Swingin' Wing (1970)
 


The Swingin' Wing was one of several concept cars that Ira Gilford designed for Mattel.  The 1971 International Collector's catalog calls them a "one-of-a-kind SHOW & GO special"!

Although the Swingin' Wing was not based upon a real car, the large wing mounted behind the twin cockpit is reminiscent of the late '60s racing scene when large rear stabilizers or "spoilers" were popular on racing cars. The spoilers were adjustable and provided downforce that helped keep the car on the pavement at high speed.  Consistent with the real deal, the center portion of the wing on this concept car was moveable and could be fixed in any position.  Accordingly, the German Hot Wheels catalogues referred to the Swingin' Wing as the "Air Foil"!

Besides the plastic wing and twin cockpits, another interesting feature of the Swingin' Wing is the retractable engine and exhaust pipes.  As can be seen in the photograph below, pulling on the exhaust pipes allows the engine to be viewed.




As with many of the 1970 cars, the Swingin´ Wing was manufactured in both the US and HK. There are only slight differences between the two versions.  All US cars have clear glass and a white interior; HK cars have blue-tinted glass and dark interiors.  HK cars are somewhat less common.


A rainbow of Swingin' Wings!  HK cars are in the front row, US cars are in the rear.

Swingin' Wings were produced in various Spectraflame colors. All cars came with capped wheels, large on the rear, axle and mediums on front. The front axle is not as wide as the rear axle.

Swingin' Wings all came with a metal collector's button which was made in HK.




The Swingin' Wing was in the product line in 1970 and 1971.  The casting reappeared in 1973 as part of a special promotion for the Shell Oil Company with significant casting differences.

'73 Swingin´ Wing Shell promo


Color chart

US COLORS:	COMMENTS:
blue	common
light green	common
magenta	common
red	common
yellow	common
rose	uncommon
hot pink	hard to find
salmon	hard to find
aqua	very hard to find
green	very hard to find
purple	rare
HK COLORS:	COMMENTS:
magenta	common
aqua	uncommon
green	uncommon
light green	uncommon
red	hard to find
yellow	hard to find
blue	rare

A brass prototype Swingin' Wing!  (Courtesy of Bob Rosas)


A green US Swingin' Wing in the blister pack.


A light green HK Swingin' Wing in a German Heisse Raeder blister pack!





Photo & info credits: Werner Heidecke

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