Marx #4672 'The Flintstones' Playset (1961) - Pt 17 Fred's Car (The Flintmobile)

Fred's car, the Flintmobile, the Flintstones Flivver: this now iconic car design from the '60s has been called by several names through the years and is one of the most recognizable of 'cars' around the world. Depending on what the script called for, the car shown in the cartoon could be a one-seater, two-seater, or have a back row of seats to fit the whole family and all versions are instantly recognizable as the Flintmobile. Marx may have taken its inspiration directly from the opening credits of the show as Fred drives home from work. 

I noticed when posting the photographs here that, when building my set car, I put the side frames on upside down!! OOPs - LOL 

Anywho, if you didn't look at the instructions one would never know the side frames were on wrong. The car consists of eight pieces and measures 3.5" (8,89cm) L x 1.75" (4,44cm) W x 2" (5,08cm) H. Marx molded this in blue and red (shown in this post) and flip-flop colors of red and blue. Fred and Barney's cars, included in the Montgomery Wards half-set of 'The Flintstones', were molded in red and yellow and are said to be rare (I have both and will cover those in a future installment). This is a terrific copy of the cartoon car but it does have an Achille's heel: the two very small tabs which hold the top section to the deck, are often times broken off. 

Ed

Season 1 Opening Credits

Fred's Car by Marx

Marx #4672 'The Flintstones' Playset (1961) - Pt 8 Figures: Fred and Wilma

Let's start looking at the figures which came in the Marx playset. There were 16 figures in 12 poses. Only four have the Hanna-Barbera copyright marking under the base (but not the Marx hallmark): Fred, Wilma, Barney, & Betty. There are two or three figures which are a bit controversial in that they can interpreted as being different people. We'll talk more about those as they are posted. The figures are essentially 54mm and molded in a cream soft plastic. I had measured Fred - who came in at 54mm - but totally forgot to take a photo!

Ed

Flintstones Group

Fred Flintstone

According to Playset Magazine, Fred is 'running' with club in hand. Could be. Could be not. To me he looks like he's walking but cartoons are an animal unto themselves and he could be running after all.

Both Fred and Wilma have the Hanna-Barbera copyright marking, as well as their names, under the base

Wilma Flintstone

Cómics Figuras SL (Comics Spain) Flintstones Figures (1989) - Pt 2 Fred Flintstone

A nice rendition of Fred Flintstone eating a Bronto drumstick (Pterodactyl drumstick???). Good Lord, a drumstick that size would last me a month LOL

Ed

While all the figures in this series are marked Comics Spain, I did not photograph all the markings.

Hardee's Fun Meal Pack HB - Productions - Flintstones 30th Anniversary (1991) - Pt 7 (Final) Some Scenes Showing The Hardee's Figures in Use

These photos were taken back in 2011 on my old train layout. At the time I only displayed three of the five Hardee's figures on it and those are the ones shown here today. These figures would look great in a diorama, and the old Marx Flintstone houses are a great match in size to them.

Ed

An overview of my Town of Bedrock

Pebbles is outside on the phone, while Fred is inside watching TV

Fred is not displayed out in the open as the photo would imply, but rather inside his house which was removed to take the photo. Unfortunately the only photo I have of him inside is a tad blurry.

Barney enjoying a summer day grilling in the backyard