Toys from the Past: #1041 WL SPEEDRIVE – FORMULA RACERS (Around 1987)

Sunday, March 10, 2024

#1041 WL SPEEDRIVE – FORMULA RACERS (Around 1987)

These two models were made by Summer and then by Tintoys. Later, they were marketed under the Speedrive brand and the name “Free-Wheeling Formula Racer”. I have two different which I received from my friend Steven (visit his Motorcade), and what I like most about them is the illustration made for the blister, in the style of the early 80s (although I think these blisters are from the late 80s). It is always very difficult to correctly identify formula 1 die-cast models from Hong-Kong and China, as they tend to be generic casts reused for decades (with maybe several distinctive features of real cars) and exist in several colours and decorations each. Some collectors classify the cars on the stickers and race numbers (whenever possible), others simply discard all cars which do not clearly represent a real model (fantasy models, so to speak).

Let´s speculate a bit. This is what I think. One of them is supposed to be the John Player Special Lotus 72 from 1975, although with oversized exhaust pipes. The other one could be a Brabham BT46 or BT46B, as the illustration with RN7 and red/blue colour seems to suggest. The toy is painted blue and carries “PAUL” stickers that do not relate to any known racing car or pilot. In both cases, the models are older than the toy, which I guess was made in the mid to late 80s.

The Speedrive brand sold toy cars based on casts by MC Toys, Realtoy and others under different subcategories, such as the mentioned “Formula Racer” (formula ones), “Super Truck” (short trucks), “Heavy Cab” (trailer trucks) or “Speed Wheels” (generic, may also include trucks). The steering wheel logo was updated in a more 90s style (with a big “S” in blue) at an unknown date.

I also have this Ford Escort Cabrio by the same brand. I bought it a flea market, because I recognized the Matchbox knock-off. In other conditions, I would have left the car where it was, because the quality is not very high.