02/10/2011
  Let's talk for a moment about 'vintage' slot cars. When I say 'vintage' does the name NINCO Celica roll off the tongue? I'm going to guess no however NINCO had this great idea that they would occasionally dust off the molds of a few cars that haven't been produced in some time. In this case the model of choice is the Toyota Celica GT Four, which debuted from NINCO was back in 1995, and with the help of a few technical 'upgrades' as well as some creative packaging NINCO is bringing several models back under the marketing of 'Vintage Limited Series'.  So what is 'vintage'? Well... sliding off the glossy card-stock case sleeve the base and clear plastic cover are modern packaging found on all other current NINCO releases, perhaps the N1 cars being the exception, although note the new 'Sport' graphic proudly displayed on the Celica's base. Oh and one more point about the case; no plastic turn-key holding this model to the base. Instead NINCO decided to use a screw to secure this car in place and honestly? Thank you NINCO!! I can't count the number of new NINCO cars I have had arrive bouncing around inside of the case. The screw... such a simple yet effective way to keep your cars scratch free before it reaches your customer!  The body, on the other hand, IS the 'vintage' portion of this car and for fans of the early releases hopefully finding this car back in dealer stock will put a smile on your face. Yes this is the same body from the previous 1995 versions, and sixteen years ago these Celicas did prove to be very popular with the slot-rally crowd.  Consider that detail wise there is next to nothing to break. The body is very sturdy, no antenna, no side view mirrors to break off but that also doesn't mean that it doesn't have some interesting details. Painted on hood pins, a small air inlet and vent work on the hood plus a brand new, to modern NINCO standards a bright and colorful Castrol decoration.  Even the little Speeline five-spoke wheels have decorations on them. Yes... it does say Speedling on the wheels, although you might need a magnifying glass to really make that out,as well as what looks to be a 'Tein' logo and a Toyota graphic. Behind all four wheels are little silver drilled brake-rotor details and all of this wrapped in, what I call traditional' grooved NINCO rally tires.  Out back nothing in the way of real detail and that large wrap over wing likely is the only part of this body that you could possibly break.  Inside the car... again traditional NINCO. A shallow tray interior holds driver and co-driver by about the armpits up and there is no detailing to the cabin beyond that. No roll cage, no tiny little marking on the co-drivers direction clip-board etc.  Okay HERE is where the 'vintage' stops in my eyes! Flipping the car over what is the first thing you see? I know the first thing to catch 'my' eye was the bright pink wrapping of the modern NINCO NC-5 motor. Oh yeah... 20,000 RPM's backed in this little sucker and let me assure you the 1995 version of this car was NOT packing that many horses under the hood. To this reviewers eyes that almost contradicts the 'vintage' direction of this car and selfishly I would have hoped for a motor more similar to the original NC1 that came in the 1995 version but alas no such luck. Yes, this can be changed if you so feel inclined but for now... eh, we'll live with it.  Right, so the chassis... It's pretty much a giant pink motor and that's about it! All kidding aside the chassis is set up as an inline in a rear wheel drive configuration and I don't know why... but I was expecting pullies and at least one drive belt making this all wheel drive but as we can see its two wheel drive. Oh and guess what!?! A closer look at the chassis reveals NO MAGNET!! Can this be? Indeed the 'Vintage Limited Series' Toyota Celica come from NINCO with NO magnet! I 'would' have taken it out anyway... so NINCO saved me the step!  So the go fast parts; traditional NINCO black steel axles, suspended in the chassis by brass bushings, fitted with a black plastic crown that is spun via a brass pinion gear on the end of the NC-5. Oh did I mention 20,000 PRMs at the ready? And I did say there is no traction magnet too didn't I? Hold on to your hats and glassed people... this thing is no turtle on the track!  But... if you do decide you'd like something with a little less punch NINCO did fit this with their newer pressure fit wire leads. Simply slide them off the motor contacts and pull the NC-5 out. For my testing I did leave the NC-5 in however I do have a space NC-2 just looking for a home so who knows, in time I might decide to slow this Castrol missle down a little.  On the track box stock? Oh yeah... no shortage of fun. Clearly NINCO's concept of 'vintage' includes a little 'wow-factor'. The NC-5's power matched with a non-magnet chassis and some pleasantly true rims makes for a fast and smooth 'reborn' Toyota Celica from NINCO. Plenty of sliding action, a reasonably quiet driveline and a body that NINCO hasn't offered new in some years! If you enjoy rally cars, but never got your hands on one of NINCO's originals, then have a go with this 'Vintage' NINCO Toyota! Thanks to Model Rectifier (MRC) for providing the NINCO Vintage Limited Series Toyota Celical GT Four for review. Please stop by the HomeRacingWorld.com Message Board to talk about this and all other models of slot cars. Happy Slotting! Shawn Smith - SJSlots Shawn@HomeRacingWorld.com Thanks Go To MRC For Sponsoring This Review!
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