I originally posted this in the "Johnny Lightning" forum but a member suggested I post here:

I found two bubble packs with Johnny Lightning die cast cars. These are unopened with all the parts, stickers, etcetera in them. The cardboard is beat up some, but legible. They were folded in half to fit in my christmas stocking during my mis-spent youth!!!! On is the "Pipe Dream" in purple and the other is the "Big Rig" in a green sort of color. Google searches this morning show the loose cars with all the pieces and decals attached at $100 - $150 each. Are these really worth that much? Granted, where I looked was a retail site, but I could not find anything current on e-bay to compare. I found a site where the spoiler for the big rig was $10. My search found this forum so I seek wisdom from those of you who collect these things. Are these my early retirement, should I let my kids play with them, or somewhere in between? About what are these worth? I thank you in advance for you advice.

Scott

Hello! What you have are original Johnny Lightnings! 2 of only 5 custom spoilers produced. Lightnings are not as popular as Hot wheel red lines, and they really should be! they where only made for around 3 years, by Topper toys. They wont make you rich, but no one knows what the future holds, I have seen some blister pack cars go for a Great price on Ebay They look very, nice and if they where mine I would put them away for the future. who knows, they could help with collage in the future! I would not let the kids play with them! OH NO NO NO! Have fun collecting!

Hi Again Scooter, The Cars Are The CUSTOMS Not CUSTOM SPOILERS As I Stated, My Bad, Nice Customs!

Thank you.......I talked to my wife and we decided, since our fridge died yesterday, we would sell them. They do not have any sentimental value, nor am I going to become a collector, so they are going up on e-bay tonight. $5 or $500, they should be in the hands of someone who collects them and would enjoy them, not sitting in a drawer somewhere in my house. Thanks for the help.

Well There You Go. Good Luck!

I'll agree wit the above... I found this one... gonna say about 3 or 4 years ago in one of those consignment/antique shops where the guy had no idea what he had here. The price tag of $2.00 is what I paid for it. Was my find of the year back then. But had to thin things out, maybe last year and ended up getting about $80.00 for it... thought it might go higher, but it's in about the same shape as yours...plus one of the tires had slid down and was laying on top of the wing.

http://www.wideopenwest.com/~whitedragon/wildwinner1.jpg

Post the link to the auction

The Big Rig is item #180174497883, the stuff in my browser window when I am looking at it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/NR-Vintage-Topper-Johnny-Lightning-Big-Rig-MINT_W0QQitemZ180174497883QQihZ008QQcategoryZ760QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Pipe Dream is item #180174491630, the browser window shows:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NR-Vintage-Topper-Johnny-Lightning-Pipe-Dream-MINT_W0QQitemZ180174491630QQihZ008QQcategoryZ760QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Scott

my guess is about $75 each maybe a little less

my guess is about $75 each maybe a little less

Looks like you guessed a little low ;)

Congrats to the seller. And he only has to make one shipment since they went to the same buyer. Sweet.

The Pipe Dream is also called an "After Burner Car", or ABC (though I have yet to actually see an 'Afterburner' attachement for these cars). $100-$150 is a bit on the high side for these, but I did pay $125 for a Big Rig BP about 10 years ago. At the time I thought it was a good deal, but today they can be had for $75-$100 if you are patient. I'd say $100 is fair.