The first of several Hi-Rakers cars produced by Mattel was the ’34 3-Window Ford Coupe . The Hi- Rakers cars were produced with a built-in attachment (in the base) that allow you to raise or lower the rear end of the car.

The first 3 -Window Ford Coupe had the following -

Metal chassis

Lightly tinted windshields (plastic)

Plastic engine-sticking out the sides

Scoop sticking center of hood

Brown plastic interior and fendors

Red and yellow flame tempo on trunk

Hot Rod and yellow line on roof

Black rectangle on roof

Basic wheels (BW)

Made in Hong Kong

Hi- Rakers attachment in chassis (gray plastic)

Red paint job

The ’34 Ford Coupe had many variations and would make a very good collector Hot Wheels for the Ford enthusiast as well as the Hot Wheels collector.

Check out the new Hot Wheel collector books on Amazon.com. For your convenience there’s an Amazon ‘search’ box in the left side bar.

In the 1960′s, Corgi/Husky added more American style cars into their manufacturing of toy cars. During this time, this line of toys was sold exclusively through the Woolworth stores. And while Husky toys were sold by Corgi importers the fact that there were not Woolworth stores in the foreign countries has resulted in some Husky models being found in odd numbered packaging.

When Husky was producing the American-style smaller-sized diecast toys, they were very careful in making them very real-like. And while these American models would probably have done very well in the large Corgi toy line, they were never produced.

The vehicle shown above is the Studebaker Wagonaire TV Camera Car identified as 15 (B.). It’s civilian equivalent was only found in the Gift Set 3005. Oddly, they were both produced in 1967 – one year after Studebaker stopped production and left the automobile business.

This car pictured has the following:

• Man and camera in rear hatch
• Black plastic wheels
• Cobalt blue Windows
• Yellow paint
• Chrome plastic base
• Chrome plastic grill

Corgi-Husky made a variety of different cars for you to enjoy or collect. The The Unauthorized Encyclopedia of Corgi Toys (Schiffer Military History) is your best buy for identification and pricing Corgi-Husky toys.  Even though this reference book displays ‘Military History’ it has all the information on the cars.   This reference book is available through Amazon.com.

Barclay was the largest manufacturer of lead-alloy vehicles in the 1930s and to the mid-1940s.

The Barclay name was derived from the street name “Barclay Street” which was in West Hoboken, New Jersey.

The first production of Barclay toys was thought to be in 1924, although some say 1923 is correct. The company that produced Barclay toys was founded by the partners – Leon Donze (1895-1950) and Michael Levy (1895-1964).

From it’s beginning over a short period of time, Michael Levy took control of the company and proceeded to develop it into a major toy manufacturer facility. In fact, he was so successful that at one time the company had 400 employees.

Unfortunately, during World War II they fell on tough times which resulted in their being forced to lay off the majority of their employees. They struggled to stay open by hiring sub-contractors, but they were never able to get back to the pre-war success they enjoyed and eventually closed shop in 1971 .

The Barclay Train Engine Number # 335 shown in the picture above (2 -1/2 inches) is a very good example of the type of toy’s that they produce,

Some of its features were:

• Molded metal
• Black plastic wheels
• Straight axles front and rear
• Made in USA
• Model number embossed inside of toy
• Hitch for additional cars to be attached
• Painted

Barclay made many different vehicles, including many sets of trains, cars, transporters, etc. In spite of this, it is very difficult to find any of these complete sets in mint condition with the original packaging today. However, you can still find single toys that because of their size make a wonderful display in a diorama or display case.

Typically values for individual toys range from $10-50 while some of the sets can go for $100′s of dollars.  For a more values, the identification and value guide by O’Brien –  ”Collecting Toy Cars & Trucks” -  is available through Amazon.com (see Amazon widget left sidebar, page 2)

The Hot Wheels Custom AMX was based on the real American Motors AMX which began production circa 1968-69. The introduction of this Mattel Hot Wheel was in 1969 with production only being in the United States. Before production ended in 1971 Mattel had produced the AMX in fourteen (14) different colors.

The Custom AMX 6267 had the following features:

• Metal chassis
• Lift up hood
• Metal engine
• Clear windshield
• Redlines (RSW)
• White plastic interior
• Underside of the hood was embossed with 6267
• Made in USA (exclusively)
• Produced in 14 colors

If you are a collector of Hot Wheels keep your eye out for the 1970 version produced along with decals for the English driver, Ed Shaver. Mattel produced this specific AMX in a non-metallic blue-color and included in the package decals of Ed Shaver.

However, if you’re lucky enough to find this packaged Hot Wheel, it will make your day. In today’s market, it would be worth more than $1,000.00. Be aware that find must be in the original package because this is the only place you will find the decals. They are not on the car!

The Mercedes Coach  issued in 1968 came in two different colors…. orange and turquoise. However, the turquoise version of this coach is by far the rarest in the secondary market and commands the highest value. As much as ten times the value of the orange version.

The Matchbox Mercedes Coach was issued with the following features:

• Body of metal
• Base of metal
• White roof
• Clear plastic windshield/windows (1 piece)
• White plastic interior
• Black plastic wheels
• License plates (front & back) read S-B157
• Mercedes emblem shown on front and rear

It is note-worthy that in the market of this era, the manufacturer was still permitted to make a toy that could be basically dis-assembled into four parts. Those being the base, the seats, the plastic windshield/window insert and the top. Finding a coach today that still has all four parts is quite a feat.

