What's worng with AUTO ART??

[Json8tr]

I'm perplexed I don't know why slotters don't crave this stuff. They're not the fastest cars but they are very detailed and run pretty good. Why don't people like them? Retailers won't carry it and I don't know anyone other then myself that owns one. One thing for sure they make different models then the rest of the slot companies. And not cranking out the same 'ol same old! Some beautiful Lambo's and Porsche's and personally I think their rally cars are the best looking, hands down. So what gives??

[geno]

I have a Red Ford Gt great looking car but didn't run well on my Ninco track. I have a wood track
now and recently tried it and was surprized at how well it ran with no tuning.

[masmojo]

RE: Autoart

Well, I have probably a dozen Autoarts & I confess that most of them have never left their boxes! BUT, I have run the Muira & C-type Jaguars and while niether is particularly fast they are good fun to drive! I think the major beef I have with AA is that the do things in a pretty non-slotcar company way; This can be good, but it can also be bad! Some of the components are a little cheezy looking and still others a little funky! The wheels and tires are not generally done in the way that most people in the industry do theirs.

Theyre just a little different; if they kicked it up a notch they might be able to compete with some of the other makes, but they do lean towards looks over function!

[Manimmal]

i have 5 of the beasties and only the veyron still has stock tyres, so for me the tyres is the problem. it's not just a case of fitting another set either, the rims are odd sizes and are too nice to swap out for something a tyre will fit onto.
Mine are all road cars so they see fast cruizing laps only. when i put one on the track very often there are several comments on the beauty of these models, i think they're worth the effort.

[ra7c7er]

I can't say I know anyone who "craves" Auto Art stuff. I know some people who buys there stuff because of the looks. I think Auto has probably the best looking cars out but they do lack in running quality. That said you can usually make them run very well with little work. Auto Art is a dicast brand first and a slot car brand second and that is how, in my opinion, most people look at them.

[RalliTEK WRX]

Buy a Subaru rally car and you will see why no one wants them- even at the $19.99 price I paid at the online hobby shop- I felt cheated. The newer stuff is better but you know what they say about first impressions...

[svanaken]

I've the C Jag and after a motor change to something more sedate, and the addition of silicones, it is a nice running car and fun to putt around the track. Still can't get over the child driver, though.

Scott

[Json8tr]

well said

I can't say I know anyone who "craves" Auto Art stuff. I know some people who buys there stuff because of the looks. I think Auto has probably the best looking cars out but they do lack in running quality. That said you can usually make them run very well with little work. Auto Art is a dicast brand first and a slot car brand second and that is how, in my opinion, most people look at them.

Well, said. From what I heard they were an offshoot of UT models/Pauls model art and ventued into slot cars. Could explain the awesome paint job and interior detail but runs like an old scx car.

[borninthe50s]

Auto Art slots are pretty inexpensive, so it doesn't cost a lot of money to get them running right if you're so inclined. I like my C-type and I fixed up a red mustang for my daughter who loves the late model street version. I wish they did more cars from the early 50's and 60's. I'd really like to see them do some of the early F1 or Indy stuff that Cartrix is doing. My guess is that it would have more detail for less money. 50s

[rixvette]

I changed to K&D tires on my C Jag and it runs great on wood. A little weight tuning in the next few races and I should have a contender on my hands. Plenty of motor and smooth acceleration. My other Auto Art is the M3 BMW racer. I had to motor up that one for the class that I am running but it is already a contender.

[60Ford]

I have the 2005 Mustang GT When I first tried on my track didn't go well. Remove the rear chassis screw and wow what a diff. Runs really well now. Could use the rear tires glued on. Great Lights to.

[Zoom Beedo]

Jason, I've got both the C and D type Jags, and aside from the tiny driver (what's up with that?), they're great looking cars. I never run them because my group hasn't been racing anything like them. I'm with borninthe50s on the older F1 cars, I would love to see them do those, and they would probably be more reasonably priced. I would also like to see them do some late '50s/early '60s sports cars to go with the C and D types. Making their running gear more compatible with the rest of the industry would also probably be a smart move.

Jim

[ElSecundo]

Jason, I see the problem this way. The AutoArt cars are not great race cars, generally, so they take good tuners to turn them into great race cars. The good tuners are generally (repeat, generally) more interested in racing, and bringing AutoArt cars up to racing potential is more work than they are worth.

As a result, the people who are in the market for AutoArt cars make up a small group -- either good tuners who aren't into racing all that much, or guys who like the looks of their cars above all else (and don't care too much about how they run). For the people who fall into these groups, they just love their AutoArt cars. For what these people do, AutoArt makes a fantastic car.

This is just a theory I have, so don't take it as gospel.

Personally, their C and D-type Jags are two of my favorites, but they don't get much running time. They're actually very good mag cars.

[dr vanski]

Amen, brother. Life is short. Race hard.

[rixvette]

My group has a vintage class that so far has been dominated by the Ninco Corvettes and an occasional Jag roadster. I find that the C Jag has sufficient motor and set my sites on tires and chassis tuning. First, I dropped the body down a 1/6" and added a small amount of weight on each side under the chassis. It's getting better each race.