[Gaugemaster Controls]

At last, a release we have all been waiting for - the Cartrix Mercedes W196. Available in two versions, the CTX0910 is the Fangio No.10 version and the CTX0911 is the Moss No.6 version. These models are supplied in a presentation tin with a commemorative cloth/duster on which is inprinted a drawing of the car, the Cartrix logo and the Grand Prix Legends logo.

Stocks are very limited to start with, but they are starting to drift through now. Contact your local dealer for more details or to order these fabulous models.

Aaron

 

[moped rider]

Its surprising that Cartrix have no votes at all in the "favourites" poll. With classic cars like this being introduced then things may change in time. Indeed with all the classic F1 cars being introduced this season anybody with a large collection of vintage motor racing buildings should see the value of the collection skyrocket.

What happened to all those old Airfix buildings that MRRC produced at one time? You just don't see them around these days.

I have a sneeking suspicion that Cartrix are onto a winner here.

Moped

 

[Mr.M]

Great news, Aaron!

Just in time for the last two meetings of our Pre-60GP class!

And the RRP?

Is it a good job I am sitting down?

Mr.M

 

[Ecurie Martini]

Nice to see the 50's being revisited (Where are the Scalextric Vanwall & 250F) but, judging from the top-side view, I believe that the rear track is too wide and the tires certainly are. Assuming that the body dimensions are correct (which involves a lot of work), one wonders why manufacturers can't get the basic track and tire measurements right.

EM

 

[McLaren]

But I bet they don't have tumours underneath, between the front wheels...

 

[Gaugemaster Controls]

No, they don't have tumours underneath, they have a rrp of only £39.95 and I think the rear wheels and axle look fine without getting too picky. Lets not get back on those tracks again of 'the body is 2mm too long' etc etc.

Aaron

 

[McLaren]

No, 'cos it's only 1.7mm too long.

McLaren

 

[speedyweenie]

DISCLAIMER: I hope no one takes my remarks as a personal affront, and they certainly are not intended to disparage a manufacturer's product. They are only initial personal impressions based on the posted pictures, and no doubt a full-review will be necessary to fairly evaluate the cars.

As a devotee of vintage F1, I would normally be quite excited by the appearance of these cars. Compared to pix of the Scaley Maser and Vanwall though, the Cartrix appears to my eyes just a bit unrefined and toy-like, and I agree that the track is too wide and the wheels too small. The candy-coordinated gloves and helmets also look a bit silly, esp. if Cartrix are trying to emulate historic machines driven by Fangio and Moss. However, it appears that they may have conventional motor placement, which surely will provide better handling and performance without magnets than the Scaley cars. Any pix of their underside available? I wonder why Cartrix needed to make it a special issue. The price seems pretty steep when compared with the Scaley cars, which I understand will be close to standard price, right? I suspect the Cartrix will undoubtedly appeal to many hobbyists, but for anyone inclined to roll their own, I would highly recommend Mac Pinches' line of PreAdd resin bodies. Great model choice (including a W-196), wonderful detail, scale accuracy, and reasonably priced. Plus you get the satisfaction of building it yourself. Such a deal!

mp

 

[Da Vols]

I won't get into the "accuracy/detail" arguement, but at roughly $75US it IS a bit pricey compared to Scalextric's at about $45US.

Oh, about the "pod"...seems like it's the next new thing from Scalextric...it's on their new "American Classic" Corvette too...might be something one might have to learn to accept...

 

[McLaren]

Or we can just stop buying Scalextric cars...

McLaren

 

[Ecurie Martini]

QUOTE I think the rear wheels and axle look fine without getting too picky. Lets not get back on those tracks again of 'the body is 2mm too long' etc etc.

2 mm here or there on the body is not really my point. Without the model in hand and reference material I can't tell. I was simply raising the question of why, assuming an accurate body that took some effort to model and produce, did not someone check something simple like axle length ( a very easy spec to meet - just cut it in the right place) or tire width - (might require a mold revision).

There are three ways to respond if a manufacturer is close but not quite spot on - vote with the purse and don't buy, buy and modify to taste or provide some feedback into the supply chain in hopes that it will get back to the source and they will do better next time.

With the exception of club racing classes, I mostly "roll my own" so it is a matter of some indifference to me.

EM

 

[BEEJAY7]

What a shame!.....The cars look great as well, Why oh why have Cartrix placed the price at £40?.................I have no objection if they want to charge the extra for a tin box to keep it in if it is a special numbered edition to sell to collectors, but why haven't they released a normal version in a crystal case at normal prices?.

I'm sure they will sell very well to collectors, but I'm afraid I now won't buy one unless I can find a cheap one on Ebay.

Regards

A very dissapointed

Alan

 

[Guest]

These cars are too expensive for what they are. Sorry

RR.

 

[GT40]

The body looks great to me, I've been using the cartrix spoked wheels that come on this car for a couple of months now, for various 50/60's projects I have on the go. They are availible from their accesories range and they will take much narrower tyres than the ones fitted to the Merc (which do look too wide) and when I do get mine( put me down for both!)

a few dabs of the axle onto an anglegrinder (honest!) will sort out the track.

 

[mac p]

has anyone got a pics of the underside of the 196, Vanwall or masa, im wondering if they will fit under my kits with a bit of tweeking?mac p

 

[Gaugemaster Controls]

I will get some pics of the underside, and the body opened up a.s.a.p.

Aaron

 

[Dennis David]

It's not a matter of a couple mm. I don't know the car just doesn't look right to me. I'll post some more pictures this weekend.

 

[jonny s]

I think they look great. If they go well then I`m going to organise an event to race them at ours. Nice pics I thought, thanks for the effort Aaron

 

[Russell Sheldon]

I really feel for the Brits. Someone, somewhere, is really either ripping them off, being plain greedy or bent on making the hobby unaffordable in the UK.

A RRP of £39.95? At today's exchange rate that's 60.1257 €.

Diber list it at 41,79 €....

Sorry, but....

 

[phoeno30]

I don't know much about vintage F1's but I do find it amuzing that a people are making judgements on the Catrix and Scaley cars using only pictures as a guide, of early production models as well. Not many have seen either slot car in the flesh let alone two of them to be able to make a realistic comparision.

As for the price, yeah its a bit high I'll agree with that, but until we see it listed at our fav places, either online or in a hobby shop then lets just wait to see how much they really are.

One of our guys is the Aus distributor for Catrix and he has had one of these cars for a few weeks, its looks great and is a ball of fun to drive on a board track. His pricing won't be anywhere near 40 pounds when converted.

Well done Cartrix, hope the other line of vintage cars you were contemplating doing come to fruition in 2005.