Aurora AFX Slot Car History
"The AFX cars are here" proclaimed the 1971 color catalog. First noted as A/FX. They stood for Aurora Factory Experimentals. These were cars so fast they left all the others at the starting line. The first AFX cars were introduced 1971. Some Thunderjet cars stayed in the Aurora catalog in 1971 and 1972, but by 1973 all Aurora cars were AFX.
* In 1972 and 1973 Aurora offered an HO slot car (AFX Super II) which incorporated all the hop-up techniques used by pro slot racers. The body is vacuformed and attaches to the front with pins. Long lead weights are slung under the nose and along chassis sides. 1972 issues have braided pickups; 1973 have regular pickup shoes.
* In 1975 Magna-Traction cars appeared, and most of the earlier AFX cars were converted. AFX bodies snap onto the plastic chassis. In 1975 the AFX chassis was modified to lower the motor magnets close to the metal power strips in Aurora track. Magnetic attraction would thus hold the cars to the track during operation. Magnets show through the chassis bottom. Most existing AFX car bodies were modified to fit the new chassis; all subsequent new cars featured Magna-Traction.
* Late 1975 saw the introduction of the G-Plus series of new cars with an in-line motor - a total departure for Aurora. The in line armature and magnets are visible from the underside of the chassis. The earliest cars have Mabuchi motors, the first featured Singapore made Aurora motors. bodies snap onto ears on chassis sides.
* By 1976, many Aurora slot car innovators had left or were laid off. AFX slot cars began a long journey of ownership changes.
* In November 1977 AFX was purchased by British conglomerate Dunbee-Combex-Marx. Overnight, Aurora became a division of Louse Marx & Company. Aurora's offices were cleaned out and locked up. Aurora assets were transferred to Marx headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. The move was brief; Dunbee-Combex-Marx incurred enormous debts in building its empire, and everything fell apart in 1980.
* AFX was purchased by Aurora Canada in 1981 and then in 1984 by Tomy Kogyo Ltd. of Japan
Follow Aurora through the timeline of recent American toy history and you will find its slot cars defining the toy purchasing habits of two generations. Perhaps most enduring is the fact that Aurora slot cars represent halcyon days of childhood play in a way that no other toy of the time ever could.
It is very difficult to catagorize the AFX cars as the numerical order showed no rhyme or reason. I won't cover all the body colors as there is so many, but I will list all the car types by number. The below reference Information is great for matching car body and number with correct chassis. The numbers listed below can be found on the inside of the body (excluding Super II).
AFX SUPER II
1788-880 Super II (1972 - 73)
1788-881 Super II (1973)
AFX STANDARD (non magna-traction)
1702 Grand Am funny car (1974)
1703 Corvette "A" production (1974)
1745 Datsun Baja pickup (1974)
1746 1929 Model A Woody (1974)
1747 Porsche 917-10K Can-Am (1974)
1748 Dodge Street Van (1974)
1751 Ferrari Can-Am 612 (1971 - 74)
1752 Auto World McLaren XLR (1971 - 74)
1753 Dodge Daytona Charger (1971 - 74)
1754 "Too Much" (1971 - 74)
1755 "Turbo Turnon" (1971 - 74)
1756 Trans-Am Camaro Z-28 (1971 - 74)
1757 Porsche 917 (1971 - 74)
1758 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda funny car (1971 - 74)
1759 1971 Vega Van "Gasser" (1971 - 74)
1760 1957 Chevy Nomad (1971 - 74)
1761 Pinto funny car (1972 - 74)
1762 Plymouth Road Runner stock car (1972 - 74)
1763 Ferrari 512 M (1972 - 74)
1764 Javelin Trans-Am (1972 - 74)
1765 Javelin pro stocker (1972 - 74)
1766 Corvette funny car (1972 - 74)
1767 Lola T-260 Can-Am (1972 - 74)
1768 Shadow Can-Am (1972 - 74)
1769 Ford "Baja Bronco" (1972 - 74)
1773 Dodge Charger stock car (1972 - 74)
1775 Bre-Datsun 240Z (1973 - 74)
1776 Bre-Datsun 510 Trans-Am (1973 - 74)
1777 1955 Chevy Bel Air (1973 - 74)
1778 VW "Baja Bug" (1973 - 74)
1781 Roarin' Rolls "Golden Ghost" (1973 - 74)
1782 Peace Tank (1973 - 74)
1786 Porsche 510K Can-Am (1973 - 74)
1787 Matador stock car (1973 - 74)
1791 '31 Model A Ford panel (1973 - 74)
AFX FLAMETHROWERS
1798 Flamethrower Porsche 917 (1972 - 74)
1799 Flamethrower Ferrari 512 M (1972 - 74)
1973 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Porsche 917 (1975 - 77)
1974 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Ferrari 512 M (1975 - 77)
1975 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Chevelle stocker (1977)
1976 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Charger Daytona (1977)
AFX DRAGSTERS
