Axles & Alloys: Materials Page

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Main | Materials | Modelling | Submissions | Car Data

AnA PO truck

Why It's Here:

This page is here to help provide some ideas for finding materials for your Axles and Alloys game, such as cars, props, and other scenery.

Finding Cars

There are more than a few options when it comes to finding cars for Axles and Alloys, but it should be noted that most cars you will be using and acquiring should be of general Hot Wheels or Matchbox size, which is typically one to three inches long and usually not more than an inch and a half high, by an inch and a half wide. Cars can be picked up new for around a dollar or so at most department and toy stores, and any cars of the same general size will work. For those unconcerned with style and on a budget, value packs are often made available that will contain fifty or so vehicles of questionable quality, though most of this can be made up if you're a strong modeller.

Another option for finding cars are used cars. Used cars save some preparation work when it comes to modeling steps in most cases, and sometimes look a bit more authentic than brand new vehicles, although this again depends on the modeller's skill level. Used cars can be found at garage sales, swap meets, or perhaps by going through stashes of Hot Wheels cars belonging to yourself or other family members. If using a family member's cars, make sure they don't mind first. The life you save could be your own.

Finding Props

Props doesn't mean quite what you think it does in Axles in Alloys. Here, props is used to refer to the equipment you will be attaching to your car. This can include things like guns, spikes, mine droppers, armor, and other general modifications to the cars. Armor and spikes are often made from common household materials, such as cardboard, toothpicks, sharpened craft sticks, and window screen material. Guns, mine droppers, and the like will often come from other toy sets. World War II 1/32 scale weapons kits are a personal favorite, as are G.I. Joe weapons blisters. Some other options include old electronics bits, such as you would find on a circuit board for a non-functioning radio in your basement. Again, with the electronics, and possibly with the G.I. Joes, make sure you have permission to use the materials for your own. Also, please be careful when doing any work with electronics, so you don't get electrocuted.

A "bit box" is recommended for keeping props you find until you're ready to use them. Any old shoebox or similar container will work for this purpose. Just remember to mark it as such and keep it away from hands who would throw it away.

Finding Scenery

Scenery is easy to find for applications such as this. Building and such can be made by hand, or purchases at model railroading stores in the HO scenery areas. The actual dropcloth for the game is made of a spray-painted bedsheet, typically a brown with various desert colors sprayed over it from about a foot and a half in the air. Other scenery can be collected from outside, in the example of rocks and other similar materials. Finally, scenery that cannot be found through other means can be made with supplies found at home or in your local arts and craft store. All you need is a little imagination when creating the piece.