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| 2>
Powertrack sets came in different sets featuring different cars and track type.
In the UK this consisted of:
Powertrack PT-1000 - Grand Prix (Launched 1978)
Set comprised: 1 x McLaren F1, 1 x Ferrari F1, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V 'Grandstand' Battery Box and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: This is Powertrack's only UK Battery powered set. The cars do not have headlights. RRP in 1979: £14.99.
Powertrack PT-2000 - Monza (Launched 1978)
Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 911, 1 x Chevrolet Corvette, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: One of the most popular sets Powertrack produced with 2 of the most ubiquitous cars. RRP in 1979: £19.99.
Powertrack PT-3000 - Super Sport (Launched 1978)
Set comprised: 1 x Jaguar XJ Series, 1 x BMW 320i, 9 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 5 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheets & Bridge supports.
Factoid: Quite an expensive set when released that put it in direct competition with Scalextric. RRP in 1979: £29-99.
Powertrack PT-4000 - Le Mans Set (Launched 1978)
Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 936, 1 x Renault Alpine, 11 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 11 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: A premium product but at the time the track layouts supplied eclipsed most rivals. RRP in 1979: £39-99.
Powertrack PT-5000 - Indianapolis (28 ft) (Launched 1981)
Set comprised: 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x BMW 320i, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V Track Terminal, 2 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 3 x 9" Straight, 2 x 6" Straight, 1 x Banked Curve (with supports). 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 12 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: This is one of only 3 sets launched in the UK after the original Powertrack launch of 1978. (The others were Race & Chase & PT-8000). RRP was £34.99.
Powertrack PT-6000 - Race and Chase (American Cop Car) (Launched 1979)
Set comprised: 1 x Police Car, 1 x Corvette Stingray, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V R&C Track Terminal, 1 x Tip Bridge 9", 2 x 9" Straight, 4 x 15" Straight, 6 x Aprons, 4 x LH End Pieces, 2 x RH End Pieces. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 4 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: Far and away the biggest selling Set in the UK. Stole a march on any other slot racing system and even Scalextric were slow to catch up. UK RRP in 1979: £29-99.
Powertrack PT-6100 - Race and Chase (German Porsche Police Car) (Launched 1979)
Set comprised: 1 x Porsche Police Car, 1 x BMW 320i, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 6V R&C Track Terminal, 2 x Straight 9", 1 x Tip Bridge 9", 2 x Crossovers 15", 2 x 15" Straight, 6 x Aprons, 4 x LH End Pieces, 2 x RH End Pieces. 6V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 4 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: This is the only Powertrack/Speedtrack/Powertrack Plus set released that included 15" Crossover Tracks. This set was not launched in the UK. The Box artwork is in German but this product may have also been distributed widely across Western Europe.
Powertrack PT-8000 - This set featured 4 lane racing (Launched 1981)
Set comprised: 1 x Porsche 911, 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x Fiat Abarth, 1 x VW Scirocco, 16 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 16 x 45 degree Curve 12", 4 x 45 degree 9" Curve, 2 x 9" 6V 4 Lane Track Terminals, 6 x 9" Straight, 4 x 15" Straight, 4 x 6" Straight, . 6V Mains Transformer and 4 x Hand Controllers. 16 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: The ultimate Powertrack set still fetches good money on E-bay. Although prohibitively expensive for a slot racing set, it undercut Scalextric's 4 lane set by nearly £40. This is the only Powertrack set worldwide that employed 12" outer curves to enable 4 lane corners.
The cars listed are those that appear on the box artwork and are generally proven to be sold with the set. However, Matchbox often replaced at least one car depending on immediate stock levels. The blue Porsche 911, dark blue Fiat Abarth, yellow Escort, red Escort and red & White Scirocco are all known to be substitute cars. The car most often replaced appears to be the Gold Scirocco.
UK RRP in 1981: £79.99.
This set was also branded as Silverstone 8000
[edit] Tags:Matchbox,Peter Kay,The Sound Of Laughter,Counterlane,Ebay,Saab,Turbo,Ford Escort.,Spider-man,Hulk,Goodyear,Clay Regazzoni,Marlboro,James Hunt,Porsche 911,Bmw 3.0csl,Porsche 936,Triumph Tr7,Vw Scirocco,Ford Escort Mk Ii,Esso,Michelin,Spoiler,Bmw 320i,Elf,Bp,Bosch,Champion,Ferodo, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powertrack Plus Sets | 2>
In 1982, Matchbox unveiled Powertrack Plus in the UK. The cars were operated from 12V and were much faster. A magnet on the underside of the 'gearbox' increased grip to the track and the higher voltage was more tolerant of larger track layouts.
