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| Random Johnnys and Sweet Memories | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 13 2015, 10:07 AM (694 Views) | |
| Stangfreak | May 13 2015, 10:07 AM Post #1 |
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Convertible
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I don't think there is a day that goes by that I look over my entire collection and when I get to my Johnny section, my enthusiasm still seems to drop a slight bit somehow. I really, really miss the excitement and fun of finding a new series, new models, new sets, and new variations. I swear I sometimes feel like I lost a loved pet or friend. I don't think those CEOs at Playing Mantis realized what they took from us collectors when they sold out. I think AW or GL would have a strong chance to compete if they would just come up with some different series and sets as JL did. Kit cars, customizing kits, dioramas, Bassin' USA series. They do seem to have a little more detail than most of the JLs, but close. I probably never will understand why they went under because every time they were stocked on the pegs and shelves, they were gone quickly. WOW, what a variety!!! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Edited by Stangfreak, May 13 2015, 05:01 PM.
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| Stangfreak | May 13 2015, 10:08 AM Post #2 |
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Convertible
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Edited by Stangfreak, May 13 2015, 10:17 AM.
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| daniel60 | May 13 2015, 02:04 PM Post #3 |
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Personal Luxury Car
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I agree with you Steve, Johnny Lightning's variety hasn't been surpassed in my humble opinion. The cars made before those 40 Anniversary cars were just all you could have asked for and the prices were very reasonable. The only thing I would have done differently is changed the roller cart wheels but that was the mind set then. When I first starting buying M2 Machines I didn't prefer the skinny tires but now as a Monday Morning Quarterback I would have had them with the normal size tires. That being said I did see some Johnny Lightning actually trying to correct the width of tires. Never in today's basic market have I seen the superiority of variety of the defunct Johnny Lightning however I see hints of that beginning to take place. Thanks Steve, for the scenic pictures and sweet diecast that you have been providing to us all these years. Edited by daniel60, May 13 2015, 02:08 PM.
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| Hosspower98 | May 13 2015, 03:57 PM Post #4 |
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Forever Blue Oval
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Of course, my collecting didn't take off until the millennium. Had I been paying attention to JL, it is hard to wonder why anyone would collect anything else. The variety and realism is outstanding. Better late than never I did manage to hunt down anout 99% of the Mustangs, Shelbys, Ford trucks, Ford GTs and Merc Cyclones. But, I hardly look at them much any more. Even though they are organized and within an arm's reach, my focus seems to be Greenlight, M2 and Auto World. |
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| pjedsel | May 13 2015, 05:41 PM Post #5 |
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Muscle Car
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As the old song goes..."Those were the days my friends, I thought they'd never end..." Somehow there is so much we assume will always be around - think about what Matchbox once was and what it has become. Yes, it is still around but not what it once was. As I commented in other posts I was fortunate in the active days of JL to have a diecast car shop in downtown Mandan, ND. He was good about getting most of the series in and offering them at very decent prices. JL models were certainly a step above the $1 cars with their opening hoods and engines and other features. I always looked forward to stopping to see Bob to see what he had gotten in stock and how many $$ I would leave with him. While the Forever 64 cars were a step down from the earlier releases they were many nice models to collect - I really liked the Beat the Heat issues as well as the variations of the Chevy ambulance/hearse.
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| 78Gremlin_GT | May 13 2015, 06:49 PM Post #6 |
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The Gremlin Guy
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All things come and go. You have to enjoy them when you can, and while you can. I mean, really, I bought my first 1:1 scale 1970 AMC Javelin in 1994, 7 years AFTER AMC was consumed by Chrysler. But I had just found out about them, and since then have collected many AMC cars, both full scale and small. You can always enjoy things AFTER their heyday as well. I mean, the 1957 Chevy is a classic, it's long been out of production, but it's been sought after and reproduced in miniature many, many times over many decades. While I miss the Johnny of old, I can still enjoy them through diecast sales, etc. from shows, flea markets, and other venues. While it would be nice to continue to be able to buy more new models from JL, look what we got out of it now - Autoworld diecast, the diecast designers like phoenix's rising from the ashes, from JL over to AW have transformed the diecast world yet again. It's a continuation of the philosophy of bringing great diecast to market for all of us guys ( and a few ladies , too? ) to enjoy. Yes, I miss the JL of the 90's, but ya know, they live on in AW really, due to the guys who have gone there, the torch was passed, and like my AMC cars, I'll savor the JL's I have, and those I have yet to buy 2nd-hand, , and just move on through life. I don't feel melancholy about it really. I just try to enjoy them for what they are, a great moment in diecast history, a transformative period when diecast went from just above crude to extremely detailed and well-built, for the money. I bought many AMC diecast of JL, as I don't think any company had EVER made that many diecast of AMC cars ( Rambler , Machine, Gremlin, Pacer, Javelin 1st/2nd gen, Hornet, AMX, Jeep, etc. ) in such a short period of time. It was a joyous time to be a diecast hunter, I still remember my Saturday find of not one, but TWO purple JL Gremlin Chase cars at a TRU. That was my high point with JL, finding the treasured Gremlin Chases and two of them at that! All that said, I will still appreciate JL for what they are, just like I do my old Lesney cars, Playart, Majorette, all gone to diecast production heaven. Let not your heart be troubled, as long as you can still appreciate what once was, JL will live forever. Jerry |
