16 replies to this topic

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

Guys,

I came across these recently and I am adding them to my collection. I am unable to find much info about them or their value. Any help would be appreciated.


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[satchmo]

Hi Paul,

 

Found an article on the Unique cars from an old issue of Model Car & Track.

 

The article is complimentary, as most of them were at the time.  The LASCM does not illustrate any of 

these cars, but in the general company description, had this to say about them: "When big dollars hit the hobby, Unique would have been in an excellent position to capitalize on their experience, but instead chose a cheap route of somewhat substandard products, with chassis made of stamped electronic printed circuit fiberboard and stamped aluminum parts."

 

I have no direct experience with them myself.  I feel like they are great from a historical standpoint, but have no idea of current value, although your cars appear to be pristine.

 

Jim

 

 

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[satchmo]

PS:  Looks like the photographer that took the cover pic had the wheels painted yellow and substituted a Monogram motor for more color pop!

 

Sneaky.......!

[don.siegel]

This series of Unique cars is nothing special, but at the time it was one of the first RTR, or semi-RTR cars available, so they must have sold relatively well, and you can still find one pretty easily. 

 

The earlier review in MC&T was a rave review, but as you say, pretty much all the reviews were. Performance is certainly not impressive now, it may have seemed better at the time. These are not highly valued cars, not a lot of people are looking for them... but I have all I think, and especially like the Maserati, which was a bit different from all the Lotus 30s and Cheetahs that came out at the time - the other two cars in this product line! 

 

Unique went on to produce a couple more product lines before disappearing, and the one immediately following this probably sold better, with a Chaparral, Cobra and Ford GT Spyder, but then they came out with two stock cars, probably the best of their production, but they didn't sell that well. 

 

The MDC cars, semi built-up Lotus 30 and Ford GT, are quite a bit scarcer, but don't seem all that sought after either. This was already the next generation, with a can-drive FT16D mounted low in the chassis and a hypoid gear. Haven't got around to trying mine yet, but it should work pretty well. An Italian guy won a 1/24 Bordo race with this chassis, but said it was very hard to set it up to get it to perform well. 

 

Good find in any case, since they're both interesting cars, for different reasons. 

 

Don 

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

Thank you for the detailed response Don.

Can anyone chime in concerning today’s retail value on these MDC and or Unique cars?


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[don.siegel]

No "retail" value on these Paul.... 

 

If you want an estimation, $50 to 80 for the Unique and $80-100 for the MDC, maybe a bit more for that one, since one hasn't popped up in awhile. 

 

You could always try a search on completed auctions. 

 

Don 

[MattD]

It's hard to even get $50 for the Unique cars.  I had a few of them and at $35 opening bid, they got no bids.   I took them apart and sold the parts in lots and finally got rid of them.

The MDC cars are another story as they are a bit harder to find.

[don.siegel]

Even new in the box Matt? 

 

I know the cars themselves aren't too popular! 

 

Because of the above magazine articles, I always had a soft spot for these cars, and that cover shot with the naked body really appealed to my 13 year old self... 

 

Don 

[MattD]

Don, those kits I listed were new in the box!    I could probably get more if you are interested. I might even have a kit or remnants of one hiding somewhere.   they did have nice wheels and Russkit motors.

[Martin]

Does any one have the kit that is on the cover?  Great pics, but cannot see how the motor mount plates attach to the side plates.

 

I am missing the body mounts. But could make if I cannot find.

 

Any help will be appreciated. I would love to build a replica of this cover car. 

[don.siegel]

Martin, 

 

If I remember right, they have tabs that just slot into holes in the side plates. Will check and see what I have in the way of body mounts - I've got a lot of miscellaneous Unique chassis parts, and maybe an instruction sheet somewhere. 

 

Don 

 

PS: just checked and no body mounts, sorry Martin, just a couple incomplete chassis. The motor mounts are as I remembered, just flat aluminum, like Revell, but not bent, and they slot into holes in the chassis. I have a pair of the motor mounts if you need them. Maybe Matt has something. 

[Martin]

Thanks Don, Matt is looking too.

This is what I have to work with, and just do not see which holes the motor mount slot into?

The front body mount has a nut and bolt (easy) but the rear of the body mount is held on by magic????

 

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[don.siegel]

Both body mounts are flat Martin; the one towards the rear slots into the oblong hole for a sidewinder motor and the front one has smaller tabs and fits into one of the round holes... will take a photo if it's still not clear. I don't think your motor mount is by Unique.

 

Don 

[Martin]

Thanks Don, I think I will need all the the help you can provide.

[don.siegel]

Here you go Martin, hope this is clearer - not really a very elegant solution, but it must have been cheap! 

Don 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Martin]

That is perfectly clear, Thanks so much.

 

Can you confirm a few more things. Is the cross tube on the bottom, (A) solid brass, (B) brass tubing with a nut and bolt, © aluminum a or b?

Can you give me a length also between plates.

The body mounts are maybe 1/4" high aluminum, but how thick of material and how wide from from side to side?

The motor mounts are how thick also?

Then I will not bother any more.  

[don.siegel]

No problem Martin - will look later today or tomorrow - lots of stuff going on here at the moment! 

 

Don