1772 Dodge Fever (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1961 Dodge Fever (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1774 Furious Fueler (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1962 Furious Fueler (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1792 Aztec (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1963 Aztec (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1794 Dyno-Mite (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1964 Dyno-Mite (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
AFX MAGNA-TRACTION
1900 Dodge Charger (1975 - 77)
1901 Camaro Z-28 (1975 - 77)
1902 Porsche 917 (1975 - 77)
1903 1957 Chevy Nomad (1975 - 77)
1904 Plymouth Road Runner (1975 - 77)
1905 Ferrari 512 M (1975 - 77)
1906 Javelin AMX Trans-Am (1975 - 77)
1907 Lola T-260 Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1908 Shadow Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1909 Ford "Baja Bronco" (1975 - 77)
1910 Dodge Charger stock car (1975 - 77)
1911 Bre-Datsun 240Z (1975 - 77)
1912 Bre-Datsun 510 Trans-Am (1975 - 77)
1913 1955 Chevy Bel Air (1975 - 77)
1914 "Baja Bug" VW (1975 - 77)
1915 Porsche 510K Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1916 AMC Matador stock car (1975)
1919 Datsun Baja pickup (1975 - 77)
1920 1929 Model A Woody (1975 - 77)
1921 Porsche 917-10 Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1922 Dodge Street Van (1975 - 77)
1923 Roarin' Rolls "Golden Ghost" (1975 - 77)
1924 Peace Tank (1975 - 77)
1925 1931 Model A Ford panel (1975 - 77)
1926 Grand Am funny car (1975 - 77)
1927 Corvette "A" Production (1975 - 77)
1928 1930 Model A Ford coupe (1975 - 77)
1929 Chevelle stocker (1975 - 77)
1930 AMC Matador stock car (1975 - 77)
1931 VW Thing (1975 - 77)
1932 Mercury stocker (1976 - 77)
1933 Porsche Carrera (1976 - 77)
1934 Vega funny car (1976 - 77)
1935 Capri funny car (1976 - 77)
1936 VW Thing roadster (1976 - 77)
1937 Dodge Van rescue vehicle (1976 - 77)
1938 Matador police car (1977)
1939 Matador taxi (1977)
1941 1956 Ford pickup (1977)
1942 Custom Van (1977)
AFX G-PLUS
1731 Lola T-330 (1976 - 77)
1732 Ferrari 312 PB (1976 - 77)
1733 McLaren F-1 (1976 - 77)
1734 Ferrari F-1 (1976 - 77)
1735 Indy Special (1976 - 77)
1736 Ferrari Daytona coupe (1976 - 77)
1737 Rallye Ford Escort (1977)
* In 1972 and 1973 Aurora offered an HO slot car (AFX Super II) which incorporated all the hop-up techniques used by pro slot racers. The body is vacuformed and attaches to the front with pins. Long lead weights are slung under the nose and along chassis sides. 1972 issues have braided pickups; 1973 have regular pickup shoes.
* In 1975 Magna-Traction cars appeared, and most of the earlier AFX cars were converted. AFX bodies snap onto the plastic chassis. In 1975 the AFX chassis was modified to lower the motor magnets close to the metal power strips in Aurora track. Magnetic attraction would thus hold the cars to the track during operation. Magnets show through the chassis bottom. Most existing AFX car bodies were modified to fit the new chassis; all subsequent new cars featured Magna-Traction.
* Late 1975 saw the introduction of the G-Plus series of new cars with an in-line motor - a total departure for Aurora. The in line armature and magnets are visible from the underside of the chassis. The earliest cars have Mabuchi motors, the first featured Singapore made Aurora motors. bodies snap onto ears on chassis sides.
* By 1976, many Aurora slot car innovators had left or were laid off. AFX slot cars began a long journey of ownership changes.
* In November 1977 AFX was purchased by British conglomerate Dunbee-Combex-Marx. Overnight, Aurora became a division of Louse Marx & Company. Aurora's offices were cleaned out and locked up. Aurora assets were transferred to Marx headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. The move was brief; Dunbee-Combex-Marx incurred enormous debts in building its empire, and everything fell apart in 1980.
* AFX was purchased by Aurora Canada in 1981 and then in 1984 by Tomy Kogyo Ltd. of Japan
Follow Aurora through the timeline of recent American toy history and you will find its slot cars defining the toy purchasing habits of two generations. Perhaps most enduring is the fact that Aurora slot cars represent halcyon days of childhood play in a way that no other toy of the time ever could.
It is very difficult to catagorize the AFX cars as the numerical order showed no rhyme or reason. I won't cover all the body colors as there is so many, but I will list all the car types by number. The below reference Information is great for matching car body and number with correct chassis. The numbers listed below can be found on the inside of the body (excluding Super II).
