Barbie and GI Joe Nissan US TV Ad 1996

 

Well what do you make of that?

Barbie Movie Corvette

Barbie really loves the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, and over the decades she has had a whole fleet of them. In the new film, Barbie: The Movie (2023) she drives a 1956 Corvette convertible - pink of course, with white side panels, and a pink and white interior.

Naturally Mattel have gone all out to promote this latest live-action movie. Apart from a doll-sized version of the movie car under the Mattel name, Hot Wheels have released a smaller die-cast version.

The Hot Wheels model is part of the 2023 Screen Time series, although the base carries a 2022 copyright date. The model is pink with white side panels, an all-white interior, and a black plastic base. Very fine tampo printing includes a BARBIE number plate at the front.

The card features the Barbie movie logo in one corner, but there is another card, which has a pink house in the background. This is the Barbie Dream House from the film.

I was very pleased to have found one of these cars recently, as Hot Wheels do not seem to make many of their Barbie models, and they do not stay on sale for very long. You will likely only have one chance to buy them. If you want one, and you see it in the shops, grab it or miss out.

On the subject of Barbie: The Movie, on my way home from work one evening in July 2023 I saw a double-decker bus on the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, painted pink, and covered in advertising for the new film. I really wish I had my camera with me.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

THE BARBIE STAR TRAVELLER: A REALLY BIG TOY!

I used to love buying and selling Barbie and Sindy stuff. It sort of made up for all the times everyone told me as a kid that I mustn't play with dolls 'cos I was a lad! I was already playing with Action Man, Matt Mason, Tommy Gunn and Captain Laser! They were dolls!

Besides the super exciting episode with the rare dress that I've blogged about before, another favourite find was a complete Barbie Star Traveler Motor Home as pictured. There wasn't a box - but that was OK. All the tables and chairs were there.

As soon as I saw it at the car boot sale I just had to ask 'How Much is the big van?'. The answer was £2 I think and before you could say Lets Go Barbie I was walking off with my own Star Traveler!

Probably more exciting than the purchase itself is getting home and checking stuff over. I love that and this baby took some checking. With the help of the net I was able to check off every part. Aaah. The simple joys of life.

I've heard that Barbie and Ken drove off in their Star Traveler and are somewhere in the Plastic Rockies now! No doubt Big Jim will be along soon to crash the party!

Have you bought anything really big and collectable readers?

KATHARINA STENBECK'S BARBIE AND GI JOE CREATURES

 

I like these creatures! 

So very Tomland!

Do you like them readers?

SHEFFIELD CITY SHUFFLE

 Tother week the Missus and me had a day in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield, known locally as Steel City and the home of the Master Cutler.

A beautiful place full of grand architecture and independent shops. Its gothic splendour is very atmospheric at night.

Alas, I shuffled round Sheffield with a limp on account of a terrible corn, which I'm please to say a wonderful podiatrist cut off today!

In daylight I spotted this fenced off pile, which screamed Hammer Horror to me! I could easily see Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee battling with stakes and crosses between the pillars!

Not sure what the building is.

It does remind me of the creepy mausoleum on the cover of Judas Priest's brilliant Sin after Sin LP!

In one of the many bigger shops I clocked this Batman Detective boxed Kit. I would have adored this as a kid. About 20 years ago I might have bought it as part of a growing Batman armoury collection I had but its since all been sold. Shame.

Do you like the look of this kit?

Its based on the latest BATMAN film post-Affleck, which alas, I've already forgotten. Come back Ben!

As part of my comics and radio rings research last month I spotted these in a small knick-knacks store, modern costume rings that were deadringers for Captain Planet rings!

In a cosplay shop I saw this Roam Sword, again a thing I would have loved as a nipper. I had a few plastic swords but I don't think I had a roman one. is is called a a Gladius or Clavius or similar?

Last but not least were these two old Barbie cars. Quite big to fit Babs, i think they're Golfs or Polo's.

I've never seen them before.

You?

Jim und Lilli

It's our final day and we are packing the car with stuff to bring back home.

I've resigned myself to no more Flohmarkte or Diakonie visits until we return sometime.

I've also resigned myself to not finding any Big Jim or Bild Lilli either.

Jim is popular in Germany among collectors, who fondly recall the versatile action dolls range. There were countless knockoffs and accessories available for dressing Jim in the 70's. He was an all-round adventurer. I found some of his cowboy gear last year by Wentoys.

Bild Lilli is older, has a longer heritage than Jim. She's also a superstar and a lot more desirable among collectors. Lilli is Barbie. The West German doll was a saucy offer with the 1950s Bild newspaper sold at Kiosks back then. Mrs.Mattel found Lilli on a visit and bam! The rest is .... Let's go Barbie!

Jim and Lilli are out there, probably together in his camper van by a plastic lake somewhere.

Auf unsere Wiedersehen.

Tong in Cheek

 I picked up this 80's TONG Barbie clone yesterday in a German charity shop.

TONG is a new one on me and the make is clearly marked on the doll's neck rear.

