Russkit Model Racing 1963 Tapestry

Jim Russell was a California slot car enthusiast who decided that the cars of the day could be greatly improved, and took it upon himself to make that happen. Jim founded Russkit in 1963, launching with his first product, called Russ-Coat, a polyurethane varnish to protect a car's finish from impacts. Next came a line of bodies, first made of fiberglass, and then much lighter vacuum-formed white styrene, which were an immediate success. Simultaneously, Russkit was developing their own line of chassis and motors, including the infamous "Black Widow" four-wheel-drive, dual motor chassis. Jim would go on to produce a wide range of products from controllers and licensed bodies, to tires and wheels, all from a 6,000 square foot Los Angeles.