New Short: Mini Mad Wheels

New Video Posted. Johnny Lightning Creepsters

New Video: Jada Fast & Furious Nano Hollywood Rides

Showcasing some new Jada Models.

The Turnpike Vault: Hot Wheels Zowees #hotwheels

Hey! There's a new "From the Vault" video.  I found some old footage and put it together. Vintage Zowees.  Those models are over 50 years old now.  Geez, time flies.

2025 Matchbox Moving Parts #toycars #matchbox #toys #diecast

Just posted a new short about some new Matchbox cars. 

Dragon Themed Toy Cars! #dragons #toys #toycars

I added a new short video and "Thar Be Dragons Here!"

Dark Side Brick Oven Pizza in Boerne Texas

This weekend, Mrs. Turnpike Museum and I heard a rumor about a new pizza place that was part toy museum on the outskirts of Boerne Texas. Somehow we got the idea that it was going to be decorated with Barbies and Hot Wheels but as usual, we were completely wrong. It was mostly based on Star Wars but featured other film paraphernalia in the science fiction genre. Hence the “Dark Side” in the name. There were some vintage toys in cases and shadow boxes but I wouldn’t call it a toy museum. 

Decorated with what I would call 1:1 scale action figures with zero point articulation, the place was more like a wax museum. Nevertheless the atmosphere was a cool place to go for any toy nerd or movie geek. 

The outside of the building was a modern design and at first glance reminded me of a Borg Cube. The interior was smaller than I’d imagined it would’ve been and was a bit tight to navigate through. Especially as people were constantly stopping and taking pictures on their cellphones. It appeared that they had three areas for outside seating, but it looked like only one was decorated with a Yoda statue. Nice, but you don’t really get to enjoy the decor which is kind of the point. 

Don't Drink and Drive, Folks.

As for the food, unfortunately we were wanting to eat light, so I didn’t order a pizza. That’s great for my diet, but sucks for a review. You’ll have to check it out for yourself. You can let us know what you think in the comments. 

We did order pizza rolls and salads so I’ll mention those. The rolls were cooked well and the marinara dipping sauce was tasty. The salad was fresh and the wine vinaigrette was well balanced. No issues. 

After I ate I walked around and tried to look at the other displays. Unfortunately many were next to tables and I tried not to stand too close to someone eating while I gawked at Jedi-eating Rancors or vintage toys. 

This is a new restaurant and there’s room for growth. They are constructing a lounge in a new building next to the restaurant. The waiter informed us that the theme of the bar was going to be “Predator”. That will certainly be an interesting place to slam a few drinks before you go out and fight a few intergalactic aliens. 

Wampa Wants Pizza!

And as for Hot Wheels? I only found one. A Super Chrome Rock Buster. But I guess that’s better than nothing.

S.

Toys!

More Toys!

I don't think they serve Reeses Pieces.

Great Scott! That man needs more tea!

If you go through a Black Hole you end up in Boerne, Texas 

Waiting for a pizza delivery in the Dagobah system!

Superman leaving on a delivery.

Mrs. Turnpike posing with her buddy.

Ave Maria!

I'm uploading new content to Youtube

I'm uploading new content to Youtube.  If there is something you would like to see, I'll consider it. 

Here's the newest video.  A Shrinking Batmobile!

What happened to the website?

The "The Super Happy Funtime Virtual Diecast Museum/ The Turnpike Toy Museum" is gone for now.  I enjoyed working on it and the whole collecting experience, but the prices of web hosting kept going up and my advertising revenue kept going down.  So what was once a profitable or break even endeavor lurched consistently into the red.

I still enjoy collecting, but for now, the only public acknowledgment of it will be here and on my youtube channel.  I maintained that site for 16 years and there were over 10,000 photos posted and tons of info dedicated to toy versions of particular makes and models of cars*.  Should I share it again?  Will it be reborn?  Who knows?

But for now I'm thinking I might share these cars via Youtube. Leave a comment if you have an opinion and I guess we'll see.

*(For Example: The Chevy Impala Page that showcased Impalas from 1958 to the present.)

The Turnpike

For those of you in certain parts of the country that don't know, a turnpike is a toll road.  When I had my physical location I was amazed by how many people didn't know that.

Cool Classics... Series 2

I just added Series 2 of the Cool Classics series and just like last time, every picture is clickable.  Check it out here.

Diecast Donation!

A big shout out and a "Thank You" go out to some customers of mine; Mr and Mrs. Frazier who surprised me this week by giving me some model cars after finding out I was a collector.  You can tell that the cars were defiantly enjoyed by their son :)  Let the sorting begin!

