Mangodance's Johnny Lightning Volkswagen & Dune Buggy Toy Car Guide (1969 to present)... 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.
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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, |
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PLAYING MANTIS MONOPOLY COLLECTION 2 |
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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 |
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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 |
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(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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