BY: TOM FELICE
Hey Everyone Tom here again! As you can see this Toy & Collectibles format is a bit different than the last few. I have decided that since the releases are coming so “Fast & Furious” no pun intended, that I would go on to just use this newsletter to get everyone updated on if not all then most of the latest releases. Now remember that if there is a car that you know of that’s not mentioned feel free to drop me a line any of the three ways to reach me & I will be glad to add it. It could be that at the time of this printing the car had just not been released yet? Well anyhow here it goes, and please remember that when we started this that the cars really weren’t all that abundant and that we may need to do this once a year or so. Lets hope so anyway because this means that they hear our voices to keep making these little affordable gems! I will start off with the 1:64th scale.
Johnny Lightning 1:64th
Monopoly release series contains a single release of a 69 Daytona in pink. This car on normal JL blister card and comes with a neat miniature monopoly Daytona game piece to be used in monopoly, so it’s kind of like a 2 for 1.
Muscle Car Madness series contains a single release also on JL blister card. This is a 68 Charger R/T in bronze. Nice color combo really does the car justice.
Muscle Car series contains a single release on blister card. The car is a 70 R/T. First release was yellow with black stripe and second release, black with red stripe & yes the R/T door flares are there, a little on the odd looking side but overall they are acceptable. I mean I don’t think that anyone EVER made a 1:64th scale 70 Charger R/T right? I would grab this one as again overall a nice piece and maybe a part of history as a first.
Pro Collectors series contains a 68 R/T red charger with white stripe. This is a different way to release a 1:64th and leave it to JL to do it. The car comes on a blister card but also comes with a collector tin with the car painted on it & inside it. The tin slides open to hold the car if you so desire.
Holiday Ornament series 2000 & 2001. In Dec. 2000 JL released a 73 Charger with a hanger to display it on your Christmas tree. The car was in a very shiny Christmas ball looking light blue. In Dec. 2001 JL released another Charger this time a 69 R/T in the same shiny style but in red with white stripe and interior.
This release was only to Kay-Bee toy stores and was called their cars that never were / The Lost Toppers. The car is a 69 in the same red color as the 2001 ornament release but the single taillight goes from one side to the other and the hood indents are protruding outward instead of inward. The roof is half black to resemble a vinyl top. The rims are chrome. Neat piece!
Hot Wheels 1:64th
67 Charger #117 is a re-release of the old silver 67 & treasure hunt #7 car. This time the car is yellow with bronze designs on the sides & hood The #108 car is the concept Charger R/T released again now in Purple.
Racing Champions / Ertl 1:64th
The Bullit 68 black Charger released in the summer of 2001 by Ertl is a very detailed little piece. A bit harder to find in local stores but its out there. They have also released another General Lee and it is placed diagonal on a blister card with small clipping from the TV show behind it. It’s just another way to get us to buy the same car just different packaging. Then they released the 3pack again but with a twist. The 3 different releases are as follows:
1) General Lee, Roscoe’s cruiser, 00 mustang
2) General Lee, Roscoe’s cruiser, Daisy’s Jeep
3) General Lee, Boss Hoggs caddy, Daisy’s Road Runner
Muscle Machines 1:64th
Here we go! These cars are sweeping the shows all over! They are $2.99 in retail stores and up to $8.00 second hand and on E-bay. There are two variations at the time of print. Both are 69 R/T’s. The first version is called CARtoons. They are jacked way up in the rear with huge rear tires and have big engines with headers standing straight up. One in red and one in silver. The second set is also a 69 R/T and is just called Muscle Machines. In this release the cars (there are 4 colors again at the time of this print) are low to the ground and the exhaust comes out by the doors and also have very large rear tires. They have giant engines through the hood w/blowers. The color releases are as follows: burgundy, white, lime green & black all with tinted windows.
Road Champs 1:64th
This is a 69 500 model and is a wrestling car again. I know we mentioned The Undertaker before. Well it’s him again on a black car with tinted windows. Very little detail as the bumpers and all are black. He appears on the hood and the doors read, “It’s my yard”.
Tootsie Toys 1:43rd
They released a few 10,000 limited pieces in acrylic cases and I wanted to make sure we all knew that it is out in several different colors & they are numbered #6 Yellow black stripe #7silver #8 black with flames #9 Red white top & black stripe w/dodge written in it.
Polar Lights 1:24th
This company name is actually run by Johnny Lightning. It is there model division. They did release that clear body 69 charger mentioned in last volume #13. It came out as a Mr. Norms car this is the second release of this car. The first was a 1:24th to be done as the car & this time it’s a clear body to be left clear. When done you can see the motor & so on right through the body. They call it the Ghost Charger.
Testors 1:24th
1/24th metal model in a 69 Daytona over 100 parts pre-painted hemi orange body. Needs some painting for more detailed finished piece. A bit pricey at $20.00 and up in stores but nice car when completed.
Racing Champions 1:24th
The metal 1:24th scale release of the 69 charger was a nice addition to anyone’s collection. I mentioned a few before but since more have come out I’d like to mention them all again. The first of two versions is built and the other needing assembly. The built models: The Doors band, Classified Classics in dark blue, red, bright yellow w/black R/T stripe, a dark yellow w/Matco Tools on R/T stripe. The “you build it” versions are: dark blue, red, a teal version came out in a two-pack w/a woody wagon.
1/18th Fast & Furious
Yes it is out & avail. I just got mine (3/02) from http://www.diecastmusclecars.com/ great site! Or call them @1-715-874-6037. The car is very nice but I am a bit disappointed with the valance & the open headlight doors but owning a 70 myself I must say it’s about time someone came out with a 70 1:18th!!!
1:64th scale CLUB CAR!!!!!!!!!!
I located an American Muscle “Class of 69” 3 car set with a Cougar, Mach I and yes an exact replica down to the gold color, red stripe and dog dish hub caps. The hood and trunk both open & the trunk has a spare inside! Good luck finding this one, as it is hard to come by and is only available in the set and it’s close to $20.00 retail. Ouch but very detailed!
I will stop here and I hope this gets us a little more up to date on all the newest releases. Plans are to add a page to our website that shows pictures of the cars to make it easier for you to spot them in the stores and at shows so keep an eye peeled for that future update, “coming soon”
Keep the letters, calls and emails coming. Tom Felice 4 Andrews CT RFD2 Berlin, NJ 08009 or 856-768-1606 or finally tomdroptop@aol.com or tom@moparcarbque.com Happy hunting!