Ford is continuing their video series countdown to what we are assuming is the unveiling of the 2015 Mustang, with the latest two episodes taking a closer look at the various toys that have been inspired by the pony car over the last five decades. Ford’s Mark Bentley, who is the company’s toy licensing manager (what a job!), provides some background into some of the most famous Mustang toys built as well as a few of his favorites.
The first video kicks things off by highlighting Ford’s long-lasting relationship with Mattel to build Hot Wheels versions of the Mustang. There have been more than ten million produced, and as you might expect many of the 1960s Mustangs are the most popular from the Boss 302 to the Shelby GT500KR. Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels line of die-cast toys in 1968 with the release of 16 original vehicles (sometimes called the “Sweet 16″ by collectors today). They were advertised as small scale/free-rolling models that were designed to look like hot rods and custom muscle cars of the day. All of the major car makers of the day had authorized Mattel to make replicas of their most popular cars, and the list grew as the popularity of the toys blossomed. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the new 2015 Mustang as it will hit the toy isles in die-cast form in the near future.
In the second video Bentley takes a closer look at some of the toy Mustangs that kids can drive and enjoy that’s just like the one mom or dad drives. These toys have been around as long as the Mustang itself, as AMF produced a pedal-powered red convertible Mustang in 1965 that was available in dealerships for $12.95. The pedal car hasn’t been produced in more than thirty years, but Ford has plans to bring it back and produce another version in 2014. Today kids can enjoy a joy ride in a battery powered Power Wheels Mustang made by Fisher-Price – amazingly the Barbie Mustang is now in its 3rd generation.
Have a look at both videos below, if anything to remind yourself that you’re never too old to play with cars.
what I would have done to have toys like this when I was a kid!