Casting : Ford J

Years of Production:

1969 to 1970

Country of Origin:

US and Hong Kong

Interior and Glass Colors:

US
* Clear glass
* Black and Champagne Interiors

Hong Kong
* Blue glass
* Black Interior

Casting Variations:

US vs. HK Body and Base Differences
Hatch Modifications
Hidden Hinge Variation

Paint Colors and Variations:

Color	US	HK
Lime	Common	-
Purple	Common	-
Brown	Common	-
Rose	Uncommon	-
Blue	Uncommon	-
Green	Uncommon	Rare
White	Uncommon	Common
Light Blue	Uncommon	Rare
Aqua	Uncommon	-
Olive	Uncommon	-
Red	Uncommon	Hard to Find
Enamel Light Blue	Hard to Find	-
Orange	Hard to Find	-
Gold	Hard to Find	-
Hot Pink	Rare	-
Creamy Pink	Rare	-
Antifreeze	Rare	-

Discussion:

Ford J-Car in White Enamel

The Ford J Car was one of the original 16 models released in 1968. It was the first of the replicas of actual race cars in the
Grand Prix series which was expanded in 1969 with eight more models and completed in 1970 with two more models.

J-1 on the Track at Riverside and In the Pits at the '66 Le Mans trials

The real Ford J-Cars were the predecessors of the Ford GT40 Mk IV. Completed in March of 1966, the first J-Car (J-1) weighed just over
2,600 pounds and was powered by a 500 HP427 c.i. engine. Although J-1 had the fastest times at the 1966 Le Mans trials, it was sidelined
so that the Ford team could focus on their team of GT40 Mk II cars. This decision paid off with a 1-2-3 finish by Mk IIs at the 1966 Le Mans.

A second J-Car (J-2), built to CanAm specifications, crashed at Riverside in August 1966, tragically killing driver Ken Miles.
After extensive re-working of the chassis and development of a new body style, the J-Car officially became the GT40 Mk IV.

Ford J-Car HK Red

The Hot Wheels version of the Ford J-Car featured an opening rear hatch, racing numbers (#1) and rocker panel stripes, and were painted in
various Spectraflame colors, as well as white enamel like the real car. The Ford J was manufactured at both the US and Hong Kong plants.

Typical Ford J-Car Car Blister Packs

The Ford J was initially sold in the regular Hot Wheels blister pack but it transitioned into the "Grand Prix" series card in 1969.

Ford J-Car Car Body Difference HK (L) vs. US (R)

The Ford J exhibits a large number of variants due to ongoing engineering changes and the two different manufacturing locations.
As seen from the side, the Hong Kong body is split down the middle of the side. The body of the US version extends to a separate flat chassis.

Ford J-Car Car Base Variations: US - HK Hidden Hinge - HK Exposed Hinge

The assembly difference is even more evident when viewed from the base. The US version has a flat unpainted base. The HK model has paint on the base
and the typical four rectangular cut outs. There are two different designs on the Hong Kong version: the early "hidden Hinge" and the later exposed pin hinge.

Ford J-Car Car Differences

The details on the body also differ from HK to US models in particular, the vents on the rear hatch were not present
on the "HK Hidden Hinge but were restored when the hatch and hinge design was modified later in the production run.

Ford J-Car Car Hinge and Hatch Differences: US - HK Hidden Hinge - HK Exposed Hinge

All three versions shown here are "early run" versions as they all permit the hatch to open fully. On the US version (L), the hatch is crimped to pins which are part
of the body casting allowing it to pivot open. On the HK "Hidden Hinge" version, the pins were part of the hatch casting and the pins were "sandwiched" between the base
and body castings during assembly, which "hid" the hinge mechanism from view. The second HK design altered the mechanism to the same principle as the US version.

Modification to Limit Hatch Travel

Initially, both the US and Hong Kong versions of the hatch and hinge designs allowed the hatch to open fully, which, unfortunately made it easy for the hatch to break off.
To correct that problem, the hatch and hinge were "beefed up" and the internals were modified to add a "travel stop", thereby making it more durable.
Presumably, this change was made in mid-1969 since most of the '69 Grand Prix cars also were first produced without the travel stop.

US Ford J Colors

US-made Ford J-Cars can be found in most of the Spectraflame colors, although since they were not produced after 1969, they are
either very rare or non-existent in the second generation Spectraflame colors such as hot pink, magenta, yellow, and light green.
All US made Ford J cars have clear glass and medium sized wheels all around. Nearly all of them have bearing type wheels.

Rare Blue Enamel US Ford J

A "blue enamel" version of the J-Car was produced in limited quantity and is often rumored to have been a promotional car for the 1969 Indianapolis 500 (although
no promotional material to support this has ever been documented). The car is actually painted in blue Spectraflame over a white enamel base coat. It is not known how
many "blue enamel" J-Cars were produced but they are scarce, especially in good condition, and a clean example typically commands a price of several hundred dollars.

US Ford J Interiors

Most US cars have black interiors but can be found with brown or tan interiors. All US cars have clear windows and unpainted metal bases and are RIGHT HAND Drive.

Hong Kong Ford J Colors

Unlike the US casting, HK J-Cars have top and bottom halves so that the base is painted the same color as the rest of the car.
Most HK J-Cars are found painted with white enamel like the real car, although they also were produced in Spectraflame red, green and light blue.

Long and Short Steering Wheel Columns

All HK cars have blueglass and black interiors. Most HK J-Cars have four medium-size bearing wheels. The rare exceptions to this are small front wheels on early
cars, and cap wheels on late-run cars. Note that there are two interior types: one (early) features a large steering wheel, and the other (late) has a small steering wheel.
Both Hong Kong steering wheel versions are LEFT HAND Drive!

A very rare light blue HK Ford J-Car!

Prototypes:

Two prototype J-Cars with white interiors have been discovered. One of these appears to be a transitional car of some type.

The other (below), in poor condition lacks many of the body details indicating it is a preproduction piece.

A Preproduction Ford J Car

* Two part body, like a HK car
* Indexing holes like a US car
* Vents, door lines and other detail absent
* Right hand Drive like a US car
* Unfinished hinge
* White Interior

Photos and comments by Rick Wilson and Ted Gray

Visit Rick Wilson's Redline Grand Prix site for more information.

All

Customs |

Grand Prix |

Heavyweights |

Spoilers |

Super Chromes |

Alternate Colors |

CIPSA |

Home

* DISCLAIMER *
Private use of original images is allowed.
Non-profit, non-commercial publication of original images is allowed only with prior expressed written consent from Graymatters.
For other commercial, for-profit or redistribution needs, please contact the site owner. This site is not affiliated with Mattel, Inc.

Questions? ... Send me an e-mail: tngray@nautiloid.net

© 2012 by Graymatters. All Rights Reserved.