1956 Marx "The Falcon Sports Car" in Original Box (Red)
Another toy from the renowned Kaufman Collection is this incredible Marx, "The Falcon Friction Powered Sports Car". Acquired by Mr. Kaufman as unsold store stock it's never been played with. It comes complete with its gorgeous original box and insert. The car grades near mint to near mint+ and is one of the 2 best I've seen. The box is excellent+ and is the first complete all-original box I've seen. It also has its original insert...again, it's only a piece of cardboard, but I've never seen it before. The Falcon is one of the more difficult to find mid-50's Marx toys because it was available for only year. It was manufactured using only two sheets of tinplate folded twice around the seam. It's most distinct characteristic is its low, long sleek design. In addition the front and rear fenders, hood scoop, and rear trunk were highly raised above the height of the base body. "Quite coincidently" it has a striking similarity to the (then) new Chevrolet Corvette. Lithoed deep red on heavy gauge tinplate body details were skillfully added in black and white. Some, like the front fender mounted lights, hood ornament, and side view mirrors were shaded giving them a 3-dimensional appearance. Although it's sealed to the body, details were even added to the cockpit. The roof is transparent polystyrene (plastic) with an early style split front windshield. The top and rear were textured and painted white to resemble canvas. The underside chassis was lithoed silver. It has a friction powered motor and as the wheels rotate makes a loud "boing" sound. The tires are solid black rubber with metal centers. The box for this toy is extremely difficult to find. In addition to its limited production the cardboard used was narrow walled and , meant to last more than a few years. Given its bulk and weight (nearly 4lbs.) and it's easy to understand why so few still exist. Printed in four colors the main box panels feature a wide 14" illustration of the Falcon which fill up nearly the entire side. It shows the car with driver on a fenced country road. He's just left his "work place" represented by the building on the extreme right edge with the American flag in front. He pauses at the foot of a driveway to watch two golfers finishing up their hole. The two narrow main box panels have a portrait view of the Falcon along with simple operating instructions. Company name, logo, etc. were also added. The endflaps were also illustrated which is very unusual. They show, of course, the Falcon from the perspective of looking at it head on against a silhouette city scape. One main panel has its original $3.29 price written on an applied sticker. Just above this a more recently added white sticker with the numbers "75/31" written on it. It looks like it'll come off, but I wouldn't recommend messing with it. Includes Bertoia auction hang tag. Size: 20" x 8½" x 5". Sold: Jun. 2011
Price Sold: $ 565
