Time for another Mini CC! Today’s featured model is a blast from the past, the Monkeemobile, as issued in 1/64th scale by Husky back in the ’60s. Husky was Corgi’s response to the burgeoning 1/64 scale toy car market. They weren’t about to let Lesney, and later on, Hot Wheels, have the whole market to themselves. This particular version has been owned by my dad since it was new.
Husky Toys was the name used by Corgi Toys for its 1/64 scale line of vehicles. As you have likely guessed, this is a custom car. The full-size version was designed and built by Dean Jeffries.
It apparently was based on a 1966-67 A-body Pontiac GTO, although very little of the original car remains, other than the chassis, Coke bottle fenderline and trademark split grille. The custom grille on the full-size version had GTO script. It would be interesting to find out if it was actually based on a GTO, or perhaps a cheaper Tempest or LeMans. Fodder for a future Curbside Custom post, perhaps.
The roof looks like something off of a 1920s or 1930s phaeton. The wind wings fastened to the A-pillars add to the vintage vibe, but it’s at odds with the smooth, futuristic sheetmetal below it. Pretty bizarre, but it makes for a rather neat toy. A larger scale Corgi Monkeemobile was issued at the same time, with scale versions of the band members inside.
Apparently even this smaller version came with miniature Monkees riding in it, but they’re gone from Dad’s version. He doesn’t remember that his ever had figures inside, so maybe there was a passenger-free version.
This particular toy escaped a mini me, literally. Dad had several surviving Matchbox cars from his childhood when I came along, but the ones I managed to find got banged up in short order. Apparently three-year-old me REALLY wanted that Monkeemobile (I called it the “unkeemobile”), but Dad rescued it from my chubby little fingers before anything terrible happened to it, thankfully. An early ’60s Lesney Mercedes 220SE did not fare as well, though years later it was sanded down, repainted maroon and is now in my collection.
When I was in my parents’ driveway taking the pictures for the Mini CC with the Corgi Mercedes 240D, Dad noticed the photo session and said I should do a post on the Monkeemobile – he still had it in the drop-front desk.
As a result, it saw the light of day for the first time in many years when I took the photos you see here. It’s still in really nice shape, with its original decals, tires and white paint on the roof. Still a one owner, after all these years.
As for Husky, Corgi must have realized that they would be better off using the Corgi name for their smaller models, so the Husky name was retired after only a few years and the 1/64 line was renamed Corgi Juniors. The Monkeemobile continued as a Corgi Junior (losing the neat tires seen on Dad’s early example in the early ’70s, to be replaced with low-friction “Whizzwheels”) and remained in the lineup long after the Monkees themselves faded into the sunset.
You can thank Hotwheels for the low-friction wheels. It really wreaked havoc on poor Lesneys; have you seen a transitional Matchbox? It unfortunately got worse when they incorporated the larger wheels.
@”long after the Monkees themselves faded into the sunset.” – or maybe took the last train to Clarksville?
A well-timed post. Last weekend, I stumbled across a cable channel that was running the Monkees’ tv show, and I saw a shot of that car for the first time since maybe the ’60s. I stuck with it for about an episode and a half. I remembered it as being the greatest show in the history of television when I was in second or third grade. Like Laugh-In from the same era, it has not aged well. Who wold have thought that the Monkees’ music would have fared much better over the decades than either the tv show or this car.
I remember owning the exact same toy from when I was a lad myself. I also don’t remember if the Monkees themselves came with it.
I was listening to a CD of Carole King’s demos that came out recently in my car this morning & the 1st song was her demo for “Pleasant Valley Sunday”.
I have the Monkees’ TV series on DVD & they were OK in a ’60s sitcom comfort food way (I remember watching them when I was 5 w/the Yardley commericals). I also have their movie Head, which is rather interesting, so to speak.
My sister in law swears that she saw the real Monkeemobile ride through Ohioville Borough in western Pennsylvania, back in 1966 I guess it was possible. Maybe, the Monkees were on their way to Youngstown or Cleveland, or on their way back to Pittsburgh.
By the time the Monkees came on the scene, I thought I was too old to have toy cars. I have a bunch of Hotwheels and Matchbox cars from my 80’s second childhood. Lately, I’ve given a lot away. Doubt they’ll ever be worth more than a buck.
The Monkee’s show falls into a category of “Why did I think this was great?) Tops on my “why did I watch list” is Batman (Adam West), aside from Julie Newmar as Catwoman. Next is “Lost in Space”. I read recently the cast members could hardly keep a straight face while filming. Last, but not least, “Dobie Gillis.” At ten, I just loved this show. Back then, I begged my mother to allow me to cut off the sleeves of my gray sweatshirt, just like Maynard’s beatnik character.
Watched a few episodes of “The Rifleman” recently. Fairly adult plots, social issues addressed. That’s why I never liked it as a kid.
Back in the Monkees day we only had one TV channel so of course we watched the Monkees and any other crap that was served up good or bad, as a little kid I thought the Monkees were cool.
I think i remember seeing an MPC model kit version of this car back in the old days. That’s pretty impressive that Klockau, Sr. was able to keep his childhood Monkeemobile in such good shape. My only surviving Matchbox car is the Ford tow-truck with “Esso” decals on the side. I was pretty hard on my toys; I used to take the Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars out to the garage, where I would put them in a vise and would very carefully give them realistic dents. I would also scratch the windshields to make them look cracked. I didn’t need to have a son to wreck my toys; I did it myself.
That Monkeemobile is in very good condition. Thanks for sharing.
I was (am) a Hot Wheels fan. I would trash any non-Hot Wheels cars I was given and store them in an old lunch box, but the HW all went into carrying cases with the yellow plastic divided trays with cells for each car so they wouldn’t get scratched. Last year I finally found some suitable wall-mount display cases and now most of my collection is on display in the den.
I have the same Monkeemobile, it still has the Monkees in it. I have had it since I was a kid; must’ve been in love with those british boys in the 60’s LOL
Way back in the sixties, when I was a child, I sent a letter off to Corgi asking them if they could produce the “Monkeemobile”. They replied saying they would sent a researcher to the U.S. to look into it. If any one has an original box on the inside flap they will fined the legend “By Request”. It’s a shame I don’t still have the letter!
Interesting to find your post after searching (unsuccessfully) for the matchbox version of the monkeemobile, which is what I had as a boy. I’m sure my car rests comfortably somewhere in the backyard of my boyhood home waiting for the day when someone digs it up years from now by accident.
I have a monkees car, shape 9 out of 10 has the band members in it made by husky, and made in great britain
mine has members in it 2, anyone know aprox value? a pink hotwheel VW bus went for over 70000 yes seventy thou
Great find.
It makes you wonder if/what people will be collecting or giving value to 50 years from now. It seems like everything produced today has no heart, no feeling or real substance.
Actor Danny Bonaducci had a guy on his show several months ago who makes a living going around the country locating collectibles for high end buyers. The show was about his quest to find collectibles from the Partridge Family. I wish I could recall his name, but I am at a loss for the moment.
It’s not so much “heart” as a hyper-awareness of future collectibility.
Ran across my Monkeymobile from my childhood , I kept it unplayed – I also have my man from U.N.C.L.E. Car but sadly missing the launchable rocket/ my real frustration is not finding my batmobile from the 60s TV show.
My car has all the monkeys onboard 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Mark