It seems he has recently been watching the Hanna-Barbera “Wacky Racers” cartoon from the 1970s, where a collection of wacky racers compete over a series of likewise wacky race courses. Dick Dastardly and Mutley, his dog, always try to cheat to win, and of course never do. Bentley’s recent purchase of a Hot Wheels “Hot Seat” car had inspired him to re-create the wacky races for himself.

Wacky racers are not new to die-cast. Almost entirely in 1:64 scale, these are hot rods with a twist. Usually, my collection focuses on realistic production or race cars, but over the years I have picked up an assortment of “custom” cars. These cars tend to fall into several categories:

• Traditional hot rods (like the ’32 Ford ‘deuce’ coupes and Model ‘T’ high-boy roadsters);
• Futuristic custom cars (like turbine or nuclear powered cars with sleek body work);
• Cartoon cars (featuring cartoon characters at the wheel or cars from cartoons);
• Production customs (post-war cars with massive engines or wild body alterations), and;
• Wacky Racers.

My definition a Wacky Racer is a car that is almost (or totally) cartoonish in appearance but not from actual cartoons. Often Wacky Racers are planes, trains or even toilets, made into custom cars. Of course there is no perfect definition here; you know them when you see them. These are toy cars that make you smile. Some are models of actual creations by Barris or other customizers. Others came directly from the fevered brains of die-cast designers, most likely the results of a steady diet of sugar and caffeine. First and foremost, Wacky Racers are fun.

Red Baron”

Mini Ha Ha”

Dog Fighter”

Nine Wacky Racers have been selected from my collection to illustrate the category. The first three have aviation aspirations or inspirations, as the case may be. The first is a true classic and one of the best known of all Hot Wheels, the “Red Baron” (1969). Not modeled after an actual car, the “Red Baron” was one of Hot Wheels’ biggest hits of the late 1960s, and later a full-sized version was created. Early editions had a spike on the helmet, but it was later removed for safety reasons. It was later released as a 25th anniversary model. Complete with twin machine guns and an iron cross on the radiator, this is one of the best wacky racers.

The second in this series comes from Matchbox. In the 1970s, Matchbox followed Hot Wheels’ lead with a wide variety of custom cars. Few qualify as Wacky Racers, but one stands out for me. The “Mini Ha Ha” (#14, 1975) is a wild custom of an actual car, the Austin Mini. At the same time, the cartoonish proportions, including the helmeted driver, and radial aero-engine are just wacky enough for me.

The third aero-car is a newer (comparatively) Hot Wheels release. The “Dog Fighter” (1996) is a wingless plane with four wheels, another radial aero-engine and propeller. The graphics are great, especially the most recent black and yellow version. The number of “kills” are represented on the side with tiny dog bones.

Boothill Express"

Vampire Van"

"Li'l Coffin"

The second set of Wacky Racers is also following a theme. The first two are from Johnny Lightning, part of the “ ’Frightning Lightning” series of 1996. My favorite is the “Boothill Express.” This George Barris custom is exceptionally well done in small-scale. This hearse is a hoot. The V8 has what must be the tallest velocity stacks of all time and the eight exhaust pipes are clearly detailed. With real rubber tires and mag wheels, this is a great Wacky Racer.

The second car, from the same “ ’Frighting Lightning” series, is the “Vampire Van.” Complete with a casket in the back, Dracula would be the darling of the drag races in this delectable die-cast.

The third of these gruesome go-carts is a 1994 offering from Hot Wheels. “Li’l Coffin” features a wheeled pinebox, complete with skull headlights and a bat on the nose. The usual V8 hot rod engine appears to have a blower attached ahead of the radiator. This car would not only let you go in style but it would also get you to the pearly gates in record time.

Paddy Wagon”

Radio Flyer”

Hot Seat”

The last set is a mix of favorites. The companion to Hot Wheels “Red Baron” was the “Paddy Wagon” (1969). This dual-carbed V8 could make even the Keystone cops look good. Based on another real custom, this is the ultimate police cruiser.

