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Lane changers, lap counters, and high banks, oh my (1976, + 1912 slot cars, + 60's)
(media.piefed.ca)
Frankly, I could have fun with that as a full grown adult in 2026!
Ad above was a Tyco set. The first commercial slot cars were sold by Lionel in 1912,
In the 50's and 60's, slot car racing arcades were popular, where people would go to race or watch others race. They still exist today of course, just not in the same popularity and prominence as then.
Vintage track. Also, a greater than average number of ceiling tetrahedrons.
Group of 1960's ladies having a blast,
8-way track,
I always wanted a slot car set like my neighbors had. The Cliff Hangers set was much smaller than this one, but it had the vertical wall climb that was so badass. My parents never went for it, I think because they were trying to nudge me away from "boy" toys (and they definitely didn't want the setup and cleanup of a slot car set).
My husband offered to get me a figure-8 set, but two drivers and a short figure 8 track just didn't have the pull the Cliff Hangers or the ginormo set did. (And we didn't want the setup and cleanup of a slot car set.)
I wasn't familiar with that but I gotta admit, it does look rather badass.
I had it! To be honest, the vertical parts were kind of gimmicky and while not necessarily flimsy couldn't stand up to our shenanigans. Slamming the cars into them broke those parts pretty quickly. But by that point I was already saving up and buying track pieces at garage sales and setting up a massive road course.