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Letters to the Editor
Printable Copy of This Issue (56K)
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From The Editor

In December, the first annual Jose Rodriguez,Jr Memorial Proxy Race was held, to benefit the Marconi Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping under-privileged children. Noted slot car authority Philippe deLespinay, author of the outstanding book “Vintage Slot Cars”, organized and promoted the entire event. Celebrity Judges such as Jim Russell of Russkit fame, Lloyd Asbury of Lancer were joined by famed Pro Racers John Cukras and Brian Warmack, and a “cast of thousands” who drove the cars and helped the event run smoothly. My purpose in mentioning this is to point out that in the “good old days” there were “heros” in the slot magazines who promoted the highest standards in scratch building. People like Jose himself, Gene Wallingford, Dick Dobson, Pete Hagenbuch and others were the role models that all of us looked up to. That type of building has been largely unrecognized for years. Well, this event truly shows that there are a whole bunch of people today who carry on to the high standards set 40 years ago. If you are a vintage slot fan, you OWE it to yourself to visit this link:      http://electricdreams.freeservers.com

A tip of the hat to Philippe for promoting this fabulous tribute to my friend, the late Jose Rodriguez, Jr!

The overall winner, Mark Gussin, has truly distinguished himself with his work – the cars were not only beautiful, but fast too. And there were many others who reach the same level of craftsmanship. Job Well Done!

The number of people who have discovered  VSRN Online is increasing every day. It's great to hear from both the newcomers and old time VSRN subscribers. We even got a response from Lebanon! Please spread the word!

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome - I do appreciate the feedback!

You can contact us at:   greg@vsrnonline.com

Keep It In The Slot !!!
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In April 1963, Model Car Science  from the West Coast, hit the stands as a full-size publication. Model Cars Illustrated, out of  New York City, made it's debut in November 1963, also full size, but as a bi-monthly publication. By this time, both CM and MCS had gone monthly. MCI  wouldn't follow until June 1964.

By now, you've probably seen the Model Car Science Cover Gallery that we introduced in VSRN #101, or seen some on eBay. Many people haven't even heard of Model Cars Illustrated. There were only 11 issues produced, and their circulation seemed to be  "spotty" at best. Even though I looked for model magazines at the newsstand EVERY DAY, I only ever saw 2 of the issues to buy. In the past year, I've acquired 3 more complete issues plus one without a cover.

The other day, long time VSRN'er Rich Kaczynski came to my rescue with photocopies of the issues I was missing.-
THANKS RICH!!!!!!

Model Cars Illustrated was mostly aimed at "Do-It- Yourself" projects. Editor Donald G. Typond seemed to steer the whole show, but the celebrities (during the first year anyway) were Technical Expert "Deadly Dudley" and the lovely "Girl Friday" Nicole.

The feature cars were typical early - style cars w/ Pittman inline or sidewinder motors. Don’t think there was ever a Mabuchi powered car published, even though they were in the Monogram ads.

One of the interesting things about the magazine is that in the beginning, most of the advertisers were different that the ones you saw in the West Coast. AC Gilbert and America's Hobby Center, both of the East Coast, were prime. Later issues
would feature ads from major manufacturers.

For what ever reason, MCI folded in February 1965, as the slot boom was gathering momentum.
There didn’t seem to be a shortage of ads – perhaps there was a shortage of readers!!

In November 1966, a new model car magazine was launched in New York City - Model Car & Racing. It was a different company than the one that published MCI, but most of the same cast of characters was involved. Editor Bill Byshyn had been the Associate Editor at MCI, and Patrick T. O'Rourke was still the Publisher.

This time, the approach was very definitely to show the latest RTR’s and the hottest scratch built designs. It’s a great source of detail on RTR’s, as they covered all of the cars that are coveted by collectors today!

Published bi-monthly , MC&R started out just as the slot car boom was cresting, and then rode the downhill leg of the “roller coaster”, until 9 issues later, in early 1968, they crashed with the rest of the hobby. While much better known than MCI, some issues of MC&R are as hard to come by….They make for interesting reading!

