• Discover Slot Cars

• Learn Slot Car Scales & Manufacturers

• Race and Collect Slot Cars

• Find Slot Cars on eBay

• Buy Slot Cars With Confidence

Discover Slot Cars

Discover Slot Cars

Slot car racing has been around for over 40 years. It consists of racing model cars with electric motors around a wooden or plastic track. Slot car tracks can be of almost any design, but long ovals with a handful of switchbacks are the most popular.

Along the center of each lane is a deep groove called a slot. The slot car’s engine gets power from electric lines on either side of the slot.

The slot cars are made of a body, engine, gears, tires, shocks, and often magnets. The magnets apply a downward pressure to help in cornering, but if you use too many, you can sacrifice performance or burn out your motor.

Slot cars are only held in the slot by gravity (and maybe a light magnet), so if you go too fast your car can “de-slot,” which means you’ll lose power. And that’s the secret to slot car racing: go as fast as possible without “de-slotting.”

The strategy in slot car racing is to go as fast as possible on the straightaways, but then slow down in the corners to keep yourself from de-slotting. It is legal to “bump” the car in the next lane when cornering in hopes of de-slotting your opponent. Many beginners try this tactic, and while it works occasionally, most experts think focusing on your own race and getting into a rhythm are much more successful long-term tactics.

Learn Slot Car Scales & Manufacturers

Learn Slot Car Scales & Manufacturers

Scale determines the size of your slot cars and track. The three most popular slot cars scales are: 1/64, 1/32, and 1/24.

• 1/64 scale slot cars: 1/64 scale slot cars, also known as HO slot cars, are the smallest size, which makes them a great companion for model trains. The 1/64 scale size also means you can have a larger track with the same amount of space and it is generally less expensive than other scales of slot cars.   

• 1/32 scale slot cars: 1/32 scale slot cars are the most common. You’ll find the widest range of ready-to-go cars in this scale and a wide assortment of 1/32 slot car tracks and accessories.   

• 1/24 scale slot cars: 1/24 scale slot cars are the largest size slot cars available. These cars come in amazing detail and are highly customizable. However, the large size means you’ll need more room for tracks.

Artin slot cars, Carrera slot cars, Ninco slot cars, Fly slot cars, Monogram slot cars, Johnny Lightning slot cars, and Scalextric slot cars are some of the most popular slot car brands available.

• Artin slot cars: Artin slot cars and tracks are among the most affordable today. Hard plastic track and durable cars also make Artin a good brand for beginners. They’re upgradeable too, so if you find that you like the hobby, they can grow with you.    

• Carrera slot cars: Carrera makes the only slot car tracks in 1/24 scale. These large plastic tracks provide an excellent racing surface, but the large scale will take up more space than a 1/32 scale track.

• Ninco slot cars: Ninco slot car tracks are wide, flexible and the transformers provide ample power. Ninco also makes some of the most detailed slot cars in the business.     

• Scalextric slot cars: Scalextric has a thinner 1/32 scale slot car track. It’s made of a flexible plastic and offers a wide range of specialty slot car tracks.    

• Monogram slot cars: Venerable hobby manufacturer Monogram/Revell has been in the slot car business since the early days, and on eBay you’ll find both vintage and modern slot cars in 1/32 and 1/24 scale.    

• Fly slot cars: Fly makes higher-end slot cars in both 1/32 scale and 1/24 scale.     

• Johnny Lightning slot cars: Johnny Lightning slot cars are offered in HO scale.

Race and Collect Slot Cars

Race and Collect Slot Cars

It is easy to get started in slot car racing. All the major manufacturers offer slot car sets that include everything you need to build your own track. Whether you’re looking for modern slot cars (1970-Now), vintage slot cars (Pre-1970), or slot car accessories, you’ll find everything you need on eBay to stay on track.

Get essential slot car gear

Cars, track, transformers, controllers, and any other accessories you need come prepackaged in a beginner’s slot car set. Sets range from simple two-lane setups to grand four-lane tracks with crisscrosses.

The main thing to determine when getting started is how much you’re willing to spend and how much room you have. Whichever set you buy, it’s recommended that it has at least one 6-foot straightaway. This lets you really get the slot cars up to speed and makes you carefully judge when you’re going to need to let off the throttle to safely make the turn.

Collect vintage slot cars

Slot car racing has been around since the ‘60s and many of the people who enjoyed it then are discovering slot cars all over again.

The earliest cars were home-made from electric train parts, and the bodies were often carved from wood. Lionel, of model train fame, actually made some of the first slot cars. These vintage slot cars come in the same scales as modern slot cars: 1/64, 1/32, and 1/24. That means many can be raced on comparable tracks today.

The other great thing is that the technology really hasn’t changed that much since the ‘60s, so a tuned-out vintage slot car can still race along with some of the newest ones available today.

Explore slot car accessories

Once you come up to speed, there’s a world of accessories to choose from. You’ll find a wide variety to choose from on eBay, including slot car cases, slot car cabinets and displays, lap counters, specialty tracks, Chicanes (squeezes) and crisscrosses, landscaping and trees, figures, buildings, grandstands, spare wheels and tires, slot tape, throttles and controllers, and more that will help you create the ultimate raceway.

Find Slot Cars on eBay

Find Slot Cars on eBay

Once you know what type of slot cars you want, go to the Toys & Hobbies portal, click Slot Cars, and start searching for item listings on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Modern, Vintage, and Other. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by brand.     

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find 1/24 scale slot cars, type "1/24 1:24 slot cars" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

eBay Toy Finder can also help you find hot and award-winning toys appropriate for kids of any age.

Buy Slot Cars With Confidence

Buy Slot Cars With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.