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Japanese Evel Knievel

I’m back from Mego Meet and I bring many virtual presents in the form of the sights I encountered there. Let’s start with this, a Popy Evel Knievel stunt set or as they dubbed it “The Evel Knievel Challenge Machine”. I had to do some Guerilla photography on this one because it had just been […]

Evel Knievel Road & Trail Adventure Set

I was scrounging through an Ideal advertising book when I remembered this somewhat more sedate Evel Knievel set.  This has to be Ideal’s response to Big Jim, who was pretty much the king of Camping related toys in 1975. Turns out, this is a pretty rare set that got limited release and a sealed one probably […]

Headquarters for Evel Knievel Action Products

Discovered this in some documents featuring Ideal toys from 1976 that I’ll feature on the site in the very near future, a photo of the different Ideal toys store displays, the belle of the ball being Mr Knievel. The displays for Mousetrap and the Junkyard game are particularly inspired, I miss the days of paintings […]

1976 Ben Cooper Halloween Catalog

Ben Cooper was the leading manufacturer of Halloween costumes and Novelties in the United States during the 1970s. This extensive 1976 catalog really demonstrates the power house licenses they had from the Universal Monsters and Mickey Mouse, the Superheroes of both Marvel and DC to TV sensations like the Six Million Dollar Man and the […]

Daredevil Action Christmas

It would be silly to discuss Christmas in the 1970s without talking about one of it’s most popular toys. The Evel Knievel stunt set seemed like a license to print money until a certain incident (you know..bonk! bonk!) ceased it’s production. Before that though, what an evergreen this thing was….. More Daredevil stunt goodness.

Dare Devil Rider?

   I think this figure from Durham wonderfully illustrates the true joy and cheap chicanery often involved with Rack Toys. The packaging is enticing and vibrant, not to mention well done. It promises action with a slightly “Evel Knievely” setting.  The figure however,  is a chubby guy with a flag, who looks like he might […]

Evel’s Crash Car Today

Recently I got an email from a fellow by the name of Jerry asking about Evel Knievel’s famous Crash car. I get a lot of emails (I don’t have any Stretch Armstrong’s for sale, sorry) and just assumed he was another interested toy collector. Which was a total mistake because while Jerry likes toys he’s […]