I guess it’s too late now, but I bought a slot car racing set for Mr. HP. He’s always talked about how he loved slot car racing as a kid. I remember back in the 60’s, you would see slot car ‘parlors’ in all the strip malls. I guess my question is–would any of you mature guys feel insulted or stupid to get a slot car set at your current age? Mr. HP is 57. I hope he won’t just laugh at me. I just wanted to get him something he’d enjoy. Tell me how you’d feel about it. :smack:
I’d like it. But I’m only 22, and would hardly consider myself “mature”. I assume I’m not alone in thinking that toy shops still have lots of interesting things in them.
I’m sixty and I used to race slot cars in the sixties. I’d probably laugh, but with affection and appreciation and amusement. Then I’d play with the set for a little while till I got the memory experience out of my system, and then I’d probably put it away somewhere and more or less forget about it.
But I’d continue to appreciate/love you for the thought. 
P.S. - And I most definately would not feel insulted or stupid.
Thanks so much for your replies. I feel better now!
I’m sure he will love the thought, I would (53). The parlor I went to as kid had a track that was about 30 feet long. Now if you got him one of those I’m sure he’ll go nuts!
My local hobby store has a huge slot car set up in a side room where you can race your car(s). Let me tell you, guys over the age of 40 outnumber the kids in there by about 10 to 1. I don’t do it myself but it seems like there is a pretty active community who meet there on a fairly regular basis. I would guess that if he liked it as a kid, he’d love it as an adult.
There used to one of those parlors near us, and I don’t mean in the '60s. This was, like, 5 years ago.
I’m almost 40 and would think it was a fun gift. In fact I can’t wait for my son to get old enough to want one, so I can buy it for [del]myself[/del] him.
But then again, I play with electric trains, so I may not be a good one to ask.
He’s a guy.
Guys like toys. Toys with nostalgia value, like slot cars, are likely to be the “big hit” of Christmas among all the male members of your tribe/gathering. Do not be surprised if, as soon as practical after the gift exchange deal, all male members of same dissappear to assemble, examine, and most importantly, play with, said slot car set.
It has a 45 ft. track! We’ve downsized into a smaller home. I think about the only place he can set it up is on the pool table! It has lots of curves and elevated ramps–the box says it’s about 8’ x 4’ set up. Ya–no billiards for a little while. Thanks guys! Happy holidays!
Its a very cool gift! He’ll love you for it. He’ll need someone to play with though, so you may want to brush up on your slot-car skills.
That’s pretty much it your answer there
If I received a box of Technic Lego for Christmas, I’d disappear off for a while with it, no insult perceived or taken.
Buy him a sheet of plywood. He can mount the track on it and store it on end when he’s not using it.
Can you link to the actual set?
You need to set the entire track up while he is asleep.
ok, guys! i didn’t set it up beforehand. we were able to set it up on the pool table (8’ x 4’). He was thrilled!! I was actually better than he at racing the cars!! We decided that this would be a new holiday tradition. As we have grandbabies–they can race cars with papaw hellpaso every xmas. thank you all so much for your input. Zebra–I got it off Amazon–it’s called “walther’s ultimate road course”.
Great! Thanks for the update.
That’s great. I like the idea of the grandbabies playing with the set with papaw. Although it sounds like they might all have to look out for mamaw hellpaso; she might be the one to beat.
Sweet!
This one? You are an awesome wife. And be glad you didn’t set it up for him - half the fun of racing sets is setting it up. I’d have been crushed if my parents put my toys together the night before Christmas.