Jalopnik: Toys

This Is The Fastest Slot Car Race I've Ever Seen

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

When I was slightly too old to still play with slot cars I just about demanded my parents buy me a slot car track that featured two Jeep-like vehicles racing through a scene that was a total Indiana Jones ripoff. I loved it. This is so many times faster my brain can barely comprehend it. More »

Grand Theft Auto III gets Android and iPhone 4S versions, pricey action figure

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EDT

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Rockstar Games revealed today that it would be honoring Grand Theft Auto III's 10th anniversary with a special edition. Later this fall, it's coming to an array of portable devices for Android, but fewer ones for iOS. More »

Building Need For Speed Mega Blok by Mega Blok

Mike Fahey — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EDT

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Who would want to buy Need for Speed-branded Mega Bloks construction sets? That's the question I asked myself when I first heard the LEGO competitor had taken on EA's racing game license earlier this year. Now that the sets are hitting store shelves, I have an answer: Me. More »

Oops! A Phone Number on a Toy Truck Turned Out to Be a Sex Line

Casey Chan — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EDT

A Grandma gifted a Mattel Matchbox toy truck to her 3-year-old grandson because like most 3-year-old boys, he loved playing with trucks. Unbeknownst to both of them though, the phone number painted on the truck directed to a sex line. More »

The Greatest Toy Car Track Ever

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EDT

Two guys calling themselves the "Darda Brothers" created this outrageously twisted and seemingly endless toy car track using a little ingenuity, some clever editing, and miniature cars capable of going a scale top-speed of 600 mph. Ooh, and they jump! More »

He Eats! He Dumps! He's Stinky The Garbage Truck!

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EDT

Matchbox has had great success anthropomorphizing its products, but making a garbage truck named "Stinky" that eats and then poops when you push his "belly button" is maybe going a little too far. [Reddit] More »

Diecast Toy Car Of The Day: GAZ-3102 Volga

Murilee Martin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EDT

We'd all love an obsessively detailed 1:18 scale Volvo 240 coupe on our desks, of course, but no collection of automotive tchotchkes is complete without some Soviet iron! More »

Diecast Toy Car Of The Day: Volvo 240 Coupe!

Murilee Martin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EDT

I've been admiring the 1:24 scale 1969 Dan Gurney Special Mercury Cyclone I got as a bribe from a LeMons team all week. It looks good next to my '79 Chrysler Town & Country, but something is missing... More »

Now This Is a LeMons Supreme Court Bribe!

Murilee Martin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EDT

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The problem with toy cars is that you can never find the Mercury you're looking for. As a former Cyclone owner, I'd long ago given up on finding a good office-cluttering Cyclone tchotchke, but check out what I just got! More »

Are Automotive Tchotchkes Invading Your Workspace?

Murilee Martin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EDT

Having just moved one timezone to the east, I've performed a fairly severe purge of the automotive tchotchkes that accreted in my office. Still, new ones keep showing up, and I cannot bear to ditch them. More »

1980s Chrysler Argues With A Speak & Spell

Sam Smith — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:00:00 EDT

Through the magic of technology, the 1986 Chrysler New Yorker could to talk to its driver. Similarly, the Speak & Spell children's learning toy could school you with a mechanized voice. This is what happens when you put them together. More »

Man Convicted For Driving Drunk In Toy Barbie Car

Sam Smith — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EDT

This is Paul Hutton, 40, of Clacton-on-Sea, England. A judge recently convicted him for operating a 4-mph toy electric Barbie car in front of his house while drunk. He has lost his driver's license but earned our undying respect. More »

Martha Stewart Disapproves: Giant Automotive-Themed Wacky Packages Wall Graphics

Murilee Martin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST

Wacky Packages have been around for more than 40 years now (the '73 reissue of the first series got me hooked as a first-grader), and plenty of the stickers were gearhead-centric. Now you can get 'em seven feet tall! More »

Geniuses Build Automatic Vomit Machine From Old Axle

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST

The idea is simple: Turn a solid axle 90 degrees, mount a bucket seat to the differential input, weld a hitch onto the contraption and pull it with a four-wheeler. All it needs is a projectile vomit shield. More »

Tyler's Toy: Project Photos

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:40:01 EST

Ludicrously Stupid Star Wars Biker Action Figures

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST

For the last decade George Lucas has been busy whoring the Star Wars franchise hard enough to make our stomachs churn, so within that context these Star Wars action figure bikers make perfect sense. [HellForLeather] More »

They're The World's Most Expensive Cars- Let's SMASH 'EM UP!

Murilee Martin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EDT

The Kenner SSP (Super Sonic Power) toy cars of the Early Malaise Era were pretty cool, but they got orders of magnitude better when parts flew off during crashes! More »

Racer Boy Explains Some Extremely Low-Buck Racing

Murilee Martin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EDT

Rob "Racer Boy" Krider gave us the info on autocross and rallycross, and now he's going to show us how to race door to door without worrying about your doors. More »

Move Some Iron, Malaise Era Style: Dealer's Choice Board Game!

