little tikes 630750M Coupe Vehicles, Pink

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We painted the roof, the key ignition, the fuel cap, the steering wheel and the wheel centers with gloss white spray paint. Whilst they were drying, we taped around the car seat and sprayed that gloss white. We waited a day before doing any more to ensure it was dry. The little red car with the yellow roof that is propelled by foot power has been a hit with young children since its creation in 1979. Inventor Jim Mariol, who was granted a design patent for a “Toy Automobile” in 1982, was inspired to create the toy as he scooted around on his office chair one day. It was an “eureka” moment for the former automobile designer, who realized almost immediately that his functional yet fun car would be ideal for kids 18 months and older to scamper around in.

In addition to the car and train, which was marketed in the 1980s, Mariol received patents for other popular toys he designed, including folding dollhouses with handles for carrying, activity sets, sand and water tables and the ever-popular Party Kitchen where little ones could practice their cooking skills. Old fashioned elbow grease, a couple of trips to Bunnings and a clever mum and dad have turned a bargain secondhand buy into a little girl’s dream first birthday present. Kirsty and Caleb Northwood spent months planning their daughter’s special gift, after falling in love with the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe car.Kirsty says her daughter Willow adored her surprise new wheels. “Our little girl absolutely loved her little car! We helped her in and she was grinning from ear to ear. She beeped the horn and turned the steering wheel, pretending to drive the car. Needless to say she did not want to get out!”

Mariol eventually retired after a long career and died earlier this year at age 89. Family, friends and admirers gathered for his funeral and to celebrate his life in January. The inventor was given a final honor for his big sendoff.Over the years, Cozy Coupe has been recognized as one of the most successful cars manufactured in the United States. In 2009, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Cleveland, which houses historically significant cars, airplanes and bicycles, acquired an original 1979 Cozy Coupe as well as a 30th anniversary edition for its collection. That was one of Jim Mariol’s proudest moments. Months before our little girl’s first birthday, my husband and I were discussing what we could get her that would be special, sentimental and something personal just from us,” Kirsty, a member of Mum’s Grapevine Baby Facebook Groups, explained. “We both loved the Little Tikes cars so we decided to revamp one to make it our own!” How to makeover a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe