(1986) Funtime Barbie
BOX DATE: 1986
MANUFACTURER: Mattel
VARIATIONS: Blonde; African American (3 different colored outfits of each)
BODY TYPE: 1966; Twist 'n Turn waist; straight or bent arms; ring hole in bent arm doll; bend & snap knees; some dolls have small defined toes
HEAD MOLD: 1976 "Superstar"; pierced ears
PERSONAL FUN FACT: Even though Funtime Barbie's original outfit never drew me in when I gazed at her in my "The Ultimate Barbie Book," I was fascinated by all her many variations. Mattel made so many different outfits for this doll, and many times the dolls themselves had unique faces....some even had different bodies! I had no idea that I was purchasing a Funtime Barbie back in 2013, when I found my lady in the middle of this photo. One of my favorite, regular sellers at my local flea market had put out quite a few beautiful 80s dolls that year. One being my second Crystal Barbie, the other being this Funtime Barbie. She truly is one of the most gorgeous, timeless beauties I've ever had the true pleasure of owning! I love her blue/turquoise eyes and her darling golden blonde hair!
My second Funtime Barbie isn't nearly as captivating as my first. But what attracted me to her was the fact that she was boxed! I had been eyeing her for a long time. One of the sellers inside at my local flea market had her on display for probably two years by the time I bought her. It took some negotiating, but I ended up rescuing Barbie for $12 still in her box! I really wanted this doll because she was startlingly different than my first lady, not to mention, she does have a pretty cool outfit. I'm glad I was able to rescue her, because had she been in her box prison any longer, I fear she would have been subjected to even further damage.
I didn't realize I had bought a third Funtime Barbie in August of 2023. She is the lady on the far right side of this photo. Colleen and I popped into the Salvation Army one Thursday afternoon. Since it was one of my sister's last days of summer vacation, we opted to get out of the house and do some thrifting. Normally we don't find much, if anything, at this particular location. But on that afternoon there were a few dolls of interest, like Hasbro Moana and a Fairytopia Magic of the Rainbow Elina. Funtime Barbie was sporting a Glitter Princess Aurora dress which had seen better days. Well, that's an understatement. The gown had a complete torn sleeve, which was fraying badly. Barbie herself was in horrific condition. Her hair was matted, her neck was broken, and she sported the dreaded "fat head" look. I wanted the dress for my Sparkle Princess Aurora, knowing I could repair the damaged portions. I was also excited about the prospect of adopting the lone 80s Barbie at the store, who was clearly in danger of being thrown out. As we were piling back into the Jeep, it occurred to me that this doll was most likely the Funtime Barbie with bent arms. Lo and behold I was correct. I had to get her a neck joint (hers was missing), patch the broken part of her neck, and give her a thorough cleaning. But boy did this lady turn out to be a gem. She has buttery soft saran hair and the prettiest facial screening of my three gals! In October 2024, both this lady and my first Funtime Barbie got their outfits! There was a pink ensemble and a blue ensemble included in the "Storage Sweeties Lot" we purchased. I couldn't believe my luck...I had two Funtime Barbies in need of their garments, and I found them together. Plus, it was cool that they were not the same color variation.
(1986) Funtime Barbie
BOX DATE: 1986
MANUFACTURER: Mattel
VARIATIONS: Blonde; African American (3 different colored outfits of each)
BODY TYPE: 1966; Twist 'n Turn waist; straight or bent arms; ring hole in bent arm doll; bend & snap knees; some dolls have small defined toes
HEAD MOLD: 1976 "Superstar"; pierced ears
PERSONAL FUN FACT: Even though Funtime Barbie's original outfit never drew me in when I gazed at her in my "The Ultimate Barbie Book," I was fascinated by all her many variations. Mattel made so many different outfits for this doll, and many times the dolls themselves had unique faces....some even had different bodies! I had no idea that I was purchasing a Funtime Barbie back in 2013, when I found my lady in the middle of this photo. One of my favorite, regular sellers at my local flea market had put out quite a few beautiful 80s dolls that year. One being my second Crystal Barbie, the other being this Funtime Barbie. She truly is one of the most gorgeous, timeless beauties I've ever had the true pleasure of owning! I love her blue/turquoise eyes and her darling golden blonde hair!
My second Funtime Barbie isn't nearly as captivating as my first. But what attracted me to her was the fact that she was boxed! I had been eyeing her for a long time. One of the sellers inside at my local flea market had her on display for probably two years by the time I bought her. It took some negotiating, but I ended up rescuing Barbie for $12 still in her box! I really wanted this doll because she was startlingly different than my first lady, not to mention, she does have a pretty cool outfit. I'm glad I was able to rescue her, because had she been in her box prison any longer, I fear she would have been subjected to even further damage.
I didn't realize I had bought a third Funtime Barbie in August of 2023. She is the lady on the far right side of this photo. Colleen and I popped into the Salvation Army one Thursday afternoon. Since it was one of my sister's last days of summer vacation, we opted to get out of the house and do some thrifting. Normally we don't find much, if anything, at this particular location. But on that afternoon there were a few dolls of interest, like Hasbro Moana and a Fairytopia Magic of the Rainbow Elina. Funtime Barbie was sporting a Glitter Princess Aurora dress which had seen better days. Well, that's an understatement. The gown had a complete torn sleeve, which was fraying badly. Barbie herself was in horrific condition. Her hair was matted, her neck was broken, and she sported the dreaded "fat head" look. I wanted the dress for my Sparkle Princess Aurora, knowing I could repair the damaged portions. I was also excited about the prospect of adopting the lone 80s Barbie at the store, who was clearly in danger of being thrown out. As we were piling back into the Jeep, it occurred to me that this doll was most likely the Funtime Barbie with bent arms. Lo and behold I was correct. I had to get her a neck joint (hers was missing), patch the broken part of her neck, and give her a thorough cleaning. But boy did this lady turn out to be a gem. She has buttery soft saran hair and the prettiest facial screening of my three gals! In October 2024, both this lady and my first Funtime Barbie got their outfits! There was a pink ensemble and a blue ensemble included in the "Storage Sweeties Lot" we purchased. I couldn't believe my luck...I had two Funtime Barbies in need of their garments, and I found them together. Plus, it was cool that they were not the same color variation.