Johnny Lightning 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Here is another sharp car from my collection. It's a Johnny Lightning 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula.

Johnny Lightning 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Johnny Lightning 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Johnny Lightning 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula

Johnny Lightning 1949 Mercury Coupe

This car is one of the sleepers in my collection.  It's a Johnny Lightning 1949 Mercury Coupe.  Usually you see these cars chopped, slammed, and otherwise turned into hot rods.  In it's stock state, the 1949 Mercury Coupe has a dignified stately look with just a hit of mafioso.

Johnny Lightning 1949 Mercury Coupe

Johnny Lightning 1949 Mercury Coupe

Johnny Lightning Plymouth Prowler on the Hooch!

Here is my special edition Johnny Lightning Plymouth Prowler.  It's a beautiful car set against the swift waters of the Chattahoochee river.

According to packaging for this car, it is only 1 of 5000 made by Johnny Lightning.  This 1/64 scale Prowler has nice details like the step by the door.

The concept behind the real Dodge Prowler was to build a modern car with vintage hot rod looks.  It succeeded well in it's niche.  The only criticism that I remember of the real Prowler is simply that it did not have enough power to satisfy the hot rodders and drag racers.

I simply like the retro modern car movement.  It's one way to have a modern car with personality.

Johnny Lightning Little Red Wagon

This is my Johnny Lightning Little Red Wagon.  In 1965, the Little Red Wagon was the world's fastest truck and was a sensation on the drag racing circuit.  According to Wikipedia, it could do a mid-11 second quarter mile with a 120 mile per hour end speed.

Here is some vintage video of the Little Red Wagon doing some wheelstanding!

To read more, check out this Hot Rod Network article on the Little Red Wagon.

Johnny Lightning Monopoly Water Works Truck in the Garden

It looks like this spring has sprung and this 1:64 scale Johnny Lightning Monopoly Water Works truck has sprouted up in this flower bed.

Johnny Lightning Monopoly Water Works Truck

Johnny Lightning 1970 Dodge Super Bee

This is my Johnny Lightning 1970 Dodge Super Bee out and about on the town.  I think this is from the 30th Anniversary edition commemorative.

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

The Gardener's Johnny Lightning 1959 Chevrolet El Camino

This Johnny Lightning rendition of the 1959 Chevrolet El Camino.  It's a great looking model and it has a real rustic feel.  It looks like an old gardening implement.

Johnny Lightning 1959 Chevrolet El Camino (profile)

The Chevy El Camino was introduced in 1959.  It was made from 1959 to 1960 and then from 1964 through 1987.  President Bill Clinton even confessed to owning one and lining the pickup bed with astroturf for ...um... sowing oats, gardening, and that sort of thing.



This 1959 El Camino comes from a more innocent time and was introduced as GM's answer to the Ford Ranchero.

Johnny Lightning 1959 Chevrolet El Camino (rear quarter)

Here's a real 1959 Chevrolet El Camino in a Chevrolet publicity photo.  Guess what they have it being used for?  Gardening!

A Real 1959 Chevy El Camino

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.

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.

"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

Banzai Boys! Surf's Up! - A Johnny Lightning Hot Rod

This Johnny Lightning Hot Rod is ready to hit the surf!  I perched it on an old Hobie 16 for this picture and I think it captures the spirit of this little car.

Johnny Lightning Banzai Boys Hot Rod

Johnny Lightning Banzai Boys Hot Rod: Real Car Roots?

The Johnny Lightning Surf Rods Banzai Boys series, featuring models like the 1933 Ford Coupe and Ford Speed Coupe, draws inspiration from real-world hot rods but isn’t based on a single specific car. Introduced around 2000, these 1:64 scale die-casts, often in vibrant red and white with surfboards and “Banzai Boys” decals, reflect the custom hot rod culture of the 1960s, particularly the surf-themed cars popularized in California. The designs, often credited to custom car legend George Barris, evoke the chopped and modified Ford coupes common in that era.

Real 1932-1934 Ford coupes, like the 1933 Ford Model 40, were popular bases for hot rods due to their lightweight frames and V8 engines, easily modified for speed and style. The Banzai Boys models exaggerate these with lowered suspensions, wide tires, and flashy paint, capturing the spirit of custom builds seen in shows or magazines like Hot Rod. While no specific real car matches the Banzai Boys exactly, their aesthetic mirrors the custom 1930s Fords built by enthusiasts, blending historical accuracy with stylized flair. These collectibles, available on eBay or Etsy for $5-$20, remain prized for their nostalgic nod to hot rod and surf culture.

SSSsssssssssssssssssss! It's a pit of Vipers! Johnny Lightning Dodge Vipers!

Dodge Vipers from Johnny Lightning

The people who have to worry about snakes in this neighborhood probably drive Corvettes.  Here are two of my favorite die-cast Dodge Vipers from Johnny Lightning!

Johnny Lightning Diecast Dodge Vipers

These cars have beautiful lines and are nicely detailed.  It's another reason that I love Johnny Lightnings.  They just look good.

Johny Lightning Dodge Vipers

They even have hoods that open to reveal little engines.  But, that is a photo project for another day!

2025 Update--

The Dodge Viper, an iconic American supercar, roared onto the scene in 1992, embodying raw power and bold design under Chrysler’s Dodge brand. Produced in three generations—1992–2006 (SR I and II), 2008–2010 (ZB II), and 2013–2017 (VX I)—the Viper boasted a monstrous V10 engine, with outputs reaching up to 645 horsepower in its final years. Its aggressive styling, featuring a long hood, wide stance, and side exhausts, made it a favorite among enthusiasts. Johnny Lightning’s diecast models immortalize this legend in 1:64 scale, delighting collectors with their precision and nostalgic charm.

Johnny Lightning, originally launched in 1969 by Topper Corporation and revived in 1994 by Playing Mantis, produced Viper models during its 1994–2004 and 2004–2013 runs under RC2/Tomy, with modern releases continuing under Round 2 LLC since 2016. These diecasts, like the 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 and GTS variants, feature vibrant colors such as Viper Red, GTS Blue with white stripes, and even rare metallic finishes. Detailed tampos, chrome wheels, and opening hoods showcasing miniature V10 engines add authenticity. Special editions, such as the 2002 Johnny Lightning “American Muscle” Viper or limited-run sets, are highly sought after, with prices ranging from $5 to $20 on retailers like Amazon or eBay.

These models capture the Viper’s essence—pure, unfiltered performance. For collectors, Johnny Lightning’s Dodge Viper diecasts are a tribute to an American icon, perfect for display or reliving the thrill of the open road in miniature.

Johnny Lightning 2014 Dodge Viper

[As of 2025:  If you'd like to add a 2014 Dodge Viper to your diecast collection, Round 2 now has these Johnny Lightnings (above) here on Amazon.]

It's a Dune Buggy - Johnny Lightning Dune Buggy!

I often see a Dune Buggy driving around in my town.  It's driven by a long-haired, hippy-looking, dude.  And, he looks like he's having fun!  So, if that's Freedom Rock, crank it up! Here's my Dune Buggy.

Johnny Lightning Dune Buggy

It's called "Lil Van" and it comes from the good folks at Playing Mantis.  It's a Johnny Lightning!  Here's my Dune Buggy navigating around some 'shrooms!  Hey man! The picture is a little fuzzy...

Johnny Lightning Dune Buggy In Action