c:\doc\web\97\01\kevin.txt


Yup, I just picked up a SV-pickup truck. On the plus side, it's only 
a ten second charge (that's 3 AA batteries), but using worn-out 
Renewal batteries made it only run 30 seconds, guess I'll have to 
just go through the cheap Costco AA packs. Play wise, it's neat to be 
up and running in 10 sec, and have one charger per car instead of 
queing for the megacharger at 2 min per car.


My 3-5 yr olds can't
manage placing the car correctly though. It doesn't run nearly as 

long as a Playing Mantis car charged with a power pit, but a 
Mega-charger or Juice machine with less than new batteries doesn't 
last all that long either. The cars stink,looks wise compared to the 
JL cars which have adult collector appeal and are licenced, and don't 
have a switch, so they won't work with the old scramble start.


BTW, did anybody else notice that the Power Pit does a much better 
job of charging than D batteries? The car runs for like 3-4 min on a 
2 minute charge! Too bad I sold the one with the hot line adapter, it 
the train needs a good charge, and the sizzler plugs are longer than 
the standard Radio Shack phono plugs - I guess I'll have to rip up a 
Megacharger to rig a new cable just for the plug.


Has anybody seen the '70 Firebird? None where I'm at. Maybe that's
the hot scalper car.


Also note: TRU calls the Megacharger a "Juice Machine" on the price
sticker! And the XV cars have the original SIZZLER logo on the
package as "from the makers of the original". So do they have rights
to the trademark or what?  The XV cars have these screwy triangle
head screws that you can't replace, the JL cars use standard screws
so you don't have to wreck the seals like the old sizzlers.


> Subject:       New Hot Wheels "XV Cars"
> To:            arthurhu@halcyon.com
> From:          Kevin.Ivey@turner.com


> Hey Arthur - 
> 
> Hope you had happy holidays. We have a new discovery!.
> 
> Have you seen the new Hot Wheels XV cars?  Since Playing Mantis has revived 
> Sizzlers,  Mattel has introduced new rechargable cars.  They are the same size,  
> and are plastic with rear motor construction BUT - they recharge by holding the 
> car against a charging base for 10 seconds.  Two contacts on the charging base 
> (which uses 2 AA batts) contact two contacts on the car.  When the car is 
> pressed onto the base,  it lines up the contacts by means of a "key" under the 
> front end of the car,  and closes a switch contact.  The car immediately begins 
> to spin up.  After counting to ten - you put the car on the track and it runs 
> for 90 secs to 2:00.  Not great - but very interesting to my three year old.
> 
> We found several at the local TRU while searching for the new Sizzler Stock 
> Oval.  Bought one - and the fun started - like it was 25 years ago.
> 
> This,  of course,  led to further perusal of my old stores in the basement and I 
> uncovered my old "Ontario 8" Sizzler set with dual lane speed brake,  esses,  
> power pit,  speedometer and lap counter... two high banked dual lane curves,  
> etc. as well as the old Highwinder (one of the yellow legs is broken - sigh) and 
> the yellow switchback turns.
> 
> My old fat track is in good shape - just waiting to buy a new one!
> 
> Just hadn't seen anything re: XV cars on the site - wondered if you'd seem 'em.  
> This month's TOY COLLECTOR mag has a whole article on Sizzlers which is pretty 
> accurate as I remember.
> 
> Also - in case anyone is interested - I found all of my old Thingmaker molds.  I 
> have everything except the "Fighting Men" molds - which I would like to find to 
> complete the collection.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Kevin
> 
>