Cars and Maglites just seem to go together like peas and carrots. I've written a few posts about automotive themed Maglites before that include:
Hummers
Ferraris
Chevy Trucks
NASCAR
and even a guide to mounting Maglites in a JK Jeep Wrangler
There have been many many automotive logo'd lights made on special orders over the years but not many were in sizable quantities and not many were offered by the vehicle manufacturers directly. Most were ordered through Mag's standard custom orders department by local dealers or service shops. I specifically try to collect lights that are "official" ones done by large manufacturers as a joint venture with Maglite rather than the small volume ones ordered through Mag's regular custom sales.
I have another couple of cool lights that I recently received, this time they are Toyota lights and they were sold very briefly in 1997 through Toyota dealers nationwide and by Toyota at various trade shows, conventions, and sporting events. They are both screen printed 3Ds without the knurling grip. It's a shame Mag didn't make more lights this design after the mid 90s as they are very colorful and look very sleek.
The first is a TRD, Toyota Racing Development, light. TRD is Toyota's performance division similar to M for BMW, AMG for Mercedes, or SVT for Ford. The light is black, red and silver. It reads TRD on one side and Toyota Motorsports on the other. What's interesting is that the light on the chipboard box also matches the light. All other lights I've seen just have a black light on the chipboard box. Mine even came with a sticker from the dealer it was sold at in Virginia as can be seen in the photo below. $49.95 in 1997 is nearly $100 today and more than twice the price of a standard 3D Maglite at the time so it's no wonder why these lights didn't sell well and are rare today. I heard these lights are shown in TRD parts catalogs from that era but I can't seem to locate one. If you have a catalog from around this time please feel free to contact me. My info is at the right.
This light very closely follows the color scheme of the Toyota trophy truck of the mid 90s driven by Ivan "Ironman" Stewart. Stewart saw many wins in the 90s and I imagine this light was done to promote the TRD line of performance parts as well as celebrate Stewart's wins. These TRD lights were also produced in an AA Mini Maglite version although I don't currently own one.
The second light is a Toyota Motorsports light done in a similar pattern to the Flag-Lites. I'll have to do a Flag-Lite post in the future but they are basically a patriotic version of the 3D and AA Mini Maglites. They are still made today in LED models and are not very rare. This Toyota one is identical to those except with the addition of "Toyota Motorsports" at the end as shown below. This was likely done as Toyota expanded their U.S. manufacturing with the addition of a plant in West Virginia and one in Indiana in 1996. These lights may have been sold at dealers but I hear about them more commonly being sold or given away at sporting events, trade shows, and conventions. Mine is brand new but didn't come with a box and unfortunately the owner didn't have a back story. If you do my e-mail address is at the right and I'd appreciate any info.
Both lights are 18,000,000 serials which puts them right at 1997 or 1998. Neither light comes up for sale very often but they aren't exactly big ticket items for collectors either. They are much rarer than the NASCAR lights but still sell for around the same price of $20 to $60 in good condition. Shown below are a few more pics of the lights as well as a picture of my automotive themed Maglites. Most are from dealers and service centers especially the AA Mini Maglites.
As always I'm looking to buy Vari-Beams and Vintage/Rare Mags. Please let me know if you have any, top dollar paid.
