Maker record
JL
Johnny Lightning is an American brand of small die-cast vehicles launched by Topper Toys in 1969. Its early cars were designed for speed and used an Accelerator Loop on the chassis to work with the brand’s track launcher. After Topper closed in 1971, the name returned in 1994 under Playing Mantis, first with reissues and then with collectible replicas of classic cars. Later ranges included racing, entertainment and licensed subjects, and the brand continues under Round 2.
- Founded
- 1969
- Locations
- Elizabeth, New Jersey · 1969
- Founders
- Henry Orenstein
The story of JL
Topper Toys launched Johnny Lightning in 1969 from Elizabeth, New Jersey, entering the market for small die-cast cars with a focus on racing speed. The cars’ chassis carried an Accelerator Loop that engaged a launcher in Johnny Lightning track sets, allowing cars to circulate on closed oval tracks. Topper made 47 models before closing in 1971 during an unsuccessful attempt to take the company public.
The brand returned in 1994 when Tom Lowe’s Playing Mantis began selling cars under the Johnny Lightning name. Its first range included eight models in several colors, styled after the original cars. Later that year, Muscle Cars U.S.A. added replicas of classic American cars; subsequent themes included dragsters, pickups, racing, film and television vehicles, and Coca-Cola subjects. Playing Mantis was acquired by RC2 in June 2004, and Johnny Lightning releases continued under RC2 and then Tomy. The last Tomy assortment appeared in 2013. In 2016 Round 2 resumed production under license from Tomy, with Lowe again involved in the brand.