7 tips for buying Scalextric

In this post we run through everything you need to know when buying Scalextric.

A bit of history: Scalextric and the scales

Thinking back to one of our first posts, we told the story of a truly legendary name: Scalextric.

Back in 1912, Lionel was the first maker of electric cars with a guide running in a groove. That is where the name slot comes from.

Even so, it was not until the mid-1950s that Minimodels in the United Kingdom produced the first Scalextric. These were electric cars running on a slot system, and the scale did not fit the usual standards of the time. It was an X scale, still to be defined.

Scale+ x + tric

Scalextric was an instant hit across Europe and, by the 1960s, slot cars were so popular that races organised by people such as Johnny Carson and Steve Allen were even shown on television. Those original slot cars were 1/30 scale, but the industry soon replaced it with 1/32, followed later by 1/24 scale and HO scale, which is smaller than 1/43.
Later came the arrival of Scalextric in Spain, where it continued as its own brand: Scalextric in Spain and SCX abroad.

Slot and Scalextric scales

Commercial Scalextric cars and tracks are available in four main scales. From smallest to largest, they are:

• HO scale, less common for home slot racing
• 1/43 scale
• 1/32 scale,
• 1/24 scale

As a general rule, scales are not interchangeable, so it is important to choose yours before buying Scalextric, whether that is a track set or a car.
The most common scale among enthusiasts is 1/32, while 1:43 is usually the more practical and recommended option for younger children.

Let’s look at the details and features of each scale.

HO

H0 scale comes from model railways and is also often used for die-cast cars and models. The name H0 comes from the fact that its scale, 1:87, is roughly half of 0 gauge. H0 therefore means “Half 0”. 0 gauge was named following the order of the older and larger scales 1, 2 and 3.

When slot cars appeared in the 1950s, HO was also used because it was already familiar in other modelling products, as mentioned above.
The issue with this scale for slot racing is that it is very small, so it is less common among many hobby racers. HO is, however, a standard in toys because the scale allows fairly complex layouts to be built in a very small space.

1:43

This scale sits halfway between the usual 1:32 scale and HO scale. The idea behind 1/43 is to strike a balance between the compact size of HO and the level of detail offered by 1/32 scale. It is the scale you will find in Scalextric Compact items, tracks and cars.

For many years, HO, 1/32 and 1/24 were the only scales used for slot cars. However, 1:43 is very popular in static model car collecting.

This scale is suitable for children who are getting into the world of Scalextric, as you can build small, affordable circuits. That means they can be set up in smaller spaces at home without a big outlay.

1:32

This is the most common slot car scale and the standard for club competition.
Although 1/24 scale was the standard in competitions at first, 1/32 took over because the cars were smaller and more affordable. The advantage of 1/32 over HO scale is that 1/32 gives you plenty of detail and is large enough for enthusiasts to customise their cars with mechanical and electrical spares. Another advantage for racing is that it is still small enough to compete on a layout set up in a bedroom, basement or garage.

1:24

This is the largest scale used for slot cars and is commonly found in assembly kits. These 1/24 kits are also quite easy to convert into slot models with a motor and guide. At this scale, the cars offer lots of room for detail and customisation, although they are harder to handle than 1/32 and 1/43 cars. In terms of size, the drawback of 1/24 is that both the cars and the tracks are fairly large, so the space required is often an obstacle when setting up a circuit at home.

Choosing the right scale when buying Scalextric or slot cars

Choosing the right scale when buying Scalextric or slot cars and tracks depends on the use the child or enthusiast is going to give it. For children over 4 years old who are starting out in slot racing and Scalextric, it is best to begin with 1:43 scale. As mentioned, it has the following advantages:

• It is smaller
• It is more affordable
• It is easy to control
• It is simple

For an enthusiast over 8 years old who wants to race and compete, the choice can be made according to skill level and available space. In this case, 1:32 is usually the better option.

For age and safety recommendations on Scalextric products, you can read our safety post.

For those planning to race competitively, the best way to choose a scale is to check with a nearby slot club and see what scale they use. The most common is 1:32, although some clubs also compete in 1:24.

The disadvantages of 1:24 scale are:

• It requires assembly
• It needs more space
• There is more wear
• Damage to cars and accessories tends to be more serious.
• Price

Moving up a level, moving up a scale

As we have seen, 1:43 scale is usually the starting point for children. As they grow and learn more about the hobby, they can move on to 1:32 scale. Finally, if we want to compete and want a more complete car, we can move up to 1:24 scale.

Toy or hobby?

Quality and versatility are also factors to consider. While cars from brands such as Tyco and AFX can feel more like toys, brands such as Carrera, Fly and Scalextric fit more naturally into the hobby category. They require a little more investment, but you get products with great quality and durability.

How much space have you got?

• 1:43 scale cars are around 10 cm long, while the track is 12 cm wide
• 1:32 cars are usually around 14 cm long and the track is 20cm wide
• In 1:24 scale, cars are usually around 20 cm long and the track is usually 40 cm wide

As you can see, 1:43 tracks and cars are suitable for smaller spaces, and they are also easy to take apart and store. By contrast, 1:24 tracks are larger and are often permanent circuits built on wooden boards.

Collector or occasional racer?

Depending on your profile, you have several options.

• For collectors, any of the available scales may be suitable, depending on personal preference.
• For a gift for an occasional racer, 1:43 scale is more suitable for younger children. 1:32 scale will suit slightly older children, teenagers and adults better.
• Finally, 1:24 scale is best suited to adults with experience in competition.

How much do you want to spend?

When buying Scalextric, there is one clear rule: the smaller the scale, the lower the initial investment. 1:43 scale is much cheaper to start with, mainly because of its price. You can take a look at our Scalextric Compact circuits.
Once you have started, moving up to 1.32 scale will be a little more expensive, although not excessively so.
As for 1/24 scale, it is the most expensive in terms of buying and maintaining the cars, although it is usually better to repair them than to buy a new one.
With the previous two scales, it is often more convenient to replace cars with a new one once they are worn out through use.

Analogue or Digital racing?

• The analogue system is the traditional and most familiar set-up, where each car stays in its own lane and you can only accelerate or ease off.
• The Digital system is relatively recent, around 10 years old, but it is quickly becoming a hobby standard. This system allows more advanced play options such as overtaking, braking, refuelling and running several cars in the same lane. It lets us run a race that feels much more realistic than with an analogue system.

Accessories and tracks are available in analogue and digital versions, and it is important to remember that they are not interchangeable. Most enthusiasts therefore need to choose one system or the other before buying Scalextric.

One last detail: are 1/32 and 1/24 compatible?

In the case of tracks, we can convert them and move from 1:32 to 1:24 with an extension, as with Carrera tracks. This is an advantage because we can change scale using these add-ons without having to buy a complete new set of track pieces and doubling the investment.

All set before buying Scalextric?

As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your age, experience, available space and the investment you want to make.

We have given you plenty of tips and advice on how to buy Scalextric according to your preferences. At Slot4ever we have everything you need and can help you choose the right option.

It really is a brilliant hobby, and it gets you hooked from the first lap.
So, have you chosen your scale?