... Mangodance's Johnny Lightning Volkswagen & Dune Buggy Toy Car Guide (1969 to present)


This page is meant to be a complete outline of the Volkswagen toy releases in both the Topper & Playing Mantis Johnny Lightning lines. You can see a picture of each model by clicking on the name (still under construction). Also, in the PROMO section, you can click on the link in the notes section to take you to the source where I got mine. Note: Playing Mantis seems to be inconsistent in separating these cars by number. Sometimes, the mold number is used, sometimes an item number. Where possible, I note release (if designated), item number, and/or mold/catalog number in the "Release" and/or "Notes" columns.

TOPPER JOHNNY LIGHTNINGs (1970)

These early cars came on the red Topper blister card. However, unlike later PM releases, the blister card has a circular-punched hole rather than the J=-hook. Colors used in this first table are those used by Carter Pennington in his "Johnny Lightning Collector's Guide" from 1995.

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Bug Bomb   Aqua, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Blue, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Gold Chrome, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Lime Green, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Olive Green, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Orange, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Purple Chrome, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Red Chrome, on blister card blackwall tires  
Bug Bomb   Yellow, on blister card blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   sea green, with black roof blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   sea green, without black roof blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   blue, with black roof blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   blue, without black roof blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   gold, with black roof blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   gold, without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   green (olive?), with black roof blackwall tires    
Sand Stormer   green (olive?), without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   lime, with black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   lime, without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   orange, with black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   orange, without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   purple, with black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   purple, without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   red, with black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   red, without black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   yellow, with black roof  blackwall tires  
Sand Stormer   yellow, without black roof  blackwall tires  

PLAYING MANTIS COMMEMORATIVE SERIES ONE (1994-5)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Bug Bomb

A

Emerald Green (metal flake), on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

B

Yellow, on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

C

Lt. Purple (metal flake), on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

D

Chocolate (metal flake), on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

E

Cherry Red (metal flake), on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

F

Black, on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

G

Slate Blue (metal flake), on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

H

Hot Pink, on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

I

Red-Orange, on blister card plastic redlines Target / Shopko Exclusive, LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

J

Sky Blue, on blister card plastic redlines Target / Shopko Exclusive, LTD to 10,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

E, F, G, H, K

Pearl White, on blister card plastic redlines LTD to 1,000. Comes with plastic coin that reads "A BONUS!".
Bug Bomb

4-car SET A

Silver Chrome, in window-box plastic redlines Toys-R-Us exclusive, LTD to 19,990. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

8-car SET

Gold Chrome, in window-box plastic redlines Toys-R-Us exclusive, LTD to 28,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

8-car SET

Red Chrome, in window-box plastic redlines FAO Scwarz exclusive, LTD to 3,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

8-car SET

Ice Blue Chrome, in window-box plastic redlines FAO Scwarz exclusive, LTD to 3,000. Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb

4-car SET A

Dark Blue (metal flake), in window-box plastic redlines Wal Mart / Target exclusive, LTD to . Comes with numbered plastic coin.
Bug Bomb, or blister,

Q

unpainted, on blister card plastic redlines "Q-car" - questionaire respondants were able to purchase sets of 8,
Bug Bomb

Holiday Drawing

Pearl White, in white mailer box plastic redlines Christmas Club Car, tampo is "
Bug Bomb

Drawing

Pearl White, in white mailer box plastic redlines JL & NPS 1994 tampos

PLAYING MANTIS CARTOON NETWORK (1998)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Speed Buggy (Manx-style Dune Buggy)

151-01

light orange over dark orange, on blister card grey wheels on silver Cragar SS Mags comes with 1" x 1" card showing cartoon shots (PM calls thisese "cels"). Cards are numbered 1-20 thus there are a possible 20 different card to Speed Buggy combinations.

PLAYING MANTIS CLASSIC GOLD (1999)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

1960s VW Van

Series 2

 sky blue over red, on blister card black rubber tires on Cragar Rims  
1960s VW Van

Series 2

sky blue over red, on blister card WHITE LIGHTNING, black rubber tires w/ "White Lightning" in white lettering on white Cragar Rims 1% of production
1960s VW Van, 23 Window

Series 3

sky blue w/red, yellow, & blue striping , on blister card black rubber tires on Cragar Rims PM calls this teal, but it matches the blue on the bug bomb above. Many "windows" are painted on.
1960s VW Van, 23 Window

Series 3

 sky blue w/red, yellow, & blue striping, on blister card WHITE LIGHTNING, black rubber tires w/ "White Lightning" in white lettering on white Cragar Rims 1% of production. PM calls this teal, but it matches the blue on the bug bomb above. Many "windows" are painted on.

