Original 1960s Tri-Play Toys Crashmobile Exploding Stock Car Mint On Card For Sale

Tri-Play Toys Co., Chicago, ILL Made in USA. Circa early 1960s. Hard plastic. Exact scale Unknown. Approx. 7-1/4” long

I’ve been collecting Crashmobiles since around 1961, when a Crashmobile Jr. showed up in my Christmas stocking. Soon I graduated to the larger wind-up versions (like this one) with a red, blue and black Cadillac finned model that I ran into walls for a month until the front wind-up axle broke. That one was replaced by another….and another…and another. Then I forgot about them for a few years, got my drivers license and got a real car which also ran into things again…and again…and again. The lesson here is stuff breaks (cars especially)! But wouldn’t it be great if real cars were like Crashmobiles?

OK, enough philosophy. For those of you who are not Baby-Boomers, the original Crash-mobiles were made by Tri-Play Toys and came in two sizes, small (Jr.) and large (this car). Tri-Play was known for cheap wind-up plastic toys including “Jousting Knights”, “Speedy Bank” Armored Car, “Break A Bull”, “Moon Satelite”, “Boomerang Tank”, “Roller Derby”, “Crashmobile” and more, most all powered by simple spring-wind motors. The most well known full size Crashmobile came in mixed color variations of blue, white, red and black with Cadillac-style fins and 6 spring-loaded pieces including chassis and 4 body panels all locked together by the roof section. The bumper is spring loaded and the front axle is attached to a simple spring. Winding the handle on the driver (left) side front wheel clockwise winds the spring and, when placed on a flat surface the car races forward until it hits something, pushing the bumper in which unlocks the roof and makes the car “explode”. These were the “common” cars (still hard-to-find) which show up on from time to time. What many people do not realize is that Tri-Play made variants of this basic design with different bodies, all on the same chassis, which are not so common and included a Secret Agent Aston-Martin car, Weirdo-Mobile and this “Stock Car Racer”. The spring-operated chassis on this car is identical to the more standard Crashmobiles. In fact, any of the large size bodies will fit it. This car, molded in red and yellow is in the shape of a 1940s-50s stock car complete with the number “99” on the trunk and roof (note the car on the card has a \'66\') and a front hood scoop.

This car has never been removed from the card and is in mint condition with no cracks, breaks or missing parts. The card shows some minor age with a few bends and the remains of an old price sticker in the upper right corner. The back of this card is blank but the instructions and whatever other advertising and paper is under the car itself.. The plastic blister is lifting on the edges in a few spots (common with Tri-Play packaging) but has never been removed from the card. Other companies such as Lakeside followed Tri-Play with similar blow-apart cars but this is one of the originals. Because of the many fragile parts, plastic construction and the fact that they were constantly being run into walls it’s almost impossible to find a played with car that is not broken and equally rare to find any of these cars still on the card.

A rarely seen variation of a popular Baby Boomer toy that will make a great addition to any collection.

Mint on Card condition

Check out my other listings for more Crashmobiles.

ALL FORMS OF PAYPAL PAYMENTS ACCEPTED. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT AND WISH TO MAIL YOUR PAYMENT PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU offer OR PURCHASE. NOTE: FOR COMBINED SHIPPING (all items in one box) PLEASE DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT UNTIL I HAVE SENT A COMBINED SHIPPING INVOICE.

US BUYERS -Choice of USPS PARCEL POST or PRIORITY MAIL.

International Shipping by First Class International Mail.

SHIPPING OPTIONS – Buyer pays calculated shipping (to your Zip Code or country)

For US shipping, these options are available:

PARCEL POST Delivery in 4-9 days to most parts of the country.

OR

PRIORITY MAIL Delivery in 2-3 days for most of the US.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE EITHER OF THESE OPTIONS AT CHECKOUT.

All US shipping includes Delivery Confirmation tracking service (number will be posted on Order Details page). IF YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS that is on file with PayPal is NOT CORRECT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. You will be responsible for additional shipping charges if an item is returned for incorrect address.

International Shipping is by First Class International Mail(reasonably priced and safe – if you wish a different service, please contact me).

Shipping options and costs should be displayed on this page. If you have trouble seeing shipping costs, click on “see more services” next to “Shipping” (should be at top of page) (This is not rocket science, if you can’t find the buttons, try the HELP menu).

COMBINED SHIPPING Explained: If you win or buy multiple items, I always combine shipping costs. I put all of your items in one box and you pay for whatever that weighs (saves money and cardboard). My listings are not set up to automatically calculate combined shipping (the checkout will just keep adding up individual fees). FOR COMBINED SHIPPING, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE INSTANT PAYMENT UNTIL I SEND A COMBINED SHIPPING INVOICE. Note: USPS First Class rates only apply to packages under 13 oz. and First Class International shipping rates only apply to packages under 4 lb..

response: I always reply to response. I will leave response after you receive your item, are happy with it and leave response for me. If you have ANY PROBLEMS with your purchase or my service, PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY so that the PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. It is NOT FAIR to leave negative or neutral response without allowing me a chance to solve your problem