NINCO Classic Porsche 356-A - Home Racing World & Slot Car Garage

02/09/2011

This latest release by NINCO has finally found it's way to my mailbox. A lot of talk has surrounded this infamous little model since it was first announced for release and rightfully so. These Porsche models have long been very popular in the Classic Line as they can be tuned to run wonderfully and they really capture the essence of slot racing for many long time enthusiasts.

With that said, I must be VERY clear to both veteran and newcomer: This is NOT the same classic we have enjoyed over the years. Yes, the outside of the car is physically identical but the news of a motor change makes it an entirely different car on the inside.

Before we pop the hood though, let us take a look around the outside. Adorned in street trim this effort is either going to appeal to you or it will not. The color is really different as it is a mix between red and pink. Hopefully my photos show it well enough. I can say this color was my first disappointment. It is not the deeper, more opaque red color the was shown in the pre-release flyers. This is not normal for NINCO. Usually they are accurate on the new release flyers.

The overall finish of the model however is well done enough to satisfy most. I did find a few specks of dust here and there but they are so small that most will never notice.

Our driver appears to be in race garb which I personally like to see. This will make for an easier conversion to race trim if I decide to do so.

Wheels and tires appear to be standard NINCO equipment and this is a positive for me. The original rubber on these models actually grip very well when sanded and true. In fact half of my current collection still has the original tires while the other half has various after-market selections. Why? Because I take my NINCO Classics with me to every track I visit and these widely different track conditions call for almost a different tire every time.

Time to turn her over and take a peek at what NINCO has provided for power. As you can see they have chosen to outfit this car with the NC-5 Speeder motor. This motor is a good motor of course, but it makes this model very incompatible with most all prior classics.

Only 2 screws mount the body to the chassis and are easily removed. Once inside we can see this model is NON-MAGNET as it should be. Please be aware of this if you are just joining us in the hobby as without a magnet this model is likely to be very challenging to drive.

Box Stock Track Testing
MidMo International Speedway
4 x 16 - 3 Lane MDF Routed Wood - Flat Latex Surface
Copper Tape Conductivity - Aftermarket Power @ 12 Volts PARMA 25 OHM Control

Challenging is the word for it. The NC-5 is simply way too much motor for this little car. It is very punchy in the throttle department which makes it hard to feather your way through tighter radius corners. I realize there are some racers out there that want as much motor as they can get, but the real driver knows when he or she has overdone it in the horsepower department. Such is the case here, or at least for my driving style.

I say driving because that is what I do with my models. This car seems like it was not truly meant for "me". A simple home racer who has small to medium sized tracks who enjoys realism not only in looks but in performance. My purchases are not meant for the shelf, they are destined to be raced and enjoyed for many years to come. Yes, my mind tells me that this model is for the pure collector. It is no secret past models of this line fetch a high price in the collector world where most could care less what motor is inside as it will never be opened.

Although I am clearly disappointed in this motor choice, I have to try and be as objective as possible. What I find negative other enthusiasts might find positive. I also have to state that I have seen countless racers take a perfectly good motor (in my opinion of course) out of a slot car to simply replace it with a higher or lower RPM motor to satisfy their own needs. Tuning and tweaking a car to suit the owner is a huge part of the fun of our after all.

Yet when I look at more recent releases such as the Jaguar, Cobra, Porsche 550 and Ferrari 250 kit, I see no good reason why they did not stick with the excellent NC-8 Thruster motor. I mean why even make this motor if you do not use it when you have the chance?

Then there is the price. NINCO models continue to raise their prices well above most other regular brands. This is one important topic for many enthusiasts that are on tighter budgets. The MSRP on this model is $79.98. This is a premium price for such an older mold model void of any racing decorations. In fact, this model is only a few dollars less than the "Lightning" version shown above in the flyer. Again, this tells me that it is destined for collectors.

Maybe.

Then again, objectivity. I see enthusiasts spending twice this much on a single car. Yes, these other cars are higher end competition models with advanced parts, I fully understand and respect that. But money is money. I also look at time. This model will last me for many years so I look at this investment and realize that it is not too bad. I have owned prior classics for more than 10 years, and plan to own this one that long. The fun I have had with other "overpriced" models over the years are actually priceless now and I imagine this model will deliver that for me.

Not So Final Thoughts?

So let us summarize my personal findings:

1. I do not like the color it arrived in.

2. The price point is too high.

3. The motor change simply ruins the model for me in ready to run form.

None of this stopped me from pre-ordering and purchasing one!

Yes, that is correct. You are not seeing double. I had ordered this car from one of our finer dealers the day it was announced. I knew the price was high, I knew the motor was changed. Yet this classic just had to be here.

Shows you that I am just like a lot of you. I want what I want and rarely does the price, let alone a motor swap stop me from having a model I really want. Not only did I order the car, I also ordered the motor adaptor so I could swap the motor out to an NC-1 so it would be compatible with others in my collection.

So you cannot blame pure collectors for the price entirely, I am also to blame.

With the motor swap this model is fantastic to drive. Very smooth acceleration and braking and speeds that I can appreciate in scale. Now this model can easily race side by side against all the rest of my collection, plus all of the ones my racing friends own.

So how can I tell you not to bother with this model after I bought one? The fact is I can't.

You are either hopelessly addicted to these models or you are not. If you are then you are likely holding it in your hands as you read this and fully understand my point and why I simply had to own it. I do not know the future of the NINCO Classic line, but regardless of price or motor it is a sure bet that if they make another one it will end up here :)

- 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!

Why not check our other NINCO REVIEWS?

Thanks Go To MRC For Providing Us With This Sample!