Back in the early and mid 70s I collected MATCHBOX. That's it! I had Barclay, Hot Wheels and other makes - including a Corgi Rockets Morgan+8 - but the Matchbox stuck.

Until I started reading and posting on message boards I had NO IDEA of the variety available back then. Matchbox and later Hot Wheels really sparked legions of would-be competitors, mostly in Hong Kong and some of their offerings were downright quirky!

Now - I will go out of my way to locate the weirdos from the 70s and 80s. They still can be bought very cheaply!

AHI - 1769 Cugnot the first motorized vehicle in history!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/AHICugnot1769.jpg

LJN - 1942 Lincoln

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/LJNLincoln82223.jpg

Stomper - Jeep (plastic)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/StomperJeep.jpg

Unknown Buick '59

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/Buick59_2.jpg

Unknown (perhaps Universal or Kidco) - Surfer Van

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/surfervan.jpg

EFSI - Ford Ambulance

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/EFSIFordAmbulance.jpg

Norev - Renault 12

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/NorevRenault12.jpg

Universal - 1928 Ford

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/UniversalFord28.jpg

Is that Stomper battery powered?

I do not think so, this is a very small-scale toy indeed - about the size of a 50s Matchbox except for the off-road monster tires.

Also I am not sure if that "Buick 59" really is. The grille looks like that, but from the sides the car itself does not.

That Stomper is a Happy Meal toy. I pick them up whenever I see them at yard sales. There were maybe 10 or 12 different ones, I have most of them. lemme see if I ever took a pic of the ones I have...

--rick

Unknown Buick '59

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_VariousBrands/Buick59_2.jpg



The sides and the center of the hood remind me of a '58-'60 Lincoln, and the suicide door handles predict those of the '61 Continental. Also note how the sides are of a 4-door sedan, but the roofline is a coupe; strange. It looks like some of those converted funeral flower cars that I've seen around.

Still, its quirkiness adds to its desirability.

I have several of those stompers from my early days and also have the green van. I now appreciate these 'off' brand toys more now than my hot wheels and matchboxes from my childhood.