Auburn #512 Wonky Hot Rod - Red SP

Here's an interesting piece. While misshapen plastic toys are not unusual, it seems to be a very common malady for Auburn cars and trucks. The overall condition of this hot rod is very good except for that wonky front end. It reminds me of an old Disney cartoon and looks like the hot rod is gingerly trying to walk over the pavement! Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #512 Hot Rod - Orange SP

Here's a good example of the silver detailing that was applied in later versions of these hot rods. Auburn applied that silver detailing to most of its vehicles and it really does make them 'pop'. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Auburn #512 Hot Rod - Blue SP Number '9'

Taking a break from the spacemen posts, here's a cool soft vinyl plastic hot rod made by Auburn in the early '50s. These Hot Rods had the numbers '2', '3', '5', '6', '8', or '9' molded onto the doors and trunk. In addition: they came with and without silver detailing; the wheels were yellow, black, or white; and the bodies were molded in a rainbow of colors. Collecting all of the different color/number variations would keep you busy for a long time! I have several of these hot rods but they all have the number '9' on them and as they weren't really a top collecting priority, it isn't likely I'll get anymore. This blue car is apparently an early version as it has no silver detailing and soft vinyl tires. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Marx Fire Chief Hot Rod

Friday's here on Toys & Stuff have been devoted to Fire and Emergency vehicles but today's toy just barely qualifies for that category. This is a Hot Rod that's supposed to be a Fire Chief's car! Really? Perhaps the guys at Marx thought this was cute or whimsical, but this type of toy, coming along towards the end of the Marx company's 'life', couldn't have drawn in many customer's. A bell on the windshield and crooked peel-&-stick appliques proclaiming "Fire Chief" do not a Fire Chief's car make and kids probably saw through that. However, peel away the signs and you do have a nifty little Hot Rod though. The body is all plastic and it has a nice friction motor. Marx would have done better omitting the bell and applying peel-&-stick flames on the doors and simply playing up the fact that this was indeed a Hot Rod. It measures 5 1/8" (13cm) L x 2 1/5" (6.4cm) H. Enjoy!