VINTAGE 1962 AMT Turnpike 1/25 Scale Race Set & Thunderbird Complete

Description

The AMT 1/25 Turnpike set was released in 1962 after being displayed as a new item at the '62 Seattle World's Fair. Have personally been collecting AMT Turnpike sets, cars, & accessories for over 40 years. I buy them... even in pieces of sets with out a box... and use these to replace broken or missing parts by making better sets out of those found with the original box. Point being, IN 23 YEARS as a seller on eBay, have NEVER listed ANY of the AMT Turnpike personal collection. This listing is a "toe in the water" because in decades, have seen a LOT in eBay Turnpike listing history. Which created the idea to list a set with some CAUTION information to a potential "Turnpiker".
The most CRUCIAL point of these sets, are the ends of the track sections where they connect, meaning the joint tabs. These tabs MUST be on there to secure the track for all 10 copper contact clips to maintain continuity. These cannot be broken off ...missing either. There five metal rails in both lanes of every piece of the track, so, that is 10 copper clips in each track section joint. When the track is patiently assembled, the last piece into the layout is the crisscross/power supply track. It has no tabs on the ends so it drops right into place. The other thing about these sets that is crucial, are the trolley cover strips. Each strip has a round loop that locks it with the next one. Straight strips are all the same. The curve strips are 4 different sizes. All of these are good. These cannot be broken, or the weight of the car crossing over it will pull it apart, thus losing current.. the car stops moving.
Have went through this set and everything is here, with nothing broken. This was AMT's first set released as advertised in the AMT Scale Model Magazine, featured on the cover back then, with a great story on the set inside the magazine. Cannot emphasize the importance of reading and understanding the booklet included with this set. Every rail connection has a function. This not only makes the car go, but operates the steering wheel to turn the front wheels on the car. I have a test track set up and this car was tested. I will gladly text a video of this car to the buyer, prior to shipping. Also, will carefully wrap and pack the track due to the crucial tabs on the track ends. Some of these pieces do have a tiny section of the tab missing from years ago, but am positive the track section is usable. The diagrams in the manual easily explain how the car works and the track functions. To this day, this was the most sophisticated slot car set ever produced and after 59 years, it is still the most sought after.
The box has held up very well and please understand. these sets are very large, even to store. Most were stored in damp basements or garage rafters. thus aging the cardboard of the box. This set is no different and the sides show the aging as typically found. The top of the box has good graphics still and looking at the picture on the top, the lower left corner of the box lid was split, but has been clear taped nicely. There is some small writing in the top left of the lid by the red AMT logo. Many times these sets are found taped together for storage with the old 2" wide white bandage tape. Pulling this off destroys the graphics. Luckily THIS box lid was not taped together like that.
Be advised that this layout
WILL
fit on a 4'x8' sheet of plywood without the edges overlapping. My test track is on a 4' wide dining table with both extensions inserted and it hangs over the table on each side about a 1/2". Just want to explain the size of this set, because in 1962, the average home was half as big as they are today. And once the set was taken down and packed away, it usually never saw action again. This led to the increase of HO "table top" racing. However, my grandsons enjoy this set very much. Meaning my test track.
The '62 Thunderbird was the very first car released in the Turnpike sets and even though the body appears to be a dealership model promotional 1/25th push or friction car, they are NOT the same car. The plastic is different. They are close, but you need to compare a promo and a Turnpike side by side to understand. I have many of these T-Birds and have found them over the decades in either a cream, or snow white. ALL Thunderbird cars came with a chassis designated as "A" because it was the main car released in the set, and so noted on the side of the box. All OTHER cars, were designated as "B" cars. This included the Mercury, Pontiac, Galaxie, and Impala. This car had some of the decals put on it at some point, but to confirm these were original, am including a full, original decal sheet, that may be used. It, is as five decade old decals would be, as is. The chassis and body have no damage and it runs great. The body has good glass and bumpers too.
In epilogue, this set has everything in it. And if patiently and properly assembled, it WILL work. And because of its size and weight, shipping will be determined by the carrier, based on the destination. Have marked Fed Ex, but that is unofficial. You might find a set on here, or elsewhere cheaper, but think about what is described here by a 40 year collector of these sets. This set comes from a non smoker home, so no surprise odors when unpacked. Pics are taken up close and are part of this description. And due to the cost of FREE shipping, there are NO RETURNS!!!! PERIOD!!
Thank you for your purchase.. HOWEVER, thanks to eBay's new policies, including eliminating Pay Pal, they are holding BUYER'S payments for 3-5 DAYS, before depositing into SELLER'S accounts. During this hold, they are making MILLIONS in interest daily. Just cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars on shipping out daily, when they are HOLDING funds to the sellers, who are paying ALL the fees, besides the free shipping. Nothing personal, but please understand this. Items are now on a MINIMUM 5 DAY wait, before shipped.
DUE TO THE BAT FLU FROM CHINA, NO MORE DIRECT, OUT OF THE COUNTRY SHIPPING. GLOBAL SHIPPING IS CHECKED AS AN OPTION, BUT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DELAYS IN CUSTOMS OF ANY COUNTRY.
*****THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH REPRESENTS 22 YEARS OF SCAMMERS, NON PAYING BIDDERS, AND OTHER NO FAULT ISSUES*****
Ema
il any questions BEFORE you bid.
"BUY IT NOW" means EXACTLY what is says. If you click on it..BUY it. This also means, if you buy it, PAY for it. Please do not "buy it now", and not pay for it. This is not LAY AWAY eBay. You have taken my item off the market when you bid on it.  Most of the items sold are USED, vintage items, not new items from today. If it is marked new, it IS new. It may be a vintage, old item, but if it is unused or unopened other than for photos, then it is NEW. That is why items are described in detail. Items are priced as used, not new, unless otherwise noted. If it appears unused, but does not have an original packaging or box, it is considered new. Free shipping is offered on  items in the continental USA ONLY. Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico rates from FL are not included in our free shipping. DUE TO THE BAT FLU EXPOSED BY CHINA, NO DIRECT OVERSEAS SHIPPING. Overseas shipping is done through eBay's Global shipping program ONLY. Payment is expected within 24 hours of auction closing on 'local pickup only" items. All others are expected immediately. A case will be opened with eBay for non payment as soon as possible, for  non payment and no further contact with you will be submitted. The item will be re-listed and you will be recorded by eBay as a non-paying bidder. This is done regardless of your excuse, to get the final value fee credit. AS LONG AS EBAY ALLOWS THE CHOICE NOT TO EXCEPT RETURNS, I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS.
PLEASE DO NOT MESSAGE ME FOR RETURN REQUEST. EBAY OFFERS SELLERS THE CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT RETURNS AND I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS. Items are carefully wrapped and packed. If it arrives damaged, take it to the post office. Not responsible for careless handling by carriers or shipping handlers and am not paying to get it back.
International registered mail has their on guidelines for each country, and you as the buyer can research how to file your claim online at usps.com. This was verified by phone with eBay. MAKE YOUR YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS MATCHES YOUR PAY PAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION. I ship to the  PP address on file. No fault applies to lost or non received items. Once again...PLEASE, if you cannot pay for it, do NOT bid on it. Do not bid  with buyer's remorse. After 20 years, and that fact that eBay's "buyer protection" leaves nothing secure for the seller, trying to sell on eBay has become much more difficult. Veteran sellers do understand this. If you do not understand any part of these shipping details, please email for questions. Thank you for your interest in AMERICA'S collectible history, and thank you to those that have, do, and will, serve to protect our country. God bless the USA