Friday, January 31, 2025

Ideal 4773-8 Zintar the Silver Explorer

4773-8 Zintar the Silver Explorer (borrowed from TheOldRobots)

Zintar the Silver Explorer was more of the intellectual of the Zeroids with a sleek body and a bit more tech ornamentation. Most examples are found in the simple gray color but at some point Ideal poured some silver metal into the pigment so there are glittery examples (they seem to be rarer than the gray version).

Zintar is in a red plastic case with a clear cover, the case is more of a frame that Zintar can push around by placing his body in the center. Its hands have spring-loaded "thumbs", that allows Zintar to hold things. As with the other two Zeroids, Zintar comes with a throwing hand with two yellow missiles and a magnetic hand. 

Packaging:

The first three Zeroids were all marketed in a window-boxed sleeve that fully exposed the case. It's taller than the case extending downward an inch and upward almost three inches (there's a cardboard insert above the case and below the box flap to add some rigidity). 

Instructions:

Ideal 4773-8 Zintar the Silver Explorer Instructions

Ideal Catalog Specifications:

(First appearance: Ideal Toy Corporation 1968 "Toys - Games - Dolls - Vinyl" Catalog Page 33)

4773-8 ZINTAR - THE SILVER EXPLORER - The back portion of this Zeroid's package becomes a dramatic lunar sled that seems to carry gripper-fisted Zintar over the terrain. With magnetic and throwing hands.
Pack per doz.: 6/12 Wgt.: 8 1⁄2 lbs.

Variations:

John's Notes:

Over time Zintar has become my favorite of the Zeroids - something about the sleek lines and symmetry that appeals to me more than the others. Zintar is often missing the two lights that are glued to the base and there's often a lot of paint wear to the black at neck and shoulders. I currently have the top half of a silver example - I just found the bottom half in decent shape to complete him. Box image above "borrowed" from TheOldRobots.

The box sleeves of the initial three are very difficult to find intact. They crush pretty easily and rip around the window area - it's common to see them in pieces. The images above are from my example, taken back in the late 90's - at some point I'll update.


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