5 replies to this topic

[TSR]

I had promised Don Siegel to send him this information, but why not sharing it with all of you?

By 1962, the only form of nationally organized slot car racing in the United States, was drag racing in all three scales. Racing had been limited to clubs, and was hardly popularized by period media. That changed when Petersen Publishing, through Rod & Custom, got the ball rolling. This began with proxy races where people would build their cars and mail them to organizing entities that ran the cars for them.

One of the true hobby pioneers was Charles Hamill. Charles worked in 1962 for Eldon, and by 1964, had moved to Revell, where he officiated as Market R&D.
At Eldon, he produced a newsletter similar to what Strombecker had already begun, called "Pit Pass". He also wrote articles about the hobby for Car Model and other period publications, mostly about Eldon and slot car racing in general. Charles also was responsible in great part for the Eldon display at the 1963 Times Grand Prix at Riverside raceway. There is a wonderful picture that you will see when the "Slot Car Dreams" book is at last, released (not making it in time for Christmas however, you will have to wait a bit longer, sorry!).

In 1962, Charles talked his friend, full-size drag racer and a gas station owner, Gene Husting, to get involved in the new hobby. By 1963, Charles had built the first "rail" drag racing car, elongating the wheelbase to reduce wheeling as the motors were getting more and more powerful. A story about this car, imitated, then outperformed by Gene Husting, was published in a 1964 issue of Car Model magazine. In fact, it was illustrated on the cover.

For the past 5 years of so, I tried to convince Charles, today, a very active 88-year old man, to visit the forming LASCM museum, and that happened at last, last week. Charles was admittedly expecting little, like a showcase with a few slot cars. He came with his son Stuart and his wife Libby and they were mesmerized by the ampler of what they saw, and donated the very car Charles built in 1963 to enrich the display. Below are pictures of Charles and the car, a wonderful addition to what is already a spectacular and unique archive, one that will survive for many years to come. 



Museum creator and owner Scott Bader, "Chuck" Hamill and Yours Truly



The Hamill car, possibly the first "long" drag slot racing car built, before... all the others.




 

[Tom Katsanis]

Thanks for posting this that is a gorgeous looking rail.

[John Gorski]

Hi Charlie Hamill great to see a picture of you very cool! Model Car Legend! Where does he live now?   

[Lone Wolf]

Wonderful addition! Love the "cockpit" How awesome to be in good health at that age as well.

 

I see the J & J card in the backround. I know you and Scott scored a beautiful Mag winder from there as well. One that was featured in a period mag. 

 

Someday I'll get the balls to get on a plane again and come see everything in person 

[Steve Deiters]

Great update. What projectiles they were with those padlock motors.

The Gene Husting name brought back another name I recall reading in the drag racing of that er-Ray Ramsey. Early times...

[Dave Crevie]

Nice addition, complete with "patina".