#420 SCALEXTRIC – PORSCHE CARRERA RS (Ref. 4051) (1975)

The Porsche Carrera is one of my favourite cars of all times, and it is also one of the cars which has been released more often in the history of Scalextric Spain.

The first Carrera RS were released in 1975. It was one of the new releases from that year together with the Chevrolet Corvette Dragster and the Ferrari B3 F1.

That model had the reference number 4051, and was available in white, light blue, orange and yellow. There was 4 available race numbers for two different pilots (or decal sets): RN: 3 or 68 (Pilot: J. Fernández) or 5 or 42 (Pilot: Fitzpatrick)

As it happened at the time with Scalextric cars, new models were not discontinued the next year, but they were available during many consecutive year. This explains, that you can find this model with two different types of “pilots”, I mean, the figure that goes inside the car can either have an older type of helmet (both cars in the pictures have this type) or a more modern type (the helmet that was used –with almost no modifications-  until the late 1990s). At some point (maybe simultaneously with the pilot change), the mirrors changed from chromed to black. In my models, all mirrors are reproductions, since it is a very fragile part that breaks easily.

Another weak point is the chromed simulated motor screwed at the base of the car. It has two small exhaust pipes that also break easily. This part is shared with the Porsche 935, that I showed some time ago.

From 1975 on, there were several versions of this car made, I put a list here for completion purposes:

• 1975 – Ref. 4051 “Basic” - White, yellow, light blue or orange - RN: 3 or 68 (Pilot: J. Fernández) or 5 or 42 (Pilot: Fitzpatrick)
• 1982 – Ref. 4066 “Jocavi” - Red/blue – RN 2 (Pilot: Zanini)
• 1983 – Ref. 4069 “Rothmans” - White/blue – RN 4
• 1991 – Ref. 8335 “Foltène” – Green – RN: 220
• 1993 – Ref. 8359 “Shell” – Red – RN: 25
• 1995 – Ref. 8381 “Lois” – Black – RN: 28

Note that the last version date from 1995, 20 years after the first release, without a change in the cast.

In 1997, another version of the Porsche 911 was released, the GT2, which is similar to the Carrera, but a different cast. And after that, there were a few releases in the different collections from Altaya and Planeta Agostini (at least 4).

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Name: PORSCHE CARRERA RS (Ref. 4051)
• Scale: 1:32
• Year: 1975
• Company: Scalextric Exin (Spain)
• Size: approx. 15 cm