VIP Roadways, Development and Additions
1959
1959 brought the first major additions to the VIP Model Roadways in the form of additional track sections. Added to the Standard two-lane straight (MR270) and 60° Curves (MR260) which are found in 'Set A' were 30° Curves (MR262), 90° Crossroads (MR300) and a pack with four different length straights (MR252). In true roadway style these parts were also available as single lane items:- Straight (MR251), 60° Curve (MR261), 30° Curve (MR263) 90° Crossing (MR302) and Short straights (MR253). A combination single/two-lane 90° crossing (MR301) completed the choice.
Extra Track
Scenic accessories were limited to a set of illuminated traffic lights (MR407) which could be wired to operate from a remote switch (MR408) or made to work automatically by following the instructions in a separate leaflet. A cardboard scenic bridge was shown on the main instruction sheet for 1959 and can be glimpsed in the picture below, but did not appear for sale until 1960.
Accessories
For the racers, a small ratchet type lap counter was released which fitted between the lanes in the small square hole at the end of the straight. It's operation was purely mechanical and required each car to have a small metal striker screwed into the chassis which knocked the ratchet as it passed, literally notching up another lap on the counter. As this striker had to protrude from the correct side of the car in order for the lap counter to be activated, it made the process of changing lanes rather tortuous.
Two New Cars
Austin A40
Austin A40
A once familiar but now all too rare sight on British roads, the Austin A40 is probably the most difficult to find of all Victory slot car models. Attractive as the real car may have been, the majority of people who buy slot cars (both then and now) prefer to race some type of racing car or at least sporty car or at least a car that alludes vaguely to some sort of sportyness.
Yes, I know Austin A40's did race and that the cars crisp cut lines were drawn by that Italian styling master Pininfarina, but to most people the Austin A40 was a small family runabout not worthy of a second look and so it was that only a select few chose to add them to their slot car stable. As far as I know Victory's fine model was produced in dark green as well as the red, yellow and light blue colours shown above. It should also be kicking around somewhere in dark blue although I've yet to see or hear of an example in that colour.
Austin-Healey Sprite
Austin-Healey Sprite
Perhaps not quite as rare as the A40 but equally highly prized by collectors is Victory's Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite . Unlike the A40, the Sprite was advertised in various American catalogues and perhaps enjoyed a rather larger following. As far as I know Victory's version is the only slot car model of this car. It's an attractive model overall and not a bad representation of the real thing, but is it really worth more than the Coles Crane? This model was also available in dark green and dark blue and has even been known to turn up in 'Set A' as original equipment!
Victory saw out the year with a major presence at the National Models Exhibition at the New Horticultural Hall in Westminster, London. As well as a large display of their remote control cars and other models, they had another stand which included a 32ft long model roadway where you could try out their slot cars. Alongside stood an automatically controlled track where cars sped round slowing on corners and stopping automatically at traffic lights. They also had on display two new products that would be released in 1960. The Vickers Vigor Tractor and the Vosper Triple Screw Express Turbine Yacht.