Big-time diecast score at Kmart today

[Dave Farquhar]

I scored not one, but TWO 1:64 cars from the 1930s today in the toy aisle, which is great if you like prewar trains like I do. I'd rather have vintage cars to put on the layout with my vintage trains, but until I can get a large enough quantity of them, I'll use modern production stuff as standins.

The first score was a Maisto '36 Ford Coupe. It's a lot less hot-rod than most of the '30s Ford coupes I see. The rims are too contemporary and the silver paint probably isn't what you would have seen in 1936, but I was happy just to see something about the right size and reasonably close to stock. It's part of Maisto's G Ridez series. I paid $2.99. I'm not complaining.

Then I made a real find: a '39 Chevy Master Deluxe, by Jada, from its Dub City Old Skool line. This is an honest-to-goodness family car. I could put four on the layout and not have to make any apologies. It's black. The rims look contemporary rather than vintage, but other than that, it's pretty much perfect for the layout. I paid $2.99 for it also.

I also remember at one point this year I picked up a Hot Wheels '35 Caddy and '47 Chevy Fleetline. They're both undersize compared to these, but I'll take what I can get. They're fine for back-of-the-layout vehicles. They look the part, and they're cheap. I know, the Fleetline is postwar, but it at least looks '40s. Definitely 99 cents well spent, and if I could find another Fleetline, I'd buy it in a second.

I also saw a handful of 1:64 vehicles from the '50s era but I didn't pay as much attention since I'm after that '30s/'40s look.

So if you're into Flyer S gauge, or Lionel or Marx O27, this is the time to hit the toy aisle of your local discount stores. Your odds of walking out with at least two usable vehicles for the layout are probably pretty high.

[c50truck]

Dave,

Great find. I’m always on the look out for those types of vehicles, in 64th scale. Unfortunately, corporate closed our local K Mart a couple years ago. But it seems I need to go shopping. K Mart was not the only discounter in town.

Rod L.