Powertrack Plus sets had upgraded transformers, hand controllers and track terminals which featured different connectors that were not compatible with the 6V systems. Curiously, the 12V terminal had no facility for powering the lap counter though. All other track remained the same stock parts but were repacked with Powertrack Plus branding.
A number of new parts were created for Powertrack Plus. A Chicane 'loop the loop' and 'self supporting' banked curve featured in the PP-9000 set, while crossover tracks and a crossover 'flying jump' were included in the PP-3000.
Aside from magnets the cars also had wider pickups on the underside. They also had torquier motors and a different pinion gear and crown wheel. Essentially, every Powertrack Plus car was a revamped Powertrack car body shell with the new Chassis.
It is worth noting however that the 'Super Boss' and 'Bandag Bandit' were only ever launched in the UK in 12V form.
Powertrack PP-2000
Set comprised: 1 x Jaguar XJ Series, 1 x BMW 320i, 6 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 1 x 9" Straight, 2 x 15" Straight. 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 6 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: Introduction to 12V racing. RRP in 1982: £24.99.
Powertrack PP-3000
Set comprised: 1 x Renault Elf, 1 x Porsche 936, 10 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 1 x 6" Straight, 1 x 24" Flying Jump, 1 x 9" Crossover. 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: The only UK set to include the 9" Crossover track. The black & white markings on the Flying Jump and Crossover track were spray painted on and not stickers. RRP in 1982: £34.99.
Powertrack PP-4000
No official details uncovered so far. However, it is referenced in the Powertrack Plus Instruction Manual of 1982. This is likely to have been a Race & Chase set with the Police car and most likely the Silver Chevrolet Corvette (in lieu of the Corvette Stingray). The basis for this comes from the Catalogue number assigned to these cars relative to the other Powertrack Plus cars. Tantalisingly, the track layout may well have been based on the US Copter Chase set, introducing both the Cross Road and Turn Off tracks to the UK. Those items were first referenced in the UK at the same time.
Factoid: There are 2 versions of the 12V Hand controller. One has a Race & Chase style button to reverse the current direction, the other has no such button. Evidence indeed that Matchbox were well under way with launching this set.
It is possible this set was due for release just when Matchbox 'hit the wall' - any further information welcome.
Powertrack PP-6000
This is better known as Race and Chase 2.
Powertrack PP-9000
Set comprised: 1 x Triumph TR7, 1 x Porsche 911, 8 x 90 degree 9" Curve, 1 x 9" 12V Track Terminal, 4 x Straight 9", 1 x Straight 6", 1 x 15" Loop the Loop, 4 x 45 Degree Bank Curve 9", 4 x Straight 15", 12V Mains Transformer and 2 x Hand Controllers. 8 Crash Barriers, Sticker Sheet & Bridge supports.
Factoid: The only UK set to include the Loop. The Loop was painted red on the exterior. The loop was also a chicane and was a very cool addition to the range. The Banked Curve supplied with this set was a 'Self Supporting' type made of 4 x 45 degree sections. It did not need the sculptured entry & exit tracks or additional support of PT-208. RRP in 1982: £59.99.
(This contributor had this set in 1982 and it rocked!)
[edit] | Tags: Speedtrack Sets | 2>
Released in the USA at virtually the same time as Powertrack in UK. All these items were 6 Volt and curiously did not feature the stunning box art work of the European products. They also did not include the vac-formed plastic liner to house all the parts. Instead, parts were bagged and packaged loose in similar size cartons. However, in terms of content they were excellent value for money - possibly because of the competition from rival H0/00 sets from AFX & Tyco.
In the US, the following Speedtrack sets were available from 1978:
Grand Prix 150
Trenton 150 This set was advertised in the Matchbox 1978 catalogue. The set featured two cars, a battery box and White hand controllers.
Monza 200 (Set No 14-3621)
Le Mans 300
International 1000 This set was advertised in the Matchbox 1978 catalogue. The set featured two Pinto cars, a battery box and White hand controllers.
Hulks Race
Spider-Man Race & Chase
Copter Chase
Race & Chase
By 1981, the name 'Speedtrack' has been dropped in favour of 'Powertrack'. The following sets had been added for the US that were similar to UK 'Powertrack Plus' sets but lacked the 12V system. Curiously, though cars were provided with slim (6v) pick ups they incorporated the magnets and gearboxes of UK 12V Cars. This 'hybrid' was denoted as a 'Positraction' car and advertised as compatible with other H0/00 slot racing systems, most notably 'AFX' & 'Tyco'.
