Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
- Scotty
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Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
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Well, it's been a pretty quiet day, so here's another tidbit of Funko history - the Vegas Freddy and Funko Fundays 2.
Vegas Freddy made his debut at the 2nd Funko Fundays in 2003. There are 192 Vegas Freddys with eight different colored gems/belt buckles, and depending on who you talk to, there is not an even 24 of each gem color. According to Mike Paquin (aka That Toy Guy), Mike Becker decided to glue on the gems just before the event. They literally pulled random colors from a bag and applied them. Little did they realize at the time that they were creating accidental variants. The colors of the gems are: dark blue, clear, red, green, light blue, pink, purple, and yellow.
Fundays 2 was held on Oct. 4th, 2003 at The Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Vegas Freddy's were randomly inserted into Boxes of Fun. His base reads "2003 FUNKO FUNDAYS," and his cape reads "HAVIN' A CLAMBAKE." The box is the special "FFD2" Las Vegas box which was also used for other special edition Wobblers given away at the event, such as the GITD Yummy Mummy (also LE 192) and the LE 48 GITD Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Everyone in attendance received a Box of Fun, but they weren't allowed to open them until Mike said so (that had to be a bit of a stressor). In each BOF was a Vegas Freddy, a GITD Yummy Mummy, a Vegas pin set, some little toys and candy. Each BOF also had a raffle ticket or a gold coin. If you were lucky enough to get a gold coin, you got to trade it for a GITD Casper. The raffle tickets were for drawings of other prizes.
[NOTE]
When I first wrote this post, I originally stated that Vegas Freddy was "a play on Elvis during the Vegas years." But I forgot that the Vegas Freddy body uses the Evel Knievel Wobbler body mold. There was some discussion back in the day about who Vegas Freddy was modeled after and I never saw anything definitive. Vegas was a big deal in both these guys lives. Elvis played Vegas from 1969-1977. Evel attempted to jump the fountain at Caesar's Place in Las Vegas on his Harley in 1967--he didn't make it and broke almost every bone in his body. The paint job isn't definitive as it doesn't truly resemble either Elvis's or Evel's costume. So who knows? Mike Becker probably does, so if anyone sees him, ask him and tell us what he says.
Of course, I have my opinion. I'm going with Elvis. The gem more resembles Elvis's glittery belt buckles and, don't forget, on the back of the cape it says "Havin' a Clambake." Clambake is the name of a movie and a song Elvis made in 1967.
What do you old timers think?
Freddy has left the building!!
Well, it's been a pretty quiet day, so here's another tidbit of Funko history - the Vegas Freddy and Funko Fundays 2.
Vegas Freddy made his debut at the 2nd Funko Fundays in 2003. There are 192 Vegas Freddys with eight different colored gems/belt buckles, and depending on who you talk to, there is not an even 24 of each gem color. According to Mike Paquin (aka That Toy Guy), Mike Becker decided to glue on the gems just before the event. They literally pulled random colors from a bag and applied them. Little did they realize at the time that they were creating accidental variants. The colors of the gems are: dark blue, clear, red, green, light blue, pink, purple, and yellow.
Fundays 2 was held on Oct. 4th, 2003 at The Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Vegas Freddy's were randomly inserted into Boxes of Fun. His base reads "2003 FUNKO FUNDAYS," and his cape reads "HAVIN' A CLAMBAKE." The box is the special "FFD2" Las Vegas box which was also used for other special edition Wobblers given away at the event, such as the GITD Yummy Mummy (also LE 192) and the LE 48 GITD Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Everyone in attendance received a Box of Fun, but they weren't allowed to open them until Mike said so (that had to be a bit of a stressor). In each BOF was a Vegas Freddy, a GITD Yummy Mummy, a Vegas pin set, some little toys and candy. Each BOF also had a raffle ticket or a gold coin. If you were lucky enough to get a gold coin, you got to trade it for a GITD Casper. The raffle tickets were for drawings of other prizes.
[NOTE]
When I first wrote this post, I originally stated that Vegas Freddy was "a play on Elvis during the Vegas years." But I forgot that the Vegas Freddy body uses the Evel Knievel Wobbler body mold. There was some discussion back in the day about who Vegas Freddy was modeled after and I never saw anything definitive. Vegas was a big deal in both these guys lives. Elvis played Vegas from 1969-1977. Evel attempted to jump the fountain at Caesar's Place in Las Vegas on his Harley in 1967--he didn't make it and broke almost every bone in his body. The paint job isn't definitive as it doesn't truly resemble either Elvis's or Evel's costume. So who knows? Mike Becker probably does, so if anyone sees him, ask him and tell us what he says.
Of course, I have my opinion. I'm going with Elvis. The gem more resembles Elvis's glittery belt buckles and, don't forget, on the back of the cape it says "Havin' a Clambake." Clambake is the name of a movie and a song Elvis made in 1967.
