Reprotec cars, good? bad? Somewhere in the middle?

[Michael Squier]

What are your opinions of Reprotec cars? I’m assuming they are on the level of Scalextric and other “toy” level cars. I just ordered a Cobra and am anticipating it’s arrival. Curious because I hadn’t heard of this brand and don’t see much rotten about them.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

First of all, you are misinformed about Scalextric. A long time ago, Scaley made toy-like cars, and they still have an intro line of indestructibles for kids. Scaley slot cars are one of the two largest and most popular slots in the world. Both of the two biggest avoid stupid fast, for a much better slot car experience. As to Reprotec, they were a small outfit that sold worldwide (I think they were in Spain), and they were cheap. They didn't work hard on getting the colors correct, or accurate liveries, and I always wondered if they bought bodies from elsewhere or had them made. They've been gone a long time, and once in a while, you can get their best bodies from someone selling off old cars. They were closely connected to SCX/GB Track, I believe, and they did have some fun bodies to build chassis for. The Fiat 500 and the Abarth were great. I didn't think much of their Cobras.

[Michael Squier]

Thanks for the comment, when I say “toy” level I think most people know what I mean. Home use mass produced, but still great fun, I have a few of them. Scalextric being the Keenex brand of slot cars is why I used that name. No need to defend them, I know what they are.
Your assessment of Reprotec helps, I won’t expect to much when I get it, but will still be happy to have a Cobra in my fleet.

[Silberpfeil]

Dig their 1:32 Mercedes 250 SL variants….

[dge467]

I have a Cobra. Detail is ok. The wheels aren't true though. Like they were put on the axles crooked. With a bit of work though they run all right. I think I paid $10 bucks for it used.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I have seen a Reprotec Cobra that a guy fixed up. He built a brass chassis, taking care of the stance problem, used wider wheels and shaved just a little from the wheel openings. He added details from his junk box, bought really fine decals, put in lights, and sold it for $175. I'm pretty sure he got it free from a guy who was quitting. I still didn't like the shape, but that was a good lookin' Reprotec.

[Michael Squier]

The one I’m getting is the orange one with the small windscreen. Lol, I know I can hear it already, an Orange Cobra! Well, it was reasonable and I wanted it. I can see from the pictures that the shape isn’t perfect. How does it compare to the Ninco, those seem a little better scale wise in pictures anyway.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

What you have to look for is which Cobra is being modeled. The famous 427 Cobra has different dimensions and is easily exaggerated by manufacturers. The AC Cobra is so much more narrow, it is sometimes made to look like a much larger, bigger car that is out of scale.

Do you have a paint plan?

[Michael Squier]

I will probably leave the body as is, at least for now. I’ve been trying to find a picture of a number 6 that ran at riverside in 1966 but haven’t had any luck, that what the packaging claims this one is. The search has shown me how many different bulges and flares etc. the Cobras have had though. Some great old picture on the web. For now I just need to see how it runs.

[williamg]

Had a couple reprotec cobras, the tires and wheels are junk. Tires have mold teats and not round at all. Wheels crooked.
1 of my cobras the crown gear was cracked in 2 places and fell apart trying to make a lap.
The drive line replaced they can be fun. Just be prepared to do tinkering before you make a successful lap.

[Austin]

I have two, slot it axle and gears. Slotcar corner 15x7 wheels with quick slick tires. Looks and runs great.

[Michael Squier]

I got my Reprotec Cobra today. I’ll have to takes some pictures and do a review. This one certainly fits in the toy category, but it’s got plenty of potential. I love it!

[4380r]

First of all, you are misinformed about Scalextric. A long time ago, Scaley made toy-like cars, and they still have an intro line of indestructibles for kids. Scaley slot cars are one of the two largest and most popular slots in the world. Both of the two biggest avoid stupid fast, for a much better slot car experience. As to Reprotec, they were a small outfit that sold worldwide (I think they were in Spain), and they were cheap. They didn't work hard on getting the colors correct, or accurate liveries, and I always wondered if they bought bodies from elsewhere or had them made. They've been gone a long time, and once in a while, you can get their best bodies from someone selling off old cars. They were closely connected to SCX/GB Track, I believe, and they did have some fun bodies to build chassis for. The Fiat 500 and the Abarth were great. I didn't think much of their Cobras.

Compared to cars from NSR, Slot,it, Revo, Avant, and a few others, most modern Scalextric cars are toylike. Nothing wrong with that if you run a one brand class (in that case I’d run Carrera, inexpensive and crazy fun to drive). But the best Scalextric car can’t keep up with the worst Slotit car.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Did you miss the part about "stupid fast"?