Johnny Lightning Toy Cars and Models Promos

I finally completed my set of Johnny Lightning Limited Edition Toy Cars & Models this week.  These four cars were included with the subscriptions to the now defunct Toy Cars and Models magazine.  The cars are zinc (zamac) finished and are limited to 2500 pieces each year of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Dodge Dart, Chevy Camaro and Olds Cutlass have rubber tires whereas the Fairlane only has plastic wheels.  The Olds Cutlass was the most difficult to come by for me, but I finally scored it just before Christmas time this year.

Brand: Johnny Lightning
Series: Toy Cars and Models Promotional
Models: 1968 Chevy Camaro, 1967 Ford Fairlane, 1969 Dodge Dart, 1983 Olds Cutlass Supreme
Scale: 1/64
Released: 2004 through 2007

Matchbox Ice Cream Van

Usually, I have a problem with die-cast that are over tampoed like many Hot Wheels.  But the tampoed details on these Matchbox Ice Cream vans are done well and it's fun to read all the different logos, slogans and ice cream menus.  I'm not a big fan of the plastic body especially where it meets the front, as evidenced by the big gap that detracts from the otherwise decent casting.

Brand:  Matchbox
Model:  Ice Cream Van
Year First Issued:  2009
Scale: 1/64

Johnny Lightning 1976 Dodge Aspen

You're looking at the Johnny Lightning Dodge Aspen which was only produced for two years between 2011 and 2012.  Only three model colours were ever issued:   black in 2011, white and blue in 2012.  The model featured here is the only one with plastic wheels.  The two other cars came with rubber tires.  This one has a diecast body on a plastic chassis with opening hood.  Fit, finish and detailing of this model is excellent as evidenced by the pictures here.  I think Johnny Lightning is the only die-cast maker of a Dodge Aspen model.

Brand: Johnny Lightning
Series: Forever 64 Release 24
Model:  1976 Dodge Aspen R/T
Casting: 621
Year Issued: 2012
Scale: 1/64

New 2013 Matchbox Double Decker Bus

Let's review the new 2013 Double Decker bus casting from the Matchbox MBX Adventure City series. Whereas the older london bus was metal, this new casting has a metal base and plastic body.  I like the gold and white colour scheme pared nicely with the gold spoke wheels.  It's adorned with modern MBX Bus and flying crown tampos.  The roof has a skylight but not sure if that is really representative on a 1:1 scale modern double decker bus.  The rear of the vehicle is pretty non-descript without any tallight or licence plate details.  The front of the bus has a giant 2 storey windshield and the headlights are molded into the body but not tampo'd or detailed like similar matchbox models.  Surprisingly, the interior is quite detailed and shows the seating on first and second floors.  The only downer is when you look through the front windshield, you see this GIANT peg that holds the vehicle together.  Anyways, I'm sure Matchbox is going to reuse this casting a lot so if you haven't found this one yet, there will be plenty more to come.  Don't forget to click on the pics to look at the larger images.

Brand:  Matchbox
Series:  MBX Adventure City
Model:  Double Decker Bus
Year Issued: 2013
Scale:  definitely not 1:64 scale, i'd put it closer to 1:80 scale.

Greenlight 1968 Chevrolet Impala

You either love this colour scheme or you hate it, but this Greenlight 1968 Chevy Impala fastback coupe is based on a real car that was auctioned off by Barrett Jackson.  It  has Woodstock and Vietnam graphics with  Jamaican colour inspiration. Greenlight got all the proportions right on this true 1:64 scale car as the long sleek lines are exquisite.  As with all Greenlights, this model is solid diecast in both body and chassis and rides on rubber tires with chrome steel rims.  Here's a link to the original vehicle auction details: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=8&aid=52

Brand:  Greenlight
Series: Barrett Jackson Series 2
Model: 1968 Chevrolet Impala
Scale: 1/64
Release Date: July 2007

Greenlight at ToysRUs

I haven't seen any Greenlight diecast at my Toys R Us store in quite awhile and I was starting to worry that they might be discontinued the way all the Tomica stuff was.  So I was happy to find these on the shelves next to the Maisto/Jada display.  Looks like they brought out the GL Muscle Series 6 and the Road Racers series 3.  At $5.99 a car plus 13% tax, they are not cheap so I had to be selective about the ones I wanted.
 Anyways, you can see that the 1968 Plymouth GTX Hemi and the 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge came home with me from that series.  I also like the cool dio extras, but wish the pop machine was bigger.  Also picked up the tenth anniversary 1971 AMC Javelin from the Road Racers set.

Brand: Greenlight
Series: GL Muscle 6 and Road Racers 3
Models:  1968 Plymouth GTX Hemi, 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge, 1971 AMC Javelin AMX
Year Issued: 2013
Cost: $5.99 CDN each.

ERTL 1981 Jeep Wagoneer

Wow, now why couldn't all the Johnny Lightnings have had this kind of quality in the past 3 years.  I believe this new 2013 model can only be found at American TSC stores and is marketed under the ERTL Collectibles brand even though it originally debuted in 2012 as a Johnny Lightning.  This gold 1981 Jeep Wagoneer is rock solid like the real vehicle.  It has a diecast chassis and body and I haven't seen this level of detail on a Johnny Lightning in quite awhile.  Check out the rubber tires, the roof rack, door handles, front and rear bumpers and wagoneer logos.  Perfect front grill and opening tail gate too.  Gotta love it.  A huge thanks to fellow diecast enthusiast Z28guy (Ron) for helping me aquire this beauty!

Brand: ERTL (Johnny Lightning)
Series: Collect N Play
Model:  1981 Jeep Wagoneer
Date Released: 2013
Scale: 1:64