Maybe the clothes she's got on is original too. I'm not sure.

The body may well be another brand as I think TONG bodies were articulated.

Anyways, for 50 cents I'll turn the other cheek.

Anyone any TONG experience readers?

SHAZAM! CAR BOOT BOUNTY!

 I was quite chuffed with this morning's catch down the boot sale.

We burst through the early fog into decent weather in Wetherby.

Here's what I picked up. See anything you would have got?

There was a whole jar full of about 50 small plastic American football helmets. I bought one, 50p. Not sure which team that is. The small digger is by Tomica but the toy line is unknown to me.

I was pleased to find this Shazam Corgi car from 1979. Don't think I've seen one before. I'll try to spruce it up.

These packs of model decals and papers were going for a song at 50p each. I got two. No idea what's in them yet!

This big modern Batmobile was a snip at £1. It so reminded me of the Kenner Super Powers version that it had to come home to Gotham.

The red Barbie MG? is dated 1998 and the silver spaceship is for Junior. I think its Roblox maybe.

Last but not least, my biggest purchase at £8, this old case full of various bits and pieces from 1980's toys like M.A.S.K and Manta Force, plus a couple of Ghostbusters ghosts and more bits to keep me amused for a good while. The case itself is likely to be 1980's, as its covered in Transformers puffy stickers.

See anything you like?

Barbie the Movie: Ken's Hot Wheels Hummer

With the release of Barbie - The Movie, Mattel are going all out in support of the movie. Of the ten models in the Hot Wheels Screen Time sub-series this year, no less than three are Barbie related.

First up, at 3/10 in the Screen Time line-up, is the Barbie Extra car. This came out in 2022, and is now on its third colour variation.

At 9/10 is the 1956 Corvette, driven by Barbie in the film. This is a new model.

The last Screen Time model for 2023, at 10/10, is the 2024 GM Hummer EV. This is the vehicle driven by Ken in the movie.

The Hummer is flat gunmetal grey, with a black base and interior. There are light blue, white, and purple lightning bolts on the sides, while the Hummer name appears front and rear. It has a smoke-tinted windscreen.

The copyright date on the base is 2022. It is a modified version of a model first released in 2022.

The top of the card features the Barbie - The Movie logo, but there is nothing else to indicate that this is a Barbie model. I was really surprised to find this in my local Warehouse branch, as I was not expecting a second model from the Barbie film.

https://hotwheels.fandom.com/wiki/2024_GMC_Hummer_EV

A word of warning: these Barbie-themed models do not appear to be available in large numbers (compared to the hordes of Batman models), and I only saw one of the Corvettes in a shop, and one of the Hummers. If you want one, grab it when you see it, or miss out entirely.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

ITS MAGICALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DOLL'S HAND!

Toy designers get carried away when they introduce space into the mix. Take this Mattel Buffatron, a sort of Barbarella-style boudoir for Barbie!

There's a beauty buffer and space-age bed!

What on earth - or space - does the the top line mean?

"Pink fur really turns to buff and shine spectral"

Just don't let Action Man, GI Joe or Big Jim anywhere near!

Can you beat this for wackiness?

OPTIMUS KEN

 He's ready for fashion!

Pic supplied by MJ, Southcoast Base.

The Guardian Beauty

Gracing eBay, this armoured fembot caught my eye, the Guardian Beauty. 

Made in China, it appears to have been a heady cocktail of a large plastic Robot and Barbie. 

A RoboBarbie no less! What do you think?

BARBIE BATGIRL

Hi Woodsy further to the post on Batgirl's motorcycle, Barbie did this awesome piece, I know it was awesome cos I had this until my daughter played the hell out of it!

The photo doesn't do the midnight blue lurex jump-suit justice and although not comic book accurate the yellow gloves and boots do finish this off perfectly!

What do you think readers?

Regards

MJ

Southcoast Base

UK

Astronaut Barbie

Hi all,

Another clip from You Tube, this time a review of the Astronaut Barbie doll, by Toy Polloi. This seems to be a fairly recent doll, 2019. 

The fabric space suit has printed-on detail, with white plastic gloves, boots, and helmet. It comes on a card, with a pink and white rocket printed on it. Ten pounds in Britain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URos1R1SQa0

Over the years there have been a few other space or SF related Barbies. This site gives a run-down of these space Barbies - she first joined the US Astronaut corps back in 1965 (when she was only 6 years old) as Miss Astronaut. 

She also served aboard the USS Enterprise from the Star Trek universe - worryingly, she is dressed in red - and we all know what happens to Star Trek characters who wear red.

https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/barbie-careers-in-space.html

Paul Adams

NZ

PS. Woodsy here: There's a one-off Barbie going into space soon, Samantha Christoforetti from the ESA!

TODAY'S CATCH

My last local car boot sale before work re-starts next week was most enjoyable with just a little Yorkshire drizzle. Not a huge amount in the net but fun nonetheless.

A soft toy Pokemon, Cap America bike and Batman nightlight for Moonbase Junior. Novelty snail for Moonbase toddler. Excitingly a Bild Lilli geisha clone in placcy tube and some old die-cast including some.... Superfast! Yay!

