TEXAS TOY MAN

Hot Wheels ‘ 57 T-Bird -1977

Mattel produced many different variations of the 57 T-Bird. Some of the variations included

• Different colors
• Tampos
• Wheel types
• Windshield color

The Hot Wheels T-Bird featured in the picture above has the following:

• Yellow in color
• Clear windshield
• Basic wheels
• Plastic chrome base
• Hot Wheels logo on rear Window (tampo)
• No porthole
• Chrome interior

There are so many variations of T-Birds that collecting all the variations of this car would be a challenge in itself.

Note:

If you don’t know wheel variations, or find them confusing, I suggest purchasing Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels. It has excellent pictures for you to ID all wheel types.

Mustang-Show Hoss II-1977 Hot Wheel

The Mustang-Show Hoss ll was based on the original Mustang ll funny car dragster. This Hot Wheel was manufactured with the following features:

• Metal chassis
• Black plastic interior *
• Lift-up body “funny car style”
• Metal-unpainted engine
• Basic or redline wheels
• Yellow in color
• Dark-red, white and black tampo – Show Horse ll racing decal on hood
• Manufactured in Hong Kong only

* The French version had a tan interior/1983

Remember, if you are beginning to collect Hot Wheels, I highly recommend your getting a good reference/price guide. My favorites have always been Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels: Volume 1: 1968 – 1996 and Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels, Vol. 2: 1997 to 2008, 6th Edition . They are both very easy to use and have great information – as well as good pictures.

“Tip of the Week”

Become familiar with the various types of tires, i.e., wheels used on the different Hot Wheels that you are planning on buying. Wheel variations is one of the keys to the value of certain Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels “Buzz Off”

The “Buzz Off” Hot Wheel was manufactured by the Mattel Company. It was first introduced into the market in 1970, and was call the “Tri-Baby. Mattel made several variations of this Hot Wheel but changed the name to “Buzz Off” in 1973.

In spite of there being several variations introduced to the market, the changes were very subtle.

For example, In 1970, the models had the following features:

• Metal base
• Swing-up rear engine cover
• Blue Windows
• Plastic interior
• Redline-(RSW)
• Hong Kong-MFG
• Original name (Tri-Baby) -US/HK
• Six different colors

The later versions produced in 1973-77 had the following features:

• Redline or Basic Wheels
• Gold chrome color (as seen in the picture)
• Black base
• Red, dark red and black tempo “The Gold One”

With so many variations available, it’s easy to understand why so many people make Hot Wheels their collector hobby!

Not only can it be fun but also very challenging to be a Hot Wheel collector. Remember when buying for your collection – or any

collection, it is always smart to buy the best you can afford.

Don “The Snake” Prudhomme’s Funny Car

….

This U.S. Army sponsored “Funny Car” was manufactured by Hot Wheelsin 1978 – but only in Hong Kong. This car is called a ‘Funny Car’ because of its racing style. One of the more sought after Hot Wheels out there “The Snake” was produced in four different colors:

• White
• Red
• Black
• Blue

The tampos on the sides were printed with “Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme”.   In addition, Army was also printed on the sides and hood . This Army “Funny Car” came with two different styles of tires. The front tires are basic wheels (bw); the rear tires – while also basic – are large basic wheels (blw).

Some other features you will find on the pictured car are listed below:

• Metal base
• Metal interior
• Lift up body
• Basic wheels front (bw)
• Rear wheels large basic (blw)
• White enamel paint
• Sides and hood tampo
• Made in Hong Kong

There were many versions of the “Funny Car” and having all of them would make a cool collection, if you are willing to take the time to look for them . . . and are able to  find all the different variations.

If you need a good Hot Wheels reference guide, I recommend Tomart’s Price Guide.

PS – For those that collect and enjoy vintage cap guns, I’ve just uploaded a price guide for vintage toy guns – regular-sized, miniatures and a few others that did fit those two categories.  You can check them out from this link – www.txantiquemall.com/toypriceguide.html – visit ‘Cap Guns – Regular’,  ‘Cap Guns – Miniatures’ and ’Cap Guns – Other’.  Thanks!

Midgetoy – Sunbeam Utah Salt Flat Racer

…

…..

The Utah Salt Flats Racer (3-1/2 inches in length) is one of the more than 200 toys produced by two brothers, Alvin and Earl Herdklotz. Located in Rockford, Illinois, Alvin and Earl produced Midgetoy’s from 1950 until they closed shop in 1981. This particular toy was produced in 1950.

Their company manufactured die cast models and toys sized from 2 inches to 9 inches. These toys were precisely detailed and many of them were painted and heavily decaled.

