Johnny Lightning Z8 James Bond Car

This is my Johnny Lightning BMW Z8 convertible from the James Bond collection.  This commemorates the Bond car from the movie "The World is Not Enough."

Johnny Lightning - 1971 Pontiac GTO

Pool Side with a Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

Johnny Lightning brand die-cast cars were some of the best.  I collected mine when they were owned by Playing Mantis.  They had plenty of traditional muscle cars in their mix.  This is their take on the 1969 Chevy Camaro.

Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

I like this car because of its all-metal construction and nice wheels.  The hood also opens to reveal the V-8 engine.

Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

Here's a real 1969 Chevy Camaro, but this one has a vented hood due to a massive 396-cubic inch V-8 powerplant!

1969 Chevy Camaro with 396-cubic inch V-8 photo by emilydickinsonridesabmx from Fort Hamilton Brooklyn, New York, USA (1967 Chevy Camaro 396 SS) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

A Pocket Car Show in January!

One great thing about die-cast cars is that you don't have to wait until summer time to wander around at a Car Show.  You can just stick a car show in your pocket and see it any time.  Moving from left to right, this pocket car show consists of a Hot Wheels, a Racing Champions, and a Johnny Lightning.

This pocket car show showcases from real hot rods, but the spectacular star of the show has to be the Johnny Lightning with exposed side pipes.

Johnny Lightning MG-A Unpainted

This is an interesting Johnny Lightning car.  It was part of a bare metal series of cars that was either unpainted or just had some basic kind of coating over the base metal bodies.

Johnny Lightning MG-A Unpainted

 Regardless of the finish or lack thereof, these make for some interesting collectible die-cast cars.  I'm wondering if these might be easier to customize as well.

Johnny Lightning MG-A Unpainted

If you do plan to customize your own die-cast cars, you are going to need a Dremel tool.

Johnny Lightning Monopoly VW Bus

The Johnny Lightning brand of 1/64 scale toy cars was pretty cool.  They had nice wheels, great paint jobs, and all metal construction.  This VW bus was created to commemorate the famous board game -  Monopoly.  Here it is parked outside a fast food restaurant in the Atlanta suburbs.

Johnny Lightning VW Bus - Monopoly Edition

The Johnny Lightning brand changed hands several times and was finally discontinued by Tomy in 2013.  However, the cars remain excellent and quite collectible.

A Surfing Hot Rod - Oahu Wahoos from Johnny Lightning

Here is a rear-engined custom Hot Rod from Johnny Lightning that'll go toe-to-toe with the Zulus.

The Oahu Wahoos hot rod casts quite a shadow!

Get to the beach before winter comes!

Johnny Lightning Zulu Surf Wagon!

As summer winds down, here is a Johnny Lightning that'll definitely take you to the beach!

Johnny Lightning Ford Mustang Mach 1

This Johnny Lightning looks fast sitting still.  In the early 1970s, the Ford Mustang grew big and bad.  This Mach 1 has the look
.

Johnny Lightning Ford Mustang Mach 1

Does this Fire Chief look unsafe at any speed?

Johnny Lightning Chevrolet Corvair Fire Chief's Car

 This Chevrolet Corvair doesn't look unsafe at any speed.  Although this fire chief is rather precariously perched.

Johnny Lightning Chevrolet Corvair Fire Chief

The Corvair was a rare rear-engined American car. With the engine in the rear, the car had a different center of gravity and was more likely to spin out. Consumer activist Ralph Nader made a name for himself with his book on the Corvair and other American cars. However, some Corvair enthusiasts and collectors believe that the case against the Chevy Corvair was overstated.

Where's the fire?

 Die-cast Emergency Vehicles - Johnny Lightning Fire Chief

This 1950 Ford Sedan from Johnny Lightning looks great as a fire chief's car.  It seems to match the alarm switch just right!

Johnny Lightning 1950 Ford Sedan Fire Chief

Die-cast Car Photography Tip.

It's easy to get a picture of the car from different angles.  You can bring a unique, personal, quality to your die-cast car photographs by placing your cars in interesting situations or in a setting that complements the vehicle.

Johnny Lightning Chevy Nova

Sometimes you just have to roll with your die-cast cars.  You never know what adventures you'll have in the great outdoors!

Johnny Lightning Gasser - Wild Bill & Cody!

This is a Johnny Lightning version of a 1933 Willy's Gasser Dragster named "Wild Bill & Cody."  Here it brings a bit of wildness to a dreary day.

Johnny Lightning Willy's Gasser

Johnny Lightning Dragsters - Side by Side!

These Johnny Lightnings look great as they are squared off for battle!  When you look at a Johnny Lightning, check out the wheels, the pain, and the extra details.

Vintage Dragsters!

Johnny Lightning Dragster

You can always count on Johnny Lightning for vintage dragsters with flame jobs!

Corvette - Third Generation

Here's a beautiful third generation Corvette on a suitable tire!

Die-cast Chevrolet Corvette - Generation 2

Johnny Lightning 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

This is the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette with a split rear window.  This is the second generation of Corvette.  It added real power and performance to America's two seat sports car!  This one is another sharp looking car from Johnny Lightning.

Johnny Lightning 1963 Corvette

Die-cast Corvette Week - Here's the First Generation Chevrolet Corvette!

Johnny Lightning 1953 Corvette

This seems like a good week to dedicate to the Chevrolet Corvette!  The iconic shapes of the the Corvette have captivated driving enthusiasts for decades.  While insurance companies make it hard for most people to economically keep a Vette, Johnny Lightning makes it much easier!

The Corvette made it's debut in 1953.  Here is a first generation Corvette from Johnny Lightning:

Willy's Coupe from Johnny Lightning

Johnny Lightning has lots of historic Willy's coupes.  I like the patriotic paint job on this one.

"Tony the Tiger" would drive this GTO!

Johnny Lightning 1965 Pontiac GTO

My goat looks like a tiger!  This is my 1965 Pontiac GTO done small and done right by Playing Mantis.  It's a Johnny Lightning with pizzaz!

Johnny Lightning 1965 Pontiac GTO