Ideal Evel Knievel Silver Hi-Jumper

This is the Ideal Evel Knievel Silver Hi-Jumper cycle from 1977. This is one of the most rare Evel Knievel toys ever produced. In 1977, Knievel had a controversial parking lot altercation with a writer that slandered him in a "tell-all" book. The writer left the incident with two broken arms and Evel was left facing jail time. Rather than continue to produce toys that used the Knievel name, Ideal Toys chose to end their relationship with Evel rather than risk losing money on a toy line associated with the then-maligned Knievel name.

Consequently, some Knievel toys did not make it to production or were canceled not far into production. The Silver Hi-Jumper set was one that ended up having very low production numbers. Information online is sketchy but it seems that somewhere between 1000 and 1500 of these sets made it to toy shelves before the final curtain closed on Ideal's mighty and lucrative Evel Knievel toy line.


The full-set included the Silver Hi-Jumper cycle, Energizer (winder), a white-suited Evel Knievel figure with helmet, and a red ramp. If I'm not mistaken, this was the only vintage Knievel cycle set to come with a jumping ramp in the box. Other sets like the Scramble Van and the Stunt Stadium (both forthcoming in reviews) included ramps but not a cycle.

This particular Silver Hi-Jumper pictured was acquired by me about a year ago. It's missing some silver paint here and there but is in nice condition, otherwise. It runs and nothing is broken. A blue-suited Evel figure is standing in for the white one that would have originally come with this set.

The cycle itself is actually a repaint of a much more common Knievel toy cycle called the Trail Bike. The Trail Bike body was black plastic with chromed engine and tail pipes but the Silver Hi-Jumper is painted in reverse with an all-chrome finish and black engine and tail pipes. Although, the distinction between the two bikes is somewhat minimal, the rarity of the silver bike makes it one of the line's "holy grails."

I didn't have this cycle as a kid. In fact, I had never heard of it until more recently when researching the line of Evel Knievel toys. However, I came across this example for a screaming deal and had to pick it up. I was very glad to add it to the collection of Knievel toys I've gathered over the years.



This is the box that the Silver Hi-Jumper cycle set was sold in. I love these old illustrated, no-window toy boxes.

Every year, we make a few trips to Evel's hometown of Butte, Montana for some of my boys' soccer games. Last year, we stopped at Evel's grave to see his final resting place and pay our respects. Evel was one of my biggest heroes as a kid and it felt pretty neat to be able to walk right up and visit the grave of such a famous and iconic American.

The backside of Knievel's grave was inscribed many years ago. Evel intended that this stone be erected as a commemoration of his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974. When that didn't pan out, the stone was put into storage. Later in life, as Evel struggled with illness, he pulled the stone out of storage and had it transported to Butte to be used as his headstone.

Ideal Evel Knievel Super Jet Cycle

The Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle was a tremendous success for the Ideal Toy Company in the early 1970s. Eager to continue the line and keep it a success, Ideal produced many different vehicle sets that used the same "rev and go" technology that made the Stunt Cycle such a success with kids and retailers alike.

One of those toys is the Evel Knievel Super Jet Cycle. This set was first produced in 1976, just a few years after the introduction and success of the original Stunt Cycle set.



Originally, when talking about jumping the Grand Canyon (ultimately to become the Snake River Canyon), Evel Knievel promoted the idea by showing off a jet-powered motorcycle that had wings mounted to the bike. Eventually, this design gave way to the, now famous, "Skycycle" rocket that Evel used to attempt his jump across the canyon back in September 1974.

I have a hunch that the design of this toy is loosely based on Evel's original idea for his jet-powered motorcycle.

Evel (left) on a talk show with his Jet Cycle prototype.

The red "jet pods" on the back of this toy actually have a function. When you rev the cycle on the Energizer, a wheel in each of the jet pods spins against a piece of flint and produces sparks (you had to replace the flint from time to time). The red pods fill with sparks and the sparks also shoot out of the holes on the sides of the pods. This was a very cool effect. However, it was dampened by the fact that the spinning wheels in the pods had a dragging effect on the cycle's flywheel motor that kept the Jet cycle from reaching the kinds of speeds that the original Stunt Cycle could attain. All things considered, though, the Jet Cycle was still a great toy.

I received my original Super Jet Cycle for Christmas in 1976. I'll never forget jumping this toy over ramps in the basement over and over again. In Montana, there was always quite a bit of snow outside during Christmas.

The Jet Cycle did have some improvements over the original stunt cycle. It was made out of a softer, studier plastic that was less prone to breaks and cracks. The original Stunt Cycle, although sturdy, was made of a harder more brittle plastic. This, most often, resulted in broken handlebars and foot stirrups. It was much more difficult to break any pieces on the Jet Cycle.


