[SAMPSON]

Hi,

Here's an unusual set by National Toys of Italy. What makes this set so unusual is it was really 3 different sets in 1. It comes with 2 motorcycles,2 sulkies,& 2 formula1 cars. The 2 cars are identical except the BRM is green & the Ferrari is red (both cars have steering).

Thanks,
Bernard

 

[Hydro Bob]

Interesting to see that the sidecars are on the left side. That's our (UK) side and , as it's Italian, I would have thought they would be on the right. Any thoughts.

Bob

 

[JEXY1]

The sidecar bikes look very similar to Scalextric versions - great find as always Bernard

 

[SAMPSON]

Hi guys,well it is strange about the sidecars.

The bottom of the motorcycles says BMW though the 2 cylinders are vertical not horizontal. BMW did make a vertical twin but it was a 250 cc engine & not raced with a sidecar. Only the BMW motorcycles with the 600 & 650 cc horizontal engines were raced with a sidecar during the date of the sets manufacture. . Both German & Italian motorcycles would have the sidecar on the right side. The correct side.

Well these were toy quality toys so i guess you cant expect accuracy .

But it is the rarer of the National Toys sets & is a unique set compared to what other slot car companies produced. By the way the sukies are a blast to watch as their legs go back & forth while running around the track. Thanks,Bernard

 

[dgersh]

Thanks Bernard, that's got to be one of the odder sets around! Any idea on the date - late 60s I would guess?

National Toys is just one of the many minor brands I had no idea existed before I started collecting seriously... If you have any more of their cars/sets, please feel free to post!

I'm trying to remember now, but it seems that some of their cars were copied from French models, or they shared molds. Are these sidecars copies of the Scalextric ones? That was my first thought too...

Don

 

[SAMPSON]

Hi Don,here more photos of national toys stuff. 1st the Trotter "San Siro" set with 2 sulkies.then pictures showing the National Toys motorcycle next to the Scalextric one. Then the blue National Toys Ferrari LM next to the red French C24 one. Then pictures of the rare blue & red Ferrari Super Squalos which were the 1st cars made in 1963 by National Toys.The next pictures are of the 2 Vanwalls 1 with steering & 1 without. Next the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulietta Special,the rare Chaparral 2f,the RARE Lola GT,the dark blue BRM,the yellow BRM,the blue 1964 Lqtus f1,the red 1964 Lotus f1,& then the red Ferrari dino with a wing & a green Brabham with a rear wing. These cars were made between 1963-1969. Some models had steering & blade guides & some had pin guides.The cars were toy like but very charming.

The motors as can be seen are huge & primitive, almost laughable compared to others.

They could never compete with their Italian big brother Policar.Thanks,Bernard

 

[dgersh]

Thanks Bernard, quite a lineup.

That Ferrari Testa Rossa definitely bears a family resemblance to the Circuit 24, and the Lola looks a bit like the Troby model... do you have one of those? There was definitely a Franco-Italian connection somewhere in there!

Don

 

[SAMPSON]

Hi Don,of course i have one,its a rather rare car.

The National Toys Lola GT has a rear chrome engine,wheels, & rear view mirrors,better detailed lights & bottom than the French made Troby Lola GT which has cutout side air scoops,& red tail lights. They are the same size. Which came 1st ?

The Lola GT by National Toys was made in 1968,(their 1st cars were made in 1963). Troby made their 1st cars in 1965,but i dont when the Lola GT was made.I noticed it was not listed in the later catalogs.Thanks,Bernard

 

[Charles*Seattle]

Hi Bernard,

Very interesting set and it is great seeing the Lolas side by side. I guess we would have had to have been actively following these connections in 60s and 70s to have been able to talk to the folks making these decisions. Many mystery novels wrapped into the history of slot cars!!

all my very best,

Charles