While driving on the freeways of the bay area you may often hear me exclaim, “jam car” in reference to singular or multiple Prius hybrids jamming up the lanes. This would not be the first time for phrases shouted in cars. Because people often look at me like I have lobsters coming out my eyes when I say jam car, an explanation. Jam car refers to the original jam car, shown here. This third car came as part of the Total Control Racing sets made by the IDEAL toy company. Unlike conventional slot cars, the TCR race cars could be steered from lane to lane via a button on the controller. The jam car, much like Prius hybrids, moved around the track slowly, and would change lanes at random. Jam car shown available here.
You just sent me into a twenty minute spiral of looking up current slot car offerings.
Toyota Prius; the anti-car. Scourge of enthusiasts everywhere and darling of Segway-owning, left lane apathetic drones.
Wow, I had totally forgotten about TCR (and I wanted a set SO bad when I was a kid). Funny I knew instantly what you meant when you said “Jam Car”, though.
Oh man, I had one of those TCR sets as a kid. Thanks for the sending me down memory lane. And Myron, thanks for my morning laugh, perfect description!
Ah, the Jam Car!! I had forgotten all about that, but it’s the *perfect* description. Consider that one added to my automotive vocabulary.
I think I had the later Matchbox version of this…but yeah…slot cars that changed lanes were second only to Breakout from Bad City, a slot car set up that sprung a ramp out of the track after the 10th lap, launching the cars into a building.
Go to 7:07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-CHuvovB10
It didn’t take long before we set it up to see how far down the hallway we could get them.
I never got to experience the joy of slot cars as a kid, so the title of this track from Brazilian electronica group “Golden Shower” had escaped me until now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPCrDqIRqKw
I think any fan of the ’80s can appreciate this video.
@evostevo
Love that video.