Like the original Stunt Cycle set, the Super Jet Cycle came with the Energizer base, instructions, decals to apply, and a white-suited Evel Knievel figure with helmet (at this point, Ideal had stopped including Evel's famous "Swagger Stick" cane with figures). A pair of extra flints were also scotch-taped to the front of the instruction sheet. It came in a windowless box with a terrific illustration on the front and line-drawing illustrations of other available Evel Knievel toys on the back. I love these kinds of illustrations from this era. No photoshop effects, computer coloring, or filters...just fantastic hand-produced artwork.

I'll bet Ideal Toys had a lot of fun figuring out what other vehicles besides a basic motorcycle Evel Knievel figures could ride across the driveway, basement floor, or roof. They came up with quite a few inventive toys before the line shut down around 1977. The Super Jet Cycle was no exception and is another classic Evel Knievel toy that should never be forgotten.

Almost Vintage: 2006 Poof-Slinky (Ideal) Evel Knievel Super Stunt Cycle set

The Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle is one of the most famous toys from the 1970's. Ideal Toy Company began producing the stunt cycle in 1973. The toy enjoyed unheard-of popularity until 1977 when Evel settled a score in a parking lot with a baseball bat. Ideal stopped producing Evel Knievel toys once Knievel's reputation was sullied by the incident.

Ideal sold millions of the stunt cycle sets and went on to produce other sets that included cars, other cycles, and even Knievel's famous canyon-jumping Sky Cycle (all to be featured in later posts). You can view my thoughts on the original Stunt Cycle set HERE.

Evel Knievel toys are many people's most remembered toys from the 1970s and most everyone that was a kid in that era had at least one Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. Because of this amazing toy's popularity and sentimental value, two separate companies have reproduced this set more recently. The first Stunt Cycle replica set was issued by Playing Mantis in 1998. It didn't use the original molds for the toy but did a great job of replicating the play experience and fun of the original. I'll cover the Playing Mantis reissue in a later post, as well.

In 2006, Ideal Toys (then recently acquired by Poof-Slinky...makers of the Slinky) began producing replicas of the original Stunt Cycle set using the original molds that were used to produce the toys in the 70s. This 2006 reissue is the subject of this post. Although different in color, the 2006 stunt cycle (at least on the outside) is a bang-on reproduction of the original. It even sports a 1972 copyright date (although it was released in 1973, I believe) on the side of the cycle. Because of this, it's important to be careful when looking for Stunt Cycles on Ebay because sellers (unknowingly...or at times, knowingly) have tried to sell the re-issue as an original. Some unwitting buyers have even payed a premium thinking the cycle they were buying was a pristine original.







I'm going to go over each of the components of the set and talk about the differences and similarities to the original 1973 toy.

CYCLE: The major difference, cosmetically, between the re-issue and the original is that the replica has been covered in a chrome paint application. The chrome makes for a striking cycle but does make it look somewhat different from the original which had a white plastic body with chrome or black tailpipes (and chrome handlebars and forks on early issues). It's easy to tell the difference if you know what to look for. It should also be noted that a front fender has also been added to the re-issue stunt cycle that was not present on the original.

The replica also includes pre-applied decals for some of the graphical accents on the cycle. The 1973 original included a sheet of small stickers to be applied to the cycle by the owner.

Mechanically, the replica reproduces most of the fun of the original. However, it does make a much louder noise when being "revved" on the energizer than the original. Although the sound is similar, it is much, much LOUDER. The replica cycle doesn't run as long as the original, either. The original's fly-wheel mechanism ran like "butter" and would seem to defy physics, at times, and continue to spin for ages. Part of this difference may be due to the replica's internal gears being made of plastic versus the metal gears of the original. The plastic gears tend to make the reissue not quite as durable as the original, as well. (Edit: It has been brought to my attention that the original cycle used plastic gears, as well.  It sounds like the way the gears are installed may be making the difference...thanks, 7-inch DD)  The replica runs for a decent amount of time and certainly runs long enough after release to make some spectacular jumps and tricks. I should also mention that it's almost a hit-or-miss ordeal with the replica cycle. I had one that ran poorly until I really revved it hard and "broke it in" somehow. Another one, just ran poorly and continued to do so. Some work great right out of the box. So, just be aware that your "mileage may vary" when dealing with this re-issue of the Stunt Cycle.