Murilee Martin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EDT

During my Malaise Era childhood, my sisters and I would often set up the card table for an acrimonious, hatred-filled session of the classic 1971 Parker Brothers used-car-selling board game Dealer's Choice. More »

Toy Car Wall Art

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EDT

When you get to a certain age, people start judging your collection of toy cars. We're guessing this may be part of the motivation for this attractive piece of car-based art. [Apartment Therapy via Tchochkes] More »

Model Find Of The Week: Revell Gaga

Murilee Martin — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:00:00 EDT

After the agony of the already-sold '75 Civic kit last week, I figured I'd find a Model Hell kit you can still buy. This one ain't cheap, but that's what makes it Model Hell! More »

1:16 Scale First-Gen Honda Civic Model Kit: Another One Gets Away

Murilee Martin — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:00:00 EDT

Once I started looking at those 1:32 scale Dekotora model kits, I knew I was in danger of being dragged back into the cruel, eyestrain-inducing vortex of Model Car Hell.
More »

Life Imitates Art, 80s Style: Shot Wheels Cars

Murilee Martin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT

You never know what you find when you start looking into the profound cultural effects of Wacky Packages. Not only did they begat Topps' Weird Wheels, but one card inspired real-life toy cars: Shot Wheels!
More »

Transformers 2 Corvette Centennial Concept Transformed

The Auto Insider — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST

Michael Bay's upcoming explosive robo-masturbation fest, Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen, will see the debut of the Corvette Centennial Concept (code-name: Sideswipe). A first look at the transformed Sideswipe after the jump. More »

Nissan GT-R Transformers Toy Poses Next To Real Nissan GT-R

Mark Arnold — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:20:00 EDT

When we first heard of the Nissan GT-R Transformers toy, it was still a colorless prototype. Now we see what it looks like in all its hopefully lead-free paint. They've even found a real Nissan GT-R to pose next to it. Maybe it's actually the full-scale model ready to do battle with the GM Autobots? Okay, obviously not, but it's too bad we wont be seeing this GT-R up on the big screen in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. These shots were taken at the 2008 Chara Hobby show in Chiba, Japan. The Tomy Takara toy should be going into production in the next few months, but getting your hands on one over here in the US may take a little longer. More »

The Air Hog Zero Gravity Micro R/C Car Uses Vacuum To Drive On Walls And Ceilings

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:20:00 EDT

Ever tried to drive an R/C car on the wall only to come face-to-face with that stupidest of Newton's laws — gravity? No more! Air Hog Zero Gravity Micro R/C cars channel Jim Hall and his Chaparral 2J design, using a small fan to create enough suction to allow the little radio-controlled critters to cruise right up a flat wall and even across the ceiling. We're not sure if you can shut the things down mid-cruise, allowing you to launch off the ceiling ballistic-missile-style right into someone's head, but we're sure hoping so. And for just $44, ask yourself: Can you afford not to have one? [Dvice] More »

World Smallest Solar Racing Car Just $22.00

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EDT

The world's smallest solar-powered racing car is smaller than a matchbook and, at just £11.99, it's actually affordable. With dimensions of 33×22x14 mm, it's also rather cute. The tiny electric car is basically a solar cell with a miniature electric motor and four wheels, able to run either on the power of the sun or on the power of a strong artificial light. The claim of it being a "race car" is a bit dubious, but we've already invented a way to race the cars. Buy two of them and see which one soaks up the sun best for the ultimate, eco-friendly drag race. More »

Trailer Park Special R/C Buick Finds A Way To Leave Puddle Of Electrons

Murilee Martin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Some of you with very long memories might recall having seen my Hayward-style Impala model last year. That was a fun project, but TexanIdiot has taken the whole weathered-model concept a big step further, by making a model beater that actually drives. Welcome to the Trailer Park Special R/C Buick model, which features duct tape aplenty and some marks that might not buff right out. Here's the full project thread; make the jump to see the entire gallery and get TexanIdiot's summary. More »

1:16 Scale Hummer HX Concept Raises Eyebrows

Travis Hudson — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Hummer is on one hell of a rollercoaster ride lately. The brand may be done and the sales are plummeting, but the Hummer HX concept is still rumored to be involved in the Transformers sequel. And now, for the first time, the HX can be purchased by general consumers, at least in the toy form, with this remote-control 1:16 scale Hummer HX. It's available for $40, but don't confuse it with the Warthog. So what's going on, Hummer? Are you throwing in the towel or pushing on with concept designs that won't be hitting production anytime soon? [Product Page via Likecool] More »

Ultimate Diecast Toy Car Created: 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Town And Country!

Murilee Martin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT

That's right, dear readers, humanity has now officially reached the pinnacle: diecast 1:24 and 1:60 scale replicas of the amazing '79 Chrysler LeBaron Town And Country station wagon! With an even hundred horses from its undaunted-by-Malaise 225 Slant Six, the 3,600-pound Town And Country provided a great example to road-tripping families eager to teach the kids about the proverb of the Tortoise And The Hare. Thanks to 57Sweptside for the tip! [Motormax] More »

El Camino Immortalized In Lego!

