Friday, February 28, 2014

Evel Knievel


 



 
 
I have highlighted this as my favorite toy of all time. I mentioned before that my father knew a great toy when he saw one and one Christmas I got everything - the figure with bike, the 'Stunt Stadium', the 'Scramble Van' and the 'Jet Bike'. We didn't have enough room in the house to really let the bike do the tricks it could so we packed up everything and took it to the base where a huge empty hanger became our staging area. We spent hours that Christmas setting up the coolest jumps and everyone who saw us had to participate in the activity, lending their two cents to our playtime. Fuck my Dad was awesome. The bike itself was practically indestructible and I am sure that Evel's suit was fire proof because we tested its ability to resist flame with a massive ring of fire. Its times like this (when I know my reissue of the toy is sitting downstairs in the Cave of Cool) that I regret not having children of my own. Seeing these terrific images at 'Yesterville Toy Room' I had to post them here for me to enjoy. After all it is the 'Cave of Cool' and these are totally cool.

http://evelknievel.com/theman

In the 1970s, Evel Knievel was a phenomenon that's difficult to describe to those that weren't "of age" in that decade. Evel was almost like a living super hero. In the eyes of a child, a man that would try to jump the Grand Canyon (it was the Snake River but we didn't know any better) in a rocket, seemed capable of ANY feat. Evel was a merchandising phenomenon, as well. There were Evel posters, t-shirts, toothbrushes, drinking straws, model kits, lunch boxes...the list goes on and on. However, to kids, it was the toys that mattered most. In 1973, the Ideal Toy company started producing the line of Evel Knievel toys that would become almost legendary in the minds of so many adults today.

http://yesterville.blogspot.ca/2009/02/ideal-evel-knievel-stunt-cycle.html









 
I found pictures of this amazing Evel collection.
Now that is a fan.





 

6 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

You were lucky to have such a special relationship with your Dad. Something to treasure always,

Kal said...

Think about him everyday.

jfire2 said...

I had the stunt cycle! And a huge poster of Evel on my bedroom wall. Mania was high during his ill-fated Snake River jump. He was a big deal here in Montana, being a Butte native and all.

Anonymous said...

I had Evel and the cycle too. Takes me back!
Unfortunately, I left Evel on the floor and my neurotic dog killed him. I loved the dog, but he drove me crazy sometimes.

Mike D. said...

That sounds like a very special memory. Thank you very much for sharing. Sounds like Your Dad was a great guy and when you share these moments with us...we grow more and more together as we bond over this amazing world encompassing web. Keep your Dad in your heart and mind as you always have. He is always with you.

Kal said...

Thanks Mikey. That was beautiful to hear.