[TSRF]

In the mid-1960's, some of the craziest slot cars came from Redondo Beach, California, where a small outfit and raceway by the name of International Engineering produced some of the wildest machines.

Their entire production of factory built RTR machines, save for one, can be seen now on the LASCM website.

Here is a sample of what you can inspect on your virtual museum at www.LASCM.com:

Piranha MK1

Piranha MK2

Kurtis KK500

Tijuana Taxi

Furious Fiat

Super Sportsman

Missing is the A-Bomb, issued in 1966. The LASCM is seeking more International cars. Inquire within!

 

[loosesalute]

They`re really nice little models & very unusual.
Thanks for sharing your pics.
Cheers,
Kev.

 

[Spurman]

Hi Philippe , been a long time , hope all is well ! I love that Piranha MK1 , sort of reminds you of a kitchen blender , and someone left the cover off the motor !!!! They could have placed a driver in the cockpit , to hide the mechanics ! But , it is a unique and unusual car indeed ! I cannot make out the motor , but it appears to be a Classic 36D . I have no idea , what were the standard motors , for those International cars . Your assistance would be of great value ! That is one of the cars that has always eluded me ! Zig

 

[comagramps]

Afternoon
Thanks Doc!, I've had a couple three of these for years and never knew what they were.
Would you post a picture of the chassis?. Thanks CG

 

[32deuce]

More info on the Piranha MK2:

Some photos of the "Red" version:

Z

 

[Spurman]

Good stuff Z ! Like that chassis ! What is with the oldies , again a pale driver a-la Monogram !!!! Zig

 

[Spurman]

It appears International used Classic motors ! My International Sportsman has a Classic 26D (260) fitted , and the Piranha I and II , have the Classic 36D (360) motors . I wonder if International , at the time , was a division of Classic ? Zig

 

[dgersh]

Zig, I think a lot of companies just sourced motors from whoever already had a major deal with Mabuchi, especially Russkit and Classic - you see their motors in a lot of other cars, especially Russkit, and Classic seems to have had a pretty good distribution network, judging by how many Classic motors keep popping up all over!

Great stuff Philippe, I had never seen the Kurtis or the MK1...

Don

 

[Spurman]

Hi Don , and thanks for the info. Must admit I also like the MK I . Kind of like a poor attempt at a Cannon Batray ! I do like it , but I have never seen one up for grabs , otherwise it would be in my fleet ! That Fiat is also a nice model , and similar to the Super Sportsman - most likely share the same chassis ! Zig

 

[32deuce]

QUOTE I wonder if International , at the time , was a division of Classic ? Zig

In the article I posted it says: "with important contributions from several sub-contractors" kind of tells the story.

I think Don nailed it. The smaller companies probably didn't need thousands of motors which could have been the requirement of a deal with Mabuchi so, "sub-contracting" may have been the best option, I am guessing.

Maybe Dokk can chime in and enlighten us on the subject.

I would have a second question. Did International use anyone elses motor besides Classics? It seems I've seen many other colors of Mabuchi motors in International cars but, we all know those could have been swapped out.

The Classic was one of the better winds it seems though. Judging from the amount of Cox, Monogram, Revell as well as Dynamic cars seen on ebay with Classic motors, they must have been one of the prefered power plants of the era but, who wouldn't love that orange can with that cool sticker?

Z

 

[Jaak]

*blows of the dust*

Nice thread thank you to all who contributed to this informative read.