Johnny Lightning Dragnet Appraisal

Johnny Lightning 'Hollywood On Wheels' Dragnet Die-Cast Car

This item is a Johnny Lightning 'Hollywood On Wheels' series die-cast replica of the car from 'Dragnet'. The packaging is a typical blister card design with a cardboard backing and a clear plastic bubble holding the vehicle. The overall size of the packaging appears to be standard for this type of collectible, likely around 7-8 inches in height and 5-6 inches in width. The card art features the 'Johnny Lightning' logo prominently at the top left in yellow text with a lightning bolt graphic against a purple background. 'HOLLYWOOD On Wheels' is displayed in a vibrant red and blue marquee-style banner. Below this, key features are listed: 'Authentic Replicas of Famous TV and Movie Vehicles', 'Die-Cast Metal Body AND Chassis', and 'BONUS ShowCard'. The die-cast car itself is a medium-brown or tan sedan, enclosed within the clear plastic bubble. The car's design corresponds to a classic American sedan from the mid-to-late 1960s, consistent with the era of the 'Dragnet' TV series. It features visible details such as chrome-colored hubcaps and black tires. The vehicle appears to be in pristine, factory-sealed condition within its original packaging, showing no visible signs of wear, scratches, or paint loss on the car itself. The cardboard backing might have minor corner wear typical of handling and storage, but it is not clearly discernible from the image. A graphical representation of an old television set on the card provides context for the 'Dragnet' vehicle, showing an image of the car and the show's title. Below the car, a 'WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - small parts. Not for children under 3 years' is printed, indicating its toy safety classification. The base of the card states 'COLLECT ALL 01', suggesting it is the first in this specific series or wave. The manufacturing details from the card identify it as a product of Johnny Lightning / Playing Mantis. Given the 'Hollywood On Wheels' series and the specific 'Dragnet' vehicle, this piece likely dates from the late 1990s to early 2000s, a period when such pop culture tie-in collectibles were very popular. The quality of Johnny Lightning die-cast vehicles is generally considered good for mass-produced collectibles, often featuring a higher level of detail and better materials (die-cast body and chassis) than some competitors.