There are inconsistencies with this information, not least because to date no US magnet car has appeared on E-bay and the ubiquitous Porsche 911 & VW Scirocco supplied in 3 of the sets have not surfaced either. It is possible that Matchbox cut back its operations in the US and just supplied the Slipstream, Tyrone Daredevil and Race 'N' Chase sets, the cars supplied all being non Positraction cars.
The cars supplied with these sets were catalogued at the same time as 'Positraction' cars but have all surfaced on E-bay. The firm conclusion is Matchbox never got round to introducing 'Positraction' to the US.
Slipstream Racing 14-36-80
This set consisted of Three Cars racing the cars in the set were Martini Porsche Pacer car, Yellow Jaguar and the Red BMW 3.0CSL Orange Jägermeister Livery.
Tyrone Malone's Daredevil Race N Chase (13.5 Ft of Track)
Jump Cross Championship
Pro 8 Challenge
World Class Racing
No Pre productions photos have been unearthed on eBay. Interestingly, the PP-9000 was launched 1 year later in the UK and featured an extended version of this layout. Is this evidence that Matchbox had begun reducing their US involvement during 1981/82?
[edit] | Tags: Race 'N' Chase Sets | 2>
Race and Chase - This set featured a Bandit car and an American police car. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge.
Race and Chase 2 - This set featured a Bandit car (Silver Corvette) and an American police car. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge. This set differed from the previous race and chase set as this was a PowerTrack Plus PP6600 was 4.2m or 14 ft in length, the track also featured some sort of dead end section.
Race and Chase - This set featured American Racing trucks and featured Tyrone Malone on the box. The unique feature of this set was that the cars could u-turn, and jump using a tilting bridge. This did not appear until 1981
Copter Chase - This set incorporated both the 'Flat Intersection' and the LH & RH Switch track sections. The only set to do so worldwide. It featured the regular US cop car chasing a Black Chevy van and a Helicopter, which ran along on a conventional chassis disguised as a black plinth. The contents of this set are so unique and quite rare that it may command a premium over every other Powertrack/Powertrack Plus & Speedtrack set.
Spider-Man Race and Chase - This set featured 12.5 feet (3.8 m) of track a Spider-Man car and a Black Villain van. Released in 1979 it was one of only 2 sets to ever feature the Cross road section.
Hulk's Race - This was a basic set featuring a cardboard city scape and a 6V battery box. It featured the Incredible Hulk's van and Escort vehicles.
[edit] | Tags: Powertrack Cars | 2>
Car
Paintjob
Part No
Voltage
lights
Magnet
Number on Car
Featured in Sets
Image
F1 Ferrari
Red Goodyear Modelled on a car driven by Clay Regazzoni in 1976
PT-101
6V
No
No
2
PT-1000 (UK)
F1 Car
Blue and yellow Goodyear livery on spoiler
No
No
Trenton 150 Australia
F1 McLaren
Red Marlboro Modelled on a car driven by James Hunt in 1977
PT-102
6V
No
No
1
PT-1000 (UK)
Porsche 911
Green with Valiant and Kremer livery: Gold and orange flashes.
PT-103
6V
Yes
No
5
PT-2000 Monza (UK) PT-8000 (UK)
Chevrolet Corvette
White with red and blue stripes flashes
PT-114
6V
Yes
No
4
PT-2000 Monza (UK)
BMW 3.0CSL
Orange Jägermeister Livery
PT-105
6V
Yes
No
54
PT-3000 (UK) & PT5000 (UK)
BMW 3.0CSL
Orange Top bonnet and Spoiler with yellow side panels and doors.
