This little friction drive hot rod could be the cause of all my insanity. It's not as detailed as many from the 50s but it did get some things right. Obviously it's a flat head with the 3 header pipes, dual carbs and the generator in the right spot. I spent many an hour with my cousin sending it across the Masonite ramps through my grandmothers arch that separated the living room from the parlor. If you got the speed just right it would land on the catch ramp and continue on to him for him to send it back again. That was cool for a while until the devil horns popped out of our skulls and we went for more speed and distance in the air. It was always great when it didn't make it and it slammed into the ramp supports sending them flying Eventually we got carried away and we missed the huge opening in the wall sending the front tire slamming into the jamb. The wall did't go flying. The plastic snapped off between the grill and the wheel eliminating the axle support and rendering it completely useless. There was no glue at that time that could restore it to operating condition. Man was I broken hearted! It was more than a static model. It moved on it's own (after you got the flywheel up to speed) It would throw rooster tails in the loose dirt outside. A real life scale burn out! The Revelle 56 Chrysler and the 57 Ford Country Squire of that era couldn't do burn outs! This was a close to the big time as a guy in our neigborhood could get. Tether cars were simply pipe dreams. Remote control battery cars that were hard wired to the hand held battery case were still a few years away and only good for pefecting your parking skills. This bad boy could leap through the air after spinning the rear wheels diging for traction. I know that there are many variations of this toy but this IS the one that I had. I have no real desire to collect the other ones. I found this one at an affordable price several years ago. No I don't send it over jumps. I'm not sure that I couild take the dissapointment if it hit the wall again. I was wondering yesterday what the kids were playing with after all the paper was ripped off and collected. Probabaly video games with virtual jumps, digital rooster tails and ****** masacres. My rooster tails and jumps were very real and still very dear to my heart.
That is pretty cool and even now this kid would be stoked to get something like that!! I must have been a bad boy this year, I didn't get anything. Doc.
awsome tommy!! I've been trying to find one of those at an affordable price for a while now i have the similar non powered ones.... im jealous.... wish i was born when they were new! Zach
I've got one of the non motorized versions. Always played with it at my grandparents, it must have belonged to one of my uncles.
Tommy, are you having a "Christmas Story" moment? I think my all time favourite present was the "Vertibird" helicopter I got when I was 12yo, although I did my share of couch racing with Hotwheels!! Flatman
Heya Tommy- I have three of those! Anytime I find one I scoop it up. This is a Saunders Hot Rod Friction toy. They alson made a really cool old Jalopy Race Car which is harder to find and worth more $$$. Marx had a really cool Sparkling Hot Rod and do not forget the Marx Dreamcar. I'll take a shot of these an post in a little bit.
I still have mine, the driver walked away years ago... And my train from 1953... today and the Remco Bulldog Tank, 1961
I bought one just like it and gave it to a good friend this fall.. the driver looks like he lost his legs.. just a couple of stumps.
I was definetly born too late. I grew up in the 90's. Not only do I not have any of my christmas gifts, I don't remember them either.
My brother threw my plastic 57 Chevy station wagon into the swamp when I was about 9 years old and I still miss it.......
Awright- The ground was thawed enough for me to get into the garage. Here are a few toy group shots. There are some Saunders Hot Rods here, a pair of Marx Sparkling Hot Rods, and some other unknown stuff I have gathered over the years.
I also have that same little roadster friction powered with driver. I have 2 of the non-friction 32's one with a molded in flathead and the other has a "push in" chrome engine, one is green and the other red. Also have a Marx racing set that had like 8 interchangable one piece bodies everything from Corvairs to Pontiacs and Porsches all early 60's body styles. Track is gone but I still have the cars and original box. Probably my favorites are the 2 "Ideal" Car Monster figurines. I go to auctions all the time and Antique stores and have never come across any more of these. Been meaning to post them to see if anyone else had any. Still got my two original GI Joes one Marine and the regular Army one. Love old toys. 48 Poncho
My father in law got one of those new, in fact my toddler sons were playing with it until I ask him how old it was. After our convo it went up on the shelf. What are they worth? I'll send him this thread.
Great story. I love toy cars too and have all of mine from childhood. Back then you either took immaculate care of them, or you blew them up with fireworks, especially if they had accidentally been damaged already and could be sacrificed for entertainment. The favorite toy cars I find at antique malls, swaps, etc, are the ones from the 50's and 60's that have a lot of tire wear but very little damage or wear any other place. You know they have a ton of carpet or dirt miles, but they have been loved, and I get a little chill every time I find one for sale.
both from 1974, the model from early in the year (bought it myself, although I did get a few other kits for Christmas). The toolbox with a 3/8" socket set was a Christmas present, and probably had a big influence on me.
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