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Assortment #310-01 |
CB's Die Cast Review: December 23, 2000 |
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Johnny Lightning
One of my New Millennium
resolutions is to broaden my horizons. Since this organization has been known as
CB's Die-Cast Museum for a while now, I thought it might be time to try and focus on
a wider range of products than just the Mattel First Editions. This column
has touched on other areas over the years, but predominately it has focused on Hot Wheels
products in general, and First Editions in particular. It probably will
continue to feature the First Editions as they are released, but I will attempt
to shine the light on other areas of die-cast cars as well. My first efforts will
be a glimpse of some worthy products on the other side of the toy store aisle, namely the
Playing Mantis Johnny Lightning line of products.
This series typifies the effort made by Playing Mantis to produce high-quality die-cast cars.
The series consists of five models based on family cars from the 1950s. All of the cars
feature functioning hoods that open to reveal detailed multi-piece engines and chrome wheels
with rubber whitewall tires, as well as extensive detail both in the tooling and the decorations.
I saw a Lincoln Premiere in aqua, so I assume that all of the cars are available in at least two
colors. Manufactured in China, these models are representative examples of the ongoing
quality work coming from Playing Mantis. Prior to these models, the only complaint I had
with some of the Johnny Lightning castings was the solid vent windows. With the
vent windows as part of the clear plastic, I am looking forward to future releases in this series.
Outstanding work, Playing Mantis. Please keep pushing the envelope.
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As most collectors are aware, Topper's Johnny Lightning line of die-cast cars was the
chief competitor of Mattel's Hot Wheels around 1970. The designs were a little
wilder, and most consumers believe the Johnnies were faster as well. Unfortunately,
due to Topper's financial problems, the product line never received the exposure it needed.
When Playing Mantis revived the product line in the 1990's, they concentrated on producing cars
with die-cast bodies and chassis -- something Mattel has now made the exception rather than the
norm in the Hot Wheels line. Playing Mantis has produced replicas of the original
cars, in addition to releasing all kinds of 1:64 scale vehicles, all under the Johnny
Lightning banner. One such series is the newly released American Chrome group of vehicles.
The first car is the 1953 Buick Super (Stock #140). This car is the only convertible
in the group. With the roof in the reclined position, it allows us to see all of the
exquisite intricate relief of the interior piece. Formed from white plastic, there is
a myriad of detail to see, such as various knobs and vents on the dash, the material pattern
in the bench seats, the side vent and window cranks, and an open steering wheel with the column
shift stick. The body is painted bright red enamel, with the bumpers and trim accents
highlighted in silver metallic paint. The front grill is painted flat black. The
windshield/side vents are clear plastic, with the window frames highlighted in silver and the
sun visors painted white. Intricate tampos on the hood and trunk replicate the Buick medallions.
The 1955 Chrysler C-300 (Stock #141) is finished in light ivory enamel with the trim and
bumpers highlighted in silver. The front grill is finely detailed in flat black and silver.
The taillights are painted bright red. The interior is molded in dark ivory plastic, and
features exceptional dash detail, including all the gauges and knobs. The "300" heralds
are tamped in black and white on the nose and trunk, while all other lettering is tamped in silver.
The glass is clear plastic. One welcome feature is that the side vents, part of the body
casting, are open so that the glass shows through. On earlier Playing Mantis castings,
the vent glass was cast as part of the body and painted silver. The exhaust pipes, part
of the chassis, are visible underneath the bottom of the rear bumper.
I consider the 1955 Ford Crown Victoria (Stock #142) to be the best of the group.
The body is painted in a sharp two-tone white and 50's Aqua enamel dress, with the color separation
trim highlighted in silver. The headlights, taillights and grill are painted accordingly.
The bumpers are part of the chassis. The most prominent feature is the green-tinted sunroof
over the front seat. The windows and roof are all part of a component molded in clear plastic,
with the sunroof section masked and sprayed transparent green, the back part of the roof masked and
painted aqua, and all the trim masked and painted silver. Not only is this piece incredibly
well done, but also the sunroof allows easy viewing of the dash detail of the aqua plastic interior.
Colorful Victoria heralds are tamped on the nose, trunk and sides under the vent windows.
V-8 heralds are tamped on the front fenders.
The 1957 Lincoln Premiere (Stock #143) shares the high quality of the other castings, but
looks somewhat drab in tan enamel with a black plastic interior and white enamel roof.
The trim is highlighted in silver, and the thin silver front bumper "floats" in front of a flat
black grill. The most interesting features on the model are the tampos, with an intricate
ribbed decoration on the rear roof posts, and car name and make lettering in silver outlined with
black pin striping. The engine components are painted black and dark green, making it
difficult to see, but close examination reveals the detailing here as well.
The final model in the set is of a 1958 Chevy Impala (Stock #144). The body is
painted medium brown metallic with a white enamel roof. This model features the most trim
of any car in the series, and all of it is neatly highlighted in silver. The ivory interior
contains the intricate relief similar to the other cars. The bumpers are part of the body
and painted silver. The Impala flags are tamped on the body under the roof rear column in
silver, black and red, while the Chevrolet medallion is tamped in multiple colors on the nose.
