As some of you have read here before, years ago I had an Eldon Crash Jalopy Race Set that I picked up during an after Christmas sale for peanuts. (Apparently less than $9.) Even though I liked scale cars and scale home set racing at the time, I just couldn't pass it up at that price, and besides it looked like fun. Turned out it was SOOO much fun that I'm sure I ended up playing it to death! It was gone so long ago I can't remember its outcome. Anyway, very likely, that was in 1966 and here's the ad that was in the Sears "Wishbook" that year:
Okay... fast forward to this day and time:
Lo and behold, here a couple weeks ago, an Eldon Crash Car Jalopy set showed up on eBay. For such a set that's entire purpose was abuse (and lots of it), the set really was in pretty remarkable condition. I have been keeping tabs on that eBay listing for it for some time, but felt it was way over priced, so just couldn't pull the trigger on it. Here's a link to the set that WAS for sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eldon-1-32-Cras ... 540699f847
Like I said, I just couldn't do it. That's was a lot of money. So, now it's sold. And what are my thoughts on this? Well, even before it was purchased, I began to think:
* Since I've been watching slot cars on eBay, how often have I seen these sets come through in ANY condition, or ANYWHERE for that matter? I've only seen broken bits and parts of Crash Jalopy cars come through eBay upon rare occasions.
* How long would it be before another set of equal condition would show up at a cheaper price?
Yup, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that these things just aren't out there in obtainable quantities or reasonable condition, much less a complete set.
So...
I bought it.
Yup, you read correctly, I'm the idiot that bought it!!!
So now what?
Well, besides being a bit poorer for the experience (it's only money), once it arrives I will evaluate the cars and see what needs to be fabricated/fixed so that they can be safely used again. Fortunately, in my other hobby of model railroading, I have become very skillful in the use of styrene and keep a very well stocked supply of dimensional styrene on hand at all times. I'm confident I can fabricate/fix whatever the plastic parts and car bodies need in order for them to be sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of figure 8 racing again. No, they won't be "original" anymore once I fix them with new tabs/brackets/whatever with fabricated styrene... but that's okay. I intend to share the enjoyment of this simple set with my family (grand daughter, for example) and let the sets be used as they were intended to be used: To have fun. They will again circle the figure 8 track and knock the snot out of each other.
Of course, new tires will be needed, as well as new braids and such... but all in good time.
So there you have it, I guess I'm also back into "vintage" again. And now I have a high-priced set that used to be sold for peanuts to fix up and eventually be used again.
Like I said: I'M SUCH AN IDIOT!!! :laughing-rolling: