Ectomobile collectibles: Difference between revisions

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===AMT Ecto-1A Model Kit===
===AMT Ecto-1A Model Kit===
Released in 1989 to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters II, this plastic model kit was the first scaled consumer product released to accurately represent the vehicle as portrayed in live action film as opposed to cartoon. This 1:25 scale model was designed to be painted and assembled by the consumer and included water slide decals and roof rack elements that imitated those from the second film.  
Released in 1989 to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters II, this plastic model kit was the first scaled consumer product released to accurately represent the vehicle as portrayed in live action film as opposed to cartoon. This 1:25 scale model was designed to be painted and assembled by the consumer and included water slide decals and roof rack elements that imitated those from the second film. Round2 Models re-released this kit in 2012.


===McDonald's Ecto-1 Bicycle Siren===
===McDonald's Ecto-1 Bicycle Siren===

Latest revision as of 15:25, January 26, 2013

Kenner Ecto-1

Released in 1986 with Kenner's line of The Real Ghostbusters action figures, this toy vehicle measured approximately 14 inches in length and 5 3/4 inches wide. Made primarily from white, grey and transparent blue molded plastic, this rolling toy vehicle had two front opening doors and one rear opening tailgate. The toy was fitted with a black rotating seat atop the roof rack as well as a ghost grabbing claw that could be pulled from the rear payload area through the tailgate door. The claw was attached to a string that passed through a hole in the rear floor of the car and wound around the rear axle of the car. The owner could engage winch mechanism by flipping the exhaust pipe to the poper position and rolling the car to pull the ghost in.

The styling of this toy more accurately portrayed the cartoonized ectomobile from The Real Ghostbusters, but in turn retained major style elements from the films. No ghost logos and license plates were provided as stickers to be applied by the consumer. Two shortfalls of this toy, as far as some collectors and children are concerned, are the roof rack elements, which are molded entirely from white plastic, and the rear door, which opens downward and has only an opaque "window" represented by a blue sticker.

The above concerns have lead to a growing number of fan customized Kenner Ectos. Despite subsequent lines of Ghostbusters action figures from other brands, the Kenner Ectos remain the only products large enough to compliment a six inch action figure.

Ecto-1 Soap Holder

Kenner Ecto-1A

Released in 1989 to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters II, the Kenner Ecto-1A was a recast of the molds used for the Kenner Ecto-1. The only differences were the supplied stickers and packaging.

FujiFilm Ecto-1A

Released in 1989 as a promotional product to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters II, this toy was packaged on a blister card with rolls of Fujifilm brand 35mm camera film. This die-cast measures at just under three inches in length (similar to 1/64th scale vehicles) and was obviously modeled as a scaled version of the Kenner Ecto-1. This car, however, does have a roof rack that more accurately represents that of the screen used Ecto-1A, but was cast in solid grey plastic and still lacks many details.

AMT Ecto-1A Model Kit

Released in 1989 to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters II, this plastic model kit was the first scaled consumer product released to accurately represent the vehicle as portrayed in live action film as opposed to cartoon. This 1:25 scale model was designed to be painted and assembled by the consumer and included water slide decals and roof rack elements that imitated those from the second film. Round2 Models re-released this kit in 2012.

McDonald's Ecto-1 Bicycle Siren

Released in 1990 as part of a set of McDonald's Happy Meal premiums promoting The Real Ghostbusters, This Ecto houses a miniature mechanical siren. The toy features a plastic portion of the Ecto-1 that roughly represents the front 1/3 of the car and has brackets for mounting on bicycle handlebars. A red turn crank protrudes from the back of the piece allowing the user to crank out a siren sound while riding bike.

Johnny Lightning Ecto-1A

Released in 1997, this 1:64 scale die-cast vehicle represented the car as it appeared in the second film. Released as part of the Frightening Lightning series, this model made another leap forward in the accuracy of scaled representations of the film used vehicles. Though Johnny Lightning produced several variations of the car in subsequent years, (different colors and packaging) all were based on the Ecto-1A and a Johnny Lightning Ecto-1 was never produced.

Polar Lights Ecto-1 Model Kit

Released in 2002, this was the first model kit designed for consumer assembly to represent the Ecto-1 as opposed to the Ecto-1A. This model kit was produced to be a simpler kit to assemble than the earlier AMT kit, thus it included fewer parts and adhesive stickers. As a result, the finished model was less accurate and/or aesthetically pleasing without the consumer making modifications to the kit's plans.

ERTL/Joy Ride Ecto 1

Released in 2004, this die-cast model made another leap forward in the accuracy of scaled Ecto models. The packaging, which consists of a printed cardboard box with transparent plastic panels, lists the model as 1:21 scale. The model comes fixed on a display plate in its box and is fairly accurate, however, some roof rack elements must be added by the consumer. As a result, the model cannot be displayed as complete without being removed from its original packaging. The box also includes a fairly rough rubber version of the Slimer ghost whose detail level does not hold up well against that of the vehicle.