Scalextric (Shire Library)

Scalextric, the ultimate boys' toy, hit the toyshops in 1957. The first ever electric slot-car system, with uncontrollable tinplate cars running on heavy rubber track, it brought the speed and glamor of motor racing to suburban living rooms up and down the land. Classic marques of the day such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lotus featured in the early 60s scalextric sets and over the years that followed all the classic Formula 1 battles were re-created in schoolboy form, followed by sports cars, rally cars, and classic film re-creations such as the James Bond set of 1968, Batman and Knight Rider.

Jon Mountfort casts a nostalgic eye on the history of scalextric, stirring memories of the excitement of the cars flying round the track, often falling off and hitting the wall, another week's pocket money being saved for a brand new green Bentley or yellow Porsche. Re-live your childhood with this colorful and evoking history.

Jon Mountfort is a freelance technical author who received his first Scalextric set for Christmas in 1964. Much later, he cleared out the attic and foolishly gave it all away. He has regretted it ever since. Having written many books on computing and software, he has now collected all the cars and sets he never had as a child and has written a book about these instead.