Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

  -Alan Arnell

The old saying goes, “The only difference from the men and the boys,
is the size of their toys!

How many of you out there started the vintage car hobby by buying a Hot Wheels, Matchbox or some other type of 1/64 scale model car?  I started with a Matchbox car.  I can remember the day I purchased the little car fifty plus years ago as if it were yesterday.

Every year until her passing my Grandma would send me a Birthday Card with a dollar stuffed in the card.  Funny thing about Grandmothers.  My Grandma like most of my friends Grandmothers did not believe in inflation towards birthday gifts.  Even with double digit inflation of the 1960’s and 1970’s all my friends and I always received a single dollar for our birthday gift.

In February 1964, I received my long awaited Birthday Card from Grandma.  I had been anticipating that card and dollar almost as much as the larger gifts my parents were to give me for my sixth birthday.  Not having a job, funds were real tight for little Alan.  I needed a dollar for a must have purchase.  I had my eye on a Matchbox car that I had seen at the store.  My best friend Ron had gotten a Matchbox car for Christmas a month earlier.  If Ron had one, little Alan had to have one as well - that was just the way I rolled at six years of age.  Not much different now, but let us not go into that.

With my dollar in hand, I went with my mother to the Bergner’s Department Store in Sheridan Village, Peoria, Illinois.  My mother had to almost put a leash on me to keep me from running off to the toy section of Bergner’s.  Finally, she gave up on her shopping list to take the escalator down to the basement where the the toy section was to get me to shut up.  

The memory is so vivid! I remember making a U-turn, walking past the sporting goods department on the right to walk back around under the escalator to the toy section.  There it was, my heart's desire, well for that minute anyway.

I picked up the car and took it to the cash register and paid for it with my life savings of a dollar.  I don’t even think they had sales tax back then.  I was given a few pennies as change, which I saved, because a penny was a penny back in those days, grabbed my bag from the store clerk grinning from ear to ear.  I didn't even wait to leave the building before I had the car out and playing with it.  So much for saving the value for future sales.

The Matchbox was my first purchase item, ever. Imagine, I bought a car!  Well, I have spent more than a dollar for my love of classic cars during my life, but maybe I have not made a more satisfying purchase.

The Matchbox I bought in 1964 was a series no. 27 Mercedes 230sl, made in England by Lensney.

Over the years, I almost played with that car to its total destruction.  The paint is chipped and the windscreen is broken off, however I still have the toy.

Four years later, Hot Wheels toy cars came on the market in 1968.  So happens 1968 was the first year of the Chevrolet Camaro.  Like icing on a cake, I could not live without a new Hot Wheels 1968 Camaro.  I took my lawn mowing money to make the must have purchase.

I had years of enjoyment out of my Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.  I accumulated over 100 1/64-toy cars as a young boy.  I had 30 plus feet of Hot Wheels orange track with corners and loop to loop attachments. I was given plastic car models of the 1/64 size that I constructed.  I even sent off for an electric motor powered Hot Wheels, that I received for saving Cereal Box Tops.

As time goes by, to a certain extent, a man must give up his childish things.  My toy car playing time finally came to an end as I started to focus on other interests.  

I love my mother for all the reasons everyone loves their mother, including, that she saved my Hot Wheels and Matchbox car collection.  I have had my collection in a Hot Wheels collector box in a closet for years until I got a wild hair to buy a shadow box to display them.  So, 50 years later I am still enjoying my first dollar ever spent!

History of Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

Matchbox is a popular toy brand which was introduced by Lesney Products in 1953 and is now owned by Mattel, Inc. The brand was so named as the original die-cast Matchbox toys were sold in boxes similar in style and size to those in which matches were sold. Subsequently the brand would encompass a broad range of toys including larger scale die-cast models and various non die-cast lines such as plastic model kits and action figures.

During the 1980's, Matchbox started to switch to the more conventional plastic and cardboard "blister packs" that were used by other die cast toy brands such as Hot Wheels. The box style packaging was re-introduced for the collectors' market in recent years, particularly with the release of the "35th Anniversary of Superfast" series in 2004. -Wiki

Hot Wheels is considered as one of the leading brands of die cast toy cars worldwide. The American toy manufacturer Mattel initially released it in September 1968. Until 1996, it competed against other leading brands such as Matchbox and Johnny Lightning. The competition only ended when Mattel decided to acquire Tyco’s Matchbox brand.