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| Eurosport94 | May 14 2015, 09:49 AM Post #7 |
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Station Wagon
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Sweet memories indeed. Love the photos, and nice WL Super Bee to finish them off! |
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| Stangfreak | May 16 2015, 08:32 AM Post #8 |
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Convertible
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That Superbee will never be forgotten in my book... I bought that on ebay several years ago. I did not know much about the WLs then, and didn't even know it was a WL. I just thought the car was cool. It was sold as loose. I had to be at work when the auction ended so I put in a max bid of what I thought was $5.50. Somehow I goofed in the rush to get out the door and my max bid ended up being $55.00. The auction went to $47.50 and I ended up paying $48.00 for that car. "CRAZY" I know ... I had just landed a commercial contract to replace carpet and ceramic tile in 150 motel rooms and just received a 10 thousand dollar down payment from Holiday Inn, so I figured "What the heck" I have gotten soooooo much enjoyment from that 1 little car over the years, it was well, well worth it to me!!! |
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| Eurosport94 | May 20 2015, 08:51 AM Post #9 |
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Station Wagon
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That's crazy, that car went for a big money for it's time back then. No idea what it's "worth" now, Johnny's and WL's in general seemed to have bottomed out. I have a bunch that I'm looking to sell(lack of space, in need of extra funds) and they are very slow to sell. Even at $3 and $4 a piece for near mint carded ones. I traded a 1:24 Mustang Mach 1 WL(can't find a picture..it was blue w/ white tires) for that Superbee probably 8-9 years ago. Then traded the Superbee for a Gold Series '64 Impala SS 1:24 WL. Wish I would've kept the Bee! |
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| Ethanator | May 20 2015, 01:45 PM Post #10 |
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Midsize
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Very nice cars, I especially like the Grand national, 74' torino, pacer, pinto, 73' pip caprice wagon, lightning pickups, and the mach 1 mustang |
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| MrFutura | May 20 2015, 02:12 PM Post #11 |
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Station Wagon
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Love the flying car pic. Simple creativity. |
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| daniel60 | May 20 2015, 02:51 PM Post #12 |
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Personal Luxury Car
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This gives me a good feeling.![]() Edited by daniel60, May 20 2015, 02:51 PM.
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| daniel60 | May 20 2015, 03:56 PM Post #13 |
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Personal Luxury Car
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Edited by daniel60, May 20 2015, 04:01 PM.
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| MATTYL88 | May 23 2015, 11:45 AM Post #14 |
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Compact
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Beautiful scenery, great photography and cool cars. What more could you want.? It almost seems like the real deal and I'm standing there looking at a real car. Nice work! |
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| daniel60 | May 23 2015, 02:01 PM Post #15 |
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Personal Luxury Car
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Johnny Lightning will be forever missed. |
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9:46 AM Jul 11
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Somehow there is so much we assume will always be around - think about what Matchbox once was and what it has become. Yes, it is still around but not what it once was. As I commented in other posts I was fortunate in the active days of JL to have a diecast car shop in downtown Mandan, ND. He was good about getting most of the series in and offering them at very decent prices. JL models were certainly a step above the $1 cars with their opening hoods and engines and other features. I always looked forward to stopping to see Bob to see what he had gotten in stock and how many $$ I would leave with him. 
It's a continuation of the philosophy of bringing great diecast to market for all of us guys ( and a few ladies , too?
) to enjoy. Yes, I miss the JL of the 90's, but ya know, they live on in AW really, due to the guys who have gone there, the torch was passed, and like my AMC cars, I'll savor the JL's I have, and those I have yet to buy 2nd-hand,
, and just move on through life. I don't feel melancholy about it really. I just try to enjoy them for what they are, a great moment in diecast history, a transformative period when diecast went from just above crude to extremely detailed and well-built, for the money. I bought many AMC diecast of JL, as I don't think any company had EVER made that many diecast of AMC cars ( Rambler , Machine, Gremlin, Pacer, Javelin 1st/2nd gen, Hornet, AMX, Jeep, etc. ) in such a short period of time. It was a joyous time to be a diecast hunter, I still remember my Saturday find of not one, but TWO purple JL Gremlin Chase cars at a TRU.
That was my high point with JL, finding the treasured Gremlin Chases and two of them at that!




9:46 AM Jul 11