Latest slot car redux

[Czar]

I just wanted to make an observation, and I didn't want to hijack Harry's thread. In the entire line-up of cars pictured in the original post, there is not one model of current prototype cars. I posted yesterday that the current styling of the prototypes has no visual appeal and leaves me cold. Considering this thread and many, many others, it seems that I am not alone in not being interested in the prototype cars. I could be wrong since I don't care enough to really research, but it also looks like manufacturers are producing a relatively small choice of models. So I am curious, is this first class of racing cars largely ignored by the slot community? BTW, I realize the cars are being designed for speed and handling and not necessarily visual appeal. But, people buy what they like and very few appear to like this class of cars.

[RichD]

One problem with modern prototypes is that they are so squashed down that it can be difficult to fit a motor and gears under the body. Why are they called prototypes anyway? What are they prototypes of, possibly of more prototypes, there will never street versions of those. There are street versions of the latest Ford GT, but that car is supposed to be a GT, I expect that few owners would take theirs to the mall to go shopping. Modern prototypes are so sophisticated that maybe people can't identify with them at all.

[Modlerbob]

The most recent cars I'm interested in are the supercars, ie. Ferrari F40, McLaren F1GTR, Lister Storm, Jaguar XKR, Ford GT 2000, all cars from the late 1990s or early 2000s. Not at all interested in the "prototype" cars of recent years except the Daytona Prototypes which are now history. The new GT classes are my current favorites and Scaley is responding well to that class.

[bigman]

[Czar]

Bigman, I am with you there. The Prototype engineering and mechanicals is/are astounding! To make cars that can perform at that level of stress, given their speed and the distance they cover, is just amazing. I was really referring to the visuals of the Prototype cars. I am an old guy and I really appreciate the aesthetics of cars that were made to go fast, but also be pleasing to the eye. The Ferrari 250 Testa Rosa is a fine example, or the Jaguar XKE; the new Ford GT, with its homage to the original. The problem I was alluding to (and I speak for myself) is I won't buy the slot car model unless I enjoy looking at it. I wouldn't even buy a real car if I thought it was ugly. I understand form and function, but I also have an aesthetic standard that guides me, as I do not think the two are mutually exclusive,
But, yeah, those brutes are fun to watch as they race each other and re-define the limits of "sports car" performance.