MOBOTOYS
museum of battery operated toys
General Information
The Spin Zone
This 1958 Ford is looking too good to be hiding behind a billboard. Luckily (?) there is reason to give chase.
Manufactured by The Bandai company around 1960 this police car is from a period some consider the peak of the "golden age of tin toys", and this particular toy shows why.
From the mechanical revolving dome light on top, to the detailed interior with mile deep floorboards , and on the bottom there is even a special "locking pin" on the drive wheel underneath to switch from bump-n-go (mystery action) to fixed steering, genius!!!
Of course this constable transportation device comes fully dressed with chrome and brass trim that complements the iconic "tail fin lines" that we all love. Don't forget to check out those wheel-wells ... perfect.
Continue reading below for more about this toy.
Pivot Exhibits (can you figure out the connection?)
TBD
Mercedes 230SL
50s Corvette
Monkee-Mobile
Plymouth Police
Exhibit 0167
1958 Ford Police Car with Mystery Action
Specifications
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Manufactured by: Bandai
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Country of Mfg: Japan
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Circa: Late 1950s - early 1960s
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Scale: 1:18
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Battery # / Type: (2) D cell (UM-1)
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 31.2 x 13.2 x 11.4 cm
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Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.3 x 5.20 x 4.50 in
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Weight: 680 grams
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Weight: 1 lb, 8 oz.
Actions
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Mystery Action (bump-n-go)
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Revolving Light
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Siren
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Locking Steering
Mass Appeal
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Popularity: 4/5 (super desired)
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Scarcity: 5/5 (unicorn)
Noteworthy
Locking Steering, revolving dome light and deep floor interior are all extremely rare in battery operated toys, this gem has all three.
Some Assembly Required
How It Works
While this toy was completely dissembled as part of the "white glove restoration process", it was in the early days of the project when imagery was a second thought to the restoration. We share here what we do have from those early days (note exhibit #) and like the old saying goes "its better than nothing".
Inside we see several interesting design aspects of this toy.
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Mechanical revolving light - notice the wrapped wire leading to the light bulb. Drive gear to spin the post is inside the metal transmission box.
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The slit in the metal cap revolves around the light making a flash effect. This light is easy to see in a dark room but very difficult to photograph through the dark red lens. Look in the video for "signs of light".
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This is the earliest toy we have with the "modern" siren design used by most BO toys for the next 10 years. This design involves a metal "needle" connected to a "sound box" which is vibrated by moving the needle bouncing off a gear (usually the pinion gear). Designs vary slightly but the concept of vibrations amplified by some kind of "speaker box" is the norm for many years to follow.
Did you know...
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In this toy the (+) side of the battery is GROUND (Standard since 1960s is (-) is always ground). This (+) ground was the standard in Japan prior to the implementation of the global (-) ground standard. While we might think (+) ground is dangerous, it is not, only when you touch ground and a "hot" wire are you shocked. Which is which does not matter to the electrical circuit you are completing with your body.
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All Emergency vehicles up until the late 1960s had RED LIGHTS up top. The color changed as RED was becoming less "noticeable" by distracted drivers (red taillights, red stop lights, etc). Blue was soon to be the proven attention grabber. Today Blue is supplemented by all sorts of LED inspired attention grabbers.
Notes from Restoration Shop...
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This car was obtained in very good condition but the light bulb was burned out and the sound-box for the siren was nonfunctional.
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Restoration shop de-soldered and replaced the light bulb as well as used book binding tape to repair the sound-box (see pictures). This technique for repairing sirens works very well.
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Complete White Glove Preservation process: disassembled both exterior and interior, detailed each part, and re-assemble.
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Car is fully functional "like new" and with repairs this toy has been upgraded from a C-6 (very good overall) to a C-7 (Fine overall)
About this (particular) Toy
Last known "home" location
Grading
This toy was obtained from eBay in August 2018. This car was part of an old police car collection and MOBOTOYS is proud to be able to share this gem with you.
This toy comes with the original box which at some point in the past was "shrink wrapped" to protect it. We have left the wrap in place but it is kind of like putting ugly floor mats in your new car, sure the carpet underneath looks great, but you cant really see it. We will remain "on the fence" when it comes to shrink wrapping boxes.
Since this car is one of our favorites, look for it in photo-shoots and videos with other toys, after all, what makes a better photo prop for an old toy than more old toys.
Finally, this toy is (was) the LAUNCH TOY for the home page of MOBOTOYS and the very FIRST exhibit created. We hope you liked it as much as we do.
Original: Parts 98%
Light bulb replaced, siren box repaired with book tape.
Functionality 100%
All actions tested and working normal.
C-7
C-9
C-7
C-7
C-7
C-8
C-7
Overall
Battery Box
Metal
Paint / Litho
Rubber / Plastic
Tires / Treads
Box
FINE condition with Near Mint battery box
No corrosion or other issues
Some very small dents and light pitting
Light scratching / rubbing on exterior (handling)
Light scratching on windows and red dome
Minor drying (treated) and slight flat spot
Hole in top, creases, shelf-wear (shrink-wrapped)