PLAYING MANTIS .COM RACERS (2000)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Y2K (1960s) VW Van

453-10 

orange & blue w/"Y2K" tampo, on blue .com blister card

black plastic tires on Cragar rims,  
Y2K (1960s) VW Van

453-10 

orange & blue w/"Y2K" tampo, on blue .com blister card

black plastic tires on astroblade rims.  
Y2K VW Concept One  

black w/"Y2K" tampo, on blue .com blister card

  LTD to 2,500. JL Direct edition
Y2K VW Concept One  

black over yellow w/"Y2K" tampo, on blue .com blister card

 Black rubber tires on chrome SS Cragar Rims. LTD to 2,500. JL Direct edition
Y2K VW Concept One  

Yellow w/"Y2K" tampo & black bug tampos all over the body, on blue .com blister card

  LTD to 2,500. JL Direct edition

PLAYING MANTIS SURF RODS (2000)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

1960s VW Van "Huntington Honey's"

294-01 

orange & blue, on blister card black plastic tires on Cragar rims,  
1960s VW Van "Huntington Honey's"

 294-01 

orange & blue, on blister card black plastic tires on astroblade rims,  
1960s VW Van "Huntington Honey's"

 294-01 

orange & blue, on blister card "racers-edge" black plastic tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims The allotment of Surf Rods that went to Fullgrid.com all have "racer's-edge" tires thus this is a an exclusive. A small gold foil sticker on the top right of the card notes this.
1960s VW Van "Huntington Honey's"

 294-01 

orange & blue, on blister card WHITE LIGHTNING, whitewall plastic tires on Cragar rims, 1% of production
         

PLAYING MANTIS TEAM LIGHTNING (2000)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Bugaboo

 154-02

white over blue w /Bozo the Clown tampos on a blue & red blister card  black plastic "Lightning spoke" wheels  
Bugaboo

  154-02

white over blue w /Bozo the Clown tampos on a blue & red blister card WHITE LIGHTNING: white tires  

PLAYING MANTIS LIGHTNING SPEED (2000)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

1960s VW Van   off white over brown metal flake black Racer's Edge wheels on Cragar SS Mags  comes with JL Racing Sticker

PLAYING MANTIS TOPPER SERIES (2000-2001)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Sand Stormer 104-01 light brown. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield. Black racer's edge tires on silver 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card.
Sand Stormer 104-01 Pearl White. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield.  Black racer's edge tires on silver 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card. WHITE LIGHTNING.
Sand Stormer 104-02 metallic blue. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield. Black racer's edge tires on silver 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card.
Sand Stormer 104-02 metallic blue. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield. Black racer's edge tires on white 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card. WHITE LIGHTNING.
Sand Stormer 104-03 purple mirror chrome. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield. Black racer's edge tires on silver 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card.
Sand Stormer 104-03 purple mirror chrome. Interior is part of the metal base. Green tinted windshield. Black racer's edge tires on gold 5-spoke rims. Packaged with a Sand Stormer trading card. WHITE LIGHTNING.

PLAYING MANTIS THUNDERJETS (1999-2000)

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

VW Baja Bug

393-01

pink, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-01

purple, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-01

blue chrome, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

pink, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

purple, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

blue chrome, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

blue & lime green w/cream highlights, #4 tampo, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

orange & red w/cream highlights, #4 tampo, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

cream, in hanging window box rubber snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

blue & lime green w/cream highlights, #4 tampo, in hanging window box WHITE LIGHTNING: white rubbertires & white base snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

orange & red w/cream highlights, #4 tampo, in hanging window box WHITE LIGHTNING: white rubbertires & white base snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

393-02

cream, in hanging window box WHITE LIGHTNING: white rubbertires & white base snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

 393-02

Silver Mirror Chrome rubber LTD direct mail edition, snap-on body, pullback chassis,
VW Baja Bug

 393-02

Gold Mirror Chrome rubber LTD direct mail edition, snap-on body, pullback chassis,

PLAYING MANTIS MONOPOLY COLLECTION 2

         


PLAYING MANTIS STORE EXCLUSIVES

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

1960s VW Van

1997

Antique White over Sky Blue, in hanging window box Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims Venture Exclusive, LTD to 4,800
1960s VW Van

1997

Black over Red, in hanging window box Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims Venture Exclusive, LTD to 4,800
Y2K VW Concept One

2000

red & black, w/red, black & white tampos plastic tires on Cragar SS Mag wheels Target Exclusive, LTD to
Y2K VW Concept One

2000

lt "milky" green, w/black green & white tampos plastic tires on Cragar SS Mag wheels Target Exclusive, LTD to

PLAYING MANTIS SPECIAL EDITION (SE) & COLLECTOR'S CLUB (CC)

links in "NOTES" section connect to purchase source

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

1960s VW Van

SE

Cherry Red, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
1960s VW Van

SE

Off-White & Lime, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
VW Thing

SE

Orange w/black top, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
VW Thing

SE

Yellow w/black top, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
VW Concept One

SE

Red, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
VW Concept One

SE

Lime, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
Bugaboo

SE

purple, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
Bugaboo

SE

yellow, on red SE blister card Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims LTD to 5,000, JL Direct Car
Milennium VW Bus

SE

gold w/white "Milennium" tampo on a .com purple & blue blister card rubber tires LTD to 10,000, JL Direct Car
'60s VW Hippie Bus: Sun & Moon

