Home » Playmobil Didn’t Have To Go This Hard On Magnum’s Ferrari 308, But We Sure Appreciate It

Playmobil Didn’t Have To Go This Hard On Magnum’s Ferrari 308, But We Sure Appreciate It

Playmobil Magnum Ts Tigers
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Since you’re enough of a car person (and cool person) to be hip to our little website here, there’s a solid chance you’re also into some variety of car-collecting. I doff my cap–my new Autopian cap–if you’re bucks-up enough to collect actual cars. That is fantastic! But as for the rest of us pleebs, we’re talking Hot Wheels and Matchbox, Lego (sorry, LEGO®) Technics sets, die-cast models (it’s Bburago for me, cheap but good), maybe slot cars or radio-control cars … all good stuff. But have you looked at Playmobil?

The brand has been on a bit of an adult collector tear these past two years, and like LEGO (eye roll), Playmobil has leaned heavily into licensed properties. You may have already seen the very impressive Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise set, which is built just as solidly for kid-play as any other Playmobil toy but commands a healthy $500 asking price. Like I said, adult collectornot a kid in sight! Thankfully, Playmobil’s license binge includes some terrific car brands as well as TV shows and movies that feature cars in starring roles. Theses vehicles are as wonderfully rendered as James T. Kirk’s interplanetary pickup machine, but available at much lower prices (and more easily displayed sizes) .

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Screenshot 2023 07 20 At 7.45.33 Am

Ferrari308

The latest small-screen machine to get the Playmobil treatment is the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole famously driven by one Thomas Magnum, indelibly played by mustachioed hunk Tom Selleck in Magnum, P.I. (You knew this, of course. Come on, it’s Magnum.) As the brand has with previous cars such as the Volkswagens Beetle and T1 Camping Bus, Magnum’s Ferrari is much more faithfully rendered than expected for a toy, but also charmingly toy-like and rugged so you won’t shudder to let your nephew (or niece, we’re cool) give it a spin on the living room rug. Or you can play with it, you’re an adult, you can do whatever you want. Let’s check it out.

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Magnum 308 Front

You don’t need to squint to see that’s a Ferrari 308. It looks right! The proportions are a slightly cartoony to suit Playmobil’s figures, but that’s very much part of the charm. It appears Playmobil even got the number of slats over the headlights correct! Do some 308s have them in black? Don’t know. Don’t care. The wheels are wonderful too, right down to the prancing-horse center caps.
Magnum 308 Rear

Top Gear 308 Rq
TopGear.com

Whoops, looks like the toy team goofed on the signature school-bus-style taillights, omitting the red lenses and going with a full set of four ambers minus their white reverse lamps. Oh well. But the 308’s quad (dual-dual?) exhausts and louvered lower engine cover are neatly simulated. Nice!

Top Gear 308 Tails
TopGear.com

Look closely at the toy 308 and you’ll see Playmobil has also applied the Ferrari prancing horse in it its correct position, as seen here on the real thing.

Magnum 308 Opens

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Sadly, Playmobil has not released photos of the engine bay, but it does open. If Playmobil’s rendition of the SF90 Stradale ‘s engine bay is any indication, the 308 should have a nice-looking replica of an F106 AB V8 in there. And the headlights pop up! Nice!

[Editor’s Note: The headlights are no surprise; Plamobil has proven themselves to be very in tune with the desires of automotive lighting fetishists. – JT]

Magnum Included

The Ferrari 308 set not only includes Magnum, resplendent in his signature Hawaiian shirt of course, but also Higgins, T.C., and Rick. Plus walkie-talkie, binoculars, and a camera (essential P.I. stuff), a palm tree because Hawaii, and a parrot. To reenact this scene, I suppose? It’s all wonderful.

The 308 joins Playmobil’s roster of cool-car sets that includes James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 , the A-Team Van, Mini Cooper, Knight Rider’s KITT, a lovely Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Porsches including the Mission E, Carrera RS 2.7 and 911 GT3 Cup, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, Ghosbusters Ecto-1 and Exto-1A, and the Delorean time machine (sadly discontiued, but still in stores). All highly collectible, affordable (if not cheap, but they are fantastically well-constructed toys), and lots of fun.

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All Playmobil Ferrari 308 images courtesy Playmobil

 

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415s30
415s30
1 year ago

I’m from Honolulu, there is a 308 with the plate MAGNUM, it could be one the show used but I don’t know. The car from Five O is around, plate is BOOKEM,

Rafael
Rafael
1 year ago

Fun fact: as a toddler, I used to kiss the TV every time Magnum P.I. was on. My father had a moustache and was tall (at least compared to me), so I thought Tom Selleck was my dad!
My grandfather was a bit “concerned” with this (on account of being on his fifties on semi-rural Brazil of 1985), but he kept it to himself, and finally figured it out when he saw me doing the same thing when Charles Bronson was on. I guess he was flattered?
Anyway, I hope my kid do the same when he sees Anson Mount – what, a guy can dream!

Wagen Volk
Wagen Volk
1 year ago

Dustcatcher

MaximillianMeen
MaximillianMeen
1 year ago

Somebody let me know when they have the EM-50 from Stripes. Also let Mercedes know, she loves those GM Motorhomes.

