Scalextric - They Actually Did It!!!!!

[ElSecundo]

True, David, they seem to know that they've earned their lumps. This, too, shall pass. Over at SCI, they put on the frowny-face and discourage conversation about it -- and the car isn't even on the shelves yet. Nothing about this car will discourage anyone from buying and enjoying the new Cougars and Challengers. Scalextric will be fine, but they really do need to learn more from their misadventures.

Quick story, a few years back, I was nearly banned at SCI for pointing out that Scalextric has a problem with their designs and design approval process. Things were getting to market that should never, ever reach the marketplace. Scalextric even took part in the conversation. Three years later, and here we are. Think they learned anything from the conversation?

We keep hearing about how tight things are in the hobby market and the economy in general, and Scalextric probably just threw away a few hundred thousand dollars that they really can't afford to flush down the toilet. This car also makes a loud statement that they can't do things as well or as consistently as Carrera, while charging signifanctly more. Their design approval process doesn't appear to consistently enforce the most basic principle, "measure twice, cut once". This makes them much less competitive in the marketplace, when they have to keep paying the hospital bills every time they shoot themselves in the foot.

[Nor Cal Mike]

I cannot fathom why they just don't admit a screw up as major this one and eat it rather than send it to market. That said, I'll offer them more than a little praise. I love the new 70 Camaro releases. I bought one and would have bought the other if that Slot.it McLaren hadn't shown up at the same time. I also really look forward to the Challenger and Cougar. I think that 4:1 winner ratio will more than make up for this sow's ear.

[ElSecundo]

Yeah, they make some wonderful stuff. I recently did a review on their Lotus 49b, and I loved the car. In the business world, though, I don't think they can handle a 4:1 ratio of good cars-to-stinkers. It will take a lot more than 4 cars to make up for the tooling loss they'll eat on this car.

[dreinecke]

I wonder though...is this occasional goof an issue that they just don't do enough research or know the car well enough? Or is it a matter that they are just attempting to use a current body with minimal mods - hence the street parts and ill-fitting appendages?

Either way - the Cougar, Challenger and Lotus 49 - ok and all the nice new 1970 Camaros can make me overlook it.

[ElSecundo]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Come to think of it, I wonder if they could turn this around by dumping that silly nose and keeping the rest of the body for other projects, but right now start selling a RTR complete chassis for $30. They would sell two or three times as many units with more profit in every one of them than there is in this turkey. Packaging can be anything from blister pack to a bare part from a dealer's delivery case, cheap, cheap cheap. I'd buy a stack of 'em.

[Fast Co.]

Scalextric ought to provide a replacement nose to buyers of this model.

[Fast Co.]

No doubt this is a communication error with manufacturing in China. I wonder if it would be possible to remove the nose and trim it down some, then reattach. Hard to tell just looking at the pics. There might be too much material to remove - shortening the nose too much. Like I said before Scaley should provide buyers with a replacement nose.

[AllanI]

Or maybe



Allan

[waaytoomuchintothis]

That wouldn't be much more ludicrous, would it!

Fast- that is what Bob suggested earlier in this thread, and I think he's right about grinding the nose back, but he and I both wonder if it would shorten the nose too much. I can't imagine a real world scenario where Scaley would issue free replacement noses, and if cost extra, it would be inappropriate.

[Derby City Speedway]

Evidently someone in a high position just wanted to do this car, because there is no other excuse for it. IMO they could have easily popped this car out and been much closer to a replica of a real racer, and have a car no one has already done. This car is in the Talladega Museum, short track car going by the cut out fenders. run in 70, 71, and 72.

[HomeRacingWorld]

Which is what mine will look like in the end...sort of. Think dirt :)

No fear of banning Kurt. But Mike's post scared me and he is on double secret probation.

[ElSecundo]

[Reslotted]

As has already been mentioned, the classic F1 cars like the Lotus are amazing, Trans am cars are also great. So why would they even go into an area that Carrera have got stitched up and make a crook version.
Still no one is forcing anyone to buy one and hopefully they'll be in the bargain bin soon and we can rat them for parts :D

Like Kurt says we've all had a great giggle and a new phrase "shelf jester" has been given to us.
So it's proof I suppose that even the dodgy stuff gives something in some way to our hobby. I just hope that no small cuddly animals were harmed in the making of this car. :roll:

P.S I like that short track version in the photo. Maybe that's the awesome car within. (A bit like being beautiful on the inside :lol: )

[Jesla]