Scalextric, a brand reminding thrills and excitement for all the kids of the sixties. The "electric racing circuits", celebrated its sixty years in 2017. It was in 1957 that its designer Fred Francis showed at the toy fair in Harrogate in England the first sets including electric toy autos.
Earliest racing electric cars in 1937! In France in 1937, the mechanical enthusiast Louis Roustsy, who used to produced mechanical toy trains in sheet metal since 1926, developed a very original automobile toy under the name of "the LR highway" that he presented for Christmas 1936. This toy, whose tracks not yet fitted with slots, allowed to drive cars that feed electrically by friction of the bumper on side guide edges.
The children's road circuit was born!
Through his small english company called « Minimodels », Francis introduced a line of toy cars called Scalex in 1952. They were metal model racing cars with a unique type of clockwork motor. Understanding the need to develop and create new products, Francis adapted his cars to have electric motors - he named these electric cars Scalextric (Scalex - Electric). The success was so great that Minimodels could not produce the sheer number of sets needed. In 1958 Francis decided to sell out to the Lines Bros company, who operated under the name of Tri-ang. Today, Scalextric is made by the english firm Hornby.
Scalextric slot cars of the sixties
In november 1958, Minimodels Ltd purchased by Line Brothers produced a first set including two tin electrified model cars running on slotted tracks. Above the set including two all-tin cars: Maserati 250 F grand prix 1957 et Ferrari race car.
Ready,
Go!
Steady,
Story by Pasky
A fantastic range was nice for the customers and Scalextric new clubs appeared in many areas! The Beatles and the Rolling Stones used to tour with their Scalex sets !
The peak of demand for Scalectric race cars was in 1966/ 1967. In 1967 for example, looking inside the period catalogues we can find 33 cars, 30 types of track section, 7 track borders , 52 accessories to betterise the circuits and 5 building kits.
The roaring disk was avalable as an accessory in the 1963 trade catalogue. This realistic records of real sound races added intensity to the tiny cars races!
Penalty chicanes, skid chicanes and paddock, Dunlop « le mans » accessory, extended bridge, pit stops, refreshment kiosks, control tower with public adress, starter on rustrum allowed the kids to run slot races for real!
We can see on top the catalogue page showing the ‘le Mans’ start. The later paddock enabled the cars to be driven under power by a switch on a cable.
Above: The scarce James Bond 007 from 1967 set including the Aston Martin and Mercedes.
This superb set in the most sought after model wanted by vintage slot cars collectors.
The mythical Scalex cars
Clockround: Ford mirage, the very scarce Bugatti type 59 (pink car shown)), only about 600 cars made, Bentley 4.5l, Mercedes 190 SL, Alfa Romeo and Bentley (english version black and green).
Cars with lights
Introduced in the fast increasing range in 1961
Clockwork: the Marshall car black edition ( red in France) . Note the extra domelight on the roof, the extension sets with tracks lights, Aston Martin and Ferrari gt grand tourisme with front and rear lights(1963-66)
To make the model circuits more and more realistics, two types of track lights were introduced in the Scalextric range. Very first addition of electric lights was for the C56 reference Lister Jaguar fitted with two small bulbs and a single one forming the rear light. Then the Aston Martin C57 followed by the gorgeous Marshall ‘s car, a modified model from Aston Martin C58 with addition of flags in the front and rear bumpers. All these first series with lights were given an « E » number reference in the period catalogues.
AC COBRA
Text and photos by Pasky, Grandmajax (ebay seller ), Kalepho studio; Thanks to Serge Bresson Collector ,la Nef des jouets museum and Roger Gillham author of the reference book in the field.
All Scalextric vintage catalogues available at ANTIQUETOYVILLAGE.COM