Bzero
Bzero
1 year ago

OK, but tell me when they get Jeff Goldblum and his Triumph TR7 from Tenspeed and Brown Shoe

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
1 year ago

Get Higgins to call Zeus and Apollo, because this kills.

Next we need the Simon & Simon Camaro and Power Wagon combo pack. And they’d better include Mom, Marlowe and Downtown Brown!

Last edited 1 year ago by Rollin Hand
Mark
Mark
1 year ago

No deep dive into those taillights?

Did German model 308s have all amber at any point? Season 1, Magnum had 1 79 308GTS, season 2-6 were 81 308GTSi, season 7-8 were 84 308GTSi qv.

Taargus Taargus
Taargus Taargus
1 year ago

We bought the Mystery Machine for my daughter and I’ve got to say the quality of this thing is pretty darn nice. Tons of detail, and honestly pretty fun to put together. Highly recommended.

Honestly, I pretty badly want that DB5 for myself.

Maymar
Maymar
1 year ago

This seems like a good time for Mattel to dust off the tooling for Barbie’s 328, that thing was rad.

Morgan Thomas
Morgan Thomas
1 year ago

I’ve got the Playmobil GT3 Cup, which also comes with all the pit garage fittings a Porsche race team would need. Can confirm all the small details on it are very well thought out!

Geoff Tuck
Geoff Tuck
1 year ago

This is rad!! my brothers and I had heaps of Playmobil when I was a kid. During COVID I bought myself the Playmobil BTTF Delorean set, you know, because why not

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
1 year ago
Reply to  Geoff Tuck

I had tons, and now my kids play with them. My son turns three in September and I am so excited to have a reason to buy this.

LTDScott
LTDScott
1 year ago

This is rad, however a Chevy Express based Mystery Machine is offensive.

Taargus Taargus
Taargus Taargus
1 year ago
Reply to  LTDScott

Haha, I’ll admit it sort of sucks that it isn’t a cabover design.

Dodsworth
Dodsworth
1 year ago

I’m glad the Magnum figure isn’t wearing the shorty shorts. Shudder. FWIW, Archer does an amazing Magnum intro parody.

MaximillianMeen
MaximillianMeen
1 year ago

If Playmobil made a Miami Vice set with the original Fauxrrari Daytona, would they have to get a license from Ferrari?

Jason Smith
Jason Smith
1 year ago

I so hope they make that!

MaximillianMeen
MaximillianMeen
1 year ago

The A-Team set has a tool kit AND an acetylene torch!!!

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
1 year ago

I love it when a plan comes together!

Data
Data
1 year ago

Jonathan Quayle Higgins III: [angrily] Oh, my God, Magnum!

I am so in for this. I was to cheap to shell out the $500 for the U.S.S. chunkyprise NCC-1701 no bloody A, B, C, or D.

I gave my son the Mystery Machine as a present a few years back. I assume the lack of Shaggy and Scooby was to push other Scooby sets Playmobil offered. I also gave him the BTTF Delorean and the animated series on DVD (I assume both ended up collecting dust in the back of his closet).

Jason Smith
Jason Smith
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Unfortunately, you’re spot-on with the Shaggy and Scooby thing. When I got the MM for my son, of course I had to get the Scooby and Shaggy w/bad guy in ghost costume figure set. Fortunately it wasn’t very expensive but still…

Israel Moore
Israel Moore
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason Smith

The Playmobil set I purchased from Walmart did have the Shaggy, Scooby and ghost figures included with the van. It must have been one of those Walmart exclusives deals.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago

I get they’re going for A-list shows most people remember, but tell me a Coyote X with McCormick in his racer jacket and the judge with a baseball cap wouldn’t be the coolest?

Data
Data
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

Drive! Push it to the floor till the engine screams.

Yes I would be there for an H&M Coyote X too.

And while we’re at it, a Fall Guy truck and throw in Airwolf for good measure. I may not have shelled out the $500 for Star Trek (irregardless of my name), but I may well do it for Airwolf.

Last edited 1 year ago by Data
Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Oh that just wins – I haven’t thought about Fall Guy for ages! I’m not a truck guy at all, but it was a lifted GMC, right?

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

More than a lifted GMC: a BROWN and GOLD lifted GMC.

One of the greatest theme songs ever too.

https://youtu.be/iNizcrfnQ4E

“Well I never spent much time in school
But I’ve taught ladies plenty
It’s true I hire my body out for pay…a-HEY-HEY!”

TOSSABL
TOSSABL
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Even further back—I’d like a Starsky & Hutch Torino

LTDScott
LTDScott
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Thanks a lot for that ear worm.

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

Just make sure it’s the season 1 Cody Couote, and not the monstrosity they made for Season 2.

Plus, combo pack it with the “D JUDGE” Corvette.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago
Reply to  Rollin Hand

I now also want a Gold Firebird Esprit that comes with Jim in a checkered sport coat, Rocky wearing that beat up hat, and Angel in a red polo shirt.

