THE BOSS!

The Scalextric Sport 1970 Boss Mustang

December 21st, 2002

Earlier this year, Scalextric finally released the Sport Mustang to the delight of many enthusiasts. One thing that seems certain about most of us in this hobby, we are never satisfied.

Soon after the Mustangs release, and then with the release of the Camaro, we still wanted more. The release of the Trans-Ams opened up a whole new line of racing for us, and I, like many, looked forward in all the future releases with anticipation!

Well Scalextric seems to have no intention of letting us down. About the time my initial Mustangs and Camaros were getting broke in, the new 1970 Boss Mustang was previewed. Based on the cars driven by Parnelli Jones and George Fuller in the 1970 Trans-Am series, these models maintain all of the quality of their predecessors. For more information on this fantastic season and history of these models CLICK HERE and enjoy the reading. After reading, and learning more about these cars and the series, it somehow helps me appreciate the model I now hold in my hands. Actually re-creating some of these historic races in our own home is just another part of the fun and satisfaction in 1/32^nd Scale Slot Car Racing.

Our Sport version arrived here safe and sound inside its presentation box. I like this packaging, as the added touch of a small history inside the box lid offers even the first time buyer some prototype information. And as with all Sport versions, an extra button magnet is provided for the front pocket in the chassis. The Sport version differs from standard version mechanically by using metal bushings instead of plastic for the rear axle, and that the rear axle itself is precision-ground. A Sport label is wrapped around the motor, but it is the same stock motor found in the standard version.

 My model has all the characteristics of what is THE Scalextric Standard. Smooth and accurate body molds with a close fit and finish all around. According to prototype photos, Scalextric has matched the 1:1 car quite well, at least for the majority of enthusiasts. There have been some issues with the first Mustangs front end angle and that the body sat a little higher than it should. Although these models may have small discrepancies, the reader should know my eyes are NOT that finely calibrated, and I don’t find them to be “glaring” mistakes. I feel Scalextrics effort come very close to capturing this model in 1/32nd scale. However, depending on your preference of scale detail will dictate whether this is really an issue or not. 

All the Tampo markings were crisp and opaque without any color distortion throughout. And as usual I found this model to have a nice, even clear-coat, with no traces of dirt or dust underneath. Some may not find this livery too eye-appealing, but I found it striking. One thing is for sure: You can see it on the track! The color that Scalextric chose is already a debate on just how accurate the color matches the 1:1 car. I mixed up taking the photos in both indoor and outdoor conditions to try and show you as close as possible the true color of the model. It might be just a shade on the dark side, but then again, prototype photos seem to vary as well, and I have not seen any photos for me to make a final judgment. I shall let YOU decide that. A nice interior is found inside, with enough detail to satisfy most enthusiasts. The driver, dashboard and roll-cage detailing are very good and give a decent scale representation, and for the advanced modeler, a great head start in customizing it further.

Wheels and tires here are well done, with all of them being very round and true. The new softer compound tires as found on previous models required minimal sanding for my driving taste and play a big part in this model gripping the track as nicely as it does. The Minilite wheels are attractive; however scale purists may scoff at the chrome finish as prototype photos do not seem to reflect this high of a gloss. One should know, most of the photos I have seen are of the car in action, with different wheels being utilized throughout the season, where brake dust and road grime have found their way onto the wheels. One can always re-paint these wheels to achieve a better scale appearance. There have been mention of the scale inaccuracies of the wheels themselves, and again, according to prototype photos there does seem to be some areas of the wheel that are out of scale. They still look good on the model however, and again I personally feel this is no real glaring issue. Again, it might for you, but there isn't any way I am going to pass on these cars because of a few scale details out of alignment. This car is a Model Racing Car...and race it shall in our basement.

4 screws secure the body to the chassis. Under the hood we find the now familiar adjustable magnet chassis. This allows you to tune this car to your personal needs, so the strong bar magnet included can be positioned to taste. Some might not like a strong magnet, or perhaps none at all. Again, this chassis should satisfy you as the magnet is easily removed. The argument over magnets or no magnets are addressed by this chassis, so feel free to tune it to suit YOUR taste in handling.

Up front we find the self-centering guide and solid front axle assembly (which Scalextric has plenty of oil added). Just behind this axle is the pocket for the option of installing the provided button magnet. You can see 3 of the 4 magnet adjustment areas in front of the motor, with the fourth being directly behind the motor itself. As mentioned before, this motor, although adorned with the Sport wrapper is the standard Scalextric motor. Sitting in its sidewinder drive configuration, I feel this motor provides just enough power for most home tracks and has so far been very reliable. The rear precision ground axle is held in place by the 2 metal bushings and the gearing is comprised of a 11 tooth pinion and 36 tooth Spur gears that provided a smooth, quiet test run. With these metal bushings, you MUST remember to oil them. Metal to metal contact will wear your parts rather quickly, especially here, so make sure you perform proper maintenance.

Testing this car was as fun as expected. What made it so much fun is that directly from the box, after only a few drops of oil in the appropriate places, this car ran strong and smooth. After only a few laps of breaking in, this car ran as quiet and reliable as you could ask for. Punching out of one corner, and diving deep into the next, you will find these cars to be VERY fast, yet comfortable to drive. I prefer my cars with the bar magnet moved to the middle position, but for my reviews, I leave them box-stock and tested with both 45 ohm and 60 ohm Parma Controllers on after-market DC power set at 15 volts. This time, I also tested this model on Artin, Carrera and Scalextric Sport track with standard controllers and power. After these tests were completed, I then moved this magnet forward. This is where I have the most fun, as the car allows a little more drift on the outside and adds more of a driving challenge.

Braking is crisp with acceleration strong enough to satisfy most enthusiasts. On all tracks and power combinations tested, one word keeps popping up: FUN! This model arrived as we were re-constructing our larger layout, so timing notes from the DS timer will have to wait until construction is completed. However, as important as timing notes ARE, performance, at least in my opinion, is not just measured by speed alone. A smooth, quiet, and reliable drive-train, are certainly benchmarks that dictate performance, at least they are for me.

Aside from a few distinct body changes, these cars run and perform identically. I'm not sure if the rear spoiler will effect handling on these models, especially on smaller home layouts. Given the scale, if there is a difference, it will VERY slight and should not cause these models to be unmatched. I will let the photos try and do the talking here for me as far as the physical differences are concerned. They both sit the same height on the chassis, so all clearances appear to be identical.

This car will fit nicely in your current Trans-Am line up, and if you have already started your collection with the first 2 releases, I can't see why you would pass on this model. These cars are simply some of the most high-speed fun you can have in this hobby today. Scalextric by all means, can keep producing more for us ok?.

My final thoughts are that this is one beautiful slot car. Enough scale detail to satisfy most enthusiasts, mixed with strong performance usually combines into a winner.

It certainly does in this case, and once again, Scalextric has brought us a quality product. If you have yet to try the “Trans-Am Experience”, I highly suggest you add these historic American Muscle Cars to your collection for fun, satisfying racing in 1/32nd Scale. 

Harry

As always, feel free to email me at wiseone@yhti.net about this article or just the hobby in general.

Or better still, drop into the Home Racing World Message Forum and let us know your thoughts. 

A thanks goes to Slot Car World for providing me with this excellent model.