To my knowledge, there are no replicas of this coach being produced today. However, should you find one check the base for the following embossed information:

• Made in England
• By Lesney
• Matchbox Series No. 68
• Mercedes Coach

In my opinion, with Matchbox toys (as with any toy), it is always best to buy the toy with the original box if given a choice. Having the original box – in good to excellent condition – will typically add 20-25% to the overall value of your toy – in this case your Matchbox.

The Commer Bottle Float – more commonly know here in the US as a milk truck – was produced by Lesney in 1961. This truck had the Catalog Identification Number of 20 c.

The truck pictured above has the following features:

• Pale green in color
• Black metal base
• Milk cow logo on both side doors
• Green plastic windshield
• Open-air sides with white plastic cream bottles load (non-removeable)
• “Drink Milk” sign on roof
• Black plastic wheels
• Made in England

There were several versions of the Commer Bottle Float produced. It can be noted that while there were differences; there were two features that remained constant in all the versions produced. These features were that the truck was always pale green in color and they all had the black metal base.

Lotus Esprit James Bond Corgi Junior

Straight from one of the James Bond movies – in this case starring Roger Moore – is this very popular James Bond underwater Lotus Esprit # E 68 B. The car pictured is the original 1970′s underwater model. There was also a car manufactured that was a copy of the street version. While there were actually two (2) different cars manufactured to represent the transition made in the movie, both models had some similaties – one of which was they both had the same window style.

The bond underwater Lotus Esprit (pictured here) came with the following features:

•  White in color
•  Opaque black Windows
•  Rutter on top and sides of rear panel
•  No interior
•  Black plastic base
•  Black Wizzwheels
•  Red 007 label on hood

There are many different cars associated with the James Bond movies but the Lotus Esprit was the only one that transitioned from land travel to underwater in the movie “The Spy Whol Loved Me”.

If you are looking for more information on “any” Corgi, I use the following for my pricing and identification – The Unauthorized Encyclopedia of Corgi Toys (Schiffer Military History). This book has very good pictures of Corgi toys from the1950′s to present.

Lesney of England had its beginnings in 1947 by two Navy friends, Rodney Smith and Leslie Smith (no relation).

When they started the company, it was agreed that it should be named using a portion of each of their first names. Therefore, in 1948, the Lesney Products Company became a business.

The first toy that was produced was an Aveling Barford Road Roller. They produced three more toys in 1948 after which they made a business decision to box their toys, i.e., one toy per box naming this process ‘Matchbox’.

The first time Matchbox was produced for USA consumption was in 1958. It it quickly became a household name for the US toy market and was extremely popular.

The first real production change for Matchbox was introduced in 1969, which was called the Superfast Series. From this point on Matchbox maintained its share of the diecast market in the world producing larger toys – boats, buses, fire engines, airplanes, etc. – larger in size than their Matchbox series.

The bulldozer pictured above was produced in 1969 and was . . .

• Made of diecast metal
• Had plastic green rubber treads
• Came with yellow plastic roof

The dozer blade on this toy has a fixed position. The name Case is embossed on both sides of the engine cover.

For more information about Matchbox cars, there are some very good price guide available.I favor the  Encyclopedia of Matchbox Toys (Schiffer Book for Collectors) - by Charlie Mack.   It has the best information on Lesney toys you can find in today’s market.

The Classic ’31 Ford Woody was one of the most popular models issued by Mattel Hot Wheels in 1969-1971. This popularity was primarily due to nothing more than demand.

The customize Woody station wagon came with the following features:

• Black roof-smooth or textured
• Metal base
• Plastic interior (assorted colors)
• Exposed metal engine
• Redlines (rsw)
• Made in USA
• Clear or blue windshield
• 18 different colors

If you are one of those who are collecting Mattel’s Hot Wheels today, it is my opinion that the best way to collect for possible future “value” is to start with those cars issued from 1968 through 1977. These cars are not only of an earlier production but also should have a quicker return on monies invested. And one of my cardinal rules: “always, buy the best you can afford, never buy down only by up”.

One last thought, Hot Wheels are graded on the “1 to 10 scale” with 10 beinging Mint in the package (MIP) – and sometimes referred to C-10. If you buying for future value it is my opinion that you don’t buy anything below C-8.

The Hot Wheels, Number 9244, 1936 Ford Coupe Neet Streeter is a customized, drag racing style car. It was first manufactured and introduced to the market in 1976.

The first Neet Streeter of 1976 was issued with Redlines (rsw). The car was then reissued in 1977 with Basic wheels (bw).

The original Neet Streeter cars came with the following features:

• Light blue in color
• Black plastic scoop on hood
• Redlines (1976) | Basic wheels (1977)
• Made in Hong Kong
• Logo on rear trunk: “Ford…Oldie but a Goodie”
• Red, white and blue stripe on top
• Black plastic interior

The original Neet Streeter cars also have more than average information embossed on the metal base. That information included:

• HOT WHEELS ®
• NEET STREETER ™
• Hong Kong
• © Mattel Inc. 1975
• US and Foreign Patented
• Patented Canada 1973

This 1936 Ford customized Hot Wheel was one of the best models true to the “Original Car Style” made by Mattel. That being said. . . after 1977 Mattel continued to produce many different versions of the Neet Streeter – all the way into the 2000’s. All of these ‘new’ Neet Streeter cars were manufactured and can be found in different colors, and with different wheel types, logos, tampos and bases.

Check out all the versions of this Hot Wheel either in Tomart’s or O’Brian’s price guides.