Anyone into vintage slot cars?

[bbhaag]

So this thread got me thinking about the old Revell slot car track that has been sitting in my basement for the past decade or so.

I was thinking it was time to set it up again and let my boys go head to head for a few laps like my brother and I used to. The problem is the cars are in rough shape. Does anyone have some suggestions for good stores to order parts or whole cars from and are there any good forums out there? I tried google but I'm just not sure what to search for.

Anyway, here is the test track that we set up tonight. I have a lot more pieces and want to build a bigger track but only if we can get some decent parts/cars.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm sorry your pic isn't loading for me. I used to race 1/32 scale cars at a local hobby store. There are lots of resources online ebay and http://e-slotcar.com/ www.slotcarcorner.com/1-32-Slot-Car-Parts-by-Type-c215 and many others.

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for the links. I think the track is I have is 1/32 as well. Are you still into it?
Sorry the image isn't loading. Might be on my end or photobuckets...not sure.
Here is a direct link. Hope it works. http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/fry_daddy/DSCF41611_zpsswmroced.jpg

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Nice little track. It should really be on a plywood base though. The straightaway should be rigid while the curves need a little flex. You probably want to upgrade your power supply and controllers for smoother response.

 

[pete6032]

Are you sure it's just the cars? Is there any buildup on the metal lines of the track? When we had these, it helped if you took a white eraser to the track metal to clean it up. The other thing that always wore out was the electric pickups on the cars.

 

[bbhaag]

Maybe, but before we put together the test track I took all the pieces and rubbed the metal down with steel wool to get rid of the surface rust.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Here's hoping you find what you need to get it going.

My son is at the age where it holds no interest anymore. But I had a slot racer set when he was younger. Had a couple of overpasses, some sick banked curves, and hills. It had a serious learning curve though. If you just held down the trigger, it was unusual to make it one lap without a crash. You had to learn to feather, and know the track. He got ok at it, but at that age the new overdrive set would have been way better.

I am no help at all on finding stuff. I would be starting from scratch too. Investing in the overdrive is definitely where I would sink my money, if it was available when my son was the right age.

 

[bbhaag]

Got it working! Like Pete suggested the metal pickups/brushes were worn out. I managed to get two of the three I have to work so I was able too test one of the cars. I ordered more from one of the sites MagnusTheBrewer suggested.

I'm not investing any money into this. All the track, Parma controllers, power supply, ect was already there. Some parts were purchased by my father back in the late 80's when my bother and I were kids. My grandparents purchased most of the track in 1964 for my father and his brother as a Christmas present.

This track has been in my family for over 50 years.

 

[Oyeve]

I still have my Tyco and AFX tracks and cars from the 70s. I also still have some cars from the 60s that my cousin gave me decades ago. I just dont have the space to lay it all down anymore.