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What are some things that make Johnny Lightning unique????
Im new to collecting, just a month now. Ive got mainly hotwheels and M2s. Got about 5 Johnny Lightning. I love them, but not up on the brand. Is there anything in particular that makes them unique? The thing that strikes me off top is i BELIEVE all their cars come with opening hoods and real rubber tires.......
Last edited by atldeville; 07-10-2011 at 05:58 PM..
Not true on the opening hoods, and real rubber tires, but a few years back, all the chassis' were die cast metal, and most of the castings had far more detail than all the competitors. However the newer product has lost some of its unique definition after a few corporate changes, and various new manufacturers. Still a nice product to me, but I do enjoy the cars from 3 to 5 years ago as well! Just my opinion.
Not true on the opening hoods, and real rubber tires, but a few years back, all the chassis' were die cast metal, and most of the castings had far more detail than all the competitors. However the newer product has lost some of its unique definition after a few corporate changes, and various new manufacturers. Still a nice product to me, but I do enjoy the cars from 3 to 5 years ago as well! Just my opinion.
well, like i said, i like my new ones. havent opened them yet so i can only guess about the chassis and tires..........the hoods DO open, got a 65 mustang 2+2 and a 1449 buick custom today..........
When I was pretty new to JL (Johnny Lightning) I thought they all had opening hoods with rubber tires too. Some do, many don't. It depends on the series as well. JL is a real mixed bag, with some of their offerings pretty good, and others really falling short. So I'm real selective when it comes to Johnnys.
When I was pretty new to JL (Johnny Lightning) I thought they all had opening hoods with rubber tires too. Some do, many don't. It depends on the series as well. JL is a real mixed bag, with some of their offerings pretty good, and others really falling short. So I'm real selective when it comes to Johnnys.
Right now JL is offering 2 different lines. The JL 2.0 series have metal body and chassis, but aren't available in WM. You'll probably find a few peg warmers still hanging at TRU. The Forever 64 line are on smaller red cards, which have plastic chassis, and can be found at WM and TRU.
It's interesting to hear a newcomer's opinion on the current JLs. The brand has been available only sporadically in retail over the past few years, more now than they have been in a while. What you'll hear from most of us old-time collectors is a lot of remembering when the line was owned by an indy company called "Playing Matis." They were available just about everywhere then, and quality seemed more consistant than it has been in some recent years, though the line has gotten quite a bit better on that score over the past year or so.
All bias aside though, I would like to know which 5 you've purchased recently, and when you find some older JLs on the Playing Mantis cards, let us know if you feel there is a difference (aside from the plastic bases on the F64 cars) or are some of us merely seeing the brand through the eyes of nostalgia.
Could make for some very interesting posting. Ultimately you'll learn everyone has an opinion, and is very entitled to it. But I for one like to hear everyone's reasons and compare
If you like to keep your cars in the blister, than JLs are no different than any other car. I collect JLs for the following reasons:
1) i'm a big fan of the spoiler type cars that HW used to make back in the early days and JL has sort of taken that idea and run with it for the past 10 years.
2) i like that some of the cars have plastic wheels and others have rubber wheels. there are some variations where the same car could have both plastic and rubber wheels.
3) i like the ability to customize my cars to some extent I can change the wheels on my cars.
4) the opening hood is a bonus feature which HWs and MBs don't have.
5) if you really want to enjoy JLs, focus on the older castings ...anywhere between 2000 and 2008 for the metal bases and rubber tires. the newer JLs (ie the past 3 yrs) has seen the quality go downhill.
Right now JL is offering 2 different lines. The JL 2.0 series have metal body and chassis, but aren't available in WM. You'll probably find a few peg warmers still hanging at TRU. The Forever 64 line are on smaller red cards, which have plastic chassis, and can be found at WM and TRU.
It's interesting to hear a newcomer's opinion on the current JLs. The brand has been available only sporadically in retail over the past few years, more now than they have been in a while. What you'll hear from most of us old-time collectors is a lot of remembering when the line was owned by an indy company called "Playing Matis." They were available just about everywhere then, and quality seemed more consistant than it has been in some recent years, though the line has gotten quite a bit better on that score over the past year or so.
All bias aside though, I would like to know which 5 you've purchased recently, and when you find some older JLs on the Playing Mantis cards, let us know if you feel there is a difference (aside from the plastic bases on the F64 cars) or are some of us merely seeing the brand through the eyes of nostalgia.
Could make for some very interesting posting. Ultimately you'll learn everyone has an opinion, and is very entitled to it. But I for one like to hear everyone's reasons and compare
i got a 65 mustang 2+2 fastback, a 1967 plymouth fury II, a 1949 buick custom and a 1971 plymouth gtx..
the plymouth fury has a lot of weight to it, so i wouldnt be surprised if its a metal chassis. overall, the cars remind me, ALMOST, of buying hotwheels garage cars. the lightnings are a step up from hotwheels mainlines, thats for sure, but some are on the level of hotwheels garage, some seem to be in between garage and mainline ( as a reference). overall, i love the lightnings, they have good attention to detail and they are worth what they are asking for them. i havent opened them so i cant tell about the tires.....
The '67 Fury is a retooled casting from Racing Champions. As a Johnny Lightning, it has only been released in the 40th Anniversary series and the Forever 64 series. Therefore, as a JL it has only been issued with a plastic chassis.
Many of us collectors were pleading for more 4-doors. The Fury was a welcome sight!
The '67 Fury is a retooled casting from Racing Champions. As a Johnny Lightning, it has only been released in the 40th Anniversary series and the Forever 64 series. Therefore, as a JL it has only been issued with a plastic chassis.
Many of us collectors were pleading for more 4-doors. The Fury was a welcome sight!
no way that fury i got has a plastic chassis, lol, that thing is HEAVY in the packaging.............
First of all, Welcome to the club! There are some great people here with lots of knowledge, opinions and passion about Johnny Lightnings, from each of the manufacturers. I urge you to check out Wyatt's website to see the offerings from the Playing Mantis days - you'll find it easy to get hooked.
They have had some dogs, too, like all the companies, but there is something for everyone.
PM me your address if you like, and I will send you a sampling of Johnnies from a few years back, and you can see for yourself if you think they are unique.
First of all, Welcome to the club! There are some great people here with lots of knowledge, opinions and passion about Johnny Lightnings, from each of the manufacturers. I urge you to check out Wyatt's website to see the offerings from the Playing Mantis days - you'll find it easy to get hooked.
They have had some dogs, too, like all the companies, but there is something for everyone.
PM me your address if you like, and I will send you a sampling of Johnnies from a few years back, and you can see for yourself if you think they are unique.
Mike
Nice gesture, Mike
And BTW, not sure if you've been a member on other diecast sites, or what your experiences might've been. But one very nice thing about the people here is that they can be quite helpful in assisting fellow members in finding certain cars they might be looking for, or in just sharing a few cars, as Mike has offered. We call that a RAOK (Random Act Of Kindness). Sometimes folks might even surprize another member by sending them a car they know they need for their collection.
And if you're like me, my first reaction was, "Whoa, I'm not sending someone my address from an Internet message board. Too many nuts out there." But this is the only place (outside of Swifty's Garage) I have shared personal info with people, met members in person, etc...
It's always good to ask other members if they've had dealings with a certain person--sort of for peace of mind. But Mike's a good guy who has been here for quite a while. Just thought it might be worth mentioning in case you're wondering
Last edited by Dragnet_Supporter; 07-12-2011 at 02:46 PM..
First of all, Welcome to the club! There are some great people here with lots of knowledge, opinions and passion about Johnny Lightnings, from each of the manufacturers. I urge you to check out Wyatt's website to see the offerings from the Playing Mantis days - you'll find it easy to get hooked.
They have had some dogs, too, like all the companies, but there is something for everyone.
PM me your address if you like, and I will send you a sampling of Johnnies from a few years back, and you can see for yourself if you think they are unique.
Mike
i checked out wyatts website, WHOA, i love those cars gonna get with you about those cars also, appreciate that
Johnnies from the 90s are the way to go, in my humble opinion. Certainly, some casting details improved after 2000, but the subject matter was far more fun and varied before that. They were just rolling out products that nobody else was thinking about.