Go To The Magazine Cover Gallery
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The Reference Library is the start of migrating the old VSRN Library to an online version. However, most of what’s there this time is new material, courtesy of Bill Shaw. There are a few other plans that I’ve added in response to requests, so if there is something you want to see, let me know.

The Magazine Search Index is a list of articles that I’ve scanned. In honor of MC&R being added to the Magazine Gallery this month, I’ve scanned all of the New Car Reviews
From the MC&R’s that I have. The other stuff is from requests, so again, let me know what you want to see.

The Tee Shirt Iron-On Art Gallery has most of the famous Classic art work, cropped and enlarged to look good on a t-shirt. You download the file, use your inkjet, some transfer paper, and your better half’s iron, and you too can have yourself a nifty slot t-shirt! Thanks to Bill Shaw and Ziggy
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Letters to the Editor

Greg-
    I went thru your photo gallery of MCS and MC&T… I can't believe you are missing so many issues!! How can you look at yourself in the mirror??… I should be able to send you quite a few for your own collection…..
     Wow! A lot has changed since VSRN's glory days!! EBAY, Internet, beyond-ridiculous-prices for everything. Hey!! This e-mail stuff might be fun.
Benny Burrito,CA
(Ed Note: Ben Jones, a.k.a. "Benny Burrito”, was one of the earliest members and biggest supporters of VSRN. It’s great to hear from old friends like that. As far as that “How can you look at yourself in the mirror” stuff goes, I try not to do that, Benny – it’s a pretty scary sight at 5:30 AM !!!!!!! But I’m trying – you may note that I’ve filled in 9 or 10 of the blanks in the MCS Gallery this month. And thanks for the offer to help fill in most of the rest!  Greg)
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Cool! Keep it up pal! Would like to see a similar article on the MPC Manta Ray w/Dyn-o-can power.
Chris
(Ed Note: I'll put it on the list! Greg)
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Enjoyed your Manta Ray article!  I have a couple of the chassis along with a real Classic Stinger (complete) that still runs.  Have thought of buying a Manta Ray body from Patto's Place. Thanks again,
Jim  from Fairbanks, Alaska
(Ed Note: Go for it! You can find Patto's Place at:

If you like the Stinger, check out the new T-Shirt Iron-On Art Gallery, with all of the Classic Art available! Greg)
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Hey just looked over E_issues 101 and 102. Great ! I'm sorry I somewhere missed out on 1-100. The price seems very attractive to get all issues like you offer! I'm an old slotter from 60's also.  Life, School, girls and VietNam seemed to pull me away from it. I even had the great opportunity to work at one of the biggest Commercial trakcs in St.Louis back in the 60s: GrandPrix Raceways on St. Charles Rock Road.  I had always wondered if slot racing had survived and then saw some magazines of it still in California.  Well in just last few years I have come back to it !  Thanks to being  closer to a Real track in Plano, Tx.  I've been building back up my collection, I even have my old box from 60's and it has cars in it again!  I do have some of the current anglewinder cars , no wings, and have been working to relocate parts to rebuild some of the cars of my past !
Will you want a oldy but goody car pic section ?
Well this website is definitely bookmarked.
Thanks, Paul B
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Glad to see VSRN on the web… I  recently heard of a 1/24 Chaparral 1 slot car by Phoenix Racecars in Germany. I have E-mail them but haven't received any reply.  Have you heard of the model and do you know a possible source for it here in the States? Any help will be appreciated. Bill Stowe
(Ed Note: Can anybody help with this? Greg)
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       Imagine my surprise and delight that morning when I was surfing through The Old Weird Herald (instead of working) - VSRN was back! Huzzah! The Internet is the only place where I've been able to keep in touch with slot car racing. Seeing the VSRN logo was like greeting an old friend.  AND - now that my basement is finally fit for human habitation - I went out and ordered a 1/32 set from JC Penny. The Slot Car Garage gave it a pretty reasonable review - so I treated myself this past Sunday and told them to order one for me (4 - yes, 4 lanes).
        Have some questions, however ...
        I know that the home set scene pretty much involves scale cars, magnatraction, and these little toy-like motors. That's okay by me, there seems to be a thriving industry for it. BUT - I still have old Mabuchi motors (and cars) and would like to boost the amperage of the track.
        Do you know of any replacement transformers that would work on these types of tracks? Something easily available, like from the Radio Schlock or even a mail order house. I know that 1/32 isn't your scale of choice (it was my introduction to the hobby) but I figure that you still have the juice to get answers.
        Is Mike Gillette still around? EJs? Hell - how about AutoWorld?  Anyway ....    Jim Regan

