TEXAS TOY MAN

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!

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.

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.

Hot Wheels – Crack-up’s – 1984-85

Mattel introduced 36 different Crack-ups cars from 1984 through 1986 with most of the vehicles having the same casting. These Hot Wheels all have metal bases, bodies and came with basic wheels. This model has a prototype that was produced in the color yellow.

The Hot Wheel pictured above is call the Smak-Bak , Package Number 7066. This Hot Wheel comes with the following:

• Rear back crasher
• Two-doors
• Hatchback style car
• White body
• Red and Blue tampo
• Black plastic windows
• Black plastic hatch
• Unpainted metal base
• Made in Hong Kong

Of all the Crack- Ups cars that were produced, the Smak- Bak was one of my favorites.

I use the Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels for most of my identification – and if you’re looking for a good reference book and price guide I recommend Tomart’s.

Hot Wheels, 1977 Ford Torino Stocker

This Ford Torino Stocker was made in Hong Kong in 1977. Mattel manufactured this Ford Torino Hot Wheel with the following features:

• Red in color
• Blue windshield
• Black plastic interior
• Basic wheels or redlines (1975)

The Ford Torino Hot Wheel came in similar castings with the following:

• Black in color
• Yellow orange and stripes
• “3″ and racing decals on the sides
• Arrow on the hood
• Manufactured in Hong Kong, Malaysia or Mexico
• Various wheel types

If you would like to find more information on Hot Wheels I recommend and use the Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels

Thanks for visiting my Blog and I welcome any comments or questions .

Matchbox Lesney Volkswagen Camper

1968 Volkswagen Camper

The Matchbox, Lesney – Volkswagen Camper was issued in the years1967, 1968 and 1970 .

The camper first issued in 1967 was a 34-C VW Camper. This silver colored camper came with

• Raised sun-roof with 6 windows
• Orange windows
• Opening doors
• Length of 2-5/8 inches

The second VW camper – issued in 1968 – was the a 34-D. It too was silver and came with the following features:

• Low sun-roof (windowless)
• Orange Windows
• Opening doors
• Length of 2-5/8 inches

The 1970 Volkswagens came in several different versions:

• 20 3-D v1 – Blue with orange interior and orange opening roof
• 20 3-D v2 – Orange with orange interior and orange opening roof
• 20 3-D v3 – Orange with white interior and orange opening roof
• 20 3D v4 – Olive with no interior; opening roof
• 20 3-D v5 – White with no interior; “Pizza Van” logo; opening roof

My favorite reference book for Matchbox is by Dana Johnson, Matchbox Toys Price Guide. It has very good descriptions with excellent photographs for comparison purposes.

Lesney Matchbox 1956 Yesteryear ‘B’ Type Bus, No. 2

The Lesney Matchbox Models of Yesteryear series produced in England, 1956 are replicas of antique and vintage vehicles. These models were slightly larger than the original 1-75 series of Matchbox models previously produced.

Today these models are among the most sought after in the Matchbox collector market with this London 1912-1920 Class Double-decker Bus advertising Dewar’s being one of the most highly sought after in the 1976 series of Yesteryears. This bus is made of metal right down to the axel spoke wheels, upper level seats and bus driver with steering wheel. The advertising billboards on the sides, front and back spiral stair are enamel paint and very detailed.

Although this series has been discontinued it remains a favorite with collectors. If you’re looking for information and value guide on Matchbox and the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear series, I use and recommend Matchbox Toys 1947-2007: Identification & Value Guide (Matchbox Toys)  – available through Amazon.   It has very good pictures and excellent descriptions with an index.

If you have any questions or comments please send an email or comment.