These Johnny Lightning (Playing Mantis) toys had a limited edition run (of just 5000 made each) in this series created in 1996.
Features the “Johnny Lightning Special” (1970 Indy 500 Winner) car on the card.
Both black Buick Grand National G-body cars could be had in 1:64 scale.
100% die-cast metal body & base.
These 2 cars were slightly different.
The regular version (on left) had:
~ plastic tires
~ 5 star rims
The Toy Time exclusive car had:
~ identifying sticker attached to card.
~ Firestone Firehawk SS real rubber tires (big size too!).
~ slanted spoke 5 star rims
other than that, the cars & the cards they came on, are exactly the same.
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If you worked for Johnny Lightning back then when these were produced, as a special holiday gift from JL, you could have received one of the absolute hardest to find Grand Nationals, EVER!
They ONLY made 25 of these special employee-only Buick Grand Nationals, and it was painted in green!
The last time I saw one for sale (super rare car on a super mint card), around 2008-2009 if I remember correctly, it was on ebay, and sold for an incredible $750 to a very diehard Buick GN collector! {who happens to have a toy collection of the most incredibly rare stuff that was EVER produced on the Regals & Grand Nationals! – and no, its not me 🙁 – but if he ever goes on vacation…lol}
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Here’s some other items if you’re shopping for Buick merch:
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