[SAMPSON]

Hi,

Ive been waiting for this set for a couple of months, but it was worth the wait!

I have never seen or heard of this set before. It was made by the Japanese company Imai around 1967-69. It was their most expensive set costing 6,500 yen.

The set was around $360 for a Japanese person in today's money. The set was called the "Deluxe Panorama Set". It contained in 1/40th scale (all with metal chassis) a XKE Jag, Ferrari, Toyopet Police car and a Firetruck.

Even more strange it contained a toll booth & a gasoline stand.This set has never been assembled or used. The box is 32 inches by 18 inches. I have seen the XKE & the Ferrari before,but never the Firetruck or the police car. In about a month (i hope), I will be getting another very rare set I've never seen or heard of before. Ill be sure to post it when it arrives.

Enjoy,
Bernard

 

[Jaak]

Thank you for sharing,

looks like a nice set.

 

[loosesalute]

Oh yessssssss........fantastic Bernard! I`d kill for that Ferrari!!!
That explains where my IMAI Jag came from, thank-you very much!
It looks really good alongside the Jouef ETypes Bernard.
Cheers,
Kev.
PS How much was 6500yen in the 1960s???????

 

[RikoRocket]

Fantastic! I guess they must have diodes in the cars as it comes with a pretty cool lane changer...

 

[dgersh]

Very neat set Bernard, and really unexpected.

Don't see any sign of diodes on the cars - do you see anything? The Ferrari and E-Type can be found, but those two others...

Don

 

[SL0TCAR]

QUOTE (loosesalute @ 6 Aug 2012, 19:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>That explains where my IMAI Jag came from, thank-you very much!

Love it..and here's me thinking you knew all your cars.

Bernard is top dog on here Kev, you are a close 2nd mate.

Thanks again Bernard for the wonderful pics and the response they kick-off.

Billy

 

[mattcrackers]

Hand operated lane changer by looking at the second last photo of Bernard's post. Great set Bernard, thanks for sharing.

Matt

 

[loosesalute]

Definitely no diodes, but what a great quality chassis!
I`d love to visit Bernards museum one day!!
Cheers
Kev.

 

[dgersh]

Kev,

The Ferrari is probably the easiest to find of the four cars - a fair number popped up in France a few years ago, but they're harder to find now. I think I saw one on French ebay last year, so keep your eyes peeled. And I'll keep an open eye at the swap meets/toy fairs...

The Jag was harder to find, and I don't remember where I got it now, but it's a very nice little model!

As for that fire truck, fuggedaboudit!

Don

 

[RikoRocket]

QUOTE (loosesalute @ 7 Aug 2012, 09:27) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Definitely no diodes, but what a great quality chassis!

So how did the lane changer work? You have to be able to run two cars on one lane with that set up?????

 

[Charles*Seattle]

Wow Bernard, another great find. So if I blow the tollbooth .. the police chase me and the fire truck is ready in case I crash. I guess they figured they would not need an ambulance. And great photos!!! Thanks!!

Charles

 

[RichG]

QUOTE (RikoRocket @ 7 Aug 2012, 10:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>So how did the lane changer work? You have to be able to run two cars on one lane with that set up?????
Lane change looks to be be mechanical, so without diodes (AC2Car) or some other electronics voodoo, then when you change lanes you will be controlled by the other controller. Which is I guess the way it works?

Rich

 

[SAMPSON]

Hi everyone,im glad you like the set. I found a give away ticket in the box for telescopes ,pencils,etc dated 1966,so i think this must be when the set sold. I already had the Jag & Ferrari,i think they came out of a smaller set,because the police car & firetruck have never shown up before. On the lane changer ,there is only 1 switch. When you move the switch one way both lanes change at the same time,not 1. So you dont need any fancy electronics.

My wife is Japanese & thats the only thing it says in the instructions. The Chinese delegation heard about the set & wants to come see it. I hope there is no violence this time(they are very passionate about slot cars)

Thanks,Bernard

 

[RichG]

QUOTE (SAMPSON @ 8 Aug 2012, 00:01) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>there is only 1 switch. When you move the switch one way both lanes change at the same time,not 1. So you dont need any fancy electronics.

Arrr.. Mechanical Voodoo

Rich

 

[RikoRocket]

Picture of the track layout only shows one changer so it must be for single car running. They catered for anoraks in 1966!

 

[Mirrorman]

Ripper set SAMPSON

This may seem a little odd but the 2 I'd want from this set are the Police Car and the Fire Truck.

 

[Baskingshark]

Congrats on an awesome set! Great box art too. I think the Police car is actually an S40 Toyota Crown rather than a Toyopet.