Splittin' Image (1969)
The Splittin’ Image was one of the first concept cars that sprung from the fertile imagination of Mattel designer Ira Gilford. Released in 1969, the distinctive “Show & Go” car features twin cockpits astride a single “supercharged” engine. Besides being issued in a standard blisterpack and in track sets, the car was included in a rare 4-car Show Team boxed set along with two other Ira Gilford cars (the Torero and its more famous cousin the Twinmill), and the Silhouette. Because of its original look, it is well remembered by children that grew up in the redline era. Production of the car continued until 1971, and it was only manufactured in the U.S.
A yellow Splittin' Image with an off-white interior.
The Splittin’ Image was issued in at least 14 colors, and there are also a number of “in-between” colors for the collector to find. Some “Splitters” were made with silver painted headlights, and these have been found in lime, orange, green, antifreeze, lavender, dark brown, purple and olive. Additionally, some have been found with black detail paint above the tail lights on the rear grill, including those in pink and dark brown. The Splittin’ Image tends to suffer from dulling of the base, and on many cars the chrome on the motor tends to be pretty weak. But even a shiny mint spectraflame example of this model will be relatively cheap by redline standards, even in the more rare colors.
In 1973 the Splittin’ Image along with 9 other models was modified for inclusion in a line of cars given out for promotional purposes at Shell gas stations. These “Shell promo” issues differ from the original 1968-71 cars by having flat enamel finishes, no interior, black plastic un-ribbed windows, and no red taillight paint. In general these 1973 cars command higher prices than the spectraflame models.
A Shell promotional Splittin' Image in dark blue enamel.
The Splittin Image design concept has since been tapped numerous times by Mattel over the years. The first of these reissues was in 1993 for the 25th anniversary series in which the car was issued initially in 11 colors exclusive to Toys R Us stores, and then in 11 more colors for general sale in “Vintage Collection” blisterpacks. These 1993-1994 cars were issued with modified “redlines” in which the red stripe was printed on the wheel, rather than embossed. These reissues are also easy to distinguish from the original spectraflame cars because the word “China” is etched into the base, as is the 25th anniversary logo.
Don't be fooled! "Vintage" issue Splittin' Images (L) are often confused with originals (R).
Splittin Image bases (L to R): 1969-71 spectraflame, 1973 HK-made enamel, 1993 25th Anniversary. 1994 "Vintage",
recent Malaysia-made issue.
“Redline” versions of the car were also sold at FAO Schwartz stores in 1994 and 1995. Indicative of the fondness that Mattel has for the design, the Splittin’ Image has been released numerous times as a non-redline issue, including as a Treasure Hunt model (1994), in a collector set with a watch (1998), in a 100% Hot Wheels “black box” collector set (2002), and a heavily modified “Splittin’ Image II” which first appeared in 1994 has since been issued in over 18 variations.
Color chart
| US COLORS (1969-71): |
COMMENTS: |
| antifreeze |
common |
| aqua | common |
| blue | common |
| gold | common |
| green | common |
| orange | common |
| purple | common |
| red |
common |
| copper brown |
uncommon |
| dark brown |
uncommon |
| "root beer" brown |
uncommon |
| lime |
uncommon |
| olive |
uncommon |
| rose |
uncommon |
| yellow |
uncommon |
| creamy pink |
hard to find |
| light blue |
hard to find |
| magenta |
very rare |
| SHELL
PROMOS (1973): |
COMMENTS: |
| dark blue |
uncommon |
| light blue |
uncommon |
| red |
uncommon |
| green | hard to find |
| fluorescent lime green |
hard to find |
| yellow |
rare |
| fluorescent pink |
rare |
A brown Splittin' Image in the original blister pack!
A very rare magenta Splittin' Image.
An orange Splittin' Image with a dark interior.
An awesome ice blue Splittin' Image!
A Splittin'Image in creamy pink.
Photo & info credits: Gary Nabors
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