[SAMPSON]

Hi,

Ever wonder how spaced out one can get collecting slot cars?

Well these might be for you. 4 different companies which in their wisdom & in their eternal need to make a buck decided to go go where no man had gone before & produce outer space slot car sets.

1st by LJN Toys out of Hong Kong we have Voltron Defender Of The Universe.Here you have 2 spaced out cats whose eyes light up green racing though the universe.Notice the Lion Force hand controllers,I wonder how they would go over at the local race track ?

2nd we have a slot car set released only in Italy called Gatcha Man " The Battle Of The Planets". The set includes 2 very advanced in design slot cars which can race on a track here on Earth or in the vastness of space.

This set was based on a Japanese TV show created in 1972. The show was rather violent as was usual in many Japanese series. It was tamed down in the western releases.This set combined a slot car set with a game, cards included.

3rd we have a rare Carrera Apollo set from Germany made around 1980-81.This is really an incredible set. The Apollo space capsule races on thin clear plastic track which is elevated in the air by clear plastic tubes.The capsule races around a large model of the moon & then shoots 4 metal astronauts at a magnetized crater.

4th is a photo of 2 space ships from Star Wars made by Lionel.i couldnt find the set, I know it's somewhere. Well i hope you enjoy the photos,

thanks,
Bernard

 

[loosesalute]

Brilliant Bernard.
that Carrera one is great!
Cheers
Kev.

 

[pace1970uk]

Some very interesting sets there, certainly relevant in view of the recently announced Scalextric Star Wars sets.

I do like the Carrera Apollo set, it does look rather good fun, perhaps it's an idea Scalextric should consider with regard to their forthcoming Star Wars release.

 

[CJA]

Nice one Bernard, thanks for that !!.

Like the others, I reckon the Carrera Apollo is an inspired bit of design, brilliant.

vbr Chris A.

 

[TSRF]

All attempts by Carrera and other companies to market such strange concepts were actually as huge of commercial failures as that of the Scalextric 1/24 scale racing sets in 1967.
Bless them for trying, it makes our collectors days more interesting...

 

[Groomi]

Blimey, I remember Voltron. I've got an annual from the mid 1980's somewhere in my parents loft.

Great sets.

 

[dgersh]

These are wonderful Bernard - didn't realize there were so many Outer Space sets!

That Lionel thing does ring a bell, but haven't been able to find it yet.

And I'm afraid I have to agree with Philippe: I don't think any of these kinds of sets were good sellers, from the horse-racing sets on down...

Don

 

[CMOTD]

Hornby also did one of these.

About as successful as the rest of them I imagine. They occasionally pop up on eBay. LINKY