AFX SUPER II
1788-880 Super II (1972 - 73)
1788-881 Super II (1973)
AFX STANDARD (non magna-traction)
1702 Grand Am funny car (1974)
1703 Corvette "A" production (1974)
1745 Datsun Baja pickup (1974)
1746 1929 Model A Woody (1974)
1747 Porsche 917-10K Can-Am (1974)
1748 Dodge Street Van (1974)
1751 Ferrari Can-Am 612 (1971 - 74)
1752 Auto World McLaren XLR (1971 - 74)
1753 Dodge Daytona Charger (1971 - 74)
1754 "Too Much" (1971 - 74)
1755 "Turbo Turnon" (1971 - 74)
1756 Trans-Am Camaro Z-28 (1971 - 74)
1757 Porsche 917 (1971 - 74)
1758 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda funny car (1971 - 74)
1759 1971 Vega Van "Gasser" (1971 - 74)
1760 1957 Chevy Nomad (1971 - 74)
1761 Pinto funny car (1972 - 74)
1762 Plymouth Road Runner stock car (1972 - 74)
1763 Ferrari 512 M (1972 - 74)
1764 Javelin Trans-Am (1972 - 74)
1765 Javelin pro stocker (1972 - 74)
1766 Corvette funny car (1972 - 74)
1767 Lola T-260 Can-Am (1972 - 74)
1768 Shadow Can-Am (1972 - 74)
1769 Ford "Baja Bronco" (1972 - 74)
1773 Dodge Charger stock car (1972 - 74)
1775 Bre-Datsun 240Z (1973 - 74)
1776 Bre-Datsun 510 Trans-Am (1973 - 74)
1777 1955 Chevy Bel Air (1973 - 74)
1778 VW "Baja Bug" (1973 - 74)
1781 Roarin' Rolls "Golden Ghost" (1973 - 74)
1782 Peace Tank (1973 - 74)
1786 Porsche 510K Can-Am (1973 - 74)
1787 Matador stock car (1973 - 74)
1791 '31 Model A Ford panel (1973 - 74)
AFX FLAMETHROWERS
1798 Flamethrower Porsche 917 (1972 - 74)
1799 Flamethrower Ferrari 512 M (1972 - 74)
1973 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Porsche 917 (1975 - 77)
1974 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Ferrari 512 M (1975 - 77)
1975 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Chevelle stocker (1977)
1976 Magna-Traction Flamethrower Charger Daytona (1977)
AFX DRAGSTERS
1772 Dodge Fever (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1961 Dodge Fever (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1774 Furious Fueler (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1962 Furious Fueler (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1792 Aztec (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1963 Aztec (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
1794 Dyno-Mite (non Magna-traction) (1973 - 74)
1964 Dyno-Mite (Magna-Traction) (1975 - 76)
AFX MAGNA-TRACTION
1900 Dodge Charger (1975 - 77)
1901 Camaro Z-28 (1975 - 77)
1902 Porsche 917 (1975 - 77)
1903 1957 Chevy Nomad (1975 - 77)
1904 Plymouth Road Runner (1975 - 77)
1905 Ferrari 512 M (1975 - 77)
1906 Javelin AMX Trans-Am (1975 - 77)
1907 Lola T-260 Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1908 Shadow Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1909 Ford "Baja Bronco" (1975 - 77)
1910 Dodge Charger stock car (1975 - 77)
1911 Bre-Datsun 240Z (1975 - 77)
1912 Bre-Datsun 510 Trans-Am (1975 - 77)
1913 1955 Chevy Bel Air (1975 - 77)
1914 "Baja Bug" VW (1975 - 77)
1915 Porsche 510K Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1916 AMC Matador stock car (1975)
1919 Datsun Baja pickup (1975 - 77)
1920 1929 Model A Woody (1975 - 77)
1921 Porsche 917-10 Can-Am (1975 - 77)
1922 Dodge Street Van (1975 - 77)
1923 Roarin' Rolls "Golden Ghost" (1975 - 77)
1924 Peace Tank (1975 - 77)
1925 1931 Model A Ford panel (1975 - 77)
1926 Grand Am funny car (1975 - 77)
1927 Corvette "A" Production (1975 - 77)
1928 1930 Model A Ford coupe (1975 - 77)
1929 Chevelle stocker (1975 - 77)
1930 AMC Matador stock car (1975 - 77)
1931 VW Thing (1975 - 77)
1932 Mercury stocker (1976 - 77)
1933 Porsche Carrera (1976 - 77)
1934 Vega funny car (1976 - 77)
1935 Capri funny car (1976 - 77)
1936 VW Thing roadster (1976 - 77)
1937 Dodge Van rescue vehicle (1976 - 77)
1938 Matador police car (1977)
1939 Matador taxi (1977)
1941 1956 Ford pickup (1977)
1942 Custom Van (1977)
AFX G-PLUS
1731 Lola T-330 (1976 - 77)
1732 Ferrari 312 PB (1976 - 77)
1733 McLaren F-1 (1976 - 77)
1734 Ferrari F-1 (1976 - 77)
1735 Indy Special (1976 - 77)
1736 Ferrari Daytona coupe (1976 - 77)
1737 Rallye Ford Escort (1977)