MUNCLE MIKES · CASTING GUIDE
A-OKRead the delivery lettering and check the generation
A-OK’s tall delivery body gives the side lettering plenty of room. Early Times appears on both vintage examples and a much later collector release, so the words alone will not date the car. Start with the base, finish and wheels together.
The green 1978 delivery car
The 1978 Flying Colors and Oldies But Goodies entries are green item 2016. They have olive, yellow and black Early Times Delivery decoration, an olive-green interior and Hong Kong base, clear glazing and blackwall wheels.
Photograph the side panel straight on so the small letters remain readable. Then inspect the roof, fender edges and rear corners. A clean-looking side does not establish the condition of the rest of the car.
Dark red needs a wheel check
Dark-red blackwall entries follow in 1981. The 1983 Real Riders item 4358 is metalflake dark red with red, yellow and black Early Times Delivery printing, a dark-red interior and Malaysia base, clear glazing and gray-hub Real Riders.
Rubber tires fitted to an older body do not establish a factory Real Riders release. Ask about wheel swaps, changed axles and opened fasteners. Check all four tires and keep any repair history with the car.
The aqua retool pictured here
The 2009 Larry Wood 40 Years of Design A-OK is a later retool. Its metalflake-aqua body has gold accents, a black roof and Early Times side decoration. It has clear glazing, a black interior, a Thailand metal base and Real Riders with deep-dish rims and redline tires.
Use this photo for that later collector release. Its finish and components should not be copied into a description of the 1978 original. Compare the base wording and package as well as the familiar body shape.
For a sealed example, inspect the card and blister separately. A loose display car can be a good choice too, provided its condition and modifications are clear. The loose-car checklist covers the remaining buying questions.