What do you old timers think?
Freddy has left the building!!
Last edited by Scotty on Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:14 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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- mongoose12
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Crazy cool history right here, always appreciate when you and others share.
- lazcommalisa
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Oooo I had no idea about the gems and the creation of accidental variants. Mike asking people to wait to open their BOF is also so stressful but definitely a fun surprise. As always, thank you so much for sharing such cool pieces of Funko History
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Awesome post, thank you for posting this
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
I love learning more about the history of Funko. Thank you for this great history lesson
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Amazing history. Love reading these posts and thanks for the history!
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Thank you for the story
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
I heard pieces of this story but never er the entire story. Now you got me wondering. I always thought it was Elvis. I'll have to ask if I see him. Thanks for the history lesson.
- Scotty
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
TJLAUTERBACH wrote:I heard pieces of this story but never er the entire story. Now you got me wondering. I always thought it was Elvis. I'll have to ask if I see him. Thanks for the history lesson.
I just assumed it was Elvis too. It's just way more Elvis-esque than Evel-esque, at least to me. I think the discussion back in the day was because Mike used the Evel Wobbler body, so it makes sense to draw a different conclusion. They both did wear white coverall-outfits with capes.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Thank you for the history on this Freddy. I think Elvis when I see it as well. Maybe we can get some clarification at SDCC.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Another great choice to feature Scotty!! Love these and I’ve always referred to them as Elvis Freddy’s too
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Somehow missed this with all the SDCC/Fundays hullabaloo the past few weeks.
Thanks again for sharing these, Scotty! Reading your posts really makes me go down memory lane.
Thanks again for sharing these, Scotty! Reading your posts really makes me go down memory lane.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
The story about the gems is so interesting. Thanks for sharing, Scotty!
I missed out on one of these years ago on Ebay that had a couple signatures on it. It still hurts!
I missed out on one of these years ago on Ebay that had a couple signatures on it. It still hurts!
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
MasterSplyntr wrote:The story about the gems is so interesting. Thanks for sharing, Scotty!
I missed out on one of these years ago on Ebay that had a couple signatures on it. It still hurts!
I hear ya.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
any info on the big top clown freddy LE count?
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
funko history & stories is what makes funko...fun!
tysm for sharing ive stated before, i wish so so sooo much for fundays to return to vegas just once more if possible!
me and freddy can roll the dice !
tysm for sharing ive stated before, i wish so so sooo much for fundays to return to vegas just once more if possible!
me and freddy can roll the dice !
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
funkopants777 wrote:funko history & stories is what makes funko...fun!
tysm for sharing ive stated before, i wish so so sooo much for fundays to return to vegas just once more if possible!
me and freddy can roll the dice !
You and Freddy can also puke and rally
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Thank you for posting this! Makes me think to back to what I was doing back in 2003. While I don't collect Wobblers (limited space as it is), I can appreciate the history and seeing collectibles from the pre-POP! days. Hope Fundays (or a different Funko event) makes it way back to Vegas.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
aprilyoufools wrote:funkopants777 wrote:funko history & stories is what makes funko...fun!
tysm for sharing ive stated before, i wish so so sooo much for fundays to return to vegas just once more if possible!
me and freddy can roll the dice !
You and Freddy can also puke and rally
omg LOL yes !!!
this comment is so perfect haha
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
themrj00 wrote:any info on the big top clown freddy LE count?
I was going to do another History thread for your question, but I have a pic that pretty much sums it up. From Lee's Toy Review issue #149, March 2005:
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
So much history and hidden stories/memories that are always great to learn about and listen to. Wish i was around to experience all this
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
That’s some cool history right there. Didn’t know the gems was an accidental variant sort of thing. Always enjoy reading these types of posts!
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Wow great story. Thank you sharing with us that amazing piece of Funko History. It doesn’t get more authentic then this. I’ll have to ask Mike though about that Elvis/Evel story next time I see him. I’ll share his answer here though.
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
I love imagining the wildness of colelcting all the gems when little did people know it was random like you said
Thanks always for the history Scotty!
Ooooo and that flyer for the Big Top Freddy! Haha phone order! Awesome!
Thanks always for the history Scotty!
Ooooo and that flyer for the Big Top Freddy! Haha phone order! Awesome!
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Scotty wrote:themrj00 wrote:any info on the big top clown freddy LE count?
I was going to do another History thread for your question, but I have a pic that pretty much sums it up. From Lee's Toy Review issue #149, March 2005:
That really takes me back... I used to write the articles for Lee's Toy Review for the Funko Wobbler section back then!
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Re: Funko History: Vegas Freddy and FFD2
Thank you for posting this Scotty, a nice history lesson for sure!! I am thankful to own the Vegas Freddy and it's one of my favorites!!
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