AFX (initials of "Aurora Factory Experimentals") is a brand of slot cars models and sets introduced by the Aurora Plastics Corporation in 1961. The AFX brand continued production until the company was forced into receivership in 1983.Beers, Bob. The Complete Color Guide to Aurora H.O. Slot Cars. (Monroe, CT: A. J. Loring Publishing Company, 2000) p. 138.
History Aurora designed the AFX cars with interchangeable car body shells usually compatible with each chassis they released during these years. The original 1971 A/FX chassis utilized an updated version of the existing pancake motor design of Aurora's "Thunderjet 500" line, popular in the 1960s. Aurora then released a longer version of the A/FX chassis in 1973, known as the "Specialty" chassis, which incorporated a longer wheelbase and gearplate (and often a more powerful armature) with bodies unique to that chassis. The car bodies designed to fit the shorter original chassis featured a clever snap-on design while the bodies for the Specialty chassis were affixed with a small screw.
In 1974, Aurora redesigned both the original and Specialty chassis and exposed the bottom of the motor magnets. The exposed magnets were attracted to the metal rails in the track during racing, creating downforce to help hold the car on the track while cornering. AFX "Magna-Traction" cars remained popular from their release in 1974 throughout 1983, even after faster chassis designs were introduced in house and by Tyco.
Aurora introduced the innovative "G-Plus" in-line motor chassis in 1976. This design allowed the manufacture of narrow, open wheel Formula 1 style bodies. A version of the chassis was also released that would fit most of the previous tab-mounted AFX bodies. Aurora never designed an in-line chassis for the longer Specialty chassis bodies. In 1977, Aurora initiated several attempts at AFX-based slotless car chassis designs. These included the Ultra-5, Speed Steer, and Scre-e-echers Magna-Steering. Another in-line chassis design similar to the G-Plus was also introduced as the Super Magna-Traction and SP1000. Trick variants of the Super Magna-Traction include Blazin' Brakes, Speed Shifters and Cats Eyes. Improvements in the form of add-ons to the still popular Magna-Traction chassis, the Magna-Sonic sound box and an overhead light flasher for police cars, were also initiated.
AFX body shells encompassed a variety of themes including the Can-Am racing series, NASCAR and Trans-Am series stock cars, Formula 1, Funny Car Drag Racing, sports cars, off-road cars, and street cars, as well as custom designs.
Aurora contracted with race car drivers whose images and endorsements appeared on AFX Slot Car sets. These included Peter Revson, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Richard Petty.Beers, 152. Revson's untimely death in 1974 forced Aurora to cover his image with a sticker on already produced boxed sets.Affected sets included 2211 through 2217, all released in 1974 with Peter Revson's name and image on the box.
Aurora released only one licensed track set in 1982, when they partnered with the popular Fall Guy TV show.Beers, 155. A licensed M*A*S*H set and fire engine set were planned for 1983, but Aurora suspended operations prior to release.Beers, 160.
List of AFX Slot Car Chassis (1971-1983)
Year Description Notes Photo1971 Dated Original A/FX The earliest chassis displayed either "A/FX 1970" or "A/FX 1971" molded into the chassis. 1971 Original A/FX Designed with a central flat armature, and three gears connected to the rear differential gear. 1972 Original A/FX Flamethrower Same as original A/FX, but with working headlight. 1972 Super II Souped-up version of original A/FX but with gold-plated electrical parts, high RPM four lamination armature, aluminum wheels, weights for better handling, and a lightweight Lexan body designed only for this chassis.1973 Original A/FX Specialty Same design concept as the original A/FX, but with larger rear wheels, and a longer chassis featuring four gears instead of three. 1974 AFX Magna-TractionSimilar to original A/FX, but with taller magnets extending through bottom of chassis, and motor brushes that rest on springs instead of spring plates on bottom of chassis.1974 AFX Magna-Traction Flamethrower Same as AFX Magna-Traction, but with working headlight.1974 AFX Magna-Traction Specialty Same design concept as AFX Magna-Traction, but with larger rear wheels, and a longer chassis featuring four gears instead of three. 1976 G-Plus Innovative in-line motor design that increased speed as well as magnetic exposure to the track rails. This chassis allowed for detailed open wheel Formula 1 style car bodies in its narrow version. 1976 Magna-Steering In-line motor chassis with a pivoting front end guided by magnets in the pick up shoes. Released only in battery operated track sets. Later versions included a guide pin as "Screechers."1977 Ultra-5 A slotless chassis released in sets from 1977 through 1978. Used a solenoid up front to control the steering.1978 Magna-SonicSame as the AFX Magna-Traction, but with an additional sound box to simulate a racing engine. 1978 Super Magna-Traction Another in-line motor style chassis. Cars sold individually, not in track sets. These cars featured bodies with chromed finishes. Later versions known as the SP1000 (1982-'83).1979 Magna-Traction (Overhead lights) Same as the AFX Magna-Traction, but with overhead lights for police cars.1979 Speed Steer Aurora's improved second slotless racing chassis under the AFX brand. Used reverse polarity to control steering. 1979 Speed Steer (Road Blocker) This chassis propelled itself around the track at a slower speed forcing the players to pass it. 1981 Cat's Eyes This chassis featured headlights that could be turned on and off. 1981 Blazin' Brakes This chassis featured brakes and brake lights that came on when the brakes were activated. 1981 Speed Shifter This chassis was included in sets designed to allow shifting between low and high gears.1982 Super G-Plus Aurora released an improved version of the G-Plus. Easily identified by orange magnets and gears.
List of AFX Slot Cars (1971-1983)