PT-105
Yes
No
4
Jaguar XJ Series II
White with blue and red stripes (Part of British Leyland cars)
PT-106
6V
Yes
No
1
PT-3000 (UK)
Porsche 936
White with Martini written on wings and spoiler plus a red helmeted driver
PT-108
6V
Yes
No
20
PT-4000 Le Mans (UK)
Renault Alpine Number 5
Yellow with black stripe, number 5 WITHOUT AIRBOX
PT-107
6V
Yes
No
5
PT-4000 Le Mans (UK)
Renault Alpine Number 11
Yellow with black stripe, number 11
N/A
6V
Yes
No
11
PT-4000 (UK & Europe)
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
White with Yellow stripes
PT-114
6V
Yes
No
No
Race & Chase PT-6000 (UK)
Police Car Chevrolet
Blue & White - Police on sides and boot/trunk
PT-113
6V
Roof Light
No
N/A
Race & Chase PT-6000 (UK)
Fiat Abarth 131
Light Blue with yellow roof and yellow wheel arches
PT-112
6V
Yes
No
23
PT-8000 (UK)
Fiat Abarth 131
Dark Blue
PT-112
6V
Yes
No
23
Some PT-8000
Triumph TR7
Silver with red quarter light and bumpers Triumph logo on bonnet
PT-111
6V
Yes
No
50
PT-8000 (UK)
Triumph TR7
Silver with Black quarter light and bumpers
PT-111
6V
Yes
No
50
PT-5000 (UK)
VW Scirocco
Gold
PT-110
6V
Yes
No
43
PT-8000 (UK)
VW Scirocco
Red & White
PT-110
6V
Yes
No
22
Some PT-8000 (UK)
Ford Escort MK II
Red and black striping around side
PT-109
6V
Yes
No
8
Some PT-5000, PT-6000 & PT-8000
Ford Escort
Yellow Ford Logo on the Spoiler and Goodyear Logo on doors
PT-109
6V
Yes
No
12
Some PT-8000
Porsche 911
Gulf blue with red stripe down middle of car
PT-103
6V
Yes
No
5
Some PT-8000 (UK)
Saab 900
Green with Blue and Red Lighting marks on bonnet and wings
PT-116
6V
Yes
No
3
No Set Recorded
[edit] | Tags: Powertrack Plus Cars | 2>
Car
Paintjob
Part No
Voltage
lights
Magnet
Number on Car
Featured in Sets
Image
Porsche 911
Red with adverts for ESSO on roof and bonnet (hood) and Michelin on wheel arches, Kremer on Spoiler
PP-131
12V
Yes
Yes
45
PP-9000 (UK)
Triumph TR7
Green with black stripes through middle of car
PP-132
12V
Yes
Yes
7
PP-9000 (UK)
Police Car Chevrolet
Dark Blue and White - Police stickers on sides and front hood
PP-133
12V
Roof Light
Yes
N/A
Probably PP-4000 but no evidence as yet.PP6000 (Race and Chase 2)
Corvette
Silver with red and blue stripes along sides and through middle of car
PP-134
12V
Yes
Yes
6
Probably PP-4000 but no evidence as yet. PP6000 (Race and Chase 2)
BMW 320i
Cream with red and black stripes
PP-135
12V
Yes
Yes
8
PP-2000 (UK)
Jaguar XJ Series II
Blue with Yellow, orange and black stripes, on wings and boot.
PP-136
12V
Yes
Yes
95
PP-2000 (UK)
Renault Alpine
Yellow with ELF livery, red stripe
PP-137
12V
Yes
Yes
4
PP-3000 (UK)
Porsche 936
White with BP livery red helmeted driver
PP-138
12V
Yes
Yes
71
PP-3000 (UK)
Saab 900
Red with Black and White Stripes - zig zags on front hood, roof, and trunk; Blue and Black Checker on sides; Number 138 on sides and front hood
PP-139
12V
Yes
Yes
138
No Set Recorded
VW Scirocco
Yellow with pink and brown stripes, number 3
PP-140
12V
Yes
Yes
3
No Set Recorded
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Red with Yellow Stripes
PP-141
12V
Yes
Yes
2
No Set catalogued
Fiat Abarth 131
White with Red & Blue Top & Side Striping
PP-142
12V
Yes
No
05
No Set Recorded
Ford Escort MK II
Gold
PP-143
12V
Yes
Yes
12
No Set Recorded
SuperBoss Truck
White with red and blue stripes along side
PP-158 (UK)
12V
No
Yes
None
No Set Recorded
Bandag Bandit Truck
Black with yellow and blue stripes along side
PP-159
12V
No
Yes
None
No Set Recorded
[edit] | Tags: Speedtrack Cars | 2>
Car
Paintjob
Part No
Voltage
lights
Magnet
Number on Car
Featured in Sets
Image
BMW 320i
Orange Jägermeister Livery (With dorsal fin on roof)
14-37-41
6V
Yes
No
54
Slipstream Racing 14-36-80
Funny Car AKA 'Catch Me'
White and Yellow with 'Catch-me' on side & rear of car
14-34-42 (US Dealer Catalogue)
6V
Yes
No
Not Numbered
Race & Chase 6000 (US)
Chevrolet Corvette (Supervette)
White with red and blue stripes flashes; 4 is in US style Spangles
