Muppet Big Wheels

Shouldn't Kermit's ride be an "It's not easy being Green" Machine?

Oh, it was too early for that, I'm going to lay down now....

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Atomic Peddles to Power!

I had the Jaguar as a wee one and it was dandy but I pretended it was the Batmobile....

1980 JC Penny Toy Land Flyer

I am a complete junkie for toy store newspaper flyers, they are just such a wonderfully illustrated time capsule of our childhoods.

This beautiful piece from JC Penny in 1980 is a pretty terrific example of why I love these, so many old friends are here.

From bikes to big wheels, Barbie to Ms Piggy, Fisher Price Little People to Kenner Star Wars, it's a fantastic cross section of Childhood:1980.

Click Here to check out JC Penny Toy Land 1980

More JC Penny Toy Land

Nerd Therapy Session: Big Wheel Blues

This week, my pal Sharry is guesting the NTS spot and describes something we can all relate to, unrequited toy love (why don't you love me Stretch Monster?). Even as an adult, it's sometimes hard to get what you want.

More after the jump:

JAKKS Pacific's brings back the Big Wheel!

MALIBU, Calif., Feb. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kids Only!®, a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK), has signed a license agreement with Alpha International, Inc., to manufacture, market and distribute The Original Big Wheel Ride-On toys.

Kids Only!(R), a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK), will bring back the iconic Original Big Wheel Ride-On toys at major retailers nationwide this summer.


Kids Only's new line of Big Wheel® Ride-Ons is expected to include the 9" My First Big Wheel, the 11" Big Wheel Sidewalk Screamer and the 16" Big Wheel Spin Out Racer. Each boys and girls Big Wheel Ride-On will capture the iconic look and feel of The Original Big Wheel.






"With millions of Original Big Wheel toys sold over the past 40 years, the 'King of the Sidewalk' has been a favorite with families for generations. We are excited to build on this classic brand and introduce this iconic toy to a new generation of young children," said Ron Cohen, President of Kids Only. "We are also excited to announce that our Big Wheel toys will be manufactured in the U.S.A., which will create hundreds of new jobs and give each Big Wheel a 'Made in America' stamp of approval."






Kids Only's new line of Original Big Wheel Ride-Ons are expected to launch at all major retailers this fall.






About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.






JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS' diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots®, Disguise® and Moose Mountain®. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco®, Cabbage Patch Kids® and Pokémon®. www.jakks.com

1975 Marx Big Wheel Catalog

Big Wheels were the Rolls freaking Royce of children's transportation in the 1970s, there seemed to be at least two on every block. The Big Wheel however was only one part of the Marx "Ride 'Ems" line which included some fun and strange vehicles, check out the 1975 Marx Ride Ems Catalog here.

Related Linkage:

Empire Hot Cycles!

I love this ad from Empire, I especially like the little girl's Hulk costume but would the Hulk's cycle have frills?

Link of Interest: 1979 Empire Toys Catalog

Turbines to Speed! Atomic Batteries to Power!

My buddy Scott sent me these wicked Sears Batman vehicles and it gives me the old "I'd have had a blast with these as a kid" thoughts.

Oddly I did have a ride on car very similiar to that Jaguar, which I pretended to be a Batmobile.