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.
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 2:54 pm. Add a comment
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.
Posted 2 months, 4 weeks ago at 4:21 pm. Add a comment
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.
The ‘Golden Era’ of the Japanese tin lithographed toys began after World War ll in the early 1950′s and continued through the 1960′s and into the early 1970′s.
Even though these tin toys were very popular because of their colorful exteriors and attention to details, there was pressure to discontinue production from groups that felt toys manufactured in tin were more dangerous to children. The pressure from these groups eventually won out and resulted in companies discontinuing the manufacturing of these great toys.
During the ‘Golden Era’ there were many different models of toys, like automobiles made in the United States, as well as many robots, character toys, ferris wheels, race tracks, play sets, etc.
Many of the toys had unique modes of action, i.e.,
Friction drive
Wind up
Battery-operated
Combination of both
These brightly painted, litho toys can be found in sizes ranging from eighteen inches all the way down to a very small 1-inch in size.
In today’s market, the collecting of tin toys is still one of the largest segments of toys that you can still find and enter into at very low cost. In my opinion, I would recommend that you buy a current toy price guide so that you can be come familiar with, properly identify and purchase your toys at a good price. Not knowing the market value can really cost you in the long run if you don’t do your homework with a good price guide.
Posted 3 months, 1 week ago at 3:47 pm. Add a comment
In 1921 Wyandotte Company was formed. They were originally known for making toy pistols as their main product. However, by 1935, the Wyandotte, Michigan company became noted for their production of streamlined Art Deco, steel cars and trucks. Interestingly, these simple metal, stamped-steel toys came with wooden wheels.
Wyandotte toys were noted for:
Heavy gauge steel construction
Baked enamel finish
Due to World War II interrupting the toy industry and its sales, Wyandotte begin making ammo clips for the M-1 rifle. After the war was over, they again began production of toys in their new location in Pigna, Ohio.
These toys included:
Aircraft
Doll buggies
Musical toys
Wagons
Games
Trains (Hafner Train line)
Sadly, Wyandotte went out of business in 1965, after many attempts to diversify their toy market.
The toy in the picture above is a Wyandotte “Medical Corps Ambulance”. It was manufactured circa 1939 and was one of the several different models that were produced over the many years they were in business.
The steel stamped cars and trucks they manufactured were so well made, there is a good chance that when you find one it will be in excellent condition. This is due to the outstanding craftsmanship Wyandotte utilized in their manufacturing technique.
If you are looking for a good toy collector market, you will find starting a stamped steel toy collection to be affordable.
Posted 3 months, 3 weeks ago at 4:57 pm. Add a comment
The Mamod-Teia steam powered tractor was manufactured in England. This tractor came in two different sizes. The one pictured above is nine inches in size and comes with spoked wheels – no canopy. A larger version of this toy was 10-1/2 inches in size and also came with the spoked wheels but with a canopy.
The pictured tractor much like a real steam tractor comes with the following features:
Brass boiler
Tall front stack (3″)
Spoke wheels
Tinder-box
Most steam powered toys were manufactured in the early part of the 20th century with manufacturing continuting until around 1930. Since all of these toys used fuel powered stream action for movement, they were all constructed of metal – including iron, copper, tin and ocassionally die cast aluminum. The live steam power generated by these toys was used to activate various actions on several different kinds of toys, such as
Large-sized boats
Tractors
Model engines
Other various steam-powered ‘novelty’ toys involving actions
Word of caution, if you find a steam powered toy do not attempt to make it operate on your own . . . particularly, if you have never started a steam engine before or had experience with these steam engine toys. In almost every case, the old steam engine toys that you may find in the market will always need some type of work to make them safe for use.
There are some very good books on the market on how to repair steam engine toys as well as some good collector books for your pleasure education.-
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!
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).
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago at 3:35 pm. Add a comment
When you are out there searching for a Schuco model car to add to your collection, always remember that original Schuco cars will be marked on the bottom either ‘Germany’ or ‘U. S. Zone Germany’. If the car you find is marked differently, it will be a re-issue. Original Schuco cars that fall into this description were produced from the 1930′s to early 1950′s.
This very unusual clear plastic SCHUCO Racer # 1005 shown in the picture above has the following features:
Clear plastic body
Wind-up
Tele-steering
Marked Germany
Schuco Mark on tires and front scoop
Stop and go lever
Rubber tires
White rubber air scoop
Plastic exhaust
Clockwork action
5 1/2 inches long
If you decide to start collecting Schuco toys, always buy the toy in the best condition you can afford – and if you have the choice of buying with the box vs without the box – go for the box. Having the original Schuco box will add a whopping 70-80% to the value of your Schuco toy.
Note: Added box value is higher for Schuco than other toys which typically have an added box value of 15-20%.
Posted 4 months, 4 weeks ago at 9:12 pm. 2 comments
… 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’.
and 
. They are both very easy to use and have great information – as well as good pictures.
Thanks !
