by BIG E » Mon May 06, 2013 1:10 pm
Whenever asked this question, I've always responded by saying that if it all REALLY came down to it, I would sell everything and keep a two or four lane HO layout on a 4x8 (or smaller,if needed) board.
An old Aurora 'pit kit' full of my favorite stock (or nearly stock) T-Jet runners with some aj's slip or thread on silicones would be 'the fleet'.
A good quality 'eraser', small screwdriver, needle nose pliers, tweezers, #11 blade X-acto knife are all you'd probably need to maintain that fleet, along with one good pinpoint oiler and OF COURSE a bottle of Aurora's famous Model Motoring Racing Oil (that red stuff's still a must, even if just to get a 'sniff' of the old days!).
A few Parma 45, 60, and 90 ohm controllers with a decent 18-20 volt power supply would provide solid, relatively inexpensive fun for all involved.
****Oh, yeah - what type of body style/racing class are we talking about here? In the1960's, my friends and I were all happy with the many classes of racing that could be had with just what cars were offered in the Aurora HO Model Motoring catalog alone. Sports/prototype racing, Indy/GP cars, Hot Rods, Dune Buggies, Trucks and the incredible line of street machines from both America and Europe kept us all entertained (and still do). Yeah, most of us used Atlas or Tyco plunger type controllers, but you get the idea.
Of course, some of us had Strombecker, Revell, Eldon, ect. 1/32 sets, but just about EVERYONE in my neighborhood had an HO slot car set, mostly Aurora, with some Atlas and Tyco here and there. Consequently, our early 'racing leagues' were based around the Aurora Thunderjet 500 type cars. I still continue to race and enjoy these cars to this day.
I know there's a lot more available out there today in HO, 1/32, and 1/24 scales, and I'm involved with much of it. BUT... if it REALLY came down to it... that's where I'd stand. Let's hope for all of us who really love this hobby, whether you've been involved for 50 years (as I have), or 50 weeks, that it doesn't have to REALLY come down to it!
Sorry if I took a slight side road to the point, but I hope you enjoyed the story!
Enjoy the hobby, enjoy the racing... Ernie