Haltom City, TX – January 20, 2023 – The DFW Elite Toy Museum, located in Haltom City, Texas, has recently added the only known 1950’s Atom Jet Racer with original box to its collection of antique toys and collectibles. The newly procured toy will be of particular interest to collectors because it is so rare and sought after.
The Atom Jet Racer is a 27-inch tin lithograph with a friction motor, rubber tires, chrome hubcaps, a built-in siren and a miniature goggle-wearing driver seated in the cockpit. Made in the 1950’s by Yonezawa, a famous Japanese toy maker, the toy was designed as a racer/jet hybrid and was one of the last large-scale tin friction toys ever made. The collectible is in excellent condition and reflects exceptional workmanship.
Imagine a child finding this beauty under the tree? It was priced at $10.95, which is about $110.00 in today’s dollars, so any child receiving one was fortunate indeed. After the child shrieked with joy, he or she threw the box to the side and started playing! “Original boxes from antique toys can be worth more than the toys themselves, but typically they at least double the value of the toy,” says Ron Sturgeon, the owner of the museum.
Ron first started collecting automobile memorabilia over 40 years ago. He initially focused on Mercedes toys ¾including the very rare Eva Braun Mercedes toy ¾ then moved on to rare automobile themed items, vintage toys, unique signs and other rare and historic collectibles. He now focuses on investment grade toys. His personal collection eventually became so large that the idea for the DFW Elite Toy Museum was born. The museum also includes collectable dog antiques, and dogs are welcome!
The museum is currently known for its rare cars and hard-to-find memorabilia and is included in both editions of the popular book: 100 Things To Do In Dallas-Fort Worth Before You Die. It is located at 5940 Eden Drive in Haltom City, TX and is open to the public Monday through Friday and on most Saturdays. Admission is free, and group visits and events are welcome with advance notice.
Museum Director Brian Sturgeon had this to say about the museum’s recently acquired Atom Jet Racer, “If I had to choose a favorite out of all the toys at the DFW Elite Toy Museum, I would choose the Atom Jet Racer. It’s exceptional.” See the video here https://youtu.be/iRmiTob82Cc
About DFW Elite Toy Museum
DFW Elite Toy Museum is a free museum open to the public located at 5940 Eden Drive in Haltom City, TX. The museum includes more than 3000 pieces collected by serial entrepreneur and real estate developer Ron Sturgeon. To learn more, visit the dog-friendly toy museum’s website page at dfwelitetoymuseum.com, follow them on Facebook, or call (817) 834-3625.