The zippiest, funnest model cars in existence had to be SSP Racers; it was all in the name, Super Sonic Powered. The cars got their boost of speed from a zip cord pulled through a slot in the chassis that made the wheels spin like the dickens.

They were introduced in the early 70s and came in an endless variety of real car models, like Formula 1 racecars, Volkswagen Beetles, Corvettes and El Caminos. After every kid got one or more SSP Racer for Christmas, the neighborhood streets--not to mention parking lots, school grounds and shopping mall corners--were filled with racers competing for fame and glory.

The acknowledge king among Racers was the Laker Special that outperformed most other models. It also helped if you didn't have spindly, pre-pubescent arms that pulled the zip cord with all the power of a wet noodle: older kids definitely had the advantage over younger ones.

Combining speed with demolition derby, Kenner introduced Smash-Up Derby that featured ramps, tracks and obstacles that put your Racers through hell. The spectacular collisions would send specially-designed breakaway parts flying in every direction. The Derby wasn't the only kit for SSP Racers. Fans of pure speed could prove their car's fitness on the Time Trial Set that set up drag races with a starter light and timing clock. There were also Tune-Up kits that let you fiddle with your hot rods, transforming them into sleek, chromed-out beauties.

SSP Racers were popular throughout the 70s but no toy can stay on top forever. Still, the use of zip cords was too cool a device to disappear completely and other companies released their own zip-fueled vehicles, like Tomy with their Tron Light Cycles. To this day, nothing compares with the feel and sound of pulling that zip cord good and hard--provided you didn't catch your tender young fingers in the zipper. Ouch.