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How to Identify HO Slot Cars

HO slot cars have been around for decades, but still provide the same entertainment years later. Slot cars are small scale model cars that race on a plastic track with interchangeable track pieces. HO scale slot cars slightly vary in length, but there are many distinct components that make up the car. Identifying the pickup shoes and length will determine if the slot car is HO scale.

Things You'll Need

Flathead screwdriver
Straight ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the underbody of the slot car for small copper rectangle contacts near the front tires. These are called "pickup shoes." These are found only on slot cars, and are usually the most identifiable part of the slot car exterior.
- 2
  Pry the plastic body gently off the chassis using a flathead screwdriver, and measure the small electric motor inside that is wrapped in copper wire. HO motors measure about an inch long.
- 3
  Examine the underside of the slot car. There should be a pin between the front tires about the size of the tip of a ball point pen. This size pin is particular to HO scale.
- 4
  Measure the length of the car in millimeters. Most HO slot cars are approximately 2 to 3 inches in length. 3.5 millimeters equals 1 foot on the HO scale.

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