007 RACE SET

If you were a young Bond fan in the 1960s and Goldfinger fueled a fever for 007 play-action, this classic road race set by Gilbert probably was at the top of your Holiday list. Loosely based on the Alpine car sequence in the film, the set came out in 1965 and retailed for $35. Some kids actually thought it looked a bit too cheap, but this video sure makes it shine! Put your Aston Martin in gear and let's go, Spy Vibers!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

007 GILBERT TOYS

I must admit this Sears advertisement from 1965 still excites the little kid in me. Gilbert's James Bond and the World of 007 was a "complete set packed with action and intrigue" and featured ten major figures (Bond in dinner suit, Dr. No, Oddjob, Goldfinger, Domino, Bond in scuba suit, Bond with rifle, Largo, M, and Miss Moneypenny), Goldfinger's laser table and revolving pool table, Dr. No's dragon-tank, M's bulletproof desk, Largo's yacht, and Bond's Aston Martin. The car is now quite rare, as is the original four-scene stage (Thunderball, Dr. No's lab, M's office, and Goldfinger's lodge). I love how the illustrations suggest a close appearance to the actors. The actual figures were super cool, but not so detailed. Do Spy Vibers remember looking at Sears toy catalogs when you were growing up? According to this ad, the set included "everything to recreate Bond's most thrilling adventures" -all for only $9.99! I had most of the set (mint on card) in college, but sold them off to help finance my first trip to Japan. I'm working on a new secret project and may have to re-collect some of these to photograph. My birthday is coming up by the way... Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

CATALOG DREAMS

I had a nice birthday in the Spy Vibe lair today! Sushi lunch and dinner with fellow agents, and I got to add more volumes to my collection of classic Dick Tracy comic strips. Opening the box got me thinking about those childhood treasures and holiday moments. How many Spy Vibers liked to look at the Sears or Corgi catalogs back in the day and dream over the cool spy toys? Did any of you collect the Gilbert toys? I never had the Gilbert action figures and play sets below until I was in college (hey, I was a late bloomer!), but they still managed to fire my imagination. I love that they made things like Goldfinger's laser table. Just what every kid needed to torture their own secret agent and stage cliff-hangers at home! And Ken Adam's designed trick pool table with secret map- ingenious! I eventually had all of the sets sealed on their original cards, but sold them off with other James Bond artifacts to help fund my first move to Japan. Sometimes I think about picking some of these up again and photographing ala David Leventhal or Slinkachu. But for now, the catalog does the trick. Here's a little dream for you. Click to enlarge. Enjoy!

TOY SPY CASE

We ran a number of vintage toy commercials in the past, but I think this one slipped by our radar. I love the way they filmed his organization, Them. Does Sears even still offer a toy catalog during the holidays?