This is a guide to give you an idea of the main scales and sizes of
slot cars out there. We took some measurements and photos of 1/24, 1/32,
and HO slot cars to give you the details.
The car featured here is
Jeff Gordon's Dupont #24 Chevy Monte Carlo.
|
From Left to Right:
Check below for measurements on these cars. |
This is a photo to give you an idea of the
different sizes and scale of slot cars compared to each other. The 1/24
one is a Revell-Monogram Pre-decorated #24 Monte Carlo Dupont Model Kit body on
a Parma FCR 4 1/2 inch chassis with a Plafit Rabbit motor / silicone
tires. The 1/32 one is from SCX and the HO car is Tyco. [Larger photo also available]
The common scales to race and collect at home are HO (not actual HO scale of 1/87 but closer to 1/64 or 1/60) and 1/32 (1/32 IS THE MOST POPULAR THESE DAYS) with the larger 1/24 scale for commercial raceways and some people who have the room to run 1/24 scale cars. The odd scales include the cheap 1/43 scale Artin Battery Operated Nicknamed Common scale you see in discount and drug stores using either batteries or power supplies.
The
smallest slot cars ever made are the rare Micro Machines that are even smaller
than HO with a unique, smaller design track similar to Tomy but not
compatible. The cars are about one inch long and run ok for their
size. Bachmann had out some model train 1/87 scale vans and trucks that
ran on model railroad HO train track but they weren't too popular in the 1980s.
The biggest "slot cars" that I know of you can buy would be the 1/20 gas powered cars that Cox made in the 1960s. These had a huge track you set-up outside with a locking-type guide pin for the cars. You would start the gas motors and leave them out until the gas ran out.
Other odd scales include the bigger Model Motoring "O" scale cars made by Aurora, the AC Gilbert James Bond Aston Marting and Ford Mustang which for part of the production run shared the Aurora O Gauge chassis, the Penn-Line Indy Cars, and some other odd ones like the Republic Drag Racing Promotional Cars / Sets sold through Dodge / Plymouth / Chrysler dealerships, etc.
| Slot Car | Length | Width | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/24 Parma Dupont #24 | 8 1/4" | 3" | 4 1/2" |
| 1/32 SCX Dupont #24 | 5 3/4" | 2" | 3 1/4" |
| HO Tyco Dupont #24 | 2 3/4" | 1 1/8" | 1 1/2" |
Remember to visit the FAQ
section for answers to more of your questions about slot car
collecting and racing.
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