Mystery model car collection

[sickthings]

Somewhere around 1975-76, there was a series of small toy cars which were sold from a display box on the counter of my local newsagent. They were hot-rod style and each had a theme like, the wild west, movie monsters, etc.

They must have been pretty cheap, because I bought several of them and I did not have a lot of cash to spend each week after purchasing my weekly copy of Krazy Comic and some sweets!

I have been trying to remember, or even find, this series of models for over 10 years now, without any success.

Anyone else remember anything about these cars?

They were not micro machines or hotwheels.

[sixtyten]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Possibly Corgi Juniors?? will investigate

Where they metal? or plastic. In the early 70's it could only have been Corgi,Matchbox, Lesney, Dinky or Hot Wheels. way to early for Micro Machines

[sickthings]

Re: Mystery model car collection

I am familiar with all the major die-cast manufacturers, but I don't think it was any of them. They were a bit cheaper in construction and more 'wacky'.

They were on a metal chassis, but the bits and pieces that customised them were colourful plastic.

I seem to remember that the 'wild west' one had a plastic vulture sitting on the roll-bar.

[Mulletino]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Were the two on the left from the same range? (the beetle with the german in and the hot rod behind it):
Sorry if they're not, i'm sure I had that German one! Seems to bring back some memories!

[sixtyten]

Re: Mystery model car collection

I had the German one too, a jumble sale staple
its the Flying Bug, but don't think its what the OP wanted

[sixtyten]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Also, the years may be out, as Krazy Comic ran from late 76-78, (when it merged with Whizzer & Chips)

[sickthings]

Re: Mystery model car collection

No mulletino, that's not them. I don't think they were even in boxes - just a large display box which they all sat in.

Must have been '76 then, because it was around the time that Krazy Comic first appeared.

[sixtyten]

Re: Mystery model car collection

https://forums.doyouremember.co.uk/t...ls-zowees.html

Zowees?

[steveffisher]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Whiz Wheels?

[sickthings]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Zowees look very much like the cars I was describing, but they can't be the ones because I bought them from a newsagent, rather than getting them free from a garage. Also, there were a lot more different models

[Wil]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Apparently Zowees were sold at some shops as well as being a premium at Shell garages. There are also more models than we originally got in the UK.

[victorbrunswick]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Zowees were made by Mattel -- they were sort of mini Hot Wheels. But the cars you're thinking about could quite possibly be the original Johnny Lightnings (1969-71). Though unlike Hot Wheels, I'm not sure if they were sold in the UK.

Zowees


]

[darren]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Wow never seen zowees before either.
or jonny lightnings but have heard the name.

FANTASTIC STUFF.

zowees were made by mattel -- they were sort of mini hot wheels. But the cars you're thinking about could quite possibly be the original johnny lightnings (1969-71). Though unlike hot wheels, i'm not sure if they were sold in the uk.

Zowees


]

[Hair Bear]

Re: Mystery model car collection

Zowies all had names - the ones I remember, the Baby Buggy, the red dome was The Red Lighter, Good Knight was obvious, the farm truck was Bumble Seat, and the four poster was Bedibyes.

[darren]

Re: Mystery model car collection

cheers for the info mate.

did u have them yourself.
id imagine theyd be hard to find.

interesting reading that mattel made them.

Zowies all had names - the ones I remember, the Baby Buggy, the red dome was The Red Lighter, Good Knight was obvious, the farm truck was Bumble Seat, and the four poster was Bedibyes.