Evel's Crash Car Today

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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 into the real deal! More after the jump (which is over 14 school buses):






Here is the Crash Car today, assuming this is Jerry's front lawn, I wish we were neighbours.




Who wouldn't want to roll up to the office just once in this?



The crash car was featured in the (somewhat camp) classic film "Viva Knievel" which makes it just that much more awesome. Thanks for sharing Jerry, nice to know she's in good hands.

If you have a cool 70s collection you'd like to share drop us a line! (JUST remove the "4" at the end of my email address, that way I know you're human)

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[Wee67]

Sweet! Yeah, I'd love to see the look on the McDonald's employee as handed that number 6 through the drive-thru window. Aw yeah. I'm in Evel's crash car. See you next week when I come by for my Filet-o'-Fish in the Batmobile.

[jds1911a1]

that's as neat as the recent American Trucker where they dug up Evil's cusotom Hauler rig

[Earth 2 Chris]

That's all kind of insanity right there. Wow. You would think Robbie would want to buy that.

Chris

[ScottA]

That is awesome. Thanks Jerry.

[kennermike]

man that needs some serious restoration nice though!

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I never knew that the crash car was based off of a real prop. I thought it was just something that Ideal made-up to add a car to the toy line.

[vulcan2074]

Thats super cool. I dig Evel Knievel.
Sammy

[Chris]

Do yourself a favor and pick up Evel's chopper off of ebay. You can make it do flips. This line doesn't get the attention it deserves.

[MIB41]

That's pretty wild. Funny thing is, I use to have this as a kid, but never knew it was based on a real vehicle. That is pretty cool.

[Megotu]

The toy is pretty darned accurate looking at the car now...

[HardyGirl]

That's really cool! I've seen bits and pieces of Viva Knievel, but I didn't know that car was real! Wow!

[Delusional B]

That's pretty wild. Funny thing is, I use to have this as a kid, but never knew it was based on a real vehicle. That is pretty cool.

I think it actually worked the other way around. I think the toys came first. They also made a replica of Evel's dragster toy in working, full-scale. They would display them at his jumps along with the Sky Cycle he used to try to jump the Snake River Canyon. I don't think Evel really did anything with the vehicles and they were there mostly for show and to help sell a few more Knievel toys. All in all, they did a great job of making these vehicles look like the toys. It is really cool that you can see them all being driven into a stadium in Viva Knievel... a cinematic masterpiece.

Whoever said this line is underrated hit the nail on the head. I've talked to so many old guys like me that think this was the greatest toy ever made (mainly the Stunt Cycle). The Evel line worked as an action figure line with vehicles and playsets... only the vehicles REALLY worked instead of just being rolling "push" toys. Those toys were such a BLAST!! ...even better than today's RC stuff. There was just something so visceral and satisfying about cranking one up and watching it scream away across the pavement.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I got the repro set for my son a couple of years ago and he loves it. We just don't have too much room in the house and I have never been sure if the repro would stand up to the originals in terms of punishment of taking it outside.

[MIB41]

I think it actually worked the other way around. I think the toys came first. They also made a replica of Evel's dragster toy in working, full-scale. They would display them at his jumps along with the Sky Cycle he used to try to jump the Snake River Canyon. I don't think Evel really did anything with the vehicles and they were there mostly for show and to help sell a few more Knievel toys. All in all, they did a great job of making these vehicles look like the toys. It is really cool that you can see them all being driven into a stadium in Viva Knievel... a cinematic masterpiece.

Whoever said this line is underrated hit the nail on the head. I've talked to so many old guys like me that think this was the greatest toy ever made (mainly the Stunt Cycle). The Evel line worked as an action figure line with vehicles and playsets... only the vehicles REALLY worked instead of just being rolling "push" toys. Those toys were such a BLAST!! ...even better than today's RC stuff. There was just something so visceral and satisfying about cranking one up and watching it scream away across the pavement.

Yeah, Evel Knievel was really a pretty ingenious toy line. The figure was essentially just a glorified "bendy" with clothes and a head like Megos. This allowed him to remain on the bike during stunts and for the most part stay intact afterwards. It's actually still fun to see what they can do for stunts. The line truly reflected what Evel Knievel was all about. And there wasn't much you couldn't do with these cycles. It's amazing any of them are in presentable condition today.