Murilee Martin — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:00:00 EDT

The character Earl J. Hickey of the TV show My Name Is Earl drives a '73 El Camino with some mismatched junkyard parts, and that was reason enough for this Lego modeler to recreate the famous cartruck in Danish plastic bricks. We're disappointed that we don't get to see the engine in the photos, since it's probably a super-accurate reproduction of a 307 with Moroso valve covers and a Supercoil. (Hat tip to Nicjasno!) [Brickshelf.com] More »

Honda Racer Hot Wheels Toy Is Whacky, Real Whacky

Travis Hudson — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Hot Wheels' 40th anniversary is upon us and to celebrate Mattel, parent company of Hot Wheels, arranged the "Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge." This challenge gave a handful of big name car manufacturers like Honda, Lotus and Mitsubishi the opportunity to design a crazy ass Hot Wheels car. Honda decided to go above and beyond crazy with it's Honda Racer, which looks like something Speed Racer drives in his nightmares. More »

Railbird, The SSP Demon Dragster For '72!

Murilee Martin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT

As a young proto-hoon, I was more of a fan of the Smash Up Derby SSPs than of the "standard" SSP cars; since all SSPs were going to bash into baseboards, ankles, etc. at parent-enragin' velocity (which is probably the reason they're no longer made) the ones that featured parts flying off at impact were more entertaining. Still, it's impossible not to love the Railbird, the Flapjack, or the Dodge Super Stocker. If only there had been some way to combine SSPs with Lawn Darts! More »

What, No Bootlegger Turns? Dukes of Hazzard Racing Sets From Ideal

Murilee Martin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EST

You know what was missing from most slot-car racing sets? Jumps! Now, based on personal experience with slot cars, we'd say that the chance of a car making a jump and then landing back on the slot approach zero... but so what? It's Boss Hogg versus the Duke Boys! More »

Slot Car Wall Art: Where Functionality And Design Meet

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST

Because we share a small apartment in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, we've never quite had the space to install our own ultimate slot car track. In fact, we've yet to install any kind of slot car track in the apartment. We've got this guy to thank for providing a solution that meets our space requirements while also addresses the excess of whitespace on our walls. According to the creator, the Slot Car Wall Sculpture layouts are "practically infinite," which is funny considering his current version is a lemniscate. More »

The Masculinity Jokes Are Endless With Grow Your Own Hummer

Travis Hudson — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:45:00 EST

Everyone knows that Hummers are pretty damn big, but now they can get even bigger with Grow Your Own Hummer! Okay, I really doubt that this toy could get bigger than an actual Hummer, but who knows—those inflatable water-sponge things seem like they can defy the laws of physics. More »

Realistic Car Toys Teach Kids About Harsh Urban Reality

Murilee Martin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST

Kids get these shiny, indestructible car toys and they start thinking the whole grown-up vehicle thing is a walk in the freakin' park! That's when you give 'em some toys that more accurately reflect the catastrophes that are likely to befall the city-driven vehicle. The Urban Collectible series includes the Insurance Scam Minivan, the Petrol Bombed Jeep, and the Joyridden Hatchback, each of which shows a grim "after" automotive picture that's sure to enlighten the younguns. [Chinnychinchin.net] More »

Bust Out The Wah-Wah Pedal: Aurora 24 Hours of Le Mans Slot Cars!

Murilee Martin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST

After seeing the '69 Torino ad the other day, we figured maybe all the ads of that era had music a thousand times lamer than the rock-und-roll those dope-addled freaks of the time were listening to. Oh, sure, we're not expecting the Mothers of Invention or the Stooges, but you'd think some buzz would maybe sneak in to a car-related ad soundtrack here or there. And it did! This 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans Aurora slot car set (with lights! and drifting!) ad gets the job done. More »

Ferrari Pedal Car Fuels Pre-Tween Envy

Travis Hudson — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:20:00 EST

Our experience with the ad-hoc Adventures in Branding series have been so positive that we've decided to rebrand the whole idea. Henceforth, "Auto Branding Adventures." Look for it, and away we go. Unless you're a kid whose father is a pretentious Ferrari owner, there's no reason to own a toy like this one. Ferrari has decided to go really, really green with this Ferrari pedal car by ditching gasoline and the motor entirely for good old fashion human power. Obviously, Ferrari cut no corners during production. More »

Buy Cheerios, Get Johnny Lightning Double Trouble!

Murilee Martin — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:30:00 EST

Back in the late 1960s, the Topper Johnny Lightning cars just couldn't compete with their Hot Wheels rivals. Still, the Double Trouble (yours free via some not-clearly-explained Cheerios-related mechanism) was pretty cool, and nice ones fetch halfway decent money today. More »