Based on American daredevil stuntman Robert Craig “Evel” Knievel, the Evel Knievel toyline was released by the Ideal toy company and became one of the most popular toys sold throughout the 1970s. The line featured an Evel Knievel poseable figure with outfits, accessories, play-sets and a wide range of impressive stunt bikes and vehicles.
Viva Knievel! 1977 film. Japanese Chirashi
I had two Evel Knievel toys. I had the exploding car and the rocket car that was supposed to jump over the canyon. They were incredibly durable, and I loved the red windup wheel. I think my mom bought that for me because she saw how much I liked playing with a similar spiderman toy.
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I always thought the rocket car was such a cool-looking vehicle. The exploding car sounds fun too. You’re right, these things were incredibly durable, and I know the stunt cycle I had was really put through its paces both in the living room and outside in the garden 🙂
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I also had the stunt cycle set with a yellow “energizer”. When I got it, I first thought it was strange that the figure was bendable. Unfortunately, the scepter was the first thing to get lost. Hmm, I wonder if the figure is in a box somewhere.
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I lost my figure’s scepter early on too. His crash helmet and white jump suit looked cool.
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What awesome Evil Knievel adds, those toys you had to wind them up really quickly didn’t you and they’d go wizzing off! Great fun! 🙂
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Yes, great fun 🙂 I had the stunt cycle with the red gyro launcher – very noisy winding it up too! Then as you say the bike would go whizzing off. Also had the scramble van which had all the camping gear inside. Cool toys.
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They were so well made. I had the van as well, liked making the bike go up the ramp and jump over it 🙂
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Yeah that jump ramp at the back was good fun. I’m trying to remember some of the accessories – table, chair, camping stuff, coffee pot, fuel can – all moulded in red plastic I think. Was there also a small red canoe too, or am I thining of something else?
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That’s right, had fun timing that jump! Yes, there were a lot of accessories. I don’t remember a canoe though, maybe that’s from something else?
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I just found some images of the accessories and there was no canoe – what was I thinking lol. Maybe Playmobil.
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LOL, I expect so, sounds like it was probably Playmobile 🙂
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