I haven't added any new Auroras in some time, luck of the draw I guess. I'm a bit picky in that I don't really care for the "chrome" paints of later issues because they are usually damaged, and handling only makes the damage worse. And the chrome paints typically have the "speed wheels," which I simply despise....but that is my personal preference, not trying to sway anybody's opinion. I know it seems contradictive in that I like chrome like finishes on others like Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning, but the overall quality of those models with metal bodies and often metal bases and quality wheels makes a huge difference.

Aurora repurposed some of their well known at the time slot car bodies, so they are made of plastic. Could say these are early "resin" models, and also serve as a good demonstration of the finer casting details possible in small scale in resin / plastic compared to zamac. That is why I prefer the bodies molded in color with the metal hubs and rubber tires. Judging by the likes of the recent NEO small scale models, I think others have noticed the same material advantages. Of course, value - especially at retail - has intrinsic qualities that go beyond the effort and attention put into a model on the peg. Weight, also known as heft, holds an unconscious connection to quality and that is a quality that resin models by default simply do not have.

Auroras are easily broken, so finding unbroken examples can be a challenge of its own, but well worth it when one can hold one of these in their hands (non-chrome, of course, don't want to ruin the paint). What Aurora lacks in heft, they more than make up for in fine detail. In the day, Aurora banked on their racing prowess and reputation, which helped their Cigar Box non-powered cars along, but all of that is long ago history lost on so many newer collectors who haven't come to appreciate these often overlooked gems...yet.