Scalextric Collectibles

Jon Mountfort explores the iconic British toy, and offers hints and tips that will delight current and prospective collectors, as well as the general Scalextric enthusiast.

From the DB5 to the Lotus Esprit, this is the ultimate guide to collecting Bond's diecast and model cars.

The toy industry and its close relationship with children's artefacts and equipment, made a huge contribution British ascendancy in light industry, after decline of heavy industry. Light industry was a pivotal theme in British economic history and toy-making and sales in internationals markets was a vital ingredient in Britain's reputation as the 'workshop of the world'. It flourished from the Great Exhibition of 1951 - in competition with German and French toy industries - through the 20th century and the great depression of 1929, to postwar commercial ascendancy in consumer goods. Decline began in face of US and Asian competition.and with Britain's post-war economic problems; and, the nature of family business contributed, with the passing of generations and loss of drive and tenacity. It is a family business story of the Lines Brothers Ltd, the world's largest manufacturer of children's toys with the household name of Triang, with model railways, Minic and Spot-on toy cars, soft toys, 1918-29 Pedigree prams, dolls' houses, Cindy dolls. It is a serious economic, industrial and business, history, full of personality and rivalry from supreme Victorian entrepreneurship to modern international decline, but a social and cultural story intimately linked history of childhood.

Robert Schleicher wrote the book on slot car racing—literally. In the three short years since Schleicher’s Slot Car Racing: Tips, Tricks & Track Plans was published, the hobby has been virtually transformed by new products and technologies. This new volume, a perfect complement to its predecessor, brings readers and racers up to date, offering a concise, comprehensive overview of slot car racing’s developments, along with expert, practical guidance for putting this information to good use. A primer on the latest digital and analog developments for both 1/32 and HO scales, Schleicher’s book delivers the lowdown on building cars from individual components on ready-to-race chassis, as well as popular tune-up tips to get even more speed and better handling out of today’s cars. Schleicher also provides track tests of 70 cars and a slot-car shootout featuring 23 more vehicles. Finally, Schleicher includes nearly 50 track plans: 14 tabletop-size plans for Scalextric, Classic, Carrera, Sport, SCX, and Ninco brand track; 14 plans modeled on real circuits like Watkins Glen, Monaco, Spa-Francorchamps, Sears Point, and the Bahrain and Shanghai F1 courses; and 17 4x8-foot HO scale plans. Illustrated throughout with color photography and track plan line art, this is the book that no serious slot car racer can afford to be without.

Racing electric slot cars is a fascinating hobby that provides thrills for the young and old alike. Among many of these hobbyists, the brand name Scalextric is so well-established that it has become a generic term for electric slot car slot car systems. This fully revised edition is the complete guide to slot car tracks and cars marketed under the Scalextric name from their introduction in 1957 to the new 1998 models. Key features include: -- A brief company history, including the production of the early Scalex and Startex models -- Every aspect of Scalextric, from track sections and accessories to engines and rare cars -- Complete lists of all sets and cars produced, including those manufactured in France and Spain -- Details on early tinplate models, now much coveted by collectors.

Scalextric, the ultimate boys' toy, arrived in toyshops in 1957. The first-ever electric slot-car system, with uncontrollable tinplate cars running on heavy rubber track, it brought the speed and glamour of motor racing to suburban living rooms. Classic marques of the day such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lotus featured in the early '60s scalextric sets, and over the years that followed all the classic Formula 1 battles were re-created in schoolboy form, followed by sports cars, rally cars, and classic film re-creations such as the James Bond set of 1968, Batman and Knight Rider.

1/32 scale slot racing, made popular by Scalextric, is enjoyed by all ages. Half the fun of the hobby is taking apart, tuning, upgrading and reassembling the cars, but until now this has been a black art. For the first time, this complete guide to tuning and racing gives step-by-step instructions on how to set up the cars and the track to give the best performance.