I've seen this diecast a couple times now. I have dim recollections of it from my youth, but I have no idea if I had one or someone else did. Then not long ago I saw one in a Fleabay diecast lot of maybe 20 cars... didn't want the other 19 and it went up pretty high. Now there's one in a box lot at the local Friday night auction... it's actually a 24-car case from the 70s or 80s filled with diecast. It's a 4-door Impala or Caprice, I'm guessing from '71-'75, as it has round headlights and the '76 had square ones (I think). There are lights/sirens cast into the roof. It's painted white, and it looks like someone has colored the fenders and hood and trunk lid with a blue marker. Scalewise, it's at the small end of what we call 1/64, like some of the old Zylmex or Playart castings. The wheels look similar to Zymlex wheels. The bottom has very little detail, and the only markings on the bottom say "Spelling Productions" and a copyright date. It brings to mind "Hill Street Blues", but I'm pretty sure that the cars in the opening credits of that show were Dodges... Anyone know anything about this car? Was it made by a major diecast manufacturer? Was it sold as part of a movie-themed or tv-show-themed toy set? (the Spelling Productions is making me think that...) Anyone? Inquiring minds want to know...

I don't think I can make the auction tonight and I bet the box will go pretty high, so there's little chance of me getting hold of this one...

--rick

thanks for any info...

--rick

Sounds like an ertl casting, they had the playart type wheels back then. Are you sure it is not a buick century - then it would be a Kojak.

Nah, I think this is a Chevy. I found a pic that I saved from the auction... it's small, but it'll give you an idea...

--rick

Does look like ertl wheels, could be hills street blues car - did not know they made them?

I've had this car since around the mid 70s. According to "Detroit In Miniature", it was made by LJN Road Stars. I do remember that it was tied into a TV show at that time (I believe either Adam 12 or The Rookies, but I'm not sure). I can very definitely remember the package had a photo from the TV show, and I believe the real car. I can vaguely remember this company and know they did some other TV related vehicles (I remember cars based on The Waltons, Hogans Heros and SpiderMan). It's a great little car, and I don't think anyone else has done this body style in 1/64

LJN, huh? Thanks, that gives me something else to go on when looking for one. :thumbsup:

Edit: took 2 minutes to Google "ljn diecast police car" and this turned up:

http://www.breithaupts.com/totc232.htm

scroll down to the section labeled "1970's". No pic, but it does confirm that LJN was the manufacturer, and it was in fact the show "The Rookies". (Hmmm. Never heard of that one before now.) It also says that Imperial Toy Co. used the same casting as a military vehicle... verrrrry interesting...

thanks again!

--rick

hey check out this thread for more info on LJN cars...

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showpost.php?p=998950&postcount=13

if you click the Hollywood Diecast link, he has a pic on his site of the Impala on the card...

--rick

I've been on the lookout for a pair of these myself. I saw one (in package) at a flea market years ago, and they wanted way more than I was willing to spend.

I need one in good shape for my collection, and a beater for my monster truck rally. A second beater would make a good demolition derby car, that's for sure. :thumbsup: