This extremely rare 1870 patent model horse and carriage tin toy, with half-tag receipt and patent tag, will lead the SeriousToyz.com auction.

A hard to find 1919 A. C. Gilbert & Co. 'New Wheel' building toy, mint in the box with paperwork, is another highlight from the auction.

Two lots in particular are expected to generate intense bidder interest. One is an 1870 patent model horse and carriage tin toy, including paperwork (a half-tag indicating when the toy was received, and a patent tag dated July 26, 1870). The other is a rare 1919 A.C. Gilbert & Co. ‘New Wheel’ building toy, mint in the box, also with paperwork.

Both toys will carry suggested opening bids of $1,500, according to Tom Miano, owner of SeriousToyz.com. He added the auction was delayed a bit from its planned Fall 2010 schedule date.

“It took us a little while to get our ducks in a row on this one,” Miano said, “but in the end, everything lined up beautifully and we’re looking forward to quite possibly our best sale ever.”

Flying Fox jet propeller battery-operated airplane, made in 1959 by Remco, with original box.

More than 40 consignors, including several 30- and 40-year lifetime collections, were brought together in an auction that offers something for just about every toy collector and aficionado. Featured are a large number of mint, store stock and factory-sealed items, plus in-depth offerings across dozens of collecting categories. A sampling of what’s for sale follows:

• Hundreds of highly collectible die-cast toys, to include Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Corgi, Dinky and more, both boxed and loose, with many scarce and rare variations;
• Dozens of sought-after and coveted character toys from the 1950s and ’60s, many in their original packaging and many factory sealed. A trove for nostalgic baby boomers;
• More than 70 beautiful vintage lunch boxes, with many highly desirable issues;
• A large group of tin wind-up and battery-operated toys from the early 1900s through the 1950s, including many classic characters;
• Scores of pressed steel, tin, cast-iron and plastic vehicle toys, to include cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, trains, ships and more;
• Smaller groups of outstanding pieces, in categories such as sand pails, Halloween, Pez, lead soldiers, World’s Fair, tin, early pinbacks, rings, premiums, classic ’60s toys and more.

Mack cast-iron high coal dump truck, by Arcade (1931), with rubber wheels and chrome driver.

“We pride ourselves in holding auctions that offer quality items in all price ranges, so everyone can participate,” Miano said. “Our auction rules are set up so that everyone has an equal chance to get what they’re bidding on.”

Bidders have several ways to participate. They can log on to the SeriousToyz Web site, and bid online; they can mail in a bid (to #1 Baltic Place, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520), or phone in their bid, toll-free (866.653.8699, international 914.271.8669). A full-color catalog ($10 postpaid, $15 international) is also available.

Dome lunch box for “The Jetsons” TV show (1963), by Aladdin, with bottle; minor rust spots.

There are no “sudden death” endings in SeriousToyz.com auctions. Each lot has its own computerized “clock,” and items will close individually when 60 minutes pass without a bid. As such, there is no advantage or need for participants to wait for the last minute to place a bid, especially if they are bidding by phone. Bidding before closing days and when using ceiling bids are both advised. Pre-registration with a valid credit card is required before a bid can be placed.

SeriousToyz.com was launched in 1995 by Tom and Patti Miano, dedicated toy collectors who turned their passion into a thriving business. For 15-plus years, they’ve sold thousands of items to discriminating collectors worldwide.

Oversized, multiple-view photos of each lot, in full color and with detailed descriptions for each one, may be viewed at the SeriousToyz.com Web site.

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1964 Chevrolet Impala sedan by Matchbox

Maxi Taxi (Ford Capri) by Matchbox

1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL by Matchbox

1987 Ford LTD by Matchbox

The taxi cab is a common sight on the streets of any city. For small-scale die-cast collectors, the humble cab has been made available over the years in many forms. At any given time, most die-cast manufacturers have at least one cab in their regular line-up. The examples shown here are by no means all the cabs done in 1:64 scale. It is interesting to observe, however, how the vast majority of cabs have been painted in “taxi” yellow color scheme.

The most prolific producer of tiny taxi cabs has been Matchbox. The first cab shown is a 1964 Chevrolet Sedan, #20. Other than the “Taxi” decal on the hood and its color, this could be a regular street car. As far as I know, it was always offered in taxi form. The next Matchbox taxi is a joker in the deck. The “Maxi Taxi” of 1973 is one of the “Rolomatic” cars. When it is rolled across the floor or a table, the blown V8 engine moves up and down. The original casting is of the Ford Capri—certainly not a choice for taxi service—considering it’s a coupe. Oh well, it’s fun and could have made an interesting drag racer for an ex-taxi driver.

1987 Ford LTD ('TAXI') by Matchbox	Austin FX4R London Cab by Matchbox
Austin FX4R London Cab by Corgi	Mercedes-Benz 300 SE by Zylmez

The Mercedes Benz 450SEL #56 is an appropriate choice for a taxi as many European cabs are Mercedes sedans. This casting was offered in stock and police form as well. A newer taxi from Matchbox is the 1987 Ford LTD. It is shown in regular issue form and as one of the new “Star Car Collection,” representing the “Taxi” TV show that starred Judd Hirsch and Danny DeVito. Of course the LTD was never featured in the show, as al the cabs were Checkers. The last Matchbox is an Austin FX4R cab in London black. Originally offered in 1986, it has recently been re-released with the word ‘Taxi’ on the doors.

Corgi also offered an Austin FX4R London Cab as a Corgi Junior. The opening doors of the Matchbox make it the better casting of the two. A very early Zylmez, #D37, represents a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE in taxi form and may well be a Matchbox copy. The decal on the hood reads “United States Auto Club,” a rather curious choice for a Mercedes taxi. The crude wheels date this as an early offering from Zylmex.

1977 Dodge Coronet Custom by Tomica	1982 Chevrolet Malibu by Hot Wheels
Chevrolet Caprice by Maisto	Renault 18 by Majorette

Moving on, Tomica did a 1977 Dodge Coronet Custom, #F8 as a taxi. Hot Wheels produced a rather interesting taxi in 1982. The car is a Chevrolet Malibu sedan and was not offered in any other form or color. As a result, this is a rather rare casting and the only example of this particular Chevrolet. Maisto has recently offered a late 1990s Chevrolet Caprice as a taxi and police car. Majorette has offered several taxi models over the years. The Renault 18, #266 is un-marked except for the taxi light n the roof. The ’80s Chevrolet Impala taxi, #240 is also available in police and military form.

A newcomer to die-cast, Golden Wheel, has recently offered four car sets of taxi, police and fire vehicles. These are of excellent quality and include two cars that are seldom represented. The Checker cab should have been done long ago. This example is a delight and looks just right. It does not seem right however in police or fire guise. The early ’50s Chevrolet sedan is also a welcome addition and just as good. The modern Chevrolet Caprice cab is the third and equally well-done member of this set.

Chevrolet Caprice Classic by Majorette	Chevrolet Caprice by Golden Wheel
Checker Cab by Golden Wheel	1952 Chevrolet Sedan by Golden Wheel

—by Doug Breithaupt

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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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