If you love Barbie and cars, you may have owned a few Barbie vehicles. It turns out, Barbie is quite the car collector herself! Let’s take a look at some of the most beloved cars Barbie has driven over the years:
Austin-Healey 3000 MKII
Barbie’s first car was a British Austin-Healey that came in six color combinations. The roadster, introduced in 1962, features a lowered rear end and a front end with a silver grille. The same year, Barbie also drove a Mercedes Benz 190SL, although the Healey is a bit more popular with collectors today.
Barbie’s Country Camper
1970 brought new adventures for Barbie and friends, including outdoor activities in the Country Camper. This boxy vehicle comes with a pop-out tent, picnic items, sleeping bags, and a camper kitchen. You could also buy a motorbike that was sold separately (although it’s more similar in appearance to a modern ATV).
The Chevrolette Corvette or Star Corvette
This 1976 car featured a sleek, low-to-the-ground profile and a pink/purple exterior (in the US market). It was described as “the dream machine for Barbie and her friends,” and even today, many collectors still dream of this car. But they can only find one on resale platforms, as the manufacturer no longer produces them.
The Ferrari 328 GTS
In 1987, Barbie upgraded to a “Red Hot Barbie Ferrari” complete with the Ferrari logo and star-shaped hubcaps. The two-seater was perfect for picking up Ken, who had to ride shotgun while Barbie drove (at least in the commercials). No word on how Barbie keeps her hair looking perfect with all these convertibles!
The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Barbie scored her first Porsche in 1991, with a hot-pink-and-white German sports car – yes, another convertible. This one even has working headlights and a Barbie vanity plate on the front.
The Volkswagen New Beetle
The oughts ushered in a Volkswagen marketing plan to reintroduce the Beetles that had been so popular in the 70s with new modern twists. One tie-in was for Barbie to drive a “slugbug” in 2000. This car had a top, but with a sunroof – perfect for a doll who loves riding with the top down. It also came with flower stickers and was available in several colors.
Cali Girl Chevrolet SSR
One of the more unusual cars on the list, the Cali Girl SSR is actually a pickup, although it ends up looking more like a convertible with a large trunk. Oh, that trunk? It holds a CD player – a (removable) life-size one that actually plays CDs. Inside the original box was a CD called “Cali Girl Volume 1” featuring 6 songs, including Sugar Ray’s “Under the Sun” and the B-52s’ “Roam.” Which is your favorite Barbie car? What car would you like to see Barbie drive in the future? To see more great looks from Barbie and classic cars, check out the MDCT Vault Museum, which contains the largest vintage Barbie exhibition in the world. For more info or to schedule a visit at our Los Angeles museum, please contact info@mdctvault.com.
