Monday, 16 March 2020

THE JOHNNY LIGHTNING NUCLEON

Stuff the virus!

American reader Lance alerted us to a super cool die-cast in a passing comment last week.

It looks so darn smashing I had to post some piccies from various auctions and sales.

May I present the Johnny Lightning Nucleon!

Thanks Lance!

It comes in various metallic colourings and looks like a streamlined fidgi-spinner! Lance suggested Spacexy looks too.Yeah!

What do you think?


Its packaged in a rather natty backing card including a fab button.

6 comments:

  1. Love it!Had one as a kid.

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    1. Wow! Bri, I thought it was modern! Is it vintage?

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  2. The one in this article says "commemorative"On the package so mine must have been the original.

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  3. Yeah, if it comes with a button, it is a reissue. Same molds, some different colors. Hot Wheels originally came with metal buttons, then plastic, then none. If the maker is anyone other than Topper, it is a reissue.

    JLs I had/still may have:

    Big Rig - custom line, lots of accessories
    Bug Bomb
    Custom Dragster
    Custom Mako Shark
    Hairy Hauler - custom line
    Monster - Jet Power line, if I recall used an air pump to launch, never had the launcher, just a car
    Nucleon
    Pipe Dream - custom line
    Twin Blaster - custom line
    Wasp
    Wild Winner - custom line

    Lots of pics including original cards:
    http://www.toycarcollector.com/johnny_lightning.htm

    I think you'd like the Custom Turbine X-2000 as well since it has a sweeping canopy like FAB1 an others mentioned in a recent article here

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  4. Paul Adams from New Zealand3/17/2020 5:49 am

    With two circles joined by a centre bar, it looks just like a roller skate. The original Topper Toys version was released in 1970. The card in the photo appears to have the Playing Mantis name on it (double checked the spelling to make sure I got it right this time). I never had any Johnny Lightning models when I was little, just some of the modern versions in later years.

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  5. Johnny Lightning was a favorite brand, I think just because I knew it was a cheapo rival to Mattel Hot Wheels. (I've been a contrary person my whole life, I guess.) A friend had a HUGE Johnny Lightning layout back in the day, and some extra cool cars, but I do not recall the amazing Nucleon. They must have been snapped up in no time...

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