27 January 2026
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In 1962, Mattel released the very first Barbie car, the open-topped Austin Healey 3000. This proved to be the first of a long line of vehicles driven by Barbie. But which ones were the best and most popular?
One early offering was a Mercedes Sports, not quite as well-proportioned or realistic as the Austin Healey as it seemed to include the styles from both the 190SL and the 300SL models.
Much better were the Porsche 911 of the 1900s (complete with working lights too), the Porsche Boxster which had a retracting hood and especially the 1987 Ferrari 328, possibly the most accurate of her fleet in model terms.
The Barbie Corvette
Most of all though, Barbie liked the most glamorous of all American sports cars, the Corvette. She drove many of them, carrying various names like the ‘Silver Vette’ which looked restrained – unlike the ‘Star Vette’ of 1976 which, with its gaudy decals and purple finish, looks a bit like a Hot Wheels car on steroids!
Boyfriend Ken wasn’t forgotten he got a blue ‘Dream Vette’ complete with a luggage rack and safety harness.
Did Barbie have More Than just Convertibles?
Yes, Barbie did not just drive convertibles. Although she did love herself a ‘Hot Drivin’ sports car’. Being in the fortunate position to enjoy a life of leisure, she had access to a variety of other vehicles, cleverly designed to appeal to the tastes of the target market.
Barbie had her own horse (called Dallas) and the ‘Western Barbie’ set consisted of a Jeep and horse trailer which, with a total length of nearly three feet, made up quite an impressive ensemble.
Barbie also had numerous camping cars. Though flat and boxy in appearance, the ‘Country Camper’ was brightly coloured and allowed for imaginative play through its opening panels, interior fittings, awning, folding stools and so on.
Then there was the ‘Star Traveller Motor Home’ of 1976, inspired by a GMC prototype. The enormous six-wheeler could accommodate several people and was generously supplied with interior fittings.
Modern Day Barbie Cars
More recently Barbie has found herself at the wheel of the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Fiat 500. Then when the Barbie movie launched things have come in a full circle as she found herself back behind the wheel of a Corvette.
She has also owned a pair of Ford Mustangs in recent times, alongside a Jeep Wrangler. She clearly is not picky with her type of car.
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