New Page: Maisto's 2002 Ultimate Marvel Series 1

There's been a lot of movies and TV shows based on superheros in the recent years and the genre has appeared in our hobby as well.  In 2002, Maisto released an edition called the Ultimate Marvel Series 1 consisting of 25 cars with Marvel graphics.  The number 25 car was the "Limited Collectors Vehicle".  The chase car - supposedly rarer than the others.  To my surprise I found and bought the entire set and now I'm bringing the images to you so you can hunt them down on Ebay or somewhere. 

Of course, unlike other websites all the pictures are on one page so can enjoy the set as a whole and each picture is clickable so you can go to other sections of the site.  Click here to start. Seeya!

The World's Largest Toy Museum

The sharp-eyed fans of the “Super Happy Funtime Vehicle Museum” would have noticed that there were absolutely no new pictures posted last week anywhere on the site.  Why?  Because I was on vacation in Branson Missouri.  And one of the reasons I chose this area of the United States to holiday was to pay a visit to the aptly named “World’s Largest Toy Museum” and it did not disappoint. 

The museum boasted on their advertisements that they had over a million toys.  I did not take the time to count but I believe this to be an accurate statement. It was easy to find with it’s circus-like facade being guarded by very large toy soldiers, bears and lions. Tickets were reasonably priced with my wife and I gaining admission for about $20. When compared to the other museums in Branson this was a bargain.  If you have any apprehension that you might not get your money’s worth when you purchase your ticket, it soon disappears with you are led to the first area. 

There are toys.  A ton of toys.  A huge amount of toys packed in shelves adorning the walls and floors in themes.  Planes, batman and automobiles greet your gaze as a toy train chugs over your head on a ceiling mounted track and this is just the first room.  Then the very nice employee gives you a quick orientation speech and gives you permission to let out your inner child.  He didn’t need to tell me this, but then he didn’t know I’m not your average patron.

All the rooms are packed with toys.  Walking through the museum is like going through a hardcore collector’s spare room collection.  It’s not a slick setup with fancy lighting and brushed aluminum cases and finely engraved placards.  It is simply shelf after shelf packed with all kinds of toys.  You can look and look and see something different every time you visit an area.  It fills your vision with images of times gone and in the process it brought back many memories of long lost and loved toys. 

It took my wife and I a little over 2 hours to walk through the museum and at the end of it there is the obligatory gift shop.  It was well stocked and even had vintage toys for sale.  I bought a Hartoy truck from the American Highway Legends line.  My one complaint with the gift shop was that there was no custom diecast cars with their logo or name on it.  When I brought this to their attention they assured me they were working on it so I settled for a post card to go with my truck.

They also allow pictures to be taken, so I of course took some.  The pictures posted here are a very small sampling of the museum and of course since I took them, its shows a lot of the diecast sections.  I’m hoping to just give you the feel of the experience while I encourage you visit.
Enjoy!

And now the really cool epilogue:

As I was leaving, I realized the employees were talking to a man who was the owner of the museum.  A Mr. Tom Beck. I introduced myself and struck up a conversation.  He was a very congenial man and I really enjoyed talking to him.  At one point in the conversation he invited me to see the warehouse where he housed the toys not yet on display.  Wow.  Cool.  He gave my wife and I the grand tour of multiple rooms of toys getting readied to be seen.  It added another couple of hours to my visit.  It was like I got a second museum for free.

I would like to say how grateful I am to him that he took the time out of his busy schedule to show us around and it was an honor and privilege to meet him.

You can visit their website at www.worldslargesttoymuseum.com

New Pages

I've added two new launch pages.  A 2012 Matchbox 5-Pack called Battle Mission and the previously posted Hot Wheels 2015 Easter Cars. And now... here's a Jeep.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everybody!  Here's a picture of 3 of the 6 Hot Wheels Easter cars. The other 3 are posted on the Facebook page.  Peace to you all in this crazy world. :)

New Section: Opel

I added a new section.  Opel.  With 5 pics to start it with. You can find it here.

New Page: Cool Classics

I put together a Cool Classics page.  Right now, it's just series 1 from 2013 but I will update it with series 2 from 2014 when I finish it, which will apparently be around 2015 when Mattel will release the last 10. As usual each picture is clickable and will take you to the model's variation pages.
Woot.

New Section: Pagani

"Pagani" it's as fun to drive as it's as fun to say.  Not that I know, I don't have that kind of cash.  But I have these little guys and I made a new section in the museum.  Have fun. :)

Holiday Hot Rods 2014

The 2014 Hot Wheels "Holiday Hot Rods" set page is ready to go just in time for the season.   If you haven't seen these yet they are Walmart Exclusives. Each picture is clickable and I now have links at the bottom of the Holiday Pages so you can review past years.  CLICK HERE to get started and have a Merry Christmas!