Collectibles--Toys/70's promo cars

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Expert: - 11/14/2007


Question
Hi.  Sometime in the 70's I got 3 miniature cars at a fast food restaurant. (I believe it was McD or BK).  The set included an orange knight head on a silver base, a girl pink covered wagon, and I can't remember the third.  I can't find the 3rd one.  I know it was Mattel, but don't remember the details.  Would love to find another set or just the 3rd to complete my set.  Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?
Thanks Doug

Answer
Hi Doug and yes, I know what you are talking about. But, you did not get them from McD's or BK. They came from your local Shell Gas Station and from SEARS Stores and were called Zowees. You will find them listed in one of my books called, "The Ultimate Guide To Hot Wheels Accessories".

In 1973 Mattel & Shell Filling Stations got together on another promotion and introduced eight tiny cars called “Zowees”. These Zowees models were available from your participating Shell Dealers in small poly bags with a “paper fold out” containing information about these odd looking character cars. They were free with a fill up or .49 cents if you wanted to purchase them.
Zowees were also sold in retail stores later that year. There were 2, 3 & 4 pack carded Zowees. The 3 pack and 4 packs both originally sold retail for $1.49. There was even a Sears Exclusive 11 car set.

Between the two different sets, there are a total of 14 different style Zowees.
The retail Zowees command more money than the Shell promo’s. How can you tell Retail from Shell Zowees?
There were a few different ways to tell the Shell Zowees from the retail Zowees. Of course, if they are still in the poly bag, the Shell cars say “Zowees from participating Shell Dealers”, but if they are loose, the easiest way to tell the Shell Zowees was that only the Shell promos had a little piece of metal on the rear that looked like a trailer hitch. So, if you have the Shell Zowees and the retail Zowees you would have a total of 22 Zowees including the Variations.
That would be 14 retail plus the 8 Shell.
These are the Shell & retail Zowees;
Baby Buggy
Beddy Bye
Bumble Seat
Covered Draggin’
Desperado
Diablo
Good Knight
Red Lighter

These are the Zowees that were only released as retail and not as Shell promo’s;
Numb Skull      $50
Goin' Fishin'      $60
Home Sweet Home   $40
Fire Truck      $40
Light My Fire      $40
Shifty         $50

2-Pack $150
3-Pack $100
4-Pack $100
The Shell promo’s usually go for 75.00 to 90.00 for all 8 “MIB” (Mint In Bag)
Sears Exclusive 11 car set $125.00

Collectibles--Toys

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Michael Zarnock

Expertise

I am able to answer questions about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories.

Experience

Michael Zarnock is an American author and columnist, who writes collector guides and articles about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories. Michael's knowledge and his massive Hot Wheels collection has earned him notoriety around the world. Whether it be because of the 11 books and countless magazine articles that he has written about Hot Wheels toys or the sheer size and diversity of his collection, this extensive knowledge has earned him the label,
"One of the worlds leading Hot Wheels authorities."
For more information visit: www.MikeZarnock.com

Publications
Bibliography:
2011-Present - "Die Cast X Magazine" (Hot Wheels Highway Section)
2009-2010 - "The Car Room Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column)
2008-2009 - "Die Cast X Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column)
2002 to 2008 - "Toy Cars & Models Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column & Variation Price Guide)
2002 - "The Ultimate Guide to Hot Wheels Variations"
2002 - *"The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles II"
2003 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide"
2004 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide, 2nd Edition"
2004 - *"Toys & Prices - 11th Edition"
2005 - "Hot Wheels Accessories, The Ultimate Guide"
2005 - *"Toys & Prices - 12th Edition"
2005 - *"The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles III"
2006 - "Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide"
2006 - *"Toys & Prices - 13th Edition"
2007 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 3rd Edition"
2007 - *"Toys & Prices - 14th Edition"
2007 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 2nd Edition"
2008 - *"Toys & Prices - 15th Edition"
2009 - *"Toys & Prices - 16th Edition"
2009 - "Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide 2nd Edition"
2009 - "Once Upon A Street Race" (Based on the true story of the time Mike got kidnapped at a street race!)
2010 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 4th Edition"
2010 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 3rd Edition"
2011 - "Hot Wheels Prototypes" (Bruce Pascal & Michael Zarnock)
* - Denotes Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters on that publication.

Education/Credentials
There are no Educational Credentials needed for this area, just the need to be obsessed!

Awards and Honors
Michael is a 2 Time Guinness World Record holder! First in 2003 and then again in 2007! He is in the record books for owning the "Largest collection of different model cars". He is featured in the 2008 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book #5 “Prepare To Be Shocked!” And the 2011 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book "Utterly Crazy!" February 2009 Michael was inducted into the "Diecast Hall Of Fame" and later that year Mattel Hot Wheels® honored Michael by reproducing his old Altered Roadster Race Car as part of their Nostalgic "Drag Strip Demons®" Series!

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