18th-Feb-20, 08:46 AM
The Polistil name is an important one in the history of diecast models and slot cars. The company went out of business in 1993, but the the Polistil brand has been resurrected by the May Cheong Group, who also own the Maisto and Bburago diecast brands. In addition to static models and Radio Controlled vehicles, the May Cheong Group have developed a slot car range that is branded as Polistil or 'Maisto Tech R/C', depending where in the world they are sold.
I spoke to the UK distributor Tobar at the London Toy Fair last month and we have been sent the full Polistil slot car catalogue which was published for Christmas 2019 - it contains products that are currently available and some new for 2020. Only a handful of sets will be officially imported to the UK - as Maisto Tech R/C - but it should be possible to root out the full range from European retailers and from Amazon UK.
The catalogue itself pays homage to the history and prestige of Polistil - and all the Formula One style cars have Polistil 'sponsorship'...
Although there are two 1/32 scale sets in the catalogue, the vast majority of sets, cars and accessories are 1/43 scale. Most sets are mains-powered and there is a nice variety of sizes, themes and features. The 3-in-1 Euro Circuit set is really attractive with enough track to build three big layouts - one of which looks like the Nürburgring, but you're going to have to help me figure out the other two...
Still on an F1 theme, both the Virtual Race and Pilot System sets have a ghost car feature, with Pilot System also having radio-control-style wireless controllers...
In total, there are eleven 1/43 scale mains-powered sets in the catalogue and nine battery-powered sets - including the very nice off-road Desert Rally set and a choice of three basic oval sets with Fiat 500s, Lamborghini Huracáns or Alfa Romeo 4Cs...
The Maisto Tech R/C sets that are already available in the UK are the battery-powered 'My First Slot Set' and 'Vision Gran Turismo', plus the mains-powered Pilot System set mentioned earlier.
Amazingly, the My First set comes ready-assembled on a table with legs. I've seen it for £29.99 at Gift and Gadget here. The Vision Gran Turismo set is currently in the Robert Dyas bargain bin here at £11.99! The Nissan and Mercedes Concept cars do look very cool and - if that's your thing - £12 for two cars is a real bargain. The Pilot System set (with wireless controllers) is available at Go-Go Gadget for £54 here.
The Desert Rally set will be available in the UK later this year (RRP £49.99), together with a second My First set and possibly a couple more sets for Christmas 2020. There are no plans to import individual cars or accessories.
Speaking of which, some of the individual cars are definitely worth checking out. There are four 1/32 scale models and twenty in 1/43 scale....
The cars really aren't easy to find at the moment. I did come across a few (out of stock) for between £8 and £12 in Italy, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
I had a look at the cars on show at the Toy Fair and they are a pretty typical 1/43 scale design...
Finally, there is a page of accessories in the catalogue, including track, spares and a mains powerbase for converting a battery-powered set...
Look out for the full Polistil catalogue to be added to the SlotRacer Online Library. And - if any of these sets, cars or accessories float your boat - happy hunting!
A big thanks to Paul at Tobar for sending us the catalogue and UK release information.
I spoke to the UK distributor Tobar at the London Toy Fair last month and we have been sent the full Polistil slot car catalogue which was published for Christmas 2019 - it contains products that are currently available and some new for 2020. Only a handful of sets will be officially imported to the UK - as Maisto Tech R/C - but it should be possible to root out the full range from European retailers and from Amazon UK.
The catalogue itself pays homage to the history and prestige of Polistil - and all the Formula One style cars have Polistil 'sponsorship'...
Although there are two 1/32 scale sets in the catalogue, the vast majority of sets, cars and accessories are 1/43 scale. Most sets are mains-powered and there is a nice variety of sizes, themes and features. The 3-in-1 Euro Circuit set is really attractive with enough track to build three big layouts - one of which looks like the Nürburgring, but you're going to have to help me figure out the other two...
Still on an F1 theme, both the Virtual Race and Pilot System sets have a ghost car feature, with Pilot System also having radio-control-style wireless controllers...
In total, there are eleven 1/43 scale mains-powered sets in the catalogue and nine battery-powered sets - including the very nice off-road Desert Rally set and a choice of three basic oval sets with Fiat 500s, Lamborghini Huracáns or Alfa Romeo 4Cs...
The Maisto Tech R/C sets that are already available in the UK are the battery-powered 'My First Slot Set' and 'Vision Gran Turismo', plus the mains-powered Pilot System set mentioned earlier.
Amazingly, the My First set comes ready-assembled on a table with legs. I've seen it for £29.99 at Gift and Gadget here. The Vision Gran Turismo set is currently in the Robert Dyas bargain bin here at £11.99! The Nissan and Mercedes Concept cars do look very cool and - if that's your thing - £12 for two cars is a real bargain. The Pilot System set (with wireless controllers) is available at Go-Go Gadget for £54 here.
The Desert Rally set will be available in the UK later this year (RRP £49.99), together with a second My First set and possibly a couple more sets for Christmas 2020. There are no plans to import individual cars or accessories.
Speaking of which, some of the individual cars are definitely worth checking out. There are four 1/32 scale models and twenty in 1/43 scale....
The cars really aren't easy to find at the moment. I did come across a few (out of stock) for between £8 and £12 in Italy, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
I had a look at the cars on show at the Toy Fair and they are a pretty typical 1/43 scale design...
Finally, there is a page of accessories in the catalogue, including track, spares and a mains powerbase for converting a battery-powered set...
Look out for the full Polistil catalogue to be added to the SlotRacer Online Library. And - if any of these sets, cars or accessories float your boat - happy hunting!
A big thanks to Paul at Tobar for sending us the catalogue and UK release information.
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