2006 Johnny Lightning Classic Plastic and Model Kit Companion 1958 Chevy Impalas

When I was a kid, in addition to die-cast cars, I was also into plastic model kits. The Johnny Lightning Classic Plastic series combined these two great things by presenting “metal replicas of vintage model kits.” The series was introduced in 2001, during JL’s Playing Mantis era. That first release featured die-cast cars replicating early-1970s drag and funny car model kits by Jo-Han. By the time the series was revived in 2005, it highlighted model kits by AMT, which was by then owned by JL’s parent company, RC2. The series continued up to 2008.

My 1958 Chevy Impala from the 2006 Classic Plastic series is a replica of a “3 in 1” AMT kit that could be assembled as stock, competition or customized by none other than George Barris.

The miniature box is a pretty faithful reproduction of the original plastic model and makes me feel like I’m a kid in the hobby store, trying to decide which kit I want to build next.

Johnny Lightning | 2006 | Classic Plastic | 1958 Chevy Impala #13 | gold with miniature model box

Another related Johnny Lightning line was the Model Kit Companion series, which was an actual AMT plastic model kit that included a matching die-cast car. There were only nine different castings in the series (2006-2007), among them another 1958 Chevy Impala as you see here.

This one is unopened, in fact I’ve never even removed the original shrink-wrap from the package.

Johnny Lightning | 2006 | Model Kit Companion R3 | 1958 Chevy Impala | dark blue with white top, with 1/25 scale AMT 1958 Chevy Impala plastic model kit

2006 Johnny Lightning Impala Parade

The 2006 Johnny Lightning Impala Parade – dedicated to Chevy’s full-size model that was “big on performance and bigger on style” – is probably the only complete series I have in my JL collection. While other series featuring a single model (Camaros or Corvettes, for example) were produced in more than one release, Impala Parade was a one-time issue. Each of these came packaged with a bonus disk (drink coaster?) emblazoned with the Impala emblem.

All four castings in the series are really sharp. I love the blue on this 1969 Chevy Impala SS Convertible.

2006 | Impala Parade | 1969 Chevy Impala SS Convertible #1 | blue with white top, bonus disc

The 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible is a very regal combination of black paint with a red top.

2006 | Impala Parade R1 | 1959 Chevy Impala convertible #2 | black with red top, bonus disc

This 1958 Chevy Impala is a very satisfying two-tone gold over cream.

2006 | Impala Parade R1 | 1958 Chevy Impala #3 | cream and gold with bonus disc

And finally, a very clean cream green with white top 1959 Chevy Impala.

2006 | Impala Parade R1 | 1959 Chevy Impala #4 | cream green and white with bonus disc

Johnny Lightning Hot Rod Magazine

For a brief time during Johnny Lightning’s Playing Mantis era, Jeff Koch, formerly of Hot Rod Magazine, worked as the JL brand manager. Probably not coincidentally, it was during these years, from about 2003 to 2005, that the Primedia Magazine series featured cover cars from some of its automotive titles such as Motor Trend, Rod & Custom, Car Craft, Hot Rod Magazine and others.

This Hot Rod Magazine 4-Pack from 2003 features four cars from the September 1994 cover: a red 1963 Chevy II, a red ’57 Chevy Bel Air, Troy Trepanier’s AMC Rambler American Wagon, and Thom Taylor’s blue metallic Ford Thunderbird “Bad Bird” Roadster.

I bought the four-pack for the ’63 Chevy II, of course, but the other cars are pretty sweet too.

2003 | Hot Rod Magazine 4-Pack | 1963 Chevy II | red with 57 Chevy, AMC Rambler, Bad Bird Roadster

This nice cherry metallic 1958 Chevy Impala, packaged with a collector card, is from the 2004 Primedia Hot Rod R4.

Johnny Lightning | 2004 | Primedia Magazine Hot Rod R4 | 1958 Chevy Impala #6 | cherry metallic with card

I also happen to have a loose version of the same 2004 Primedia Hot Rod R4 cherry metallic ’58 Impala.

The opening hood on this model lifts up far enough for it to stay open by itself, allowing me to get a shot of the engine details.

Johnny Lightning | 2004 | Primedia Magazine Hot Rod R4 | 1958 Chevy Impala #6 | red with card

And finally, from 2004 Primedia Magazine Hot Rod R7, I have this fun primer red ’69 Chevy Nova. Unfortunately, I don’t have the collector card – which had the headline “Budget-Beater Streeter” – that came with this model.

Johnny Lightning | 2004 | Primedia Magazine Hot Rod R7 | 1969 Chevy Nova | primer red, opening hood

2001 Johnny Lightning 1958 Chevy Impala Variations

The Johnny Lightning Car Culture Art Cars series featured “replicas of cars from the gallery of famous car culture photographer Cindy Lewis.” Included in each package was a bonus art card – a reproduction of one of Lewis’ original photographs. This red and white 1958 Chevy Impala is from the 2001 Release 3.

Johnny Lightning | 2001 | Car Culture Art Cars R3 | 1958 Chevy Impala | red with white top, bonus art card

Also from 2001, I have this 1958 Chevy Impala from the American Chrome series, Release 4. The series, which featured “Classic American Beauties” mostly from the 1950s, included 7 different color variations of the ’58 Impala.

Johnny Lightning | 2001 | American Chrome R4 | 1958 Impala | matador red, opening hood