(Ed Note: SlotRay tells me that he uses the following:
Zurich Regulated DC power supply, Model DPSW 123
V=13.8, Current = 3 amps, Max Current = 5 amps.
Here is a link to it on Parts express website.
Currently selling for $16.90. He uses one for each lane.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=945553&St=7242&St2=71365606&St3=85289002&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=3135&DID=7

Many nicer Zurich power supplies in the line if you select this brand from
http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=3

I haven’t talked to EJ’s or Mike Gillette in a long time, but I’ve heard that they are still around. I’m trying to track down AutoWorld for an article…Greg)
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Hi Greg,
   Great to see the VSRN back in gear. I have been an internet junkie for several years now, and I am glad to see that the Newsletter is up in Cyberspace. I sure do miss the old hardcopy, and I run into old VSRN subscribers through ebay regularly. ("Hey, don't I remember you from VSRN?") It's like being in a fraternity of sorts.
   Well, I have finally purchased a house, and have a basement. I started an HO track, but recently returned to 1/32, and converted the track to the larger scale. But, it's never finished.....
   Henway, I am still converting statics to slots (especially hot rods...that's why I chose slotrod for a tag). I can do some conversion articles w/pics if you like.
Keep in touch,  Fred.
(ED NOTE: Fred who?  Greg)
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Hi Greg,
              We finally got a computer and I was searching around the slot sites until I saw the VSRN banner. I haven't heard anything  for about four years, regarding the  newsletter. What is going on now regarding the VSRN?  I was looking over the last issues I got, for any e-mail addresses but couldn't find any.I still look over the old issues and have made some notes of a few questions that I've had on my mind. First one is in regards to winding a 16D. You mentioned that you had a favorite wind but didn't say what it was. You did refer to a double wind using #28 wire but how many turns? Usually we are running the 16Ds on the Strombecker 4 lane with 4 amp power pack but also I have been running these in the old monogram stocker 1/24 chassis on my commercial track, which is 12v battery power. I recently turned 100 winds per pole of # 32 wire on a strombecker TC32 AND IT WAILS on the power pack! As Imentioned before in the newsletter 75 turns of #29 wire on a 36D K&B bobcat has been my most successful  job for the commercial track.
            Somewhere in the newsletter you were wondering about the AAR Special which as you know was the Lancer name for the Vendetta. Recently I was lucky enough to find on of these new in the box, the crystal clear version , and it definitely came with a roof , which was package under (inside) the main body.
           I also made a note in my journal  which says weldun soldering tips. I'm not sure exactly what I was referring to but I may have meant to tell you that you can make your own tips for the soldering guns using a short length of house  wiring such as Romex or BX which is  a single
strand of copper of 10 or 12 gauge. They may not last as long as the originals but they are practically free.
         Well that's about all for now. Hope all is well with you.!
Gary Bluestone
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Next Time, we'll tackle the job of comparing the various ways that people use to clean Cox Magnesium parts. Let me know how you do it, and we'll add it to the list.....In addition, I'll probably be adding more to the Library...

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Please e-mail your comments and suggestions to:
greg@vsrnonline.com

 Copyright 2000-2003  Gregory P. Holland / VSRN