2006 replica (left) and 1973 original (right)

2006 replica figure (left) and 1973 original (right)

FIGURE: The replica Evel Knievel figure is a very close twin to the original. Without seeing them side-by-side it can be difficult to tell them apart. The primary difference is in the application of the stars and stripes on Evel's jumpsuit. The replica uses silk-screening for the "V" with stars graphic. The original used an applique method with a stitched-on "V" with stars. Everything else is a close match. The belt is almost identical between the two. The helmet is also very close. Although, the replica is a much softer, squishier plastic than the original. They both use the same bendy-type body with hard plastic hands and feet.

ENERGIZER (winding base): Using the original molds (including a 1973 copyright on the bottom of the unit), the replica energizer is an almost exact copy of the original. The original energizer was produced in a variety of colors including red. The replica was only produced in red... which looks nice and is probably the best choice of color. The replica also sports several Evel Knievel stickers on the unit. The original 1973 set did not include stickers or graphics of any kind for the energizer. Since the replica energizer uses the original molds, vintage Evel Knievel toys can be revved on the replica and vice versa.

BOX: The box for the replica set makes no attempt to reproduce the original toy's box. The replica's box features "updated" graphics and a cellophane window to show off the toy. The original was "blind boxed" (no windows to show the toy) like many toys of the 70s and featured some nice illustration work to show what the toy looked like. Part of me wishes that Poof-Slinky had released a more authentic version of this set using the vintage art and blind box. However, I do realize that they were most likely hoping to sell this set to kids, as well, and not necessarily always to middle-age nostalgic guys hoping to recapture a small part of their childhood.

The 2006 Poof-Slinky Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle set is a good reproduction and a fun toy. It's also a great way to reminisce and get your Evel Knievel jumping fix without spending hundreds on an original stunt cycle set that you probably would be hesitant to play with, anyway. This set, to my knowledge, is no longer being produced... although it can still be had affordably online and on auction sites like Ebay (the re-issue is starting to become more scarce, as well, but is still affordable).

Ideal All Cracked Up! Charley Stevens

"A man is only as crazy as he seems,
we're movin' on to a life of silly dreams.
Most of us haven't a clue of which way's up,

That's why we're All Cracked Up!
All Cracked up!"

Who can forget that theme song and who can forget ABC's 1978 mid-season replacement sitcom, "All Cracked Up!" ...the show about a family that moves from the suburbs to the heart of Chicago so "Dad" can take on the new job of head doctor at a hospital for the mentally insane. This is only son, Charley Stevens who was played by actor Todd Rogers. In an effort to adapt to the new change in his life, Charley seems to become a bit wacky himself...pretending to become many different imaginary characters. It was always fun to see the "patients" on the show interact with Charley's different characters that he would pretend to be. I'm sure most people still remember the "grapefruit" episode to this day. A true classic.

In the Seventies, there was no shortage of toys from non-superhero or non-sci-fi tv shows. We saw toys released from such programs as Welcome Back Kotter, The Love Boat, Emergency, and even the Waltons. So, the figures from All Cracked Up might seem out of place on a child's toy shelf these days but were right at home in the climate of the 1970s. I knew at least 3 or 4 other kids that had figures from this show and that's a true testament to the popularity it enjoyed then. Other figures in the line included Charley's Dad (Dr. Stevens), Roy "Peanut Butter" McAllister (patient), and Satchel Geronimo (another patient).


This is Charley pretending to be the space cadet (no one said 70s show writers were original), Neemor.

This was probably the best choice for a figure over Charley's other characters like cowboy, Slim Bill or psychiatrist, Dr. Id. Science fiction was riding at an all-time high in the late 70s with properties like Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica in the public consciousness. Although Charley's Dr. Id character might have been more fitting considering the premise behind the sitcom, Charley's Neemor outfit is certainly more exciting than a white lab coat.



This particular figure is missing his blue plastic shovel. Charley would pretend that his shovel was all sorts of things and it was a constant in the show. As Neemor, Charley would pretend that his shovel was a laser gun. As Slim Bill, the shovel became a revolver. You get the idea.

Charley should come with his gray and blue spacesuit, two gray boots, and his blue shovel (not pictured).

"Who should I be today?"

Vintage Ads: Evel Knievel Jet Cycle

Vintage Ads: Evel Knievel Assortment

The comic that this ad is from has seen better days. However, I thought I'd still post it. It's still viewable, somewhat.

Vintage Ads: Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle Instructions

Here are scans of the front and back of the vintage Stunt Cycle directions.  I like the old line drawing illustrations in these.  The copy is fun to read, as well,  like the line from section "C."  

"Evel does not sit down wholly on the seat, but rides in true stuntman fashion supported only by his toes and hands."

Ha, ha!  How's that for damage control?

