mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) Hi all, I thought I'd add some pictures of my little Lotus 16 collection to the Vintage Slots thread. I was given a box of Scalextric/Triang slot cars and some track back in 2010. This included 4 cars, 2 Lotus 16's, a Mercedes 190sl and an Austin Healey 3000. I restored these cars to the best of my ability, and I have collected a few more of the Lotus 16's over the last 6 years. Some still need a little TLC, missing mirrors mainly which I pick up every now and again. Here's some pics of what I have at the moment. Made in Australia/NZ (Type 2- correct me if I'm wrong) Made in the UK. (Type 1 Big Head) Made in the UK. (Type 2 &3) Made in France. (Type 2) I also came across a set for sale from the US a few years ago when the Aussie dollar was worth more than the US dollar. Looked good in the pics, had what looked to be like 2 complete Lotus 16's, and for US$125 I got a bargain. I was quite exited when the box turned up a couple of weeks later from the US. Even more when it looked like it had never been used. Plastic fencing is all still connected as one, Rubber track is flat and shiny (shows aging in some places) Oil bottle has never been opened. And the original booklets included in the set are like brand new. Box has some wear as you would expect for a 50+ year old set. I'm always looking to add more Lotus 16's to the collection. They're always popping up on Ebay, some at ridiculous prices, others within my price range. Hope you enjoy the pics. cheers Matt Edited September 7, 2017 by mattcrackers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slotbaker Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Wow... Nice collection. Didn't know there were so man variants. Quote Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) Nor did I Steve. Every time I think I know how many there are I keep finding more. The only real difference I have noticed is the body clips between the 2 halves. The UK & Australia/NZ types have a smaller body clip compared to the French 16's. Only noticed this when taking some pics yesterday. cheers Matt Edited September 7, 2017 by mattcrackers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miveson Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Great collection Matt, always nice to see these types of collections with pictures and additional information. Great score on that spanking new set, amazing to find something like that from so long ago. Now I'd be pretty sure the Lotus 16 isn't the only thing that your collecting? Quote Slot Car Photos V8 Tipping Competition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kash15394 Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Looking good...now we know why there is a Lotus shortage ..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) Cheers Mark, The Lotus 16's are the only vintage cars I'm collecting. I will pick up something different every now and again but I'm interested in all types from vintage to modern to scratchbuilding, Pretty much anything to do with slots interests me, I only have a few cars..promise. Yeah, have a couple now Kash but I'm always after the next one, missed another one this morning that I didn't have in the collection. I usually say to myself that they seem to come up on Ebay in bursts, usually too many at once and I have to decide which one I want/need. Usually forget to place a bid and they go for bugger all. But I have picked up a couple quite cheaply, you can't win them all. cheers Matt Edited March 22, 2016 by mattcrackers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Matt That set brings back great memories of Christmas 1961 when I got my first set that was an oval set with the two Big Head Lotus cars,rubber track and a Cardboard box to fit batteries in for power. Dad did add a transformer to the package. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Nice story Phil, I reckon the older sets have a lot more character to them then the modern ones. Always wanted one like the set above since I got the first 2 Lotus 16's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesx Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Hi Matt and Phil. Your story Phil is is almost the same as mine. Only difference apart from a few months is I bought mine myself (traded in my Triang/Hornby trainset) in late 1960. Set exactly the same. The cars were long gone but I only sold the track complete with the box a few years back. Regards Chas Le Breton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Did the single cars come with their number roundels on them or were they added later?. I have a couple of sheets with what looks like the original roundels on them, was going to use the one which has been 'cut' already. Would rather replace the roundels with vintage ones unlike a couple of the cars above where I have used the modern type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bozcorp61 Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Great collection , and the set was a real good score. This new vintage section is a great addition to this forum Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermouse Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 One wonders if in 50 years time someone will be posting a photo of a Bathurst Challenge set they picked up in mint condition But then one may wonder if there will be any slot cars in 50 years time......or if we will be racing hover cars on tracks we construct by drawing a removable line on any surface.... or if we will put some goggles on and stepping into a virtual world where we think we are racing slot cars when it reality we are simply manipulating virtual objects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Some bloke will post a picture of the same set DM, saying he bought it off some old bloke named Matt from WA for a bargain, and it's over 100 years old. I like the idea of the vintage section myself Greg, always like to see what others have from years gone by. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyslots 1950 Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Matt That set brings back great memories of Christmas 1961 when I got my first set that was an oval set with the two Big Head Lotus cars,rubber track and a Cardboard box to fit batteries in for power. Dad did add a transformer to the package. Hi Phil My brother & I got the same set as you in 1961 & I'm 65 as well,even got the transformer too,cars had copper hoops as pick ups which were a pain in the butt. There was a kids tv show on channel 7 on Saturday morning,I think it was called Captain Fortune where they had a Scalextric track set up with kids from the audience racing,was a great promotion for a new product & must have sold loads that year. I was in cubs at that time & our group went up to channel 7 to see the show live & all I wanted to see was the slot cars,never got picked to drive but after the show went up to drool over the track & have been hooked ever since. Cheers Jimmy 1 Quote To finsh first,first you gotta finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted March 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 There's probably quite a few of these sets stuck in storage from people of similar ages to yourselves Jimmy, Phil and Chaz. Good to see it's bringing back some fond memories for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenny broke Posted March 23, 2016 Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 Just wondering if Mr Big head driver is grandad to Mr Blobby as seen in the more recent trans am models Quote home track club racer Spitfire Raceway forum link https://www.facebook.com/groups/1753319218331240/?ref=bookmarks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capri-corn7 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks for sharing Matt. Love seeing others collections and learning about variations. Cheers Pat Quote They are only toys .... until you pull the trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted September 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 (edited) I managed to pick up a Lotus 16 set made in Melbourne for a steal. The box and track etc are pretty much buggered but the cars were in good nick. These are the 2 Aus/NZ made cars from the set. Both are different colours to the Aus/NZ ones I already have, the blue a darker shade and the yellow more of a fluoro colour. Amazed that the mirrors were all intact considering most that you see are missing the mirrors, chrome parts etc. The Blue Lotus 16 above is the first Lotus 16 I have come across that doesn't have the same fuel caps as all I have seen, sure they come in chrome and plenty of colours but these are different, more rounded and no line on the top. They seem to be original as they are melted in place as everything else on these old cars seems to be. I also picked up another UK Type 1 Big Head version, the only difference being the helmet colour. Will come in handy for, well who knows parts to complete more 16's to add to the collection The UK Type 1. Since Photobucket shafted everyone I've managed to re-upload most of my photos using Flickr. Thanks for looking. Cheers Matt Edited September 15, 2017 by mattcrackers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Hi, I saw this Lotus 16 on Ebay sometime back. The seller re-listed the car several times dropping the price to $10US. Not a bad price I thought for a restoration project plus I didn't have one of the original boxes in my collection yet either. The seller even included spare braids and tyres as well, always a bonus for finishing other projects. Pity about the postage cost but for under $50 I was happy with what arrived. Looked like the paint had started to peel and I hoped that the rest of the paint would remove just as easily. I started removing the paint by just scratching at the surface, seemed easy enough. The hard part was getting the paint from around the chrome pieces and the windscreen. The inside of the 2 halves had paint here and there as well so was a little bit trickier than the outside. I eventually had to strip the car completely of all parts, chrome, driver etc and give it a good clean with some Metho and a toothbrush. Took a few hours but I'm pretty happy with the result. Another Lotus 16 for the collection, in better condition now than the same one I have already. Now just to finish some of the others on the 'to do' list. cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munter Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 The box looks good. Is the car what they call a "big head"? Quote John Warren Slotcars are my preferred reality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Yes John, this is one of the 'Big Head' versions of the Lotus 16's. Have a few of the Type 1 and Type 2's but only one of the Type 3 with the chrome wheels and even that one isn't complete as it has 2 different coloured halves, every now and again I pick up one off ebay which isn't as described. Still looking out for the elusive dark green Aussie made one but they seem to be going for around $175.00 at the moment on Ebay, should really offload a couple of the Aussie light blue ones I have already but they seem to be 'stuck' in the collection, haha. Cheers Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Picked up another boxed Lotus 16 for the collection, Made in England. The car is complete and box in good nick but it is missing the insert. I did replace the rear deteriorated tyres with original replacements. It's a different shade of dark blue and in very good nick compared to the one I already have. cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munter Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Cool but those tractor tires?? Quote John Warren Slotcars are my preferred reality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattcrackers Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Haha, But that's what comes with the cars John. The rears were all cracked and wonky, had to go. It seems most times I pick these up the rears are different, either the 'tractor tyres' like above or the ones in the pic below. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munter Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 You could repop those smooth ones in urethane and have a lifetime supply. Quote John Warren Slotcars are my preferred reality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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