14-37-27
6V
Yes
No
4
Le Mans 300 (US)
International 1000 (US)
F1 Ferrari
Red Goodyear Modelled on a car driven by Clay Regazzoni in 1976
14-37-43
6V
No
No
2
Grand Prix 150 (US)
International 1000 (US)
F1 Ferrari
Green wings and white body with STP sponsor logos on it
No
No
5
Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari
Yellow with black flashes bears the sponsors name elf and Bosch
No
No
5
Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari
Blue and white with red stripe with Shell sponsor logos on it
No
No
4
Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Ferrari
Red body and white wings with Mobil sponsor logos on it
No
No
8
Possibly originated in German sets
F1 Texaco Number 9
Red and White, Texaco on rear wing, Number 9
14-37-30
6V
No
No
9 and 8 (Australia)
No Set Recorded
F1 Texaco Number 8
Red and White, McLaren on rear wing, Number 8
No
No
8 (Australian sets)
No Set Recorded
F1 Goodyear (McLaren)
Light Blue and Yellow; Goodyear on rear wing, Number 33
14-37-44
6V
No
No
33
Grand Prix 150 (US)
International 1000 (US)
Elf Number 2
Dark blue and white, Elf on rear wing, Number 2
14-37-29
6V
No
No
2
No Set Recorded
Williams Number 2
Cyan and white, Williams on wings and Spoiler, Number 2
No
No
2
Believed to be available in Australia only
Ford Escort MK II
Red
14-37-49
6V
Yes
No
4
Hulk's Race (US)
Ford Escort MK II
Yellow
16-66-01
6V
Yes
No
12
No Set Recorded
Porsche 936
White with Martini livery red helmeted driver PACER sticker on side
PP-138
12V
Yes
Yes
29
PP-3000 (UK)
Police Helicopter
White & Red With 'Police' written on side
N/A - See text
6V
No
No
N/A
Copter Chase
Hulk Van
Lime Green with the Hulk writing and figure on side
14-37-50 (US Dealer Catalogue)
6V
No
No
No
Hulks Race (US)
Jaguar XJ Series II
Yellow with black and white stripes (With dorsal fin on roof)
16-62-01
6V
Yes
No
1
Slipstream
Pinto "Sportsman"
Dark Blue with STP/Ford logos on bonnet
14-37-25 (US Dealer Catalogue)
6V
No
No
2
Appears on Box artwork of Grand Prix 150 (US)
Gremlin "Sportsman"
Yellow (Similar build to Pinto above)
14-37-26 (US Dealer Catalogue)
6V
No
No
4
Appears on Box artwork of Grand Prix 150 (US)
Police Car Chevrolet
Blue & White - Police on sides and boot/trunk
14-37-48
6V
Roof Light
No
N/A
Race & Chase 6000 (US)
Copter Chase (US)
Porsche 911
Gulf blue with red stripe down middle of car
14-37-28
6V
Yes
No
5
Le Mans 300 (US)
International 1000 (US)
Monza 200 (US)
Renault Alpine Number 5
Yellow with black stripe, number 5 WITH AIRBOX
14-37-45
6V
Yes
No
5
T.B.A
Spider-Man car
Red with a little seated Spider-Man figure
14-37-51
6V
No
No
No
Race & Chase Spider-Man set (US)
Spider-Man car
Blue with a little seated Spider-Man figure
14-37-51
6V
No
No
No
Race & Chase Spider-Man set (US)
SuperBoss Truck
White with red and blue stripes along side
14-37-01 US
6V
No
No
None
SpeedTrack Tyrone Malone Dare Devil Diesel Race & Chase set (US)
Bandag Bandit Truck
Black with yellow and blue stripes along side
16-64-01
6V
No
No
None
SpeedTrack Tyrone Malone Dare Devil Diesel Race & Chase set (US)
Triumph TR7
Silver with silver quarter light and bumpers No.20 on bonnet
14-37-53
6V
Yes
No
20
No Set Recorded
Villain Van
Black with Villain in white capital letters on side.
N/A
6V
No
No
N/A
Spider-Man Race & Chase (US) Copter Chase (US)
VW Scirocco
Red & White
PT-110
6V
Yes
No
22
No Set Recorded
[edit] | Tags: Positraction Cars | 2>
Car
Paintjob
Part No
Voltage
lights
Magnet
Number on Car
Featured in Sets
Image
BMW 3.0CSL
Silver with blue & red striping and 'Powertrack' on rear wing
16-37-01
6V
Yes
Yes
21
No Set Recorded
Jaguar XJ Series II
White & Dark Green; Mid Green British Leyland & Logo
16-38-01
6V
Yes
Yes
3
No Set Recorded
Porsche 911
Metallic Silver with Metallic red stripe down middle of car
16-39-01
6V
Yes
Yes
5
Jump Cross Championship (US) World Class Racing (US)
Saab 900
Red with White Arrow On Bonnet and White Rear; Number 8 on sides and roof.
