Editor’s Note — Released by Takara in 1981, Penny Racers were small, plastic, friction-powered vehicles. When pulled back and released, the racers propelled forward. A penny inserted on the back of the vehicle triggered spins and pop-a-wheelies. The original collection of cars came with names such as Midnight Magic, Grizzly Gasser, and Cruiser Bruiser. Penny not included.
Dave is creator of Toy Polloi, a YouTube channel offering repair tutorials and restoration tips for vintage toy lines.