Part I of Mopar_® in Miniature detailed the dealer “promo” plastic models, as well as a selection of drag racing and NASCAR scale models and diecasts, plus HEMI^® engine plastic kits.

— Hot Wheels “Mongoo$e & Snake” Duster and ‘Cuda burst on the scene for 1970 with great fanfare
— Rare and desirable models of the Don Garlits and Richard Petty Mopar vehicles are favorites with serious collectors
— Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car model still considered one of the best engineered, intricate 1/25th kits ever produced

Some of the most popular plastic kit manufacturers over the years include Jo-Han (short for John Hanley, the founder of the company) AMT (short for Aluminum Model Toys, the original name), Revell, MPC (Model Products Corporation), Lindberg, Monogram, Aurora and Polar Lights. Besides the actual plastic kits, there’s certainly an added value in the box art, particularly when talking about vintage packaging from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Avid collectors also seek out old brochures and catalogs on these models, including the thick and heavily illustrated Auto World product catalogs from yesteryear. 

Metal diecast car manufacturers include Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, Ertl, Maisto, Yatming, Hot Wheels by Mattel, Highway 61, Bburgo, Liberty Classics, Jada Toys, Motor Max, Road Champs, Action Collectibles and Auto World. A recent addition to the diecast world is Desktop Muscle Cars, and they specialize in everything Mopar. Small toy-sized diecasts come from these manufacturers and more: Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Racing Champions and Johnny Lightning. 

THE SEARCH IS ON

When searching on eBay for any individual plastic kit, sometimes the actual kit in complete form isn’t available, however there can be “partial” kits available for sale. With those spare parts available, it can be combined with other purchases of more spare parts in order to have enough of the original components to build a complete model car. Google searches are a great way to find what you’re looking for, plus there are the model car message boards with builders and hobby shops participating. There’s a whole network out there of serious builders in the hobby! 

FANTASTIC MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR CHRYSLER CORPORATION: HOT WHEELS

1969 was when Tom “Mongoose” McEwen and Don “Snake” Prudhomme had walked into the Mattel toy maker’s headquarters and struck a deal for a major two-car sponsorship for their new Funny Cars to run on drag strips coast to coast. The promotion was all about getting sales of the “Hot Wheels” line of 1:64 scale cars. Promoted as “Fastest Metal Cars in the World!” and marketed in every department and toy store, the shelves were soon well stocked with the miniature Funny Cars for car-loving kids to enjoy.

History shows that among all the plastic kits and diecasts, and of course Hot Wheels 1/64 cars ever built, the “Snake & Mongoose” ‘Cuda and Duster has to be considered as the very top of the list in overall popularity. When the deal was being developed in late 1969, the offer went to Chrysler to get involved … Dick Maxwell of Plymouth Division figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have the name “Plymouth” on the side of millions of these new Hot Wheels toys! And while he was at it, what a fantastic way to help generate interest in two of their new body styles that were coming for the 1970 model year: E-Body Barracuda and A-Body Duster.

The Hot Wheels Drag Race Set came with the two cars, and 28 feet of orange plastic race track, 2 loops, automatic checkered flag, chute sets and brake traps. Some Hot Wheels trivia: The early marketing on this drag racing race set always had “Mongoose” listed first then followed by “Snake” and the reason for that was Prudhomme had to admit it was McEwen that dreamed up the promotion and because of that, he deserved to be listed first!   

They weren’t always yellow and red! This is a promotional shot from the original “Mongoose & Snake Drag Race Set” shows the metal-flake colors that were used initially, and today these uniquely-hued Hot Wheels are beyond extremely rare.

SNAKE & MONGOOSE COMBO

Released by Revell/Monogram in 1997 was a 1:24 scale two-car “Snake & Mongoose” combo featuring the 1970 Hot Wheels Funny Cars that introduced large sponsors to drag racing. These re-introduced kits are unique as they lack the Coca-Cola markings on the cars, seems there was some pushback from the soft-drink maker to grant licensing permission at the time.

SNAKE ‘N SHAKE

Hot Wheels offered their Yellow 1970 Snake ‘Cuda as an automated display diecast (measuring 8.5-inches in length) in a very special Legends form, as it came with an audio sound system with sounds of the drag strip, spinning rear wheels, shake feature and flip up body.

CAR/TRANSPORTER COMBO

In matched car/transporter packages, in 2011 Mattel had these 1:64 scale combinations as part of their product line. The original Hot Wheels Snake & Mongoose cars were “toys” and as time went on, the Duster and ‘Cuda became “collectibles” and the crew-cab D700 Dodge transporters were great companions for the display case!    

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of these cars, in 2005 this 2-car set was released by Mattel, with the Duster in a Candy Apple Red hue and the ‘Cuda in Gold (complete with the “Coca-Cola” markings on the quarter panels).