Hot Wheels vehicles usually follow the 1/64 scale model. This means that each of these cars has a height of approximately 1 inch and a length close to 3 inches. However, the size of each toy vehicle depends on the car model from which it is patterned. Not only is this toy brand popular among children, but also among adult collectors.

Additional Facts and Other Interesting Details

Nowadays, the Hot Wheels brand of toy cars has more than 10,000 different beautiful and colorful designs. Leading car manufacturers like Chrysler Motors, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors have authorized the release of the miniature models of their vehicles. The same also goes for premier brands such as Toyota, Mazda and Ferrari.

Aside from the normal cars, the Hot Wheels brand also has other interesting product lines such as the Hot Birds airplanes, the R-R-Rumblers motorcycles and the rechargeable Sizzlers electric cars. Aside from these, there is also another highly interesting product line called Hot Line trains.

In 1968, a total 16 beautiful miniature car models were released, all of which featured a working suspension, redline wheels as well as special bearings. More than anything else, these cars became popular for their special paintwork called the Spectraflame. Some of the most notable car models that became part of this highly successful release were the Chevrolet Corvette, the Camaro and the Barracuda. Additionally, it also included the Mercury Cougar, the Mustang as well as the Firebird.

After the successful release in 1968, it was followed right away with another successful release in 1969. This particular set of miniature cars included the McLaren M6A, the Maserati Mistral as well as the Brabham Repco F1. Other notable car models released during that

year also included the Volkswagen Beach Bomb, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and the Mercedes-Benz 280SL.

The 1970's also saw the release of other beautiful and captivating toy car designs like the Nitty Gritty Kitty, the Mongoose Funny Car and the Sky Show Deora. In 1973, the Fat Daddy Sizzlers product line was released, which featured designs like the Highway Robber, the Mercedes-Benz C-11 and the Superfine Turbine among other attractive designs.-dimensionsinfo.com

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My winning Peel Out at the 2011 Lone Star Classic Convention in Dallas

Texas Classic Chevy Experience will post blogs about: Hot Rods, Chevy, Chevrolet, Drag Racing, Car Shows, Classic Cars, Custom Cars, Muscle Cars, How to Tech. posts, Dallas Area Classic Chevy Club, Texas Muscle Car Challenge, Tri-Five Nationals, Lone Star Chevy Convention, Classic Car lists, Classic car links, Spotters guides, Car Shows, Swap meets, Book reviews and More.

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Do’s and Don’ts for Restoring a Classic Chevy Tri-Five Part 2 of Zen and the Classic Car Restorer

Getting ready to take 3 laps at TMSW

Do’s and Don’ts for Restoring a Classic Chevy Tri-Five

Part 2 of "Zen and the Classic Car Restorer"

   -Alan Arnell

link to Part 1 of Zen and the classic Car Restorer

Do’s

• Do budget your time and resources.  Know what you are willing to put in for what you want to get out of the project?  Know your desired outcome.
• Do use proper safety practices and equipment.  Gloves, shoes, eyewear and hearing protection

  

  My homemade puller

  is very important.  Be mindful of not burning down your house and having cars fall on you.
• Do get your family on board that you will need some alone time with your car.  Convince them that it is a good thing for them.
• Do seek assistance or hire out what your are unable or unwilling to do.
• Do find an stand alone space for work space, tools and storage.  There is nothing more life sucking than having to jockey cars and your stuff around before and after each scheduled work time.  
• Whenever possible rent those special tools so you will not have to buy them or store them after use.  In my life experience; I use it once, then five years later I spend an hour or two trying to find the tool again when I need it.  The more you use a tool the easier it is to keep up with that tool.  
• Look online for posted shop and assembly manuals.  Trifive Chevy.com has many of the manuals posted in a dedicated category.
• Do plan to drive your car as soon a possible.

Don’ts:

• Don’t stress over money.  If you don’t have it now wait until you do.  Or, take on a step during that time that does not cost all that much.  Sanding is a good cure for that.  

