“Just like driving Dad’s car!”
Remco’s Firebird 99 Sports Car put children behind the wheel of a souped-up automobile dashboard. The motorized driving simulator was released in 1958, powered by imagination and two D-batteries.
The toy had various authentic features and working parts. Firebird 99 provided a removable ignition key that could be inserted and turned on. A gear lever could be shifted into standard positions.
In case of inclement weather, a motorized windshield wiper could be turned on and off via a dedicated button on the dashboard. Directional signals also automatically blinked in either a right or left direction, depending on how the steering wheel was turned.
Rounding out the feature set was a working electric horn and a hinged glove compartment that could be opened to store maps and other necessities. But, the piece de resistance was a cigarette lighter that could be removed and put back in place – truly a reflection of the times.
In typical Remco fashion, the Firebird 99 dashboard was re-purposed for use with several of the company’s licensed properties, including Batman, The Green Hornet, and The Land of the Giants.
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