Big Kid on the Block
Every kid growing up in the 80s owned a Big Wheel. It didn’t matter what region or country you resided in, you had to have one. They were the quinessential toy for any growing child to show off to his neighborhood pals and mutter under his or her breath, “Yeah, I’m big and here’s proof.”
I think I was the owner of a Transformers Big Wheel and a Knight Rider KITT version. Although, much to my disappointment, it never talked back in that spiffy English accent sadly.
The best part of the Big Wheel was — hands down — the plastic tires. You could run over anything in the road or sidewalk and wouldn’t have to worry about getting a flat. I used to turn it upside down and pretend it was a missing piece of some gigantic NASA engine. I’d spin the peddles as fast as they could go and “revv” up the “engine” part.
Sure, Big Wheels exist today — but nothing like those of yesteryear.
20 Comments, Comment or Ping
hass
Speaking of toys gone by, I defy you to purchase a non-battery operated Hot Wheels track set, with just a straight track and the screw-clamp. I double dare you.
Jun 24th, 2004
Todd
The Big Wheel was great. I remember taping my toy guns to the handlebars and zipping down the road with my friends playing Star Wars.
Do remember the Pogo Ball?
Jun 24th, 2004
Chad
Oh yeah! How about the Green Machine?? I had one of these, and wore holes in the wheels from doing donuts. But man, these have gotten expensive!
And then there’s the off-road trike….our 2-year has one of these that’s a hand-me-down, probably has 100,000 miles on it already, and it’s ready for 100,000 more as soon as he can reach those damn pedals!
Man, I want a new Big Wheel. Can I have one Mom, can I? Huh? Huh?
Jun 24th, 2004
kartooner
Off-road trike? Wow. If only they had those when I was a kid. Of course, most kids these days are more concerned with chatting on AOLIM or playing online video games (MMPORPGs, etc.).
What happened to the ‘Cowboy and Indian’ days? Long gone, I fear.
Jun 24th, 2004
Chad
The off-road trike is sweet, highly recommended. Speaking of cowboys and indians…I can’t wait to buy our kid a Red Ryder BB gun….his mother of course says “NO!”, but we all know I’m buying him one, right? Just like “The Old Man” on the movie “A Christmas Story”, buying one for his son against the Mothers wish….”you’ll shoot your eye out, you’ll shoot your eye out”….now those musta been the days…..
Jun 24th, 2004
Jarek Piórkowski
No, no, no. It’s not AOLIM, it’s the MSN Messenger.
Jun 24th, 2004
Dad
I’m almost sure you had a ‘CHIPS’ big wheel, the Erik Estrada model…yeah, I’m sure of it….NOT. You had a big wheel and the lady next store stole it (her name was Karen) and your mother and I always thought she sold it to buy drugs….bummer.
I think your favorite toys were:
- Alf doll
- ET doll
- Crayons
- Speak’n'Spell (or say)
- Anything that you could draw with :-)
Keep up the good work…I’m proud of you!
Dad
Jun 24th, 2004
Todd
That’s sad…getting your big wheel stolen by a lady in order to buy drugs. But also a little funny. What kind of crack was she smoking in order to think that she could get good money for a big wheel?
That would make a great SNL sketch!
Jun 25th, 2004
kartooner
I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe I should sell my life story to SNL?
Jun 25th, 2004
Matt (Brother)
I smell a sitcom….!!!!!
Jun 25th, 2004
Dad
Well, if you sell a sitcom with the ‘Karen the crack whore who stole my bike’….I want 10% of the sale for ‘creative consulting / story idea’. As for your brother…don’t give him a damn thing, with exception to the other sitcom story line “I almost let my brother cut off his dinkie” story….but that’s another day for storytime children.
Nice to see your brother is reading your site / blog…or is he running secret security checks via the Navy Warfare Dept…????
Love,
Dad (the keeper of the family stories)
Jun 25th, 2004
Matt (Brother)
::cough:: Hey dad.. Lets not talk anymore about past stories. Thats NTK G14 Classified. Their EVIL.
Jun 25th, 2004
Scott
Wow, this article rocks. It had me remembering the big wheel all over again. I still think the best 80’s toy/momento is the rubiz cube.
Jun 26th, 2004
kartooner
The Cube was a favorite pastime, although solving it proved to be difficult. To this day I have never solved a Rubix Cube, and most likely never will. It’s just too fun removing the stickers and putting them all in place.
I’ve often thought about splurging for the keychain version, however. Then, if I’m ever caught in a blizzard, I’ll have something to occupy my time. That or I’m thinking a few Madlibs.
Jun 26th, 2004
Dad
Seems little brother doesn’t want to remember the GOD (Good old Days) of his childhood. Well, as long as your alive and doing the Blog Erik it is for ’sure’ Matt’s adventures will live on….and on.
Hey, remember the time you did the magic trick for Uncle Richie and almost made Matt’s thumb disappear, by cutting it off with a pair of sissors???
Sad, but it sort was pretty funny too!
Jun 26th, 2004
girlwonder
proof that i am indeed turning into my mother - i feel compelled to say: they don’t make ‘em like they used to.
Jun 30th, 2004
Michael Wolfman
I had both the Dukes of Hazard “general Lee” Big Wheel and the Knight Rider “K.I.T.T.” big wheel between 1982-1984. I tore the heck out the General Lee version going “off-road” with it alot, so It was trashed, & some one stole the K.I.T.T. big wheel. If I could ever get “K.I.T.T.” back I’d save it as a collectable until I ever have a son
Jul 9th, 2004
Josh
Hey everyone…
Did anyone else ever flip their big wheel upside down and spin the pedals while saying, “ice cream, ice cream!” ???
hugs & kisses,
- Josh
Aug 6th, 2004
Melissa
I’m looking to buy a Knight Rider or Transformer big wheel. If anyone has one they would like to sell, please e-mail me.
My e-mail is runnergirl57@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Melissa
Sep 3rd, 2004
Mike
I too turned the Big Wheel upside down and made ice cream. I wrote an essay on the subject, but still haven’t come up with a satisfactory reason as to why! You can read it at http://www.conversari.com/conversations_5-06.htm
May 19th, 2006
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