1:6 SCALE GBP DRAGSTER

From Real Art Replicars, extreme detail of the famous Greer-Black-Prudhomme front-engined dragster, only 200 produced and measuring 28.5 inches in length. Details include fabric seatbelts, rubber blower belt, fully plumbed Keith Black HEMI with working foot pedal to throttle body and authentic lettering.

1 of a 5,000 limited run, the 1:24 scale G-B-P diecast dragster, 2004 release date. 

“THE KING” RICHARD PETTY

Part of the General Mills’ promotion over the years for their Cheerios Honey Nut brand was to supply free Richard Petty 1/64 cars in cereal boxes, including these two Mopar variations: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner street machine and 2001 John Andretti Dodge Intrepid R/T Cup car.

It’s the Bobby LaBonte 2008 Richard Petty 50th anniversary car: Dodge Charger NASCAR Cup car, 1:24 scale diecast (1 of 300) with opening hood, deck lid, in Petty Blue! from Motorsports Authentics.

“BIG DADDY” DON GARLITS

In 1:16 scale, the 1974 Swamp Rat AA/FD came from Revell, 16 1/4-inches in length, and it’s super detailed! This expertly assembled built example shows the flexible fuel lines, Accel plug wires, steerable motorcycle wheels.

Described as “World’s first official 200 m.p.h. dragster”, the Wynn’s Jammer in 1/25th scale from AMT. 1965 release, came with display stand.  

The Swamp Rat XXX 1:25, originally released by Revell, is the Super Shops/Mopar car that was inducted into the Smithsonian Museum in 1987. This kit has recently been re-released by Atlantis, order # H7152.

TWO-TONE DESOTO

Issue date on this Danbury Mint 1:24 scale 1956 DeSoto Sportsman Coupe is 2004 and it’s finished in Plum and Lavender Iridescent hues, includes Certificate of Title.

CLASSIC DODGE PICKUP

From Spec Series Liberty Classics is this 1:25 scale diecast 1957 Dodge Sweptline Pick-Up truck and this particular model doubles as a coin bank!

THE TURBINE CAR

Jo-Han’s Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car 1:25 scale kit, this example an original 1963 issue, fold down front seats, opening hood, deck lid and doors. Re-issued kits are still out there. A great historical memory of Chrysler’s experimental powerplant days!

This Chrysler-Plymouth publicity shot featured a variety of late-1960s plastic 1:25 promotional models, and today’s collectors would be ecstatic to have just a portion of them in their possession!

MODERN-ERA DEALER HANDOUTS

For the release of the new 2008 model year Dodge Challenger, these Auto World/AMT 1:25 scale pre-assembled Showroom Replicas were given away to prospective new car buyers, just like the ol’ days, and it was impressively detailed.

JOHNNY LIGHTNING

1/64th diecast Dodge Funny Cars (Revellution Demon, Mr. Norm Charger) from Johnny Lightning, with flip-top bodies, well-detailed graphics. From 1995.

HOT WHEELS NEON DRAGGER

From 2004, when Mopar sponsored the late Shaun Carlson’s front-wheel-drive Dodge Neon drag car, this is the Hot Wheels “Hardnoze” edition featuring exaggerated front end, larger diameter front wheels and complete with the corporate “barbed wire” Mopar graphics.

MOPAR CAR SHOW IN 1:25

Car models often times are displayed at car shows, this fun display was featured at one of the Spring Fling events put on by the Chrysler Performance West car club.

HOT WHEELS: ADD 10W-30?

Hot Wheels and their advertising agency had some fun with their promotional material for the 1:18 scale line they promoted in 2001, this one featured their 1969 Dodge Charger R/T model!

RETRO COLLECT CATALOG

Chrysler Corporation had this 24-page color catalog outlining all the various diecasts, promos, hobby kits and radio control cars and trucks they offered direct to their customers, some of which today are extremely rare. Vipers, ‘Cudas (HEMI and AAR), A12 Road Runners, Charger Daytonas and Prowlers. Something for every type of Mopar enthusiast and available at the time at the local dealers.

From Jimmy Flintstone Studios is this 1967 Dodge Panel Van resin 1:25 scale body, compatible with the Little Red Wagon as a donor kit, and available for $18.00 in unpainted, unlashed and unfinished form.

DIRECT CONNECTION COMBO

Sitting atop a period-correct 1970 Dodge D300 ramp truck, the 1970 Super Stock “F” Automatic “Direct Connection” Dodge Challenger drag car. 1:18 scale with detailed markings. This combination is available from Desktop Muscle Cars, Inc.

EVER-POPULAR GENERAL LEE CHARGER

Without question, the all-time best selling mini-Mopar is the 1969 “General Lee” Charger from the Dukes of Hazzard TV program. The iconic Orange 01 is available in a variety of sizes, shown here is an early 1:18 Johnny Lightning metal diecast complete with roof flag. After 2015, Warner Bros. Consumer Products controlled the licensee terms and from that point on, unlike what was on the car during the television series (1979-85), there would no longer authorization for any General Lee car model to display the flag. 

Author: James Maxwell