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May's purchases couldn't be more different. 

Both spectacular in their own way, the MR Slotcar Gulf Mclaren caught my eye on Facebook Marketplace. I tried to resist and thought it would be snapped up but when it was still there two weeks later I Googled the spec. looked at a few reviews and decided to chance my arm. I offered the asking price - but to include postage, which was accepted. It looks absolutely mint, came boxed with the original sleeve, tyres and magnet but was set up mag-less and with NSR tyres all round. At half the going rate it was a bargain - and absolutely gorgeous.

I loved watching the 1:1 Legends racing at Donington (or would that be 5/8ths?)   Anyway, I'd kept an eye on the Pioneer prices and they've remained pretty steady. However I eventually managed to pick this one up under list (which seems to have gone up since they were first released?) At the time I didn't know Inaslot also had a web site where it might have been a little cheaper - but without its box. This simple red scheme seems a lot closer to the spirit of the Legends racing I saw but I am tempted to replace the black parts with chrome at some point, along the lines of the Dealer Special version. Lovely little car, as yet un-run. I was pleased to see one appear in the Forum reviews at the time mine was negotiating the post. Great timing.

           

The Vanquish McLaren, bought in June, just fit into my hobby and slot racing ethos for so many reasons. I used to 'subscribe' to Oscar Koveleski's Autoworld mail order catalogue in my teens and his 1:1 car featured heavily. In addition I raced the Aurora AFX HO (1-64) scale version on my home raceway back then - and still have it. Add to that my fascination with Vanquish CanAm cars for their OTT detail and running gear after finding one at Gaydon 2018 and all the stars aligned when this one popped up. Already less than eBay dealer prices, an offer was accepted and the car joined the ranks of my 2020 purchases, also as yet un-run.

Rounding out the half-year spending spree is the fabulous 1/24 B.R.M Castrol Escort. A perfect match, to my mind, for the earlier find of the Martini Mini. Snapped up very quickly when spotted, again second-hand, I was delighted to add this one to the stable. Another yet to be run but I hope to remedy that when I next get the opportunity to set up the home test-oval. However, I've already eased the body mounts and adjusted the gear mesh after holding the rear wheels between thumb and forefinger to swing the car on its axle and finding the original set-up to be much too tight.