Super Van (1975-77)
The Super Van, first issued in 1975 as part of the Flying Colors line, was based on the Chevy Van that was popular in the early 1970s.
The Super Van worked well as a Hot Wheels casting because the large space on the sides of the vehicle offered a great opportunity for some interesting tampo schemes. In fact, the Super Van was used for a few different promotions in the late 1970s. There were ten different production redline Super Vans issued between 1975 and 1977, and up to four different variations of each can be found. Two Super Vans were produced in very limited numbers: the famous Toy Fair Super Vans of 1975. These vans, especially the chrome model, are exceedingly hard to find!
Very rare redlines! One white and two chrome '75 Toy Fair Vans!
The first Super Van, the 1975 black van with flame tampos, was issued in four variations. Variation #1 had no marker lights, a dark windshield and a chrome plastic base. Variation #2 had marker lights, a dark windshield and a chrome plastic base. Variation #3 had marker lights, a blue windshield and a chrome plastic base. Variation #4 had marker lights, a dark windshield and a metal base.
A bunch of black Super Vans!
The 1976 "Super Chromes" Super Van was issued in three variations. All three had cast front side marker lights, but differed in the type of base used (metal vs. black plastic) and the windshield tint (dark or blue).
The 1976 Super Chromes Super Van with plastic (L) and metal (R) bases.
Besides the very rare Toy Fair vans pictured above, there are five other rare Super Vans that rank among the most expensive and highly sought-after Flying Colors cars. The 1975 Blue Super Van with flames has a blue windshield, a chrome plastic base and side marker lights.
A rare 1975 blue Super Van!
While not as rare as the blue Super Van, the 1975 Herfy's KING Radio Van and the Herfy's 62 KGW Radio Van are very hard to find. Both promotional vans are black with a blue windshield, side marker lights and a chrome plastic base.
1975 Herfy's promotional vans for KING (L) and KGW (R) radio stations.
Two additional hard-to-find models are the 1975-issue plum Super Van with motocross tampos and the 1976 white Toys R Us promotional Super Van with "Geoffrey" the giraffe on the sides. There are multiple variations of the motocross Super Van, but the Geoffrey Van has only been found with dark windshield, marker lights and a metal base.
A 1975 Super Van with motocross tampos (L) and the 1976 Toys R US "Geoffrey Van" (R).
A complete list of all the redline Super Vans is provided below. Production of the Super Van continued after the "redline era" (1978-) and several other models can be found with "blackwall" wheels.
Color chart
| 1975-77
Flying Colors: |
Comments: |
| black w/flames (1975) |
common |
| black w/"62 KGW Radio" tampo
(1975) |
hard to find (15K were produced) |
| black w/"KING Radio" tampo (1975) |
rare (10K produced) |
| white w/'75 Toy Fair tampo (1975) |
very rare (200 were produced) |
| chrome w/ '75 Toy Fair tampo
(1975) |
extremely rare |
| blue w/flames (1975) |
rare ("Cutoff Canyon" set only) |
| plum w/motocross rider tampo
(1975) |
hard to find |
| white Toys R Us van w/Geoffrey
tampo (1976) |
hard to find |
| chrome w/flames (1976) |
common |
| white w/paramedic tampo (1975) |
common |
| yellow w/paramedic tampo (1977) |
common |
| olive drab Khaki Kooler (1976) |
common |
A KGW Radio Super Van in the original package!
From the amazing Bob Rosas Collection: a blue prototype (?) KING Radio Van!
The motocross Super Van has a different rider on the other side.
A prototype steerable Super Van! (Courtesy of Bruce Pascal)
Photo & info credits: Albert Cervantes
Additional photos contributed by Roy Nakamura, Jack Clark, Bruce Pascal & Bob Rosas
Additional info: Jeff Pownell
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On-line Redline Guide
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