As many parts for American slot car kits were manufactured in Japan and Hong Kong, it did not take long for these countries to produce their own kits and RTR models for domestic and export consumption. Mostly inspired by American models, some of these kits offer a unique and often naive approach. Unique domestic car models are often represented, and quality varies greatly depending on the maker. Several large toy and model kit companies got involved, the most famous being Tamiya Mokei. By 1968, it was all over, with several going bankrupt while some licked their wounds and returned to conventional toy production. Today, Japanese kits as well as those produced in Hong Kong are highly prized by collectors. Some of the parts composing these kits were also imported and marketed under domestic packaging in Australia and New Zealand.
Japan & Australasia
As many parts for American slot car kits were manufactured in Japan and Hong Kong, it did not take long for these countries to produce their own kits and RTR models for domestic and export consumption. Mostly inspired by American models, some of these kits offer a unique and often naive approach. Unique domestic car models are often represented, and quality varies greatly depending on the maker. Several large toy and model kit companies got involved, the most famous being Tamiya Mokei. By 1968, it was all over, with several going bankrupt while some licked their wounds and returned to conventional toy production. Today, Japanese kits as well as those produced in Hong Kong are highly prized by collectors. Some of the parts composing these kits were also imported and marketed under domestic packaging in Australia and New Zealand.