Through research, I have found that the Salt Flat Racer came in several different colors, such as blue, maroon, silver, and even unpainted. It should be noted that all the Salt Flat Racer models had covered wheel wells. This technique was patented by Midgetoy making their toys uniquely different in the marketplace for this time period.

If you’re looking for a fun and relatively inexpensive hobby – either for a son, grandson or yourself - in my opinion, collecting Midgetoy would be a good place to start. The price range for Midgetoy in today’s market ranges from $5-$50 making it a very affordable hobby . . . and they’re not too difficult to find. For more information and prices, check out O’Brien Collecting Toys and Trucks Price Guide (left side bar).

Corgi James Bond Aston Martin Dicast Car

 Special Agent 007, James Bond

Austin-Martin D. B .5. Number 261

… was modeled and based on the car driven by James Bond in the movie “Goldfinger.” Box is marked – Copyright Glidrose Productions Ltld & Danjaq S.A. 1965.

Produced in Great Britian by Play Craft Toys LTD., London in 1965, this gold colored Corgi comes ‘action packed’ with the followig features:

• James Bond Figure
• Bad Guy Figure (Removeable)
• Retractable Machine Guns (on front)
• Opening Roof
• Operational Ejector Seat
• Rear Bullet Screen
• Telescopic Over-Riders
• ‘Secret’ Instructions
• Length: 3-7/8″

Just a point of information, if you’re trying to locate value prices on Corgi cars, remember that most price guides only show values for items ‘Mint in Box’.

Hot Wheels ’57 Classic T-Bird 1969-Redline

This Classic Hot Wheels T-Bird was only manufactured in the USA and came in 18 different colors.  The color of this car is gold.

The ’57  T-Bird was produced with the following features:

• Lift- up hood to show engine
• Engine was metal
• Metal base
• Plastic interior
• Redlines wheels
• Made in USA
• Clear windows
• Produced  in 1969
• Cut-down windshield
• Painted red tail lights

 The ’57 classic T-Bird was one of the better modified original redlines.

Corgi-Batmobile-Number 0267

The “Corgi” name is a registered trademark of Playcraft Toys. Playcraft Toys began production in 1956 and are still in production today.

The 5-1/2 inch Batmobile pictured in this article was made in 1966 and in  several variations, all with very subtle differences, i.e. color, hub caps , cutter, etc.

The Corgi Rocket Firing Batmobile featured here has the following:

• Black color/red side logo
• Chain cutter
• Rocket tubes
• Springs suspension
• Batman embossed on chassis
• Red `bat hubs’
• Batman and Robin removable figures
• Made in Great Britain
• Blue windshield
• Jet exhaust-wheel activated
• Original box number 267
• Original operating guide

If you have any other variation of the Batmobile that is different from the one pictured in my blog please send me a picture of your Batmobile and I will be happy to include it in my next Corgi post.

Tootsietoy Service Station Set

If you’re a collector of Tootsietoys, you will find the following a great addition to your collection. This Tootsie set is Number 1693 and includes the following:

Mobil Gas Truck- red

Gas Delivery Truck – red

VW Beetle – blue

Shell gas station pump set – red

Pair of filling station lights- silver

Truck wrecker- white

Tootsietoy produced nine different sets during this time period (late 1960′s). The numbered sets are as follows:

1689 – Airport Set

1690 – Truck Fleet Set

1691- Firefighting Set

1686- Farm Set

1687- Grand Prix Set

1689-State Fair Set

1693-Service Station Set

1694-Car Fleet Set

FYI all of these Tootsietoy sets are highly sought after and will be hard to find in the original packaging. But if you are lucky enough to find one – you have a real prize.

If anyone has one of the sets of Tootsietoys please send me a photo of your set and I will gladly post it on my Texas Toyman Blog along with a note of who sent me the photograph.

Custom Fleetside El Camino 1968 – 1969 Redline!

Harry Bradley’s Custom El Camino was the first car he designed for Mattel. It was modeled after his own ‘custom truck’ which he drove to work every day.

This Custom Fleetside El Camino was produced in both the US and Hong Kong. The US version can easily be identified by the mold mark on the black plastic bed cover. Another identifying mark is the very small steering wheel. Below you will find some more design features:

• Produced in 11 different colors
• Metal chassis
• Plastic interior
• Black roof
• Black plastic cover on the truck
• Horizontal taillights (US only)
• Carburetor pipes extending out of hood
• Mold mark on truck bed cover (US only)
• Small steering wheel (US only)
• Raised dashboard (US only)
• Redline wheels

This was one of the original ‘redline’ Hot Wheel cars produced by Mattel and still remains a hot collectible today.

If you are looking for a good Hot Wheels book I recommend Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels. This is my favorite guide book for identifying Hot Wheels.