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Post by driver1980 on Aug 31, 2024 4:36:49 GMT -5
Growing up, I did enjoy action figures and the like, but I seemed to gravitate towards toy cars, superhero or otherwise, from the Batmobile to a simple Range Rover. So I thought I’d try a toy car thread. Threads like this are mainly visual, but words also matter. I can’t and won’t post about things I know little about, but by sharing a pic, others might contribute. And it won’t be chronological, we could be discussing a Kenner Batmobile one day and a 1960s Matchbox car the day after. Also, the plan is to post about cars related to fictional universes, so even though I consider the Range Rover (classic) to be my favourite car, I won’t post about it unless, of course, a licensee decides to release a Superman-themed Range Rover. All contributions, clarifications and corrections will be welcomed! I shall start with this picture:  These did show up in the UK. I quite like the Supermobile even though I don’t feel the DC Universe could justify its existence. The Batmobile is, of course, cool. I would have loved to have owned the Daily Planet vehicles. I have to say, that police vehicles didn’t interest me within the context of a superhero universe. At least a Daily Planet vehicle had a Superman image attached to it, but a generic police car - which could quite honestly belong to any force - wouldn’t have interested me without a really great visual hook. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2024 8:25:23 GMT -5
Great thread idea!
I remember this ad SO well, great nostalgia seeing this. I don't think I actually had any of these (though I definitely had a fair amount of toy cars as a kid in general), but I distinctly remember being little and thinking "oh no, the Daily Planet truck is giving away Superman's secret identity".
I also remember the Batmobile and Bat copter and motorcycle really catching my attention because I loved watching the New Adventures of Batman series and all the vehicles seemed so cool. The other one that jumped out to me was the Supermobile, I hadn't actually seen the Action #481 story that explained it so this was my introduction and my mind had to imagine how he might put it to use since he was already superpowered.
Again, fun thread!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 31, 2024 12:45:41 GMT -5
I used to love the little hot wheels playsets that collapsed into suitcases. Still got one.
I also had a soft spot for the cars where their sides would flip to show damage upon impact, and those ones that launches by squeezing a plastic key.
Great memories.
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Post by driver1980 on Aug 31, 2024 14:11:55 GMT -5
I also had a soft spot for the cars where there sides would flip to show damage upon impact… Makes me think of this:  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2024 15:28:40 GMT -5
I used to love the little hot wheels playsets that collapsed into suitcases. Still got one. I also had a soft spot for the cars where their sides would flip to show damage upon impact, and those ones that launches by squeezing a plastic key. Great memories. "Burnin' Key Cars", one of the first things I thought of when I saw this thread. I loved those in addition to all of my usual Hot Wheels and Matchbox type cars. Hot Wheels was kind of the premier brand and I had plenty, but man, you could actually open the doors and stuff on the Matchbox ones! |
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Post by driver1980 on Sept 1, 2024 15:32:08 GMT -5
Shared on X (I suppose I’d better stop calling it Twitter now):  Pedant complaint: Having 007 emblazoned on the chopper and aeroplane irks me a tad! But a decent set (I never saw it in the shops). I must admit, to this day, I don’t know how they did those truck stunts in Licence to Kill. Driving a truck on just its side wheels, and getting it to do a wheelie, must have involved some talented staff behind and in front of the camera. You’ve seen the film, I’m sure, but let’s see it again, go to about 1:28 and 4:17 to see a truck do what I didn’t think was possible for any stunt drivers: |
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Post by Batflunkie on Sept 1, 2024 21:26:57 GMT -5
I also had a soft spot for the cars where there sides would flip to show damage upon impact… Makes me think of this: Of all the toys that I wish would make a come-back, I would absolutely love it if the Crash-Dummies would get their turn. Destructible stuff is always incredibly fun |
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Post by driver1980 on Sept 2, 2024 7:14:05 GMT -5
I must admit, Batflunkie, when I first came across them, they seemed peculiar. Why would I want to buy figures based on crash test dummies used by automobile manufacturers? Why would that be exciting? Who lobbied for that? But they were fun. I don’t know if any backstory of those characters, and their villainous counterparts, exists anywhere or was mentioned on packaging, but they are enjoyable, particularly that taxi. I do admire them creating toy cars that can break apart and be reassembled. |
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Post by Batflunkie on Sept 2, 2024 7:42:02 GMT -5
I must admit, Batflunkie, when I first came across them, they seemed peculiar. Why would I want to buy figures based on crash test dummies used by automobile manufacturers? Why would that be exciting? Who lobbied for that? But they were fun. I don’t know if any backstory of those characters, and their villainous counterparts, exists anywhere or was mentioned on packaging, but they are enjoyable, particularly that taxi. I do admire them creating toy cars that can break apart and be reassembled. I didn't grow up with the figures myself, but I was aware of a CGI special back in the early 90's that I remember watching |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 2, 2024 10:27:03 GMT -5
I regularly examined Crash Test Dummies in the toy aisle and considered getting into them. Where other toymakers were starting to get lazy, their stuff was at least complex and innovative, but I agree with driver1980 that the obstacle that always prevented me from making those purchases was that I couldn't visualize how the heck I'd use them in a story. |
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Post by driver1980 on Sept 5, 2024 11:08:55 GMT -5
I never saw any Inspector Gadget cars on sale, but these look pretty cool:  |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 5, 2024 11:17:52 GMT -5
So I hadn't actually responded here. I didn't personally buy a lot of toy cars, but I did end up with some. My older brothers had a lot (figuratively) of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. So I inherited a big ice-cream bucket full of them. My favorite was always the Hot Wheels Red Baron.  Of the stuff that was demonstrably mine...The Mego Batmobile was the standout.  |
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Post by driver1980 on Sept 5, 2024 11:19:56 GMT -5
Matchbox cars were so ubiquitous. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t have one.
I do wonder how ubiquitous and accessible they are in the digital age.
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Post by Batflunkie on Sept 5, 2024 12:11:43 GMT -5
I never saw any Inspector Gadget cars on sale, but these look pretty cool: That figure looks amazing tbh. Have a fully-assembled McDonalds happy toy from the Matthew Brodrick movie from 99. Very impressive in person  |
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Post by driver1980 on Sept 7, 2024 5:05:54 GMT -5
One of many great vehicles from Gerry Anderson’s shows:  |
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