16-36-01
6V
Yes
No
8
No Set Recorded
VW Scirocco
White with Red & Blue Diagonal Striping
16-40-01
6V
Yes
Yes
66
World Class Racing (US), Pro-8 Challenge (US), Jump Cross Championship (US)
[edit] | Tags: Track (Powertrack) | 2>
Part number
Description
Sets used on
Length
Country of origin
PT-203 or 14-52-22
Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9" or 22.9 cm
PT-255
Straight Terminal point R & C (for 2 cars)
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9" or 22.9 cm
14-3722
Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
6"
USA
14-3720
Straight Terminal point (for 2 cars)
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9" or 22.9 cm
USA
PT-206 & 14-52-45
Straight
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
15"
PT 202-02
Curve 90 Degree
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9" or 22.9 cm
Hong Kong
PT-208
Curve Banked
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9"
PT-205
Corner 45 Degree
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9"
Hong Kong
PT 204
Straight 6"
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
6"
Hong Kong
PT 256
Bridge Supports
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
N/A
Hong Kong
PT 211
Apron & End pieces
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9"
Hong Kong
PT 302-309
Mains Transformer 6V
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
Hong Kong
PT 251/2
Throttle (R&C: Red/Blue)
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
6"
Hong Kong
PT 210
14-52-63
Tip Bridge 9" (Shell Advertising on side)
Powertrack, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
9"
Hong Kong
14-37-78
Crossroad
Power Track, Circuit Electrique, TurboRennen
15"
[edit] | Tags: Track (Powertrack Plus) | 2>
Part number
Description
Sets used on
Length
Country of origin
PP-201
Straight x 2
All
9"
Hong Kong
PP-204
Straight x 2
All
6"
Hong Kong
PP-206
Straight x 2
All
15"
Hong Kong
PP-205
45 Degree Curve
No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded
6"
Hong Kong
PP-208
Curve Banked
PP-9000
9"
Hong Kong
PP-202
Corner 90 Degree with Barrier x 2
All
9"
Hong Kong
PP-212
Crossroad
No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded
15"
Hong Kong
PP-214
45 Degree Curve x 2
No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded
9"
Hong Kong
PP-213
Cross Over Track x 2
PP-3000
15"
Hong Kong
PP-216
RH & LH Turn-offs
No Powertrack Plus Set Recorded
15"
Hong Kong
PP-217
Cross Over 'Flying Jump'
PP-3000
24"
Hong Kong
PP-210
Tip Bridge
PP-4000(?)
9"
Hong Kong
PP-218
Loop the Loop
PP-9000
15"
Hong Kong
PP-211
Apron & Ends
PP-4000(?)
For PP-202
Hong Kong
PP-207
Bridge Supports
All
N/A
Hong Kong
PP-228
Sticker Set
N/A
N/A
Hong Kong
PP-229
Service Pack
N/A
N/A
Hong Kong
[edit] | Tags: Powertrack Crash Barrier Advertising | 2>
Along the side of the track crash barriers were fitted which featured the following company's logos. Most sets featured grey crash barriers however the Indianapolis 500 set featured red ones.
Bosch
Champion
Ferodo
Goodyear
Castrol GTX
Jägermeister
Martini
Shell
Texaco
[edit] | Tags: PowerTrack Accessories | 2>
Accessory
Part Number
Image
Lapcounter
PT-221
Service Kit
Grandstand Battery Box
Battery Eliminator Power Pack
#14-1024
[edit] | Tags: Powersupply Specification Powertrack | 2>
Part Number 22894 D.C Output 6V 0.7amps 4.2VA (United Kingdom) - Black
Unidentified - Red/Orange (for use on four laned Tracks)
[edit] | Tags: Track supports Powertrack | 2>
Track supports where included with the sets to allow elvated sections of track thus also enabling cars to pass underneath. These connectors could be place together to make the track as high or low as you so desired, typically these pieces where utilised to make a figure of eight circuit.
Colours Available - Grey - Yellow
[edit] | Tags: Lanechanger Sets | 3>
Lane Changer LC 1000 - This set featured cars which could switch lanes at a press of a button on the Controller. (13 ft)
Lane Changer LC 2000 - 25 ft (7.6 m) of track and 3 Chicanes
Lane Changer LC 4000 - RPS or Speedtrack RPS Turbo 4000 - Us version of Lanechanger featuring black hand controllers with Turbo written on them. The RPS in Lanechanger RPS stands for Rack and Pinion Steering.
