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Toys for boys

Serious business for great boys

Model cars and racetracks are "toys for boys" according some people. It started for every hobbyist as a game, became serious business after crowing-up. Many of us started with a battery operated set and now we are spending many dollars each year for our hobby. In this article you find a brief overview of movies and television programs that inspired slot car brands.

TV and film

Cartoons, popular television series and movies inspirited some manufacturers. The Batmobile, known from the Batman cartoon and popular television series, has inspired many companies. K&B Aurora launched a model with super traction rear slicks, mechanical Cortina brake and a Hellicat sidewinder motor. The slogan: Holy zoom Batman, look at all these extra features!

Universal Movie Monster

1964 was the year of the monster mania in the United States. Television programs as The Addams Family and The Munsters inspired Aurora. The Company launched Universal Movie Monster figure kits. Three of the drivers were Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolf Man.

Star Wars track

Lionel created in 1978 a Star Wars track. With photographs on cardboard beside the track the children could drive with their small spaceships trough the miniature universe.

Screechers Spiderman

"Screechers Spiderman meets The Fly race set" was a pre-assembled, decorated, track layout for instant racing of Aurora. The system was battery operated.

Starsky & Hutch set of Scalextric

The Starsky & Hutch set of Scalextric, which is released in 2004 to promote the retro film, is meant for children either, but the models are serious products for all ages.

Bond, James Bond

The designers of Scalextric have always been very creative. A perfect example is the James Bond box set. The Aston Martin DB5 was offered together with a Mercedes 190 SL in the box set. Although the set was amusing it had nothing to do with slot car racing. Imai, a Japanese company, Aurora, Gilbert and Strombecker have also produced the DB5. In 2003 Carrera also released a few versions the famous car of Bond, James Bond.

Tyco

Tyco created a set around the A-team. In 1981 the Ideal Toy Corporation produced in association with Warner Brothers Series a set about The Dukes of Hazzard. The famous orange General Lee and sheriffs car completed the set. "Cut off Challenge" was the name of the product about the Knight Rider. Tyco also produced a G.I. Joe set in 1984. Kids love to play the characters of the famous television series, but is has nothing to do with slot racing. These sets are the real "toys for boys".

Jan Willem van Capelleveen