1975 Evel Knievel Brochure

This is a scan of an Evel Knievel toy brochure from 1975.  Unfortunately, it has aged and it was tough to get a scan without the backside showing through.  At any rate, it's still fun to see these kinds of vintage promotional materials.  This brochure was packed with the toys for a period of time.

Most of the content of this site will be "features" that showcase a specific toy but I thought it would be fun to post little "bonuses" like this that might relate to a featured toy.

Ideal Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle

I thought I'd kick this big, misty-eyed "nostalgia fest" off with the greatest toy ever produced. Pound for pound, no other toy ever created can touch the sheer greatness of this toy. The degree of fun this toy generated made playing with all other toys seem about as much fun as playing with a bowl of flour.

I'm talking, of course, about the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle from Ideal Toys.



In the 1970s, Evel Knievel was a phenomenon that's difficult to describe to those that weren't "of age" in that decade. Evel was almost like a living super hero. In the eyes of a child, a man that would try to jump the Grand Canyon (it was the Snake River but we didn't know any better) in a rocket, seemed capable of ANY feat. Evel was a merchandising phenomenon, as well. There were Evel posters, t-shirts, toothbrushes, drinking straws, model kits, lunch boxes...the list goes on and on. However, to kids, it was the toys that mattered most. In 1973, the Ideal Toy company started producing the line of Evel Knievel toys that would become almost legendary in the minds of so many adults today.  For countless people, this was their version of Ralphie's "Red Ryder BB Gun" at Christmas time.  When Evel passed away near the end of 2007, it was truly the end of an era for many "kids" from the 1970s. Somewhere deep down, I don't think we thought Evel's death was even possible. He had faced death so often in the past and won every time.




Why was the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle so fantastic? Apart from the fact that it allowed you to bring a mini-Evel into your home, this toy allowed several different styles of play. This toy allowed a Mego-esque style of action figure play with a poseable figure, vehicles, and accessories. There was even a van playset available that was similar to what you would expect to find in a Big Jim or Gijoe toy line. However, the Stunt Cycle set also allowed an extremely fun "rough and tumble" style of motorized play when you mounted your Evel figure on the cycle and headed for open hallways or the outdoors looking for impossible jumps to test the King of the Stuntmen. This was a toy that kids PLAYED with. An Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle set rarely sat idle. This toy could really make you work up a sweat, as well. Revving it up as fast as you could before letting Evel fly was part of the fun. Although a durable toy, most kids played with these so hard that they eventually "ran them into the ground," often quite literally. For this reason, not many pristine examples of this toy exist today and can be quite expensive when they do show up for sale or auction. Not to mention the fact that Evel's pristine, gleaming white jumpsuit seemed to get dirty and stained almost immediately after only a few jumps.


Part of the thrill of this toy was the fact that as Evel's cycle left the launch energizer, things were completely out of your hands. You had just unleashed an excessively powerful thing of beauty and terror upon the world... and you never knew where it was going to end up or how many casualties it would inflict before eventually coming to a stop. The flywheel mechanism in the stunt cycle must have been designed by NASA scientists or something because it just flat-out HAULED without any inkling or desire to stop for quite some time after being launched. This toy seemed to do the impossible. It would, most often, fly off any jump put before it and then continue to go on and get tangled up in your sister's hair, wander into live traffic, or maim the family cat. Good times. Evel was not for the feint of heart.



The set consisted of the energizer (the base unit that wound up the cycle), a bendie-style Evel Knievel figure in a cloth outfit, and Evel's stunt cycle. Evel had a removable belt and helmet. Early issues of this set also included Evel's cane which Ideal called the "swagger stick." Each stunt cycle set also came with a set of decals to adorn the cycle and a set of instructions to help you get Evel's adventures underway. The energizer unit came in several different colors (red, blue, white, yellow, and orange) and since the toy was "blind boxed" you never knew which color you were getting until you opened the box. The painted seat on the stunt cycle also came in several colors (black, blue, and red). The exciting illustrated box artwork remained the same throughout the production run of the set. Although, the size of the box was reduced, somewhat, around 1975.

The earliest version of the stunt cycle included chrome forks, handlebars, and (short) exhaust pipes. Eventually, Ideal dropped all chrome from the cycle and produced it in all white plastic version with black extended exhaust pipes. The chrome versions of the stunt cycle are more rare and generally more desirable to collectors. Although, any version of the stunt cycle in good working condition is quite a prize.


The Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle is still such a beloved toy today that two different companies since the Ideal Knievel "heyday" have released reproductions of the set, both with differing degrees of success. I hope to cover both of those sets at a later date.  I will also be covering quite a few of the other vintage Evel Knievel vehicle sets.

What a great toy!! What's your favorite toy from the 70s?