Scalextric 1970’s F1 Cars (1)

＜Scalextric Ferrari 312T2＞

This model was probably released around 2007–08, possibly at the same time as the “World Championship 1976 Twin Pack” boxed set.

Back then, I bought the Twin Pack and immediately started running both cars as non-magnet builds with my wife. At the time, we trued the stock tyres and ran them as-is, but it still required applying tyre treatment, then doing burnouts on a wooden track surface to literally bring the tyres up to temperature.

After repeating this process for a while, the tyres would eventually go in one of three directions: they either lost structural integrity and became overly soft with a glazed surface that offered almost no grip; they hardened and cracked as the rubber aged; or they simply dissolved, as sometimes seen with Carrera or Revell-Monogram tyres.

I often wondered whether this was happening globally, because spare rear axles for the 312T2 and M23 were almost always out of stock. In the end, I grew tired of hunting them down and replacing parts again and again.

When I rebuilt the 312 this time, I removed the magnet and carefully shaved down the driver’s seat area (back, shoulders, elbows) to create space for additional ballast. After that, the only work left was switching to Paul Gage XPG urethane tyres, truing them, and adding Patto’s tyre decals. That completed the build.

Unlike touring cars, Formula cars have extremely limited internal space, so I don’t have much else I can do with them.

＜Scalextric McLaren M23＞

This model was also released as a standalone car around 2007–08.

When running alongside the Ferrari 312T2, the advantage of the M23 becomes immediately obvious. The rear track is roughly one tyre width wider than the Ferrari, which makes a noticeable difference in stability.

I sometimes wonder if this reflects a McLaren design tendency. Even in the “Monaco 1992” set featuring the MP4/7 and Williams FW14B, the MP4/7 also felt like it had a slightly wider track.

On corner entry when running against the 312T2, the M23 clearly holds its line better. My wife may have felt the same, because she said, “If I break the Ferrari’s delicate front wing (and you have to deal with repairing it), I’d feel bad,” and chose the M23 instead.

As with the Ferrari, I removed the magnet and again carved out space by carefully trimming the driver’s seat area (back, shoulders, elbows) to accommodate ballast. After that, I simply fitted Paul Gage XPG urethane tyres, trued them, and added Patto’s tyre decals to finish the build.