Tag: Childhood Favorites

Yatming #1079 ’57 Corvette: Red

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

This Red ’57 Corvette actually belonged to my sister (and I imagine some day I’ll have to make an effort to get it back to her.) I remember the opening doors making it a popular choice at playtime. 

This example is red with white side tampos, blue tinted windows, and standard wheels.  It features a bare metal base and chrome plastic bumpers, though in this instance most of the bumpers have broken away.

There are several wheel and window variations of this casting as well a similar casting (#1039) with fixed doors.

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Matchbox Super Chargers USA-1: 1986 SC-2

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

The 80’s were probably the glory days of monster trucks – they just don’t seem to have the same draw anymore. Naturally, anything that attracts a lot of attention is marketable, so Matchbox secured the rights and released the Super Chargers line of monster trucks, including this one styled after the USA-1, a Chevrolet trucks that famously joined Bigfoot for the first televised monster truck event.

The USA-1 features white paint with red stripes, orange star, and blue “USA-1” lettering on the side. The hood wears a blue starred banner with red stripes. Solid black windows and a black roll cage complete the look. It rolls on giant Goodyear tires.

This vehicle line was marketed as “Super Trucks” internationally.

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Majorette Jeep Cherokee Ambulance: 269 White and Blue

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

Released during the 1980s, this Jeep Cherokee has been fitted with a raised roof and extended back for all-terrain ambulance duty. It features rear doors that open to reveal a detailed interior including a stretcher-bound patient under a blanket.

I have a white version that I picked up as a child. It’s painted white and is accented with blue hood graphics and side strips surrounding the word “Ambulance”.

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Ertl A-Team Van: 1983 #1823

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

In 1983, the A-Team was a big hit on TV. The opportunity for merchandising was there, and Ertl secured the rights and produced all sorts of products that every kid wanted. Among them was this diecast replica of the show’s star vehicle, a tank disguised as a black custom van. At least, I always thought it was more tank – it certainly had a lot of tricks up its sleeves.

The black A-Team van sports a red side strips with “The A-Team” lettering. Fog lights line the front of the roof while a red spoiler adorns the rear. Brush guards protect the front bumper and tinted windows mask the interior.

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Kenner Fast 111’s Blue Monday: 1980

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

I had a couple of these Kenner Fast 111’s as a kid, and today I’m posting photos of my well-loved “Blue Monday” van.

The Blue Monday’s a typical custom van of the 1980’s. It’s blue paint is decorated with yellow and orange striping and “Four x 4” text. In the back is the trademark large rear bumper with inset tail lights that frequent the Fast 111’s series. Unsurprisingly, the “one of a kind” license plate decals have not survived the test of time.

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Hot Wheels Sidebanger: 1985 #7580 Sidebanger

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

Released in 1985, this was another of my favorite vehicles, as it reminded me of the hero’s car in the movie Condorman. Car is yellow in color and decorated with black, white, and red flames and the number “5”. Black windows and small/large BW wheels.  The right door flips to show damage upon impact.

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Hot Wheels BMW M1: 1985 #7296

by VWSpeedRacerFeatured Car

1985 release. Green spectraflame paint with yellow/black lightning tampos, a black metal base, and UH wheels. Labeled “Wind Splitter” on card and base. This is my original childhood favorite and shows signs of many happy memories yet is in surprisingly okay condition. Somewhere in a box I have a carded one I picked up later in life.

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