Sizzlerking’s Sizzlers
Grading Guide:
WHEELS:
The wheels were chrome plated. While it is common to see redline cars with immaculate wheel chrome, with Sizzlers, it is very uncommon. This is because of two factors:
1. Wheel turn ratio: these cars were made to RUN on a consistent basis. With a standard charge, the wheel RPMs can run into the thousands. Wheel chrome was rapidly worn away as the cars went around the track. The Speed Brakes and Lap Computers took an immense toll on wheel chrome even with less than average use. Their redlines would also get chewed up.
2. Battery corrosion: Even if the vehicle sat and was unused, the battery fumes took their toll on the wheel chrome as well. I have had MANY New Old Stock unused examples, and most of them exhibited missing wheel chrome to some degree.
If the car is missing ANY wheel chrome, it cannot be considered MINT. I have a very small percentage of cars with complete wheel chrome. It is very RARE to find one like this. Missing wheel chrome can decrease a car’s value up to 10%. Missing wheel chrome is very common, and the rule, rather than the exception.
Things to look for when grading or
purchasing:
1. Wheels can be transferred from one car to the other without a decrease in value.
2. Wheel wear, especially on the front wheels. These took the brunt of the wheel wear. Many are scuffed.
3. Retouched wheels are very COMMON on Sizzlers. Use judgement and scrutiny before purchasing a car with retouched wheels. Some look VERY convincing, especially on the Internet. Professionally rechromed wheels (ones that look real GOOD, there are many BAD ones out there) can actually enhance the cars value somewhat, opposed to wheels with no chrome at all. This is still a gray area in Sizzlers collecting.
4. Mattel used a dab of yellow/brownish glue to “seat” the rear wheels on the axle. If that small dab of glue is still there, it is likely that the wheels are still proprietary to the car.
5. Redline wear. Redlines were sometimes worn down with the constant running of the cars. Sometimes they are missing altogether. This is normal for Sizzlers cars. Missing redlines can decrease the value up to 5%. Quality control was also sometimes lacking, and the redlines weren’t imprinted correctly (off-center), or have “breaks” in the line where the redline does not make a complete circle. I have seen this on NOS cars too. Since this is a factory defect, it will not be considered when grading the cars.
6. Missing slicks. The rear wheels had small rubber slicks that slipped over the rim to provide traction. If these slicks are missing, subtract 5% of the car’s value.