Just as much fun is Hot Wheels’ “Radio Flyer” from 1998. This little red wagon could be a real paper route power house. I love the steering handle, complete with instrumentation. It makes you want a real one.

Last is the latest from Hot Wheels, the un-disputed king of Wacky Racers. The “Hot Seat” is everything a Wacky Racer should be. This seat-of-ease is perfect with a plunger steering wheel that moves when you lift the seat, twin TP rolls for quicker pit stops and a hole in the bowl, just like at home. Of course it’s rear-engined, with a motorcycle motor in the tank.

So who would you put your money on in this Wacky Race? Perhaps you have a favorite Wacky Racer from your collection, if so let me know. As a side-note, Johnny Lightning has done two of the actually Wacky Racers from the cartoon (Dick Dastersly’s and Penelope Pit Stop’s racers), but as they are actual cartoon cars, they fall in the other category. With the recent new offerings from Hot Wheels, it appears that Wacky Racers are going to delight a lot more 4-year-olds, and a few of their parents, too.

— by Doug Breithaupt

Two watch an episode of Wacky Racers, here is “Whizzin’ to Washington” Parts One and Two.

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1959 Chevrolet El Camino by Johnny Lightning #P415

Custom El Camino by Johnny Lightning #101

by Doug Breithaupt

For many years, fans of Chevrolet’s El Camino have had little to collect in small-scale diecast. That has changed recently as the El Camino finally joins the 1:64 scale parade. Up until the 1990′s, only one El Camino was available to toy car collectors. The original Johnny Lightning series by Topper offered a Custom El Camino, complete with surf-boards molded into the rear deck. It is no surprise that Playing Mantis chose this model for reproduction when the Johnny Lightning models were revived. In fact, theCustom El Camino was the very first re-issue, #101.

Four of the eight El Camino models to the left are from Johnny Lightning. The 1959 came out in 1997 and was part of the Trucking USA series. It represents the very first El Camino model and is a very nice casting except for the solid wing-windows. Johnny Lightning offered a 1971 El Camino in 1995 as part of their Sky Show play set. It came with track and a glider that releases from the truck-bed. The last JL El Camino is a wild mid-engine funny car/truck called the Trouble Maker. The body lifts from the rear to show a monster V8 and rail chassis.

1968 Chevrolet El Camino Custom by Hot Wheels

Custom El Camino funny 'truck' by Johnny Lightning #PM310

It is amazing that Hot Wheels first El Camino had to wait until 1999 to be produced. While the body is a 1968 El Camino, it is anything but stock. This El Camino would not be too good for a trip to the lumber store as the truck-bed is fully occupied with a huge rear spoiler and transverse V8 planted a midship.

Matchbox also waited a long time to offer an El Camino. Their 1970 models produced in 1997 and offered in the 1998 line-up. It is a well-done toy car/truck and has been a popular item on store shelves.

1970 Chevrolet El Camino by Matchbox #74

1986 Chevrolet El Camino SS by Majorette #296

The last two El Camino models represent an interesting modern version of Chevy’s car/truck. The 1983-86 El Camino SS was produced on the same platform as the Monte Carlo and offered a taste of the earlier muscle-trucks with an SS (super sport) edition. Majorette of France first offered this model, a surprising choice for a European diecast company. The model has proved popular and is still in the Majorette line-up today. While the casting is clearly in the toy line, it comes with decent detail and the usual good quality offered by Majorette.

A more collector-oriented version of the 1986 El Camino SS was offered by Racing Champions as part of their Mint Editions line in 1997. Complete with opening hood and engine detail, the Racing champions casting is an excellent model.

1971 Chevrolet El Camino by Johnny Lightning #373

1986 Chevrolet El Camino SS by Racing Champions #99

Several generations of El Caminos are still missing in small-scale. The mid-sixties and late seventies models are a likely edition to 1:64 scale diecast in future.