Tuf-Tots
The Pocket Money Models! (1969-1980)
Following the success of the intricate Impy model cars it’s likely Lone Star realised there was scope for a simplistic, cheaper range of toy vehicles aimed at younger children. Indeed, some Tuf-Tot packaging actually features a photo of a young boy playing with his Tuf-Tot collection!
At launch in 1969 the range consisted of 13 models comprising of 4 cars, a speedboat with trailer, a Jeep and trailer and a truck fitted with a range of different bodies including an articulated low loader. The trucks are based on an American Ford N-Series (like Matchbox’s No.71 Wreck Truck) and are proclaimed to be 1:118 scale whilst the cars are at 1:85 scale giving them all a similar size of around two inches.
By Lone Star standards this was actually quite a well thought out range. There were no strange changes in direction, the ‘more models to come’ actually came, and the branding stayed consistent throughout the 11 years of production. In 1971 further new models were added bringing the range up to 27. Later the wheels were changed to a tread-less design and the stickers on the trucks were no longer applied although some models had the text from the stickers cast onto the body sides instead. Another later cost cutting measure occured when the die-cast metal bases on the cars were replaced with plastic.
There were 3 main types of packaging; boxes, carded and cartons. The boxes were a generic design stamped with the model’s details and image. Initially the images were quite small, later they were enlarged. The final box type showed a neat side profile of the model. Some of the later models only came in this last style of box. The carded models were stamped with the model’s name and number. Unique to this range were models issued in individual cartons. These cartons were initially card then coloured (and now fragile) plastic. These were sold from counter-top display boxes.
A number of attractive gift sets were soon added to the range including two rare ‘play sets’ which included accessories such as a bridge and windmill! Carded 2,3 and 6 model sets were also produced.
After several successful years the Tuf-Tots made their final appearance in Lone Star’s 1979/80 trade catalogue. Tuf-Tots continued to be issued as a load on the Impy Major low loader set and the Tuf-Tot speedboat and trailer made an appearance in this same range towed by a Cadillac.
In 1983 three of the cars were reissued in bright metallic colours as ‘Zippy Zoomers’. See below for more details.
In the late 1990s the Tuf-Tots castings surprisingly reappeared as a range of collectibles again aimed at young children and branded as ‘Mokes’. More about Mokes can be found on the ‘After Lone Star’ page.
tuf-totS models:
gift sets, trade boxes, etc
Trade catalogues & leaflets
tUF-tOTS - loads of fun!
ZIPPY ZOOMERS (1983/4)
1983 was a turbulent year for Lone Star as it went into receivership before later finding a buyer. The 1983/84 Trade catalogue featured 3 ranges of toy vehicles which were all marketed as ‘New’. In reality Lone Star’s lack of funds was showing as these were just existing models rebranded in new colour schemes or packaging. The Zippy Zoomers were one of these ‘New’ ranges which made use of the old Tuf-Tots cars now finished in metallic colour schemes. To be fair the concept of packaging them with a garage which, thanks to an elastic band, they could be fired out of was a new idea and relatively exciting. And I should know, I received one of these as a Birthday present in either 1983 or 1984 when I would have been 8 or 9 years old!
The Trade Catalogue photo shows the Zippy Zoomers in very much a pre-production stage with mock-up garages and hand drawn packaging. Of the 4 Tuf-Tots cars only 3 became Zippy Zoomers, I believe there was an issue with the die for the fourth (Dodge Dart) meaning it could not be included.
The cars plastic bases were modified to receive a larger rear hook needed for the elastic band to attach to. The bases were now chrome plated but still retained their original ‘Tuf-Tots’ branding. The car body castings used for the Zippy Zoomers are the ‘Coupe’ closed roof versions of the Tuf-Tots cars rather than the older ‘Sports’ open roof versions. Thus on the Zippy Zoomer Citroen DS, which was issued as a convertible, a new black plastic ‘folded down hood’ moulding had to be introduced to cover the mounting holes for the previous roof.
The 3 cars can be found in 3 distinct colours. Given their short period of production, today they are fairly hard to find, especially mint carded examples. And yes I do still have the one from my childhood - a metallic blue Corvette!
