HO Scale Slot Cars (Pre-1970)

HO Scale Slot Cars Pre-1970

Slot cars have long captured the imaginations of children and hobbyists around the world. These 1:87 to 1:64 scale models of famous automobile models can still be raced and are a prized collectible item among slot car enthusiasts. Accessories, parts, and original slot cars and tracks offer a chance to customize existing collections or introduce others to the joys of slot car racing.

There were two major companies that manufactured these scale toys. A British company by the name of Minimodels rolled out their first offering, the Scalextric, in 1957. In the United States, the leading manufacturer was the Aurora company, which introduced the Model Motoring slot car in the early 1960s. The Aurora company produced over a million cars by 1963 as the slot car craze swept through the United States and many small towns and cities opened slot car centers where enthusiasts could race their cars.

As racing took hold as a hobby, Aurora developed a new motor for their cars that was more reliable than the original vibrator motors. This new motor, the pancake motor, invented by Derek Brand, was a key feature in the number one slot car sold during the 1960s, the Aurora Thunderjet-500.

Given the sheer number of this model sold during the 1960s, it's no surprise that collectors repair and replace worn out pieces on the Aurora T-Jet 500 with regularity. Some common ones include:

• Rolling Chassis.
• Pickup Shoes and Pickup Springs.
• Front Guide Pin.
• Rubber Tires, Wheels, and Axles.
• Gear Plate, Motor Magnets, and Motor Brushes.

For serious HO enthusiasts seeking a custom track experience for their cars, there are several features to consider when creating or building your own track, such as:

• Table Size. A table that is too wide makes it difficult to place the cars in their center starting position; a table that is too long makes it difficult to catch race action from one end of the table to the other. Ideal sizes range from 4 by 8 feet to 6 by 16 feet.
• Number of Lanes. Tracks feature a minimum of two lanes for two cars but increasing the amount of lanes to four can offer greater flexibility in racing with other hobbyists.
• Track Layout. Many tracks feature a figure eight configuration with overpasses, banking turns, and landscaping. The possibilities for customizing are endless.
• Types of Turns. Within the layout, different types of turns add excitement to the race, including U-shaped turns, hairpin turns, sweeping turns, parabolic turns, and carousel turns.

Cleaning is an important maintenance task. To clean it, you will need 180 grit or finer sandpaper, a Tomy track cleaning tool, and a clean cloth.