Casting : Double Header
Years of Production:
1973 Only
Country of Origin:
Hong Kong
Casting Variations:
No casting variations known
Paint Colors and Variations:
| HK COLORS: |
Relative frequency: |
COMMENTS: |
| Dark blue | 20% | Most Common, shading and both wheel types |
| Red | 20% | Common, shading and both wheel types |
| Light blue |
20% | Common, multiple shades, both wheel types |
| Dark yellow |
10% | Less common, no capped wheels |
| Dark green |
10% | Several shades, both wheel types |
| Lemon yellow |
5% | Uncommon, no capped wheels |
| Orange | 5% | Rare in good condition, no capped wheels |
| Plum |
5% |
Very HTF, May have only come in baggie, no capped wheels |
| Light green |
<5% |
Rarest Color, May have only come in baggie, no capped wheels |
Interior Colors:
Black Interior
Blue Tinted Glass
Comments:
The Double Header, designed by Larry Wood, is one of three castings in the 1973 product line which were used only once, the other two being
the Sweet 16 and the Superfine Turbine. Since the Double Header was produced for only one year, it is one of the hardest to find castings.
Light Green Double Header
The Double Header is characterized by the two prominent twin jet engines on the sides and the big spoiler in the rear. There are no known
casting variations among Double Headers, which is likely a consequence of the brief span of production. All Double Headers have blue
tinted windshields and black interiors which extend across the deck along the top.
Rear details of the Double Header
Double Header Base
The base is characterized by the exquisite detail of the single intake and dual exhaust ports, a signature of a Larry Wood design.
Rear Wheel Variation
The rear wheels come in two variations, capped and through hole style. The capped wheel versions are found on only a few colors.
The Double Header has been found in nine different colors. However, many of the colors show a wide variance in shading.
Some Double Headers have a white base coat, sometimes found on other 1973 enamels.
Double Header Rainbow
Variety of Shades in Dark Blue
This photo illustrates the degree of different shades of "dark blue". The Double Header in the center has a white base coat.
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Double Header Blister Packs
Four colors of the Double Header have been found in blister pack.
Double Header in a Baggie Two Pack
Double Headers also have been found in baggie two-packs with the header card. These are quite rare and usually contain the harder colors.
Pre-Production
The manufacturing history of the Double Header is represented by several surviving preproduction pieces.
Double Header Epoxy Approval Sample
This hand made epoxy Double Header came out of the Larry Wood Collection in 2018.
It is the handmade sample presented to Mattel management for approval to move forward to final production.
Bases of the Prototype and Production Version
Original Double Header Pantograph Shell / Pattern
This piece was discovered in August 2019. It had been in a former employee's garage for over 40 years.
Disassembled
Other Side of the Parts
Photo and info credits: Ted Gray
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