[edit] | Tags: Lanechanger Cars | 3>
Car
Paintjob
Part No
Number on Car
Image
Country Sold
Lights
BMW M1
Red bonnet White doors and roof Blue tail
LC-106
90
France
Ford Capri
Red With white stripes on roor and Goodyear logo on spoiler
LC-105
66
France, UK, USA
Yes
Martini Porsche
White with red and blue stripes along middle of car
LC-104
2
USA
No
Porsche 935
Blue Bonnet yellow rear with porsche on spoiler
LC-104
15
Kremer Porsche 935
Green with Orange roof
LC-101
3 or 2
UK
Yes
Monza GT
Yellow with red diagonal stripe from front wheel arch to rear spoiler
7
USA
Yes
Monza GT
Blue with yellow wings (yellow stripe down center of bonnet)
LC-102
11
USA
No
Monza GT
White with red roof, red stripes down wings
LC-103
8
USA
Yes
Monza GT
White with red roof, red stripes down wings, painted green headlights
LC-103
1
UK
No
Monza
Red with white wings and chequered flag on spoiler
4
USA
Yes
Super Monza
Yellow with black chevrons down wings
LC-102
12
Porsche
Red with black chequered flag on spoiler
Not
numbered
Molding to accommodate lights
[edit] | Tags: Lane Changer Track and Track accessories | 3>
Part number
Description
Sets used on
Length
LC-202
90 Degree curve
Lanechanger
LC-206
Straight
Lanechanger
LC-209
Chicane
Lanechanger
[edit] | Tags: Lanechanger Trackside Advertising | 2>
Like Powertrack before the Lane changer sets also featured Crash Barrier Advertising and also unlike PowerTrack Advertising on the chicanes, the advertising reflected the time.
Dunlop Tyres
Shell
Phillips
Porsche
Jagermister
Federo
Castrol GTX
Goodyear
[edit] | Tags: Powertrack Worldwide | 2>
Powertrack is branded under different names depending on country
Italy - Turbo Sprint
Hong Kong - Laneshifter
USA - Speedtrack
France - Circuit Electrique
Germany - TurboRennen
[edit] | Tags: Trivia | 2>
The instructions supplied with the sets featured cartoon like cars examples.
To represent a car overheating - A cartoon car sweating with its tongue hanging out.
[edit] | Tags: The Porsche Turbo | 2>
Matchbox produced a Porsche 911 Turbo for their Powertrack and Speedtrack range at launch. The 911 was (and still is) considered de rigueur for slot racing as it is ubiquitous on racing circuits all over the world.
The first Turbo (Mark 1, below) was loosely modelled on the Group 4 930 type. It had wide front wheel arches and 'whale tail' rear wing. In the UK, this was the Green Kremer Powertrack car which was identical to the US light blue/orange car.
However, despite its popularity it was an inferior moulding and short on 'wow' factor. Curiously, it is the only Powertrack/Speedtrack car to have a front axle with spacer bushes on it. This suggests it was a very early Matchbox prototype that could just about pass for production.
When Lanechanger was launched in 1979 Matchbox produced the 935 'Flat nosed' Porsche and this bodyshell was superior in every way to the Powertrack/Speedtrack offering. Matchbox increased its desirability by incorporating the Martini striping of the Works cars from the mid-Seventies.
Intriguingly, when Powertrack Plus was launched in the UK in 1982, the instruction manual included a range of cars 'facelifted' for the new 12V system. Among these was a 'Mark 1' Porsche bodyshell repainted in red to include the new Kremer/Esso Decals.
However, what Matchbox actually produced was a brand new Porsche bodyshell (Mark 2). This was a different mould to the Mark 1 and altogether a superior product.
Collectors will no doubt be seeking the Mark 1 with Esso/Kremer Decals as photographed in the 1981/2 manual. A rare car indeed...
[edit] | Tags: Pre-Production Cars | 2>
Matchbox spent 1976 and 1977 developing cars for the sets. Matchbox needed a fair amount of money to invest in tooling for these cars but its fair to say the early cars are lacking in some detail. Unearthed in the 1978 Speedtrack Catalogue is this fascinating page detailing the state of production in late '77.
[edit] | Tags: Powertrack Pre-Production cars | 3>
The Renault Alpine and Porsche 936 (shown in opposite places to the text) are fairly advanced and if anything represent a more detailed facsimile of the 'production' cars.
The Porsche Turbo and the Corvette (dubbed 'Supervette') look like pre-production cars but apart from wheels and liveries remained unchanged throughout their life (See Porsche Turbo, above). Of interest to this Author is the arrival of the funky VW Scirocco at this stage, given that it did not surface in the UK until 1979/80.
