Modelo : Rear Engine Dragster




        Diagnostic Characteristics:

        The Snake and Mongoose rear engine dragsters are identical castings, this Wave 4 release utilizes the same 1971 dated casting as the Mattel version. The
        differentiating features between the Snake and Mongoose is only the paint and stickers. It is likely that the stickers were owner applied as two of
        the four colors are known with both Snake and Mongoose stickers. A unique variation, found on a few examples is the substitution of the black dragster
        front wheels with capped redlines, probably taken from the ongoing Sizzlers product line. It appears that all examples came with the small logo sticker
        on the side of the rear engine cover hatch. The white interior is unique to the CIPSA version.

        Colors:
        • Mustard Yellow Enamel
        • Metallic Green
        • Metallic Red
        • Metallic Blue

        Wheels:
        • Rear : Large Capped redlines
        • Front: Black Dragster wheels without the ball bearing
        • Front: Capped wheels from Sizzlers on two pieces

        Interior:
        • White Interior

        Comments

        The Rear Engine Dragster is one of the earliest known CIPSA castings. Identifying features include the paint color, white interior and CIPSA branded stickers.
        Interestingly, the names of Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen are omitted on both the Rear Engine Dragster and the Snake and Mongoose Funny car stickers.



        First Known Rear Engine Dragsters : A photograph of these two examples were posted on a website a few years before CIPSA's were well known.




        Jack Kaye's Flea Find Blue CIPSA Rear Engine Dragster

        Another one of the first CIPSA Rear Engine Dragsters was found at a flea market in southern California. The odd blue color coupled with capped wheels in front,
        made this piece quite an enigma for a year or so until more CIPSA pieces started appearing on eBay. The absence of the interior masked an important clue.




        Yellow enamel Rear Engine Dragster with Sizzler wheels in front (below) as compared to the normal production release (above)

        The yellow mustard enamel example below, sold on eBay in mid 2005, before CIPSA's were well known.




        Base of the Rear Engine Dragster

        The casting appears to be identical to the production version.




        Rear Engine Dragster in Metallic Red

        The red color has been found with both Snake and Mongoose stickers.





        Rear Engine Dragster in Metallic Blue



        Rear Engine Dragster in Metallic Green

        The green version has also been found with both Snake and Mongoose stickers.




        Rear Engine Dragster in Mustard Yellow




        Rear Engine Dragster, All 4 Colors



        As of 2018 about 25 Rear Engine Dragsters are known. Click on the link to the Rear Engine Dragster Registry to see all known examples of this casting









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