This is an item of original merchandise from the time of the first 'Star Wars' film (now known as 'Episode Four: A New Hope'), written and directed by George Lucas. Found on Outer Rim worlds such as Tatooine, the V-35 land speeder was characterized by its angular nose, raised array of repulsor lift thrusters, and large barrel-shaped power plant. Owen and Beru Lars owned one of these land speeders, which they kept on their homestead on Tatooine.

When Luke Skywalker's beloved T-16 skyhopper wasn't functioning, his only alternative was his old brown landspeeder. Hovering aloft on a cushion of antigravity, the speeder had three thrusters for manoeuvrability and a curved windscreen for protection from Tatooine's blowing grit. To raise the credits needed to purchase passage off Tatooine, Luke was forced to sell his speeder. The popularity of the newer XP-38 models cut into the speeder's resale value, though Luke and Obi-Wan were able to negotiate 2,000 credits from the deal.

This toy comes from a group of 3000 toys that was auctioned on 8 and 9 September 2002 by Goodman's at Double Bay. The toys, nearly all officially licensed merchandise from television productions, films and comic books, were accumulated in Australia by Barry Woodley since his youth. Most have their original packaging and have never been opened.

This toy is suitable for inclusion in the proposed exhibition about television in Australians' lives. In this context it can be used to illustrate themes relating to 'Children, television and the family' and merchandising.

The Land Speeder was made in Australia by Toltoys in 1978.

The Land Speeder came from a collection of over 3000 toys accumulated by Barry Woodley of Sydney between 1980 and 2002. Woodley began collecting seriously at the age of 17. He was consistent in his approach, collecting only toy vehicles and robots licensed from television, film and other media such as comic books, that were in mint condition and in their original packaging. Woodley collected for his own pleasure and did not open the toys or play with them. The Land Speeder was sold with the rest of the Woodley collection by Goodman's auctioneers in 2002.

Toy vehicle, Land Speeder vehicle with packaging, licensed from the 'Star Wars' film, plastic / cardboard, Toltoys, Australia, 1978

The Land Speeder is made of brown plastic with gold plastic trim. The vehicles two seats are made from black plastic black, as is the gearstick which sits between them. The domed windscreen is made from clear plastic. The Land Speeder is contained with a cardboard box with a colour illustration of figures in a Land Speeder vehicle. Printed colour photographs of a child playing with the Land Speeder are on the sides of the box. The text 'Star Wars Land Speeder' is printed across the front and sides of the box.

Made: Toltoys; Australia; 1978


Owned: Barry Woodley; ; 1980 - 2002

see parts

2003/111/50

1978