As proportionally pricey as the real thing: this red Model Motoring 300SL roadster is the most expensive slot car I have ever bought.
This has been a long time in coming, and my hand was forced by the recent post of Episode III of “The Replacements,” in which I discussed the removal of a very cool ’62 Pontiac Catalina from the muscle car fleet. No doubt some were wondering where this car would go, so I’m doing a post on the T-Jets that I don’t race for various reasons.
The MEV-bodied ’62 Catalina with one of the most sought-after of the Model Motoring castings, the ’55 Chevy Bel-Air 2-dr sedan, outside the pits at Drag City IV
There are a handful of cars in my slot collection that do not run in my tournaments, and when they do run, they do so under very different rules and conditions. A few of these are original pieces from the 1960’s that are in excellent running condition that I have decided to leave stock, and thus cannot be competitive against the newer chassis. Others are scaled differently than the majority of the others cars in my fleet, and thus can’t comfortably co-exist with them. The balance are one-off exercises that represent technical experiments or trial runs. Its time these cars have their moment in the spotlight, and here it is!
One of only a few MEV bodies I have acquired; though too small in scale to co-mingle with the other cars on my 1:64 layout, these expensive custom-order bodies are worth every penny of the asking price; no one else makes, or ever will make, this car!Shown in the early days at the long-defunct Drag City Mk I., here are 2 more views of the ’55 Chevy, fitted with a set of “871” narrow wheels from Road Race Replicas. I have attempted to buy another of these on several occasions and been outbid every time.2 more views of the rare and desirable Aurora Model Motoring 300SL roadster in red. This was originally a “Vibrator”, but is currently mounted on an Auto World T-Jet Ultra-G chassis with Road Race Replicas gold-tone wire wheels. in near-mint condition, it is my most valuable piece
Another irresistible MEV body, I ordered this 1958 Cadillac Eldorado 2-dr HT in Lilac. I once owned a 1:1 scale 1957 Sedan deVille in this color
The 1957 and ’58 Eldorado is one of my top-3 “bucket list” cars. Until the day comes when I can obtain a real one-and I will!-this 1:87 scale model skates around my track riding on an original Aurora T-jet chassis, fitted with MEV chrome reverses and a set of Joe Skylark whitewallsI profiled this MEV ’61 Bel-Air “Bubbletop” in a previous postOriginally mounted on a modern Auto World Ultra G chassis, this beauty has now been x-ferred to a strong running original Aurora T-jet platform, and meanders about on matching MEV wheels with Joe Skylark redlinesThe Jaguar XK150 profiles in an early “Meet The Fleet” post has now been mounted on a great running original Aurora chassis, and wears a reproduction windshield more streamlined than the original design.A trio of stock, original Thunderjets from the 1960’s. The white Jaguar and the green Alfa Romeo are both strong low-mileage runners, probably not much slower today than they were when they were new; the turquoise Porsche is a little long in the tooth, but still manages to draw a crowd. All 3 of these cars live in their original plastic jewel cases.Representing the “Experimental” category are 2 bodies mounted on the interesting JAG Hobbies TR3 chassis, a new design featuring a modern high performance inline-style motor designed specifically to fit T-jet bodies. LEFT: An Auto World ’70 Boss 429; after being damaged in a crash, I sacrificed this to the TR3 chassis, which required radiusing the rear wheel wells RIGHT: A resin kit of the uber-rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR “gull wing” coupe on another JAG TR3 chassis
The “non-Thunderjets” shown in their egg crate: from top to bottom and left to right: An Auto World “4-Gear” ’70 Camaro dragster, a pair of Tyco Magnum 440 X2’s, my sole Tomy AFX Mega-G Plus, a GMC truck on an AFX Magna Traction chassis, 2 more Tyco Magnum 440 X2’s, a ’57 Chevy and a F1 racer, with the balance being Auto World “X-Traction” reboots of the AFX Magna-Traction format
A final word about MEV
I have nothing but admiration for the work of Mike Vitale, but my regret is that his cars are all strictly true HO scale, and thus cannot co-exist with my 1:64 layout, as the cars just look too small. If it weren’t for this, its likely my entire Thunderjet fleet would be made of MEV bodies! If you are working in 1:87 and interested in obtaining some unique bodies for your T-jets, you should check out his website; his product line is nothing short of amazing, and I promise you won’t find these bodies being made by anyone else!
4 thoughts on “The “Non-Compete Clause” – Trailer Queens, Museum Pieces, and “Experimentals””
I have to say those bodies are stunning! I don’t blame you for not racing in the tournaments! These are special for sure. I do love that 58 caddy. I’ve always had a fondness for that car in real life. The Chevy’s are superb as well. Of course that Mercedes looks fantastic at ANY speed! You have the same trouble with scale as I do with my O Gauge accessories for the train sets. Someone brilliant once taught me of “forced preservative” which I’m employing a lot!
I have to say those bodies are stunning! I don’t blame you for not racing in the tournaments! These are special for sure. I do love that 58 caddy. I’ve always had a fondness for that car in real life. The Chevy’s are superb as well. Of course that Mercedes looks fantastic at ANY speed! You have the same trouble with scale as I do with my O Gauge accessories for the train sets. Someone brilliant once taught me of “forced preservative” which I’m employing a lot!