OK, this is just kuh-razy. This past week I posted a blog about my vintage 3 3/4″ mini-collections. In the last paragraph I alluded to the fact that I continually hunt for the rare LJN Magnum P.I. Ferrari and action figure. Its been a white whale of mine for a while. You know, one of those items you have a saved search for on eBay that you check religiously every morning when you get to work. After you make your coffee. Actually, this is a two-saved search item: “Magnum PI” and “Magnum P.I.” Yeah, it makes a difference.
Last night some close friends surprised me with a little birthday party. Afterwards, my girlfriend, Professor Pretticute, gave me a couple presents. As I began to take the tissue paper out of the last gift bag I noticed her getting her phone out to take a picture. Apparently she was anticipating a reaction of some sort. Well, there was a reaction all right. If peeing your pants can be considered a reaction!
Yeah, you guessed it…
I was speechless. I almost couldn’t believe what I was holding. But I’ve since slept and woken up and its still here, so I’m pretty sure its real. So, not only is it Magnum and his Ferrari but with the original package. Its beat up, but the figure and car are mint. Wow, just look at those rims!
If I had the energy right now I’d add a wish list of additional Magnum P.I. characters that would have been cool additions. Higgins (with Dobermans), T.C., Rick (I suppose), and a variant Magnum with the snorkel mask and lady in bikini.
Instead, I’ll just close with a note to my lady … thank you so much for this epic gift. You blew my mind. The respect you’ve earned within the hallowed halls of geekdom is infinite. 143.
Nicely done Ms. Pretticute. Take a bow!
As someone who’s ladyfriend also surprised him with a white whale (a carded MIP Super Powers Cyborg) I know what it feels like to be blindsided by that kind of love.
Thanks J.Marx..
I appreciate your help searching for it. Abby knows the way to her mans heart and is an inspiration to girlfriends everywhere.
Oh my. I am so jealous. That there is probably my most wanted vintage toy. Amazing.
Killer present and story! She’s a keeper!
Woo Hoo! Believe me, this was not easy to find and I’m sure your friends were tired of me emailing them daily with frustrated comments like “What do you mean you havent found it yet?? And you call yourself a ‘nerd’ … pshhh”
Finally found this mother on Monday and had it in hand by Thursday. I felt like my stomach was going to exit through my throat i was so excited.
Finding Thomas was the least I could do for the boy who got me my “white whale”for Christmas.. my beautiful, dream date of a coffee table, vintage perfection, known as THE Noguchi Table…. My precious.
You collect toys.. how could you not have this?? just didnt seem fair. But now, all is right in the toy universe.. the stars have aligned and this white whale has made its way to its true owner. Namaste.
My mom, btw, would probably have to change her undies if she saw this bad boy. She’s been a long time (since the early 70′s at least)fan of the mustachioed gentlemen and T. Magnum P.I. (or PI, depending on how you search your eBay) is king. Never show this to her.
You are the greatest and totally deserve the best 3 3/4″ action figures money can buy.
I agree with Chip.. i’m totally a keeper.
XO
The Noguchi coffe table?! I have that table!!! It is a beautiful piece of design, awesome item. My compliments!!!!
Holy Early Birthday, Batman!!!!! Danny Boy… when I say that the Toy Gods have blessed you, I should add the Goddesses as well. For the good Professor is equally a diamond in the rough as is the LJN Magnum P.I. & Ferrari set. Namaste, indeed! You are One Lucky Man, my friend.
Wow. Awesome. You better marry that woman.
This is beyond awesome! Very, very well played, Prof.
Way to go. This is a toy that has eluded me for a while as well. I’m always a person with a very positive outlook on all things. This isn’t one of them. This story does make me feel good, but does make me realize there is one less out there on the market. I would love to know where this was found. Antique store, dealer, ebay, or did it fall out of a toy singularity and into your ladies lap? Enjoy it and for crying out loud open that thing up and let Tommy free. At least take a pic of him with SP Wonder woman in the passenger seat with them both looking over their left shoulders at the camera. I know that’s the FIRST thing I would do. That would at the very least be a sign to me that dreams do come true.
The age old question.. “where did Magnum PI come from”?
Actually, his existence is evidence of the first miracle ever. You see, he didn’t fall into my lap rather he was born from my lap. Immaculate conception! While it was a painful birth, IMHO, it was well worth it
Oh, the truth is, I found it on ebay
Just killer! Namaste indeed. Congrats Dan, & make sure to RIP that baby open! ; P
I’d settle for a snuggle.. No need to rip me open.
