The Sandbox Set Takes to the Road in 'Little Muscle' Cars for Kids From Racing Champions Ertl(R)

          Kids' Collectible Cars Licensed by GM, Ford, and Chrysler

    GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Aug. 14 Roll 'em! Race 'em! Run 'em!
Kids have always loved anything on wheels, and with the addition of the Little
Muscle(TM) line, Racing Champions Ertl introduces innovative,
collectible cars for kids licensed by GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
    "These are small-fry versions of the cars Mom and Dad drive," according to
Twila Imhof, Product Manager for Racing Champions Ertl, "and with names like
'Revie Chevy(R),' 'Mike Mustang,' and 'Vic Viper,' you can be sure every
single one of them is packed with personality.  To keep the fun going, there's
even a Muscleville Web site for kids at http://www.littlemuscle.com that
features games, coloring pages, and collector information."
    Three different types of vehicles are included in the line: 3.25" die-cast
metal vehicles with a suggested retail price of $4.99; 5" "Cushie Cruisers"
molded in durable, easy-to-hug foam and retailing for $9.99; and 8" plastic
push-and-roll vehicles with sound, retailing at $12.99.  As part of the kid-
friendly design, the vehicles are highly stylized, with eyes and mouths (they
actually move on the plastic versions!) and a whimsical, chunky look that
earns straight "A's" from the junior contingent.
    Kids are sure to want to collect them all because each Little Muscle car
has a unique identity and some of the characters will "retire" after a limited
period of time.  The cars come complete with a sticker and collector card
featuring a photo of the vehicle and a story describing its "character."  Both
contemporary and classic cars are featured, including the 1957 Chevy, the 1965
Mustang, and 1946 "Woody" Ford station wagon, the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser,
and the 2001 Thunderbird.

    Founded in 1989, Racing Champions ( http://www.rcertl.com ) is a leading
producer and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys sold in multiple
channels of distribution and available at more than 20,000 retail outlets.
The company sells American Muscle(TM) collectible die-cast vehicle replicas,
NASCAR and NHRA die-cast racing replicas, officially licensed die-cast and
preschool products of automobiles, trucks, agricultural, heavy equipment and
powered-recreational and sport vehicles, AMT(TM) model kits, Press Pass(R)
trading cards and NASCAR souvenirs and apparel.  High-profile licensing
partners include NASCAR(R), NHRA(R), John Deere(R), Case(R), Polaris(R),
Honda(R), Caterpillar(R), Ford(R), GM(R), Chrysler(R), Texaco(R), and Warner
Brothers(R).

               Click here