CC

multi-colored with sun & moon graphics, license place is "Farout" black rubber tires on silver Cragar SS Mag wheels LTD to 10,000, JL Direct Car
'60s VW Hippie Bus: Peace

CC

multi-colored with peace sign and musical note graphics. License plate is "Peace". black rubber tires on green Cragar SS Mag wheels LTD to 10,000, JL Direct Car

PLAYING MANTIS PROMO CARS

(SE-Special Edition card, PE-Promo Edition card)

- look in the notes section for links to sources

MODEL

RELEASE

COLOR & PKG

WHEELS

NOTES

Bug Bomb

SE

Yellow, on red SE blister card black Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims "Greater Seattle Toy Show" Tampo, LTD to 3,500
Bug Bomb

SE

Black, on red SE blister card black Firestone Firehawk SS tires on Cragar Astroblade Rims "Greater Seattle Toy Show" Tampo, LTD to 3,500
EMPI Inch Pincher 2000

SE

light blue with white, teal, and blue graphics, and "EMPI Inch Pincher" tampo on a red SE blister card black rubber tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 5,000, sold by EMPI dealers like Action Import
Beaver Automotive Thing, pkg

SE

olive-drab green with black top and "Beaver Automotive" tampo. On 4.25 x 6.5" (108 x 165 mm) green card with graphic of beaver driving a yellow VW Thing. No peg hole in card. black plastic tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 4,500, each is numbered on the chassis, sold by Ricky's VW Collectibles
Beaver Automotive Thing, pkg

SE

 olive-drab green with black top and NO TAMPO. Card as above.  black plastic tires on Cragar SS Mag rims  LTD to 500,  each is numbered on the chassis, sold by Ricky's VW Collectibles
Luv Bus (1960s VW Van)

 SE

yellow w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 4,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Luv Bus (1960s VW Van)

 SE

pink w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 4,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Luv Bus (1960s VW Van, 23 Window)

 SE

yellow w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on yellow Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 1,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Luv Bus (1960s VW Van, 23 Window)

 SE

pink w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on pink Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 1,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Luv (VW) Thing

 SE

yellow w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 5,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Luv (VW) Thing

 SE

pink w/white top and flower tampos, on psychedelic blister card black rubber tires on Cragar SS Mag rims LTD to 5,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
Hot (VW) Thing

 SE

Candy apple red with yellow flames on red SE blister card black plastic "racer's edge" tires on six-spoke rims LTD to 12,000, Dan's Diecast Emporium
'60s Speed Racer VW Bus

SE, 355-12

White over orange & yellow checkers with "Speed Racer Race Team" & Mach V tampos   black plastic "racer's edge" tires on Cragar SS mag LTD to 5,000 , Fullgrid.com
'60s Racer X VW Bus

 SE, 355-12

 Black over Yellow with "Team Racer X" & Racer X tampos  black plastic "racer's edge" tires on Cragar SS mag  LTD to 5,000 , Fullgrid.com
Kentucky Derby 127 60s VW Bus

 SE

White over blue with black interior, "127th Kentucky Derby", "Churchill Downs", & spires tampo, also note the "KD127" license plate. Black rubber REDLINE tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims. Spray-numbered on bottom of base. LTD to 2,500 , Burch Engineering
 Kentucky Derby 127 60s VW Bus

 SE

White over red with black interior, "127th Kentucky Derby", "Churchill Downs", & spires tampo, also note the "KD127" license plate. Black rubber REDLINE tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims. Spray-numbered on bottom of base. LTD to 2,500 , Burch Engineering
60s VW Bus

 SE

White over blue with black interior, Black rubber REDLINE tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims. Spray-numbered on bottom of base. LTD to 2,000 , Burch Engineering
60s VW Bus

 SE

White over red with black interior, Black rubber REDLINE tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims. Spray-numbered on bottom of base. LTD to 2,000 , Burch Engineering
EMPI Inch Pincher VW Bus

PE

white over orange with black interior. Black, orange & blue VW Bug "Empi", "Inch Pincher", & "Sorry 'Bout That" tampos Black rubber tires on silver dome hubs LTD to 5,000, sold by EMPI dealers like Action Import
EMPI Inch Pincher VW Bus

PE

white over orange with black interior. Black, orange & blue VW Bug "Empi", "Inch Pincher", & "Sorry 'Bout That" tampos Black rubber tires on silver Cragar SS mag rims. LTD to 5,000, sold by EMPI dealers like Action Import
VW PEZpal Policeman van

PE

white over blue with yellow stripe. "Pezville Paddywagon" & Polce pez dispenser tampos.   LTD to 6,000, Pez Collector's News
VW PEZpal Sheriff van

PE

white over orange with yellow stripe. "Pez Sheriff" & Sheriff pez dispenser tampos.   LTD to 6,000, Pez Collector's News
VW PEZpal Fireman van

PE

white over red with yellow stripe. "Pez Fire" & Fireman pez dispenser tampos.   LTD to 6,000, Pez Collector's News



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