[cube]

Kev has inspired me to look into Jouef, and although I entered eBay with a couple of cars in mind what I came out with was these, mainly I was just really taken with the box artwork. Anyway thought I'd share, they both look like they'd be pretty lethal in practice on a circuit...

 

[loosesalute]

Nice one Cube...the leap of death really isn`t to be recommended for Jouef cars these days!

However, the rocking road is a right good laugh!
I`ve got the UK Champion versions. My leap of death is a lovely red colour with a red cross sign on the front. Is the French version the same?
Also, if the rails are very narrow you have the Record 64 version. If they look a bit thicker they are Record 68 versions.
Nice to see you getting into the old Jouef Cube!
Cheers,
Kev.

 

[Aurora]

That is great box art - a lost "art" these days. I like that giant bus wheel the driver is gripping - not sure if that would fit into a GP car.

I'll be looking forward to the video of le Tremplin de la Mort in action! How many attempts do you think it will take to get the car to land back in the slot and carry on down the track? I'm guessing 12.

 

[pace1970uk]

Wonderful artwork, reminds me of the sort of stuff that was in my Dad's old 'Tiger' Annuals that he let me have when I was a kid.

 

[loosesalute]

You`d be suprised how often they land back in the slots Thai.
The leap of death is basically just half of the humpback bridge. I can launch them off the top of the bridge & they land in the slot 90% of the time!
Cheers
Kev.

 

[loosesalute]

Here`s the UK Champion artwork Cube;

Throughout the production run all cars , track & other accessories were sold in these boxes.Sundries such as tyres, carbon brushes ect. came in a small cellophane bag with an orange tab top. However at the end of the run some cars were sold in plain white boxes.

Initially there was no catalogue, just a full colour fold out leaflet. This full coloured racing image would feature on every racing set sold- MINUS the cartoon driver figure & orange band with writing on.

There was only two catalogues printed, both in booklet form. 1965 & 1967. Both printed identical in duo tone finish.
The Playcraft & Corgi brands (both of Mettoy) feature on the front page.
The 1967 catalogue is very hard to come by. Main difference to the 1965 one is the addition of x116 Lap Recorder Set, X115 Rocking Road Set & the huge x125 GT Racing Set. I have the GT Racing Set, but I do not know whether the other two sets were ever released.
In addition two new cars are featured in the 1967 catalogue. x364 Porsche 904GT & x365 Ford GT 40. These two cars are the first not to have Playcraft stamped on the bottom.

 

[cube]

Thanks for that Kev, I recall somewhere seeing a nice bit of box artwork on a set that looked like it was based on a promo still from the 'Grand Prix' film (Garner on the banking), was that a Jouef set maybe? Maybe Circuit 64, are they related?

Yes the leap of death is in red like yours with a red cross door underneath. Considerate of them to slip in a medical station! The Rocking Road looks like a crazy accessory too, have you got one on your circuit, what about a bit of video?

You're right Thai that steering wheel is massive, hadn't noticed that, and I like the slightly worried look on the drivers face, "...you want me to drive off the hill of what? Hill of death? Errrr..."

 

[loosesalute]

Hi Cube,
Record 64 & Champion are exactly the same.
However Champion was marketed seperately in the English speaking world by Playcraft/Corgi toys.They were sold here in conjunction with the Corgi Silverstone Series of buildings & also Corgi cars.
I don`t think that there was any attachment to the GP film.
I`ve only got the humpback bridge on the layout Cube. The leap of death is up the loft for obvious reasons! The rocking road is also safely packed away because they are a bit fragile(in fact all Jouef track is very brittle).
Cheers,
Kev.

 

[cube]

This is what I was thinking off (the one on the left is a still/publicity still from "Grand Prix" 1966). Looks like the guy doing the artwork for the Jouef box was a little bit naughty then if they weren't in any way related!

 

[Mirrorman]

Beautifull art work on these boxes.

Makes me miss those days when a trip to the local toy store was like entering a wonderland, and my imagination ran wild.

 

[cube]

Yes in my sad little day dreams I imagine walking into a model shop in 1966 and buying 1 of everything they stock. Or maybe 2.

 

[loosesalute]

Never looked at them both together Cube!
Definitely a bit naughty that!

But there was certainly no official recognition from Jouef on the matter.
Incidentally, Jouefs` banked curves were very good quality indeed.
Cheers.
Kev.

 

[merkit the grof]

Found this thread whilst looking for something else.

Pour la petite histoire, Jouef used to depict famous French actors of the time on their artwork.
I think the top one is Robert Hossein, the other being Alain Delon.

Joel