Category:Lone Star Flyers

1969: Lone Star Flyers [image info]

The Lone Star Flyers range was a speedy (1969) response of British diecast toymaker Lone Star to the immediate industry-disrupting success of Mattel's new high-speed, low-friction Hot Wheels range (1967). While just about every diecast toy car maker had to either change their designs or introduce a new range to compete with Hot Wheels, Lone Star's revamped range is notable for being the first UK toy car campany to get their answer to Mattel's innovation into the shops.

1975: identification photo and listing

April 1969 description:

Lone Star Flyers

A completely new type of die-cast model car is being introduced by Lone Star Products. Engineered so as to reduce friction to a minimum, these models fly and they not only go faster, but travel far greater distances. Also a plastic track has been provided for the car to run on. This track, which is set up with one end raised, is completely flexible and can be looped to create a dare-devil wall of death. Using two lengths of track, the flyers can be made to leap a gap, or jump from one level to another.

The cars themselves, all scale models, have windows, seats and steering wheels, with opening doors, bonnets and boots. All cars have relief model engines based on the engine of the prototype.

— , -, , Have You Seen?, , Meccano Magazine, , April 1969

1975 catalogue text:

All Flyers are full of interesting features. Some have opening doors, bonnets, boots. Others have roof racks with boats, skis, spare tyres. All are fast runners with super mag-wheels, non friction bearings, deep lustre paintwork and are designed to meticulous detail.

THE TOP PERFORMANCE CARS

• Die-cast metal bodies
• Deep lustre paint work
• Suspension
• Low-friction wheel bearings
• "Mag" non-scratch wheels
• Opening doors, bonnet, boots & detailed engines (where applicable)

— , Lone Star, , Lone Star catalogue, , 1975

Range

1975 catalogue listing

• 7 – VAUXHALL FIRENZA – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 9 – MASERATI MISTRALE – Length 3 ¹⁄₈" (79 mm)
• 1O – JAGUAR MK. X – Length 3 ³⁄₁₆" (81 mm)
• 11 – GRAN TURISMO COUPE – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 13 – TOYOTA 2000 G.T. – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 12 – CHRYSLER IMPERIAL (With Boat). – Length 3 ¹⁄₈" (79 mm)
• 14 – FORD (GB) ZODIAC Mk. III ESTATE – Length 3 ¹⁄₈" (79 mm)
• 15 – VOLKSWAGEN MICROBUS (With Luggage Rack). – Length 3" (76mm)
• 16 – MOTORWAY POLICE PATROL – Length 3 ¹⁄₈" (79 mm)
• 17 – MERCEDES 220 SE – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 18 – FORD (GB) CORSAIR – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 19 – VOLVO 1800S – Length 2 ¹⁵⁄₁₆" (75 mm)
• 20 – VOLKSWAGEN AMBULANCE – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 21 – FIAT 2300S COUPE (With Canoe). – Length 3 ¹⁄₁₆" (78 mm)
• 22 – ROLLS ROYCE SILVER CLOUD – Length 3 ³⁄₁₆" (81 mm)
• 23 – ALFA ROMEO GIULIA 1600 SPIDER – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 27 – FORD (D) TAUNUS (With Surfboards) – Length 3 ¹⁄₄" (83 mm)
• 28 – PEUGEOT (With Ski) – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 32 – FIRE CHIEF CAR – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 36 – LOTUS EUROPA G.T. – Length 3 ¹⁄₁₆" (78 mm)
• 38 – CHEVROLET CORVETTE – Length 3 ¹⁄₈" (79 mm)
• 39 – FORD (U.S.) MUSTANG – Length 3" (76 mm)
• 40 – CADILLAC (With Spare Wheels) – Length 1/8" (79 mm)

External links

• Lone Star Impy (robertnewson.co.uk)