09/19/2011

1/32 MG A - "Dames" #A10039X300 & "Monte Carlo" # A10032X300

When these models were announced from SCX I was not the only enthusiast happy. These smaller classics have a larger following in our hobby than you might think, and I could not wait to put them through their paces.

The MG A might not be a car that everyone is going to know right away, but if you do some research about it on the web you will easily understand why it was chosen to produce. What I was happy about was not only there were two versions, but perhaps there is a new line of classics emerging that will be a little easier on some budgets.

First glances of both models was very pleasing to me. I am not a "rivet counter" so to speak, so I am not that critical on scale accuracy. But I think SCX did a fine job on this car. I used my calipers though and these are the readings I came up with:

Wheelbase: 74.5 mm
Car length: 120 mm
Car Width: 46 mm
Rear tire diameter: 19 mm
Rear tire width: 7.25 mm

I might be off a mil or so, but I checked it several times. However I think it is more than accurate enough for you to make your own scale judgment of the model.

Overall fit and finish is nicely done to my eyes. Paint and markings are very clean and opaque so I am sure most of you will be pleased in this department.

Researching the prototypes tell me SCX is very close although the spare tire on the trunk is missing from the white car. That doesn't bother me as these cars raced in so many configurations that with or without it, it looks right.

Detail level is good and SCX has made improvements in the last couple of years. This is why I was surprised that the interior is a little on the plain side with no markings on the dash and our navigator is holding a blank tablet. I suppose this shows how spoiled we are getting in this hobby to even mention such omissions, but the fact is that there are other brands that add more detail here. Does it bother me? A little. Nothing that will stop me from enjoying the models of course. In my own custom cars I do not add a lot of detail so it will suffice for my personal tastes.

But it might for you. I can say that it looks just fine at speed.

Wheels and tires are done well enough although I can tell that some tire/wheel sanding will be in order. I did not notice any wobble which told me we should have a decent running model out of the box. The chrome here seems a little too much for me and I think some weathering here will make a better looking wheel.

QUICK TIP: I used an acrylic flat black and thinned it with water and brushed some on.

Box Stock Track Testing
Mixed Brand Plastic Track
Aftermarket Power @ 12 Volts PARMA 25 OHM Control

We are working a new layout but that didn't stop us from testing in stock form. I can tell you that this car has a new motor and although it does have plenty of power, with the magnet in place it is not much of a challenge. I could almost hold the throttle down all the way through the wider turns.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. First, it will make a very easy to drive slot car for newcomers. And for non-magnet purists this new power plant will be more than enough.

Operation was still smooth enough, although some break-in time would make things better.

One major plus for me? They are lighted! Now, go back to where I made the comments about the interior and now I will commend them for this addition. And for the record they (SCX) add lights on cars that should have them whereas some slot car companies do not. SCX earns a big thumbs up from this reviewer for not cutting the corners here.

Out of the box I like this car. It functions as it should in my opinion, and the functioning lights are just an added touch.

Some might ask how it compares to other brands. Well, it is hard to compare when this is an all new motor and the motor differences are so wide in other brands that matching them up will take some work.

From left to right is the NINCO Austin Healy, SCX MG A, and Scalextric MGB. The NINCO has the fastest motor, but loses the race because it has far less magnet. The Scalextric has a slightly less powerful motor, but the strong magnet makes it close. I cannot compare it to every car out there of course, this is just a quick glance.

But in size it fits right in. And that means you could tune this car to go with other like models in this series from other brands. But out of the box it is a stand alone car, at least in my collection.

Looking Closer

Only two screws mount the body to the chassis and once removed we can see our new addition.

Yes, the big news with this model is it has one of the all new motors from SCX. Labeled the RK41, the can of this motor is identical to an FF style motor but the endbell is custom for SCX. An odd, sort of half-exposed design but it allowed SCX to continue using the wireless/motor tab design they have in the past.

I do not have official ratings on this motor, but it seems a little quicker than an older RX-41. In any case it is mild enough to keep this car enjoyable to drive.

Gearing is standard 9 tooth pinion - 27 tooth crown gear.

Tuning this car should be easy for most advanced racers. I found that the biggest improvement came from sanding the rear tires, then swapping them to the front and then of course sanding those.

This gives the car a much deserved tri-pod effect. I sanded the tires until the tread design was gone and the tires looked slick. After rolling them across tape to clean them, it looked like that was just enough. Changing tires for your track surface/preference is easy enough as they are already available since they are the same as other models like the Alpine. So check with your favorite after-market tire vendor.

Perhaps it goes without saying, but lubricating this car is a must. The front axle and rear bushings were very dry. This will cause a noticeable chatter noise in many cars and it certainly does here. Sometimes the most simple thing goes along way in helping tune a car.

One other step is NOT required but I know many of you who perform it. To make sure you have good electrical contact, quickly solder each motor tab.

After only this light tuning both of these cars reacted better than I thought. With the stock rubber nice and clean, they hooked up well on our flat latex surface. I would say 95% of the wheel hop was gone and so was almost all the chatter.

I am very happy with these models and think classic fans will be as well. Still a price point under $50.00 and they are fully lighted and easily tuned. And you can bet these will not be first, so I see a great new series from SCX in our future.

- Harry

As always feel free to contact me about this article or just the hobby in general at harry@homeracingworld.com, or better yet drop into our Message Forum and share your thoughts with other enthusiasts!

Thanks Go To SCX WorldWide For Sponsoring This Review!

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