Race it or display it?

RalphsRacers Thursday, 8/20/2026

I bought this Solaire on ebay,honestly wasn't expecting perfect but in pretty good nick,the wheels are a little bent.

Would you leave as a collectable on the shelf or is it an easy wheel swap,I'd rather have an original car on my shelf than swap the wheels out and the wheels then be loose.i know some cars like the silverado ev are a perfect no wobble wheel swap.

Thanks in advance to an advice


Discussion

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Chaos_Canyon 8/20/26

Do you want to race it it or just put it on a shelf? Wouldn't that be the determining factor?


  • Race it,but I've had cars which are nice and I've tried to do the wheels and didn't go well,and wished I'd just left them alone,some cars I find the new wheel axle sit perfectly rather than wobble — RalphsRacers

just wondering what would make it a collectible? I don't know about this aspect of the hobby...


  • I think more display than collectible really.should have said that instead — RalphsRacers
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AbbyNormal 8/20/26

I have that exact casting except in pink. Plan is to repaint and make it race ready someday when I have more time. So yeah new wheels cause the axles on this thing received a lot of playtime.

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dr_dodge 8/20/26

joust it?

lol


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SpyDude 8/20/26

First question: display it or race it?

Display: Get the three-piece axle kits, cut off the bad axles, insert the new axles, and you're done, no drilling required.

Race: Drill it, replace the axles, add weight. Personally, I'd leave the patina--that car earned it the hard way.


  • Might just try the race option.ill risk the axles going in cleanly — RalphsRacers
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RalphsRacers 8/21/26

Thanks everyone for your advice

Well there's only one real way to get better at wheel swaps and unfortunately you have to screw a few up to get there.  I'd say do 8-10 basic mainlines in a short period of time, then do that Sol Aire when you are "warmed up". After all, you can always get another bent axel Sol Aire on Ebay :)

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Chris_Hood 8/21/26

No one has mentioned that this is a metal base car, this example being the last produced version of the Sol Aire. I've only wheel swapped a few plastic base cars to correct basic defects, so working with metal appears to my inexperienced eyes as the next level of challenge IF you intend to find speed on the track with the end result

SpyDude's suggestion of the 3 piece kits to swap for display, 100%

Race it and display one in better shape. This one is $4 on EBAY now($8 shipping)

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dr_dodge 8/21/26

a HW car was made to race
my gremlin sent to 905 was made w/ 2 early greased gremlins

I did a pair of original bye focals, one ran at the redline race

the value of a car is what you place on it, with your time and effort,
not what some "guide" says a chunk of zink it's worth
to me, this is the best, a race car that earned it's right to sit on the shelf

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GspeedR 8/21/26

I'd race it. I actually have one of those in primo condition that is part of my regular rotation. It's not a white enamel Camaro, a purple Olds 442, or a pink Superfine Turbine. Roll it.

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RayRaySugar 8/21/26

There's a modified Sol Aire race coming up in a bit. If you'd like, I can send you some details when they're available 


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