models knew that the quest for speed should not come at the cost of the way a car looked. Their design was at the heart of their very integrity. In this new effort, author, researcher and slot-car racer Carlo Tonalezzi charts the meteoric rise of this hobby-sport and photographs classic model racing cars in their natural habitat: The commercial racing tracks. Models made by Russkit, AMT, COX, MPC, Monogram, and more are captured on vintage tracks from the American Model Car Raceways. These realistic beauties were made during the Golden Years of Model Racing. True pieces of Americana, they are today as magnificent as ever. Read all about what really happened during this exciting period of model racing bliss!"

 

[MattD]

Steve, is it worth the price?

[Jesse Gonzales]

I looked at the material on Amazon and had hoped to buy the book but decided not to. I saw Bob Bernhardt's name in there, the guy with dark shades who rocked back and forth while driving, a great personality who made racing with the SoCal bunch a lot of fun.

Of course the foreword by Cukras was there but not enough to spend $40 on.
 
Jess Gonzales

[don.siegel]

Just ordered, I'll let you know. 

Don

[Steve Deiters]

Matt Bishop: "Steve is it worth the price?
 
I don't know if it is or not. It has just been released so I haven't ordered a copy yet. Given the fact that histories of this hobby are so few and far between I guess we all have to apply our own value set as to it's worth.
 
Back in the day (1965) this book adjusted for inflation would have sold for a little less that $5. Sounds like a bargain when viewed that way.

[911GT3]

Thank you for posting, Steve. I went ahead and ordered the book to satisfy my curiosity.

[Cheater]

I have split the off-topic line of disucssion that was here into a new THREAD.

[blue&orange]

When the thread got split my book comments went with it, so I copied to here. 
 
Meanwhile, since this thread started with a post about a new book, I just received mine in the mail. 

 

My quick read: the text of the book is simplistic and touches on a few of the issues mentioned above, from the author's perspective, of course (the title says it is a "story"). The pictures are good but, in my estimation, slightly miss the mark – there are more pictures of early 1/24 cars with Lexan/butrate bodies than the original hardbody cars. The Cox cars are there, of course, but my four favorite AMT cars are missing, as well as others by Monogram, Revell, Marx, and others.  Then again, every reader will have his/her own opinion, too. 

 

In any case, books about slot car racing (or model car racing) are few and far between.

[axman]

I've ordered my copy from Amazon, less than $20 U.S. plus postage... mind you with the s****y exchange rate it cost over $40 AU here in Australia. I'm looking forward to reading Carlo's take on the rise and fall of slots... and based on his previous book "Thingies"  at the very least I know it will be a good looking read... 
 
As for value... how do you rate that, Dale? Beautifully-presented books in full colour are few and far between in our chosen hobby.

[dc-65x]

I just placed an Amazon order for $19.11 with free shipping. I should have it in a couple of days...

[MattD]

Chris posted the pictures kind of missed the mark.  I was pointing out that the old slot magazines from 65-67 can provide thousands of great pictures of the cars available then, the commercial slot tracks and great advertising.   Not denigrating the book itself and for $20 it is bargain just to look thru one time. 

 

 I used to subscribe to  a few different car magazines and when they came I would page thru them and lay them down, never to look at again.    I realized at the price I paid it was kind of silly to even bother with them.  So $20 is a cheap price.

[usadar]

I received my copy from Japanese Amazon.
They have the book in stock in Japan, so it took me a day to get the copy.
Who is the author, Carlo Tonalezzi?
Is he a slot racer?

[Rotorranch]

It seems he has an interest in slots.

 

Rotor

 

Books by Carlo Tonalezzi:

https://www.thriftbo...alezzi/2876910/

[zipper]

Carlo is an enthusiast, manages http://slotcarsuperstar.com and is active on FB.

[Rotorranch]

The price on that book fluctuates as bad as the stock market!

 

Last night it was $19.11 when I added it to my shopping cart.  This morning when I went to check out, it was back to $29.99.

 

Oh well.

 

Rotor

[usadar]

Here in Japan it is approximately USD 33.00 delivered next day.

[axman]

I got my copy.. and found the book good reading and Carlo had some good historical stuff that I had not seen in print before.

In particular on page 43 is a copy of a  letter sent to all purchasers of American Model Car Raceways tracks that got my notice.

 

It relates to how to open a raceway and the importance of League racing.. and its exact wording is...

 

"This important manual will instruct you how to solicit, start and conduct league programs which are a MUST for every Centre"

It goes on to say "in our opinion that except in rare circumstances no Centre can be financially successful over a long period without leagues"

You have to remember this letter was sent to every new track customer.. and AMF wanted them to succeed.. the letter was written by a company that had a huge track record of success with Bowling centres so if anybody has a decent business model it would have to be them.

Carlo stated under the the copy of the letter " Above is probably the most important piece of advise the commercial Raceways failed to follow"

 

I agree.. many years ago I installed a track in a bowling centre and was surprised to find they had a young ( an attractive) woman employed every afternoon during the week... her sole job was to create new business and follow up on league teams to make sure they were coming that night.. and if a member dropped out find a replacement. During the day she would cold canvassed local business's and got teams formed.

Talking with the owner of the bowl he said League was the sole reason he had a good business. League as participants paid all the bills and walk-in's were just the cream.  

Is anybody in slots doing it?

[don.siegel]

I don't think the League idea ever panned out in slot racing centers Axman, but not sure how many centers actually tried it! 

 

The modern equivalent seems to be birthday parties, and it sounds like the few successful centers today all have a strong birthday program. 

 

Don 

[Ron Sullo]

Thank you very much Carlo ….. Thank you very much Jairus …. thought that would be the remarks from all ….

 

am thankful this photographer captured and published so many vivid shots of slot cars through the decades … it's really hard to put the soft covered picture book down -- imagine having something to hold onto and get the chance to show family and friends what you are so passionate about -

 

does anyone else get red eyes and tired from starring into this screen ?

[MattD]

Appreciate the reviews and it looks like it would be well the price to look thru it every now and then.   I will keep an eye on it and if they drop it to $19 again, I will post that on here.