Israel Moore
Israel Moore
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

FWIW, I have most of what everyone listed in my collection that I purchased back in the 1980s. All are 1/64 scale of course.
*H&M Coyote-Ertl
*Fall Guy GMC-Ertl
*Airwolf Helicopter-Ertl
*Simon & Simon Camaro and ’57 Chevy-Ertl
*Starsky & Hutch Torino-Corgi & Corgi Jr. Both large and small)
Magnum PI Ferrari-Matchbox
A-Team GMC Van and Chevy Corvette-Ertl
Knight Rider KITT-Ertl

You can still get them on Evilbay-if you’re willing to pony up the cash. They aren’t cheap!

MATTinMKE
MATTinMKE
1 year ago

Why is there no Shaggy & Scooby with the Mystery Machine?

Col Lingus
Col Lingus
1 year ago
Reply to  MATTinMKE

Some sort of incident with Velma is word in the hood.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
1 year ago
Reply to  MATTinMKE

It’s a mystery.

Cheap Bastard
Cheap Bastard
1 year ago
Reply to  MATTinMKE

Too many “Scooby snacks”.

Last edited 1 year ago by Cheap Bastard
Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
1 year ago
Reply to  Cheap Bastard

“Aw Scoob, we spaced on Fred picking us up!”

“Ruh-roh!”

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago

Aside from making them all look very European, Playmobil got the character’s outfits right too – Magnum sure, but TC’s advertising T and suspenders combo, Rick’s ’80s white on blue dress shirt, and of course Higgins’ the sun never set on the empire safari getup are all spot-on.

Peanut
Peanut
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

I was expecting Magnum to have short shorts, not pants.

Adrian Clarke
Adrian Clarke
1 year ago

I have both the James Bond DB5, and the Delorean, with additional Doc and Marty from 1955 figures. Who wants to touch me.

Dsa Lkjh
Dsa Lkjh
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

Well that takes the shine off my Lego Countach.

Gene1969
Gene1969
1 year ago
Reply to  Dsa Lkjh

You could get both and do a minor Cannonball Run moment.

Adrian Clarke
Adrian Clarke
1 year ago
Reply to  Dsa Lkjh

I have that and the Ferrari 512. Splendid models, far better than this year’s Speed Champions.

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

TFW your playmobil Ferrari is more reliable than your real one

AssMatt
AssMatt
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

Too bad nobody cool ever drove a Mondial QV; Bburago didn’t even make one!

Adrian Clarke
Adrian Clarke
1 year ago
Reply to  AssMatt

AFAIK no-one makes one.

AssMatt
AssMatt
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

My wife got me a little 1:43 scale version–it’s a cab, so good, but it’s the wrong color interior and the proportions just look…wrong. Better than nothing for the desk at work prompting a curious colleague to question.

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

PCX87 makes a nice 87th scale Mondial, but I think it’s a Mondial 8. I have two.
https://fmb-shop.de/shop/en/20473/870140-pcx87-ferrari-mondial-2-2-1980-rot

Data
Data
1 year ago
Reply to  AssMatt

Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) drove one in Weird Science, so that’s reasonably cool.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

And Wyatt the Porsche 928. John Hughes did more than a library reading room full of C&D magazines to introduce my generation to European sports cars.

AssMatt
AssMatt
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Weird + Science = NERDS, the anti-cool!
Also Madonna was ferried in one in the Material Girl video, plus there was a quick pan-Italian montage in something with RDJ and Marissa Tomei whose name escapes me…but ain’t nobody making little red homages to that movie!

Bracq P
Bracq P
1 year ago
Reply to  Data

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Steve Martin
Scent of a women -Al Pacino
Vegas Vacation – Christie Brinkley

to name a few 😉

Arrest-me Red
Arrest-me Red
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

Will you have the pasties on?

Adrian Clarke
Adrian Clarke
1 year ago
Reply to  Arrest-me Red

AGAIN WITH THE FUCKING PASTIES.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

See, it’s fairly hard to tell if you’re still under the weather or back to your usual self. 😉

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
1 year ago
Reply to  Adrian Clarke

They need to do a Saint with the Volvo P1800.

Chronometric
Chronometric
1 year ago

Magnum’s Old English D stood for Detroit Tigers.
What does a Times New Roman D stand for?

Last edited 1 year ago by Chronometric
Gene1969
Gene1969
1 year ago
Reply to  Chronometric

It means no copyright infringement and more profit. 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by Gene1969
Joey Trimyer`
Joey Trimyer`
1 year ago

Now, they need to add TC’s helicopter and I’m in.

Israel Moore
Israel Moore
1 year ago
Reply to  Joey Trimyer`

And his Island Hoppers VW Vanagon.

Hot Wheels did one in 2008. I have one.

Arrest-me Red
Arrest-me Red
1 year ago

Excellent, add Zeus and Apollo to chase Magnum and it would be perfection.

Bonus points for the Magnum figure not able to sit correctly in the car due to it’s height.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 year ago
Reply to  Arrest-me Red

And for the deep cut, an end of production bonus pack containing naval officer Magnum and daughter Lily in her sailor outfit.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
1 year ago

Cool, Playmobil also does a decent VW Beetle and some sort of BMW motorcycles

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