Hi: Let me share with you some of my thoughts and tips about Japanese battery operated toys vehicles of the 50s and 60s.

Being a child of the 60s I had a few battery operated toys and I enjoyed them all. My favorite was the Cragstan Thunderbird with the hard top that would rise and lower back into the trunk. It had a wired remote and steering.Well, time moves on and the years has a way of making things disappear.

In the 90s ebay came along and now once again I own my childhood favorite.

 often tin toys were recycled from other items

Heres an example of a tin film canister that was used to produce the bottom for this battery operated toy

A FEW TIPS ON DATING, ACTIONS AND REPAIRS

DATING

Dating battery operated toys - ( this is only a general guideline, there are exceptions) - Since there is usually not a date on the the toy, you would date it by the country of its maker. - 50s and 60s would be Japan - 70s would be Hong Kong - 80s on up Taiwan and China - One battery compartment tin toys were made in Japan in the 1950s. Here is an example of a Greyhound Bus

ACTIONS

BUMP & GO ACTION - Toy had a spinning platform on bottom with a set of rotating wheels.When the toy hit a wall it would go in a different direction

MYSTERY BUMP & GO ACTION - Toy has a front piece that somewhat resembles a hook. It is connected to a piece that comes in contact with a center wheel.on the bottom. Operating the toy on a tabletop it had the ability to 'sense' the edge and go in a different direction.

REPAIRING

QUICK FIX REPAIRS - You may be able to bring your toy back to life with these suggestions Keep in mind: THE CREATORS OF THESE EARLY BATTERY OPERATED TOYS NEVER INTENDED FOR THEM TO BE REPAIRED. Some battery operated toys because of their design can prove difficult for the beginner to repair.

MATERIAL NEEDED - fine grade sandpaper, soldering iron, electrical contact cleaner, electrical tape and a knife or wire strippers.Know how to use these product before starting repair 

DOING THE REPAIR - Unattached wires can be heated with a soldering iron and reattached. Battery box connecting wires can spliced and soldered. Sand battery box contacts lightly , this will remove battery corrosion.Try to gain access to motor. Help the motor move and spray with electrical contact cleaner. If you have to go inside of toy be careful prying up metal tabs. Bending these tabs to many times will CAUSE THEM TO BREAK., so do the job right the first time. If you feel you may break your favorite toy by repairing it, first practice with a junk toy. Old metal toys can be sharp and rusty so be careful. Good luck