The stand out exhibit here is the Police car. This is clearly a prototype more typical of the 'Street' cars of Tyco/Aurora. It looks far from being resolved and in scale and detail it is clearly a long way from being signed off.
Matchbox must have concentrated a lot of effort on development to get the Police Car to its production intent (Below). The production version was entirely different and had a certain appeal that must have been instrumental to the success of Race & Chase.
Given the launch of Race 'n' Chase in 1978 and the great numbers it sold in both the UK & US this would have been quite a feat.
By 1979 Matchbox were developing additional cars and this brochure packed with the UK Race 'N' Chase included the intriguing examples of familiar cars.
The Red Escort is numbered 1, not 8. The moulding is clearly new and lacking windows. The TR7 is in 'army' green metallic which was not a production colour. Again, it lacked windows. The Fiat too, numbered 22 and a metallic blue with black detailing. The Police car is in evidence and very much redeveloped from its early prototype. The Stingray is actually a Corvette with Stingray colours, not the new Stingray moulding. Only the little VW is unchanged.
[edit] | Tags: Lanechanger Preproduction artwork | 3>
In 1978, Matchbox launched the RPS Lanechanger system. The Cars initially available were either the Chevrolet Monza or the Porsche Turbo. The Chevys had Chassis type 'A' and the Porsches had Chassis type B. The difference was in the pick up shoes on the underside of the cars. A cars had 2 parallel pick ups, B cars had an 'Offset' pick up shoe. This was to anable the cars to be powered independently while using the same lane. It was not possible to use 2 Type A cars or 2 type B cars at the same time.
Matchbox eventually decided to include both pick up shoe types with each car. This was probably to extend its limited range of bodies for Lanechanger.
The artwork above shows renderings for the 1978 Speedtrack catalogue. The actual cars were not ready for photography so these renderings sufficed.
In the track photography (see Lanechanger section above), the Porsche was a white Powertrack body with a red LC Porsche wing. Look closely and the body is not even fitted with a chassis! The Monza was replaced with a silver Powertrack Corvette but curiously does have a Lanechanger Chassis fitted to it...
[edit] | Tags: Crossroads - Intersection | 2>
The 'Crossroad' section of Powertrack is an exciting addition to any layout. However, it only featured in the Copter chase set for the US market. The track did appear in sufficient quantity in the UK around 1980/1 and appears to be a regular on Ebay. The track piece was quite large, consisting effectively of 2 15" track pieces adjacent to each other. Any layout requiring this piece needed a fair amount of room to provide sufficient turn in/run out.
The Powertrack Plus manual of 1981/2 details a Cross road track PP-212 (Above). This piece is clearly a standard 9" section of straight with two female joints half way along the straight. This piece would have enabled the expansion of small sets with limited space and expanded track layout options. However, it did not arrive on the market. Yet again, as with the Porsche Turbo story above, Matchbox seemed keen to redesign existing items rather than design new ones.
In addition to the crossroad, the crossover tracks provide further controversy. The PP-3000 set of 1981 features a 9" section of cross over track, while all other sets and accessories in the UK & US feature 15" cross overs. Perhaps if Powertrack Plus has really taken off then the 9" crossover would have become a widely available accessory - but as it stands the PP-3000 is a must for anyone requiring a 9" Crossover.
[edit] | Tags: Counterlane | 2>
Matchbox sold some of its excess stock to a company called Dapol who rebranded it as Counterlane Dapol reboxed cars and sold them on. When Dapol decided to stop selling Counterlane the remaining stock was sold to Proops who were electrical retailers in London, items were reboxed again in plain white boxes. Below is pictured such a rebranded car, in this instance an unknown Lanechanger car. Sets were also reboxed and sold by counterlane which today are extremely rare.
[edit] | Tags: Hybrid Cars | 2>
It is possible to place the Matchbox Powertrack Chassis into other shells and in some instances making the cars physically bigger. The table below pictures such examples, however the origin of such cars is yet to be established.
Body
Body Origin
Colour
Compatible with
Head Lights
Image
Ferrari F40
Possible Scalextric
Light Blue
PowerTrack
Yes
[edit] | Tags: External links | 2>
Lane Changer
TurboRennen (site in German)
EVERYTHING on Powertrack/Speedtrack & Lanechanger
Matchbox F1 HO Slot Cars
Matchbox Speedtrack RPS - Lanechanger pictures (site in German)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Powertrack&oldid=483747493"
Categories: Slot car brands1980s toysHidden categories: Use dmy dates from September 2010
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