Sweet Memories of Childhood Cars: A Matchbox Retrospective
February 24, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Toy Vehicles, Vintage & Classic Toys
I wrote an article last week about Hot Wheels cars, but upon posting it something started gnawing at me. While talking about Hot Wheels, I had completely neglected to mention Matchbox, the opposing brand. What makes this worse is that as a kid, I couldn’t distinguish between the two as both brands made little toy cars. They still do of course, so it’s only fair that I give you the other side of the story. Read more
Still Leading the Way: A Hot Wheels Retrospective
February 17, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Toy Vehicles, Vintage & Classic Toys
Little known fact about me: I grew up as a little boy when I was a lot younger. What this generally meant is that Barbies weren’t typically in my play-cycle and Hot Wheels dominated most of my free time in between Ninja Turtles. I’m happy to say that even though I’ve taken a long hiatus from the small die-cast cars of my youth, they’ve been waiting around should I ever choose to get back into the habit. It’s always great to know that my kids will someday have the chance to play with my favorite toys. Read more
Talking Cars, Space Ships, and Classic Americana: The Most Popular Die-Cast Toys
February 12, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Toy Vehicles
I’m taking another day off video games to go into one of my favorite things from my childhood: Die-cast cars. The term can be applied to a lot of things, such as Hot Wheels and the like, but I actually won’t be bringing Hot Wheels into this since, well, that makes for an article in of itself sometime next week. Okay, not the classic thought of what makes a car a Hot Wheels car at least. I can’t lie, I’m talking about the most popular die-cast cars right now, so Hot Wheels are going to show up in some way or another. Read more
The Top 10 Radio and Remote Controlled Toys of 2009
December 29, 2009 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Remote Control Toys
Many folks don’t know there is a difference between “remote controlled” and “radio and remote controlled.” I mean honestly, RC is RC. So here they are, the Top Ten Bestselling Radio and Remote Controlled Toys for 2009.
10. Tyco R/C Stunt Psycho Vehicle – Red:

A car possessed by some sort of demon? Apparently so.
Toy Hall of Fame Nominees Announced
September 25, 2008 by dungan
Filed under Toy Industry News
The first week of autumn is a signal to start looking back, reminisce over the good ole days, and remember what really matters. And, right on schedule, the Strong National Museum of Play has announced 12 nominees for this years induction into the Toy Hall of Fame.
Only two of the twelve nominees will make the final cut, but they will be in good company with the best toys of all time.