Hehehehehe!
OOOHHHH….please say that this wonderful figure/playset/vehicle is not going to be opened!!!!! As a MOC collector, I find the thought of opening a great carded (I know it’s a little beat up, but for goodness sake, how old is it?) sample HORRIFYING!!!!!!!!! I know it’s your toy, and I won’t stop you, but please think before you open (you probably already opened it, didn’t you?). Well, either way, thanks for the great post and info about a toy I never knew exsisted!!!! It was definitely cool to see and read about it!!
She’s a keeper! Congrats, Dan!
What a great gift! I’ve never had any white whale presents, but that’s mostly my own fault since I’m too quick with ebay. On a side note, did you know that you can combine your duplicate searches like this: (“Magnum P.I.”,”Magnum PI”).. the comma counts as an “OR” function. I’m one of those obsessive collectors who has his Saved Searches maxed out (seriously.. 100 is pretty limiting
), so this trick has been invaluable for me. Now I need to find a trick to get my searches to show up in two separate categories.. ie.. Collectibles AND Toys & Hobbbies, without all the other categories cluttering up the space. When I discover it i’ll share 
oof. 143, I know from whence it came. Teenybopper.
Wow, thanks for all the cool comments and tips, friends! Good stuff.
I have been known to open vintage toys. Kind’uv addressed it back in this blog:
http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/blog/cantinadan/vintage-guilt-the-blog/
But this is in a different category. So, here’s the deal … I’ve looked the package over very closely. The tape on both sides has already been slit (or has just broken due to age). I do NOT think the Ferrari and figure have ever been taken out, however. I looked closely at as many photos I could find of what the “twisty ties” that are holding them in look like, and I’m quite sure mine are original. For an item like this, I’m not exactly sure what “opening” means. If I was the one who had to slit the tape I don’t think I’d be able to do it. But that part of the packaging has already been compromised…
To paraphrase Spartacus, “Grab hold of rooster and be a man!”
Open that white whale up!
OPEN IT!!!!!!!!!!!
(Magnum would open it)
you have one cool lovely lady Dan to go through all that trouble to get you your white whale . she is a true goddess of girlfriends to go all out for her love. espically since it proably cost the lovely prof pretticut a near mint to win it on ebay this just proves that love knows no bounds even when it comes to toy collecting
Awesome gift there.
And since no one else seems to have said it yet …
Welcome to the club Pretticute
thank you =)
Marry. Her. Now.
Thanks y’all. D- don’t panic.. Not expecting a marriage proposal… Do you know how many little plastic people you can buy for the cost of a wedding? Although, if we could register for toys, I believe you’d consider it
XO
I tried that with my wife before we got married– the most she would let me add to the register was a few video games and some DVD sets….
Maybe its me, but nothing says “Happy Birthday!” like Victoria’s Secret attire. :/
Brava,Professor! What an awesome find- and it’s appreciated, too, in public no less. I imagine that makes all the hunting more than worth it.
As for the wedding- when the time comes, you *can* put together a really nice day for not very much. As long as the two of you are committing to the goal of seeing it through, you’ll still enjoy (and cherish) the day in its simplicity.
Then your budget for basics and toys won’t be shot for the next five years.
(first time poster, hello)
What are these figures worth I recently came across just the Magnum PI figure at a flea market now I am going back to find the car. any help would be greatly appreciated.
Holy cats!! I know I’m kinda late to this party, but WOW! I’ll add my voice to the throng, what a gift, what a woman, what a specimen! Speaking as someone that has searched for a semi-mythical ‘Magnum P.I.’ detective set from the UK (I SWEAR this thing exists, though I can find no evidence of the item that eluded me in an ebay auction way back in 1999. Came with a gun, ring, ID set, etc, in a big box. Hey! Maybe I can get the Professor on the case? Is she freelance??
). I definitely HAVE found this LJN set before, and the figure on it’s own MOC, but the price has eluded me more than the item! Though I DID find a loose car and figure last year, in pretty good shape, and for less than 100 bones. It’s cool, and Thomas stands proudly in my case with Indiana Jones, the part he was inches away from, but MAN, nothing’s as super cool as that beautiful boxed toy. Congrats, my friend, on such a beautiful toy and such a wonderful partner!
Yep.. Definitely free lance.
Oh, and as long as we’re making all of our love for Thomas and his cohorts public, I should add that when I was around 12 I got a pet cockatiel. He was kind of uptight and aloof, so we named him Higgins. I loved that bird.