Sizzlerking’s Sizzlers
Grading Guide:
BODY/FINISH:
The cars from 1970-1971 were injection molded, then painted. Some injection molded cars were not painted, such as:
Ferrari 512 S
March Formula 1
Indy Eagle
Black and Gray Sideburn
Gray Ford MK IV
Gray Angelino M-70
Cars from 1972-1973 were blow molded.
Cars from 1976 were injection molded, then chrome plated.
Cars from 1978 were blow molded.
The blow-molded cars were NOT painted. Therefore, they tend to look better than their injection molded counterparts.
The common wear problems associated with painted cars are the following:
Paint “rubbing”:
Most Sizzlers have “NASCAR rubs” on the fenders where the paint is missing.
This is from the cars scraping along the curves, Lap Computers and Speed Brakes.
This is normal for most PAINTED Sizzlers cars. It can reduce the value of the
car up to 50% or even more, depending on severity.
Fading: This is very common on Sizzlers cars. Green and Copper are notorious for this happening. Fading can reduce car prices up to 25%, depending on severity.
Chipping: A
normal occurrence for cars with average use. Normally seen on the front hood,
roof and trunk edges. Can reduce car price up to 25%, depending on severity.
Peeling: This is common on the chrome models, due to the battery fumes eating away the finish. It is also prevalent on the paint-over-chrome models from 1970-1971. This can reduce the car’s price up to 95%, depending on severity.
Things to look for when grading or
purchasing:
1. “Loose” finishes. Many times a chrome finish will look good, until you touch it. The finish will then peel away, leaving the car with no finish. Lightly touching the paint on the underside of the chassis can usually determine if the paint is solid. BEWARE: buying chrome cars on the Internet can be risky. Get a return policy before purchasing.
2. Chrome plated cars from 1970-1971 have a dark-green or gray plastic body. Chrome plated cars from 1976 have a white or black plastic body.
3. Color differences are rampant among painted cars. Different conditions and factors contributed to this, including: sunlight fading; factory variations; and different paint runs. Although some standard paint colors are more desirable than others, different, legitimate factory color shades show up from time to time. These shades can sigificantly increase the car's value.
Common grading
misconceptions:
1. The 1970 Pearl White Firebird (White paint over Chrome Plating) is commonly misrepresented as “Green” or “Glow in the Dark”. This is not true. The 1970 Firebird was VERY susceptible to battery fumes. Most cars you will find of this color will have the paint and chrome entirely missing. What is left is the dark green body. This car NEVER came in molded dark green. It will NOT glow in the dark.
2. Glow in the Dark cars: many Sizzlers, especially 1976 models, are missing their paint entirely. What is left is the white plastic shell. Many cars are misrepresented as “Glow in the Dark”. Mattel did not release ANY Glow in the Dark bodies. Playing Mantis, however, released Glow in the Dark bodies in their Stocker 400 set.
3. The Chrome/Gold Chrome Live Wire and Anteater from 1976 are commonly misrepresented as “Molded Black”. They are not molded black. The battery fumes have disintegrated the chrome finish. These cars were never released in molded black.
Vanishing Paint: I have seen NOS cars in the Showpak boxes with NO paint. The battery acid fumes will also eat away paint, given enough time. This can reduce the car’s value up to 95%. Pricing can vary with Showpak cars. If the car is still sealed in the Showpak, it will be worth more due to the sealed Showpak rarity.
Breakage: Many times, Sizzlers are missing body parts. This is usually due to violent crashes, or someone stepping on it. Cars with broken or missing body parts are worth no more than 10-15% of their book value.
Things to look for when grading or
purchasing:
1. The Angelino M-70, Firebird Trans-Am and Spoil Sport are notorious for having cracked or broken spoilers.
2. Cracked or missing windshield posts. This is common on the Cuda Trans-Am, Firebird Trans-Am, Mustang Boss 302 and the Camaro Trans-Am. Degradation value can range from 5% for a mild crack to 50% for both windshield posts missing.
3. Restored or reproduction bodies. With new production techniques, and the demand for rare Sizzlers, body restorations and reproductions are becoming more common. Many times, you can tell the difference, mainly due to the rigidity of the plastic. This is especially noticeable in the injection molded car repros. The most common reproduction cars are the 1973 Fat Daddys and the Cuda and Camaro Trans-Ams. Repros and restored bodies are not worth nearly the amount of the originals. Many repaints are very good, and accurate. but no matter how good they look, they are not worth any more than a POOR condition car. Get a return policy, especially when buying 1973 Fat Daddy Sizzlers sight unseen. There are HUNDREDS of repros out there. This advise also applies to Chopcycles.