Any good?

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT BILL

I've always enjoyed finding vintage toys at car boots and this includes Barbie, Sindy and Ken. There are countless sites dedicated to these famous plastic people but this one caught my eye, There's Something About The Boy.

https://somethingabouttheboy.com/vintage/vintage-clones/

The section devoted to Ken clones is a good read if you like male doll knockoffs. There's even a clone called Bill, Babs' boyfriend!

HOBBYCO AND BARBIE'S CAMPER

Your threads about Barbie's Camper reminded me of another project I've been slowly planning. Back in the early 70's when I'd emigrated to Australia, I discovered Sydney's Hobbyco shop. It is arguably one of the best Hobby shops anywhere and still exists today, although it has changed address three times since this photo was taken.

Back then, it made a huge impression on me and I want to make a 1/12 scale storefront model at some point, complete with all the merchandise. As you can see from this photo, Barbie's Camper is quite visible in the window. 

I keep wondering whether to bite the bullet and get my 3D modelling skills up to scratch and 3D print one, although my Inner Luddite would prefer to simply carve one out of a lump of balsa wood! Anyway, I have more than enough other stuff to be getting on with.

As an aside, I'm currently finishing up my 1/3 scale 2001:A Space Odyssey Astronauts. Having made three Clavius Base figures, I'm now working on a yellow and two red Discovery spacemen.

There is also the basis of a 1/3 scale Space Pod, cluttering up my studio, but I'll leave that on the back burner for a bit longer yet!

The toughest part about picking up a job after a pause of a few years is "Now where was I?" I look at some of the half finished bits and think
"OMG! Did I really make that?"

Lewis,

Oz

DREAM CAMPERS

I like camper vans. I've never had one but we have rented a VW camper once for a week on the Isle of Wight, which was great fun.

I've not found many toy campers on my travels. No Big Jim for instance. I would like the Topo Gigio Century 21 Toys model.

I have bought and sold quite a few Barbie campers over the years. Huge things, they occassionally turn up at car boot sales with all or some of the accessories, which Mattel loved to throw in.

I've just sold this incomplete beast - the Golden Dream Motor Home from 1988 - and have the task of boxing it up and wrapping it this week.

Its not my favourite though. That has to be the 1976 Star Traveller, the Mattel release which captured the full massiveness of the Winnebago experience. How anyone could drive one of these is beyond me but then again I think our UK roads are smaller than American ones! They must be! Has anyone driven a Winnebago?

I managed to find an almost complete one of these at a car boot years and years ago and it was a sod to post. I might as well have driven it there it was that big! ha ha

Much smaller are these manageable Hot Wheels eagle-eyed collector Paul has seen in NZ.

Hi Woodsy

Another Hot Wheels 2021 model that was already available in late 2020, is the Barbie Dream Camper. A new casting of a motor caravan, which is based on a much larger, doll-sized toy camper. The copyright date on the baseplate is 2020. It is, of course, pink, with the Barbie name on the sides, and even a front Barbie number plate. 

One of five models in the HW Getaways series. The body is self-coloured pink plastic, but the baseplate and lower edge of the body are metal. There are no cab windows, but the right side of the body, moulded in translucent blue plastic, hinges down to show off the white interior. Hot Wheels have previously done other Barbie models, as Mattel own both Barbie and Hot Wheels, including a Corvette Stingray, again in pink. A nice, and well detailed model.

Paul Adams

NZ

barbie's jumbo jet landed in my attic

Thinking about what's in my forgotten loft I remembered there are two loose Barbie Jumbo Jets from 1999 parked under the eves. How on earth I got them home from car boot sales I dunno. Probably flew them!

The Jumbo is a huge blue plastic plane that opens up to let kids get to grips with aviation. Here's a piccy from Ebay. Don't think I have that trolley step.

Here's the TV ad from '99 courtesy of You Tube:

As this is a Barbie jet it would also fit Action Man, GI Joe and his 12 inch pals. Well, at least two of them and a pilot if Barbie was off clubbing and Ken was off chatting up Sindy!

In fact I'm sure its much bigger than any plane released for Action Man. Not sure about GI Joe though.

There's a neat working microphone on board too for those urgent doll announcements like:

"Would anyone made by Palitoy and Hasbro please sit down!" or "No drinks will be served on this flight as none of you have mouths that open!"

[I'm sure you can think of more!]

Barbie's jet has a sort of Thunderbird 2 look about it too. I wonder if greater hands than mine could Thunderbirderise it into one?

One day I'll go into the loft and get these Jumbo's out of the hangar again.

Have you any large toy planes?

brief encounters

To balance things out as Kid suggested, what with all those Action Men today, here's a Barbie wearing not much more than a a pair of SpaceX Hawks as pictured by reader Paul Kaiju.

and perhaps the strangest Ebay listing I've seen all year. This is the opening photo for the sale of a toy robot in Glasgow! Now that's what I call a tight situation!