  

  Restoring a vintage license plate

• Don’t drink and restor.
• Don’t (the most important Don’t) let your significant other feel threatened by your new passion.  You need to keep her happy or she may be unhappy with you moved out of your house with only half of your stuff.  Get the whole family involved and enjoying the project too.  If nothing else, your car project will or should induced a joyful calm that will be notice by that special person in your life.  Time alone is never a bad thing when used constructively.

Advice for choosing the right car for you.

• Find the most complete car you can afford.
• Look for an undisturbed car.
• Find a car as close to what you would like to end up with as possible.

  

  Checking ring gear backlash.

• Be ready to walk away if you can’t make a fair deal buying the car or if the car is a bigger project that you can complete.
• Being a dumb ass begins when you are too anxious or over confident.
• Never buy sight unseen, go look, feel, touch and smell.  If need be, hire a professional to look over the car and have them tell you if the car is a worthwhile project
• Unfinished projects may be a great deal, many times you may find a treasure chest of parts inside.

The most important Thing.

Have lots of fun driving and mucho quality hands-on restoration and modification fun with your classic car.

I would like to hear from the experience restorers out there with your hard learned do’s and don’ts.

57 Chevy Gas Tank Holding Band Repair

57 Chevy Gas Tank

Holding Band Repair

Oh what a Gas!

Railroad Tracks, GoodGuys Car Show and OMG!

     -by Alan Arnell

 Rust damaged trunk deck allows gas tank holding bands to fail, allowing the gas tank to fall out.

...as I pumped in about ten gallons (of gas) when a red Ford screeched to a halt behind my car. A man jumped out and yelled, “Stop! I was chasing you to tell you your gas tank is falling out!”

Every fall North Texas is blessed by having the annual Good Guys Rod and Custom Show held at the Texas Motor Speedway located north of Fort Worth.. The show is a must see for any car enthusiast. I have gone several times over the years and thoroughly enjoyed seeing over 1500 rods, customs and classics, muscle cars at each show in the infield of the Texas Motor Speedway. I also enjoyed checking out the vendors and manufacture exhibits along with the swap meet.

++For a list of North Texas Classic Car Shows CHECK OUT TCCE’s Events Page: LINK ++

Every fall North Texas is blessed by having the annual Good Guys Rod and Custom Show held at the Texas Motor Speedway located north of Fort Worth.. The show is a must see for any car enthusiast. I have gone several times over the years and thoroughly enjoyed seeing over 1500 rods, customs and classics, muscle cars at each show in the infield of the Texas Motor Speedway. I also enjoyed checking out the vendors and manufacture exhibits along with the swap meet.

Back in the 2002 when I first bought my Chevy I showed my car at the show. The highlight of the event was being able to drive the Chevy three laps around the speedway.

Several years later, I decided I wanted to go to the show as a spectator. It was such a nice day; I decided to take the Chevy, even though I was not going to enter the show. The trip to the speedway was only thirty five miles. I had a half a tank of gas therefore; I decided instead of buying gas on the way, I would buy gas on the way back.

With music blaring out the rear Jensen speakers over the roar of the dual exhausts, I am grinning ear to ear from my drive though the country in my Classic Chevy.

Being able to drive the Chevy on the trip to the speedway, in itself, was an enjoyable event. When I started, I had to make a decision between two different routes to drive to the show. For fun of it, I chose going through Flower Mound, driving on Farm to Market Road 1171. After you get out of the city limits of Flower Mound the road at that time was a pleasing two lane winding blacktop. With music blaring out the rear Jensen speakers over the roar of the dual exhausts, I am grinning ear to ear from my drive though the country in my Classic Chevy. Mostly, I drive in the city so, getting out in the countryside at highway speeds was extremely enjoyable. I looked at the usual sites, the ‘Tour 18’ golf course, horse farms and lakes and trees as I navigated the horse country road. One exceptionally fun activity is driving fast over a set of railroad tracks, jumping them, along the way. Every time I jump them, I swear I am lifting all four wheels off the pavement.

