In 2009 I acquired this wonderful JR21 plastic Typhoon-type Bike combo. Sadly it was loose and I have still never seen the box.
Up to press the closest relative has been the superb Scalextric Typhoon combos, of which there are many colour variations including my own 'JR21' racing green as featured below.
Well, I may just have stumbled across an even closer non-Scalextric relation currently enjoying a spell on Ebay US [there's two!]. The blue combo below is a dead ringer for the JR21 version, although it may lack some facial detail like the goggles [hard to tell]. Knucklepanshovle07's [the seller] description is concise to say the least: "Motorcycle Combo Friction Drive 4" HONG KONG Circa 1960's".
Fortunately the seller has sent me some further information. which is far more revealing albeit unconnected to JR21: "The bottom of the toy says MADE IN HONG KONG .The box has Motorcycle Combo friction drive Made In Hong Kong and has SONSCO stamped on it.
This toy is on page 14 of Scotty's pictorial motorcycle toy price guide,1996.The toy works fine and is in very good condition.I have over 125 more motorcycle toys for sale .Thanks Brian."
SONSCO is a Japanese company who forayed into robots amongst other toys. Why stamped? Where they importers?
Can't see the connection with JR21 other than Hong Kong. I haven't got access to the Scotty's guide. If anyone has I'd be interested to know what it says. Ideas please!
I have the combo, plus box. The box actually has 'SONSCO' on one side of the box, but the word looks as if it's been rubber-stamped on to it.
ReplyDeleteI have the Scotty book, too, in which he simply says, "Motorcycle Combo, 4", Friction, Hong Kong C. Late 1960's". Not a lot new there!
I also have two of the larger (5 1/2") solo friction-drive racing bikes (Race tag #7, and "No. 303 Made in Hong Kong" on the base). It was my search for info on them that led me to your website!
One thing that is VERY clear to me is that the riders on the two bikes AND the combo are virtually identical in terms of facial features and helmet/goggle style even though they differ significantly in size. No doubt about it!
Fab reply Kiwikroozer. Thanks. I agree that the big bike is a deadringer for the riders on the combo. Any chance of pics of your toys? My email address is at the bottom, moonbasecentral .......... Thanks! PS. Do your big bikes have boxes?
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