Two New Roadway Models
Part 19
The Austin A40
A once familiar but now all to rare sight on British roads, the Austin A40 is probably the most difficult to find of all Victory models save for the Electra boat and the Vigor Tractor. Attractive as the real car may have been, the majority of people who buy slot cars (both then and now) prefer to race some type of racing car or at least sporty car or at least a car that alludes vaguely to some sort of sportyness. Yes, I know Austin A40's did race and that the cars crisp cut lines were drawn by that Italian styling master Pininfarina, but to most people the Austin A40 was a small family runabout not worthy of a second look and so it was that only a select few chose to add them to their slot car stable. As far as I know Victory's fine model was produced in dark green as well as the red, yellow and light blue colours shown above. It should also be kicking around somewhere in dark blue although I've yet to see or hear of an example in that colour.
The Austin-Healey Sprite
Perhaps not
quite
as rare as the A40 but equally highly prized by collectors is Victory's
Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite
Victory saw out the year with a major presence at the National Models Exhibition at the New Horticultural Hall in Westminster, London. As well as a large display of their remote control cars and other models, they had another stand which included a 32ft long model roadway where you could try out their slot cars. Alongside stood an automatically controlled track where cars sped round slowing on corners and stopping automatically at traffic lights. They also had on display two new products that would be released in 1960. The Vickers Vigor Tractor and the Vosper Triple Screw Express Turbine Yacht.