When I drive my Chevy anywhere it is always an adventure. I never know what is going to break or fall off. However, my tip to the track was uneventful and pleasurable. I found a great spot in the front row of the parking lot and made my own mini car show, rolled up the windows then walked into the speedway for several hours of contentment at GoodGuys Rod and Custom Car Show DFW.
Cool link to the 2016 GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association Schedule: FULL THROTTLE FUN!!

Having had all I could absorb, I finally called it a day and headed out of the show. I must have walked five miles at least that day. I made an effort to see every row of show cars and vendor booths. Finally, I arrive back at my parking spot. I jumped into the Chevy and headed for the house.  For added adventure,  I decided to take another route home.  Not 2 miles into the return trim I noticed my gas gage was indicating  just under a quarter of a tank of fuel, the danger zone! My route to the show however enjoyable was lacking in gas stations. Consequently, I decide to take Highway 114 through Grapevine. After crossing Highway 35 West a nice large gas station loomed into view. Without enough gas to get home, I pulled into the station for some go juice. 

The tank was, as we say in Texas, “catawampus”

Nonchalantly, I pulled up to the pumps and inserted the pump nozzle. Humming the last song I listened on my car’s radio, I had pumped in about ten gallons, when a red Ford screeched to a halt behind my car. A man jumped out and yelled, “Stop! I was chasing you to tell you your gas tank is falling out. I tried to tell you sooner but, I got caught at the traffic light.”  Immediately, I stopped the flow of gas from the pump to step back for a quick look under my car. Sure enough, one of the tank’s straps was completely off the tank and dragging on the ground. The tank was, as we say in Texas, “catawampus” or, hanging half out at a forty five degree angle.  I can not tell you what first came out of my mouth,  but I will say I thanked my Good Samaritan.

I pulled the car over to the side of the station lot to survey the situation. My first thought was what happened? It must have been the railroad tracks! My second thought was I can fix it.

I crawled under the rear of the Tri-Five Chevy. Luckily, I the car is jacked up in the rear making for enough room for me without jacking the car up. Lying under the car I begin to start shoving the tank back into its proper position. The tank was hard to maneuver since it had at least twelve gallons of fuel in it. If you do not know, gas weighs around 6 pounds a gallon therefore, I am pushing around seventy pounds of gas tank. Despite the fact; that I am at my bench press limit, I still managed to just get the tank almost back into position.  Suddenly!  To my horror  the whole fuel tank comes crashing out to land on my chest with a wet thud.

You never know how fast you can move until seventy pounds of gas tank falls on you, spewing flammable liquid out of the now exposed filler neck all over you. I wiggle out from under the tank and roll out from under the car to notice that gas is pouring everywhere. Without thinking about the danger, I drug the tank over the concrete parking lot to prop it up on a curb to keep the gas from pouring out of the tank.  My Guarding Angel was watching over me that day!

Soaked with smelly gasoline, I then just stood there panting, and staring in a daze at the train wreck that had just happened. My car sat without a gas tank, the tank was out on the pavement propped up on a six inch curb, after spilling half its contents. A major gas spill covered the pavement, luckily spreading away from the Chevy. I was soaked with gas and could not move from fear and dismay. I did not know what to do next.  I guess the rush of adrenaline of having to speed crawl out from under the car with the possibility of burning to death had used me all up.

As I stood like a statue, a guy, I would later find was from Pennsylvania, came up to me saying, “Looks like you are having a little trouble?” Shaking out of my stupor, I said, “My gas tank just fell out.” My this world Guarding Angel said, “I’m a mechanic. My dad has had several old Chevys. Working on them with him was what got me interested in being a mechanic for a living.” As I got out some tools we talked about how his wife was visiting Dallas for training and he had tagged along. We lifted and strapped the tank back into place.  Finished, we shook hands as I told him I could not have fixed my car without him.

To make a long story short, the tank came loose again the next day. I put new straps on to then find that the trunk deck was rusted out.  I do not know General Motors engineers were thinking when the use the trunk floor pan for a fastening point for the gas tank and the rear wheel shock absorbers.   I had to replace much of the steel trunk deck to strengthen the area that secured the gas tank supports.

Having a classic car gives me faith in humanity. My old Chevy has broken down several times. Each time I have had new friends and current friends stop by to help me out of my predicament. Classic cars have that effect on people.

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