Slot cars

I'm going to start off with a post about technology that was invented long before personal computers, the Internet, and cryptocurrencies were common, or even available. Slot cars were a very popular hobby and business in the 1960s. In fact, for a couple years in the mid-60s, there were more commercial slot car tracks than bowling alleys. Lately, most commercial slot car hobby shops only have 1/24 scale tracks, while most HO scale tracks have been relegated to residential basements and garages. There are a few reasons for this, one being that 1/24 scale tracks are too large for most people's homes, while HO scale tracks can be used at home. Also, since the Internet allows for most people to purchase cars and parts online, a large portion of hobby shops' revenue has gone away.

Here's a pic of the original Batman and Robin battling it out on a track, presumably at Wayne Manor.
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In the 1960s, the most popular scale was 1/24th size cars and tracks. Many of them utilized hand-made (aka scratch-built) chassis and model car bodies. 1/32nd and 1/43rd scales were also popular. 1/32 scale cars and racing tends to be more for collectors, while 1/43 scale cars tend to be more toy-like.

There are many ways to be involved in slot cars including collecting, hand-building chassis and bodies, racing, 3D printing and resin casting bodies and parts, customizing, building and decorating (landscaping) tracks, and just enjoying them at home.

Over the years, cars and tracks diversified. The largest manufacturer of cars and track for home use was Aurora Plastics Corporation, based on Long Island, NY. They made the Thunderjet and AFX cars and tracks in HO scale (technically 1/87 scale, but some cars are in the 1/64 scale). Over the years there have been many manufacturers of HO scale cars, including Tomy and Tyco. These days production has scaled back quite a bit, but the Aurora style cars have been carried on by Auto World. Through the years, other manufacturers has recreated Thunderjet style cars, with Dash Motorsports being the latest and most accurate version.

In the 21st century, 1/24th scale is still the most popular among the big money racers. Races are held internationally on several different types of track. The fastest are the "wing cars", with Group 7 cars being the fastest of the fast. Here's a video from Helsinki, Finland that shows Group 7 cars traveling at literally 100 MPH.

There is also a resurgence in "retro racing," which utilizes tracks with less banking in the turns, and hand-made chassis. Throughout the years, drag racing has remained a less popular form of slot car racing, but that doesn't mean it's any less competitive. Some cars sell for hundreds of dollars, are beautifully detailed, and travel the scale quarter mile in less than a second.

I'll continue this topic another time. Let me know if you'd like to hear more about a particular aspect of slot cars.