Classic Industries
Founded by Sam Bergman, a wealthy 30-year
old oil-heir in 1964, Classic started by selling a sidewinder aluminum frame
also used by BZ, and obtained from an outside supplier. The Classic version was
silver-anodized. Bergman hired well-known industrial designer, John Power, to
engineer a car that could be taken straight out of the box and win races,
something that just did not exist at the time. John created the Manta Ray, a
simple car powered by Classic’s version of the FT36. Sold in a display box with
a spare Lotus 30 body, the Manta Ray was an incredible success and this even
though it cost nearly twice as much as a typical kit. Over one million were
sold. The rather ungainly orange car greatly appealed to the younger crowd, to
the dismay of scale fanatics. Purists quickly named them “thingies”, and the
name stuck. Powers designed a second car, the Viper, and a third, the Asp, which
were equally successful. Classic, now run by expatriate Latvian Ilmars Kersels,
was firmly established in the RTR and kit market, working 24 hours a day on
three shifts.
My Dad owned a Hobby Shop that closed in the early 1970's, and he kept some of the more interesting slot cars and accessories from that era. The items I am listing are in most cases, near new or gently used. I have taken many pictures to show every angle and have tried to describe all features and/or flaws to the best of my ability. Please email with any questions specific to something I may have missed. Please check my other listings as I will be selling many cars, accessories and track in all three scales-- HO, 1/32nd, and 1/24th. If you don't see the car or part you are looking for, please email me. If I have it, I will list it for you. Many of the items in my inventory are NEW OLD STOCK.
These items come from a non-smoking environment.
Please look carefully at the pictures. We do our best to accurately describe each item, condition of the item and any defects.
If you have any questions regarding shipping or the item, please email us BEFORE you bid or buy.
The Shipping/Handling Fee, includes our cost for packaging materials, postage and Delivery Confirmation, but NOT insurance. Fees shown are for USA Delivery ONLY.
**FOREIGN BUYERS please email for correct shipping fees BEFORE PAYING FOR YOUR ITEMS**
PLEASE NOTE: If we over-estimate the shipping fee we always refund the overage back to you.
Thanks for looking and Happy Shopping!