Back when I was still single, I discovered Homies figures in a vending machine at the grocery store. Every time I went out for a grocery run, I would reward myself with a new figure or two. Years later, after he was old enough to not try to eat them, my son inherited my collection of figures. The characters were created by California cartoonist David Gonzalez, whose comic strip “Hollywood” appeared in Lowrider Magazine. According to the official website, “the Homies are a group of tightly knit Chicano buddies who have grown up in the Mexican American barrio (neighborhood) of “Quien Sabe”, (who knows) located in East Los Angeles.”
These Homie Rollerz were released by Jada Toys in 2004. I thought I had all of the 1/64th cars, but the JadaClub website shows other color variations and castings that might have been part of the same or a later release.
2004 Homie Rollerz | 1987 Buick Regal | black | with Eightball & Laughing Boy
2004 Homie Rollerz | ’59 Chevy Impala | copper | with Cruzer & Gordo
2004 Homie Rollerz | ’58 Chevy Impala | white | with Chuco & Angel
2004 Homie Rollerz | ’65 Chevy Impala | red | with Buddha & Droopy
2004 Homie Rollerz | ’64 Chevy Impala | blue | with Ice Block & Gato
2004 Homie Rollerz | ’63 Chevy Impala | orange | with Melon & Nightowl
I try to stay away from 1/24th scale cars (for lack of space), but I couldn’t resist this ’47 Chevy Fleetline which came with four Homie figures. It’s got an opening hood and doors and I like that it has the old-style car cooler in the passenger side window.
2004 Homie Rollers | ’47 Chevy Crestline | metallic green and black | with Hollywood & Gata, Silk and Mija
When my wife and I got married, these two Homies were our cake topper.
And finally, here’s a variation on the theme. Homie Hoppers are 1/25th scale remote control (plastic, not die cast – made by Lindberg) models with “hopping’ action.” Prior to today, this ’64 Impala had never been taken out of the box, but my son is right now practicing his hops.
The Race Case Chevy 