I first spotted Scalextric cars when I was around 7 years old. My first scratch built had a body folded from paper - the wheels and tyres were all part of the shell. I also had some purple/red metallic finish paper which seemed pretty close to the colour of the windings I had seen and so I used that for the motor. Unfortunately, I didn't have a track at the time so to this very day I don't know if it would have worked. I think it would have - a child's imagination you know.
Later on, not really scratch building I suppose, I discovered that you could build Airfix cars about 30% cheaper than you could get them ready to run. Times change don't they! First "proper" scratchbuilts though were probably sticking the Ferrari under an E-type and a Bullnose Morris(? - I remember it was red plastic anyway) from an Airfix kit using the old style Airfix "strap" motor and running gear all held together with Araldite.
Sadly, it was all consigned to the bin a looong time ago.
Later on, not really scratch building I suppose, I discovered that you could build Airfix cars about 30% cheaper than you could get them ready to run. Times change don't they! First "proper" scratchbuilts though were probably sticking the Ferrari under an E-type and a Bullnose Morris(? - I remember it was red plastic anyway) from an Airfix kit using the old style Airfix "strap" motor and running gear all held together with Araldite.
Sadly, it was all consigned to the bin a looong time ago.
