Freedom of screech

Men like cars. This was evident at the recent Big Boys Toys Expo in El Paso, Texas, where more than 10,000 people showed up during the two-day show to test drive dream cars, including some classic and contemporary Hot Rods.

A 1950s-era custom car phenomenon, which originated in California towns like Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank with modified Model T or Model A Fords, Hot Rods are still part of the dream for automobile buffs and an underground culture of custom mechanics. Some of the first examples of custom-made, racing vehicles continue to be top sellers for collectors.

There's something to be said about the dream car. No single car is exactly like another. Hot Rods are customized to suit the individual. Legendary car designer Chip Foose is working on building more “dream cars” with RC2, Oak Brook, Ill., this fall. Foose, head of Foose Design and star of a TLC show, Overhaulin', will premier a JL Full Throttle collector's line. The entire line will include Foose-designed vehicle replicas.

From RC2's Johnny Lightning line, the Street Freaks features 1:64 models. In September several will be released, including a '72 AMC Gremlin, a '69 Pontiac Firebird and a '50 Oldsmobile Super 88. A black with flames '71 Ford Pinto and '70 Oldsmobile Cutlass will be out in a November assortment.

Phoenix Toys, City of Industry, Calif., continues to market Classic Spinners, lately with versions of the 1949 Ford coupe and 1952 Ford pick up. The models feature automatic, spinning wheels, ground effect lighting and head lights that shut off automatically. Open and close the driver's side door of the '49 and the wheels will start spinning.

Angel Casillas, sales manager for Phoenix Toys, says that Hot Rod collectibles offer something for everyone. “Hot Rods are continuously popular simply because every age group has it's idea of a Hot Rod,” he says. “I think it begins with the '30s on to the present, and it will continue. It all depends on the type of Hot Rods—the older generation will collect Hot Rods they grew up admiring and the younger generation will want late model Hot Rods.

“Hot Rods are a great addition to any specialty retailer because of the popularity and the abundance of designs.,” he adds. “There is a good chance you will do well with product in Hot Rod-style.”

Also in City of Industry, Jada Toys will launch several models in 1:24 and 1:64 scale in its new D-Rods line of die-cast. The D-Rods line features models like a '47 Ford CDE Rod truck, a '40 Ford and '41 Willy Coupe in the 1:24 scale, and a 1931 Ford in a choice of colors, including hot pink.

Eric Tscherne, RC2's lead designer, tells Playthings that the JL Full Throttle line will be an evolution of die-cast. The initial line of JL Full Throttle vehicles will launch late June to early July with six to seven small-scale, 1:64 cars and three more Foose-designed larger scale designs at 1:24. Tscherne says RC2 will work with retailers to provide “Meet Chip Foose” programs as well as contests to win Foose memorabilia and other giveaways.

“The main appeal of Hot Rods is that it's truly America's—they're our cars,” say Tscherne. “The cars were designed in America for Americans and represent what's great about America, the open road, big engines and individual expression—be free, do what you want—it comes through in Hot Rod culture. I think that's why Hot Rods do so well. There's always this passion for a little something American and people enjoy what those cars represent.”