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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