Fisher Price Fridays - Ferry Boat

Welcome to Fisher Price Friday.  I have a unique Fisher Price Little People (FPLP) set to show you today.  Have you heard of the Play Family Ferry Boat #932?  You may not have because it was a very short lived set, only made for six months between 1979-1980.  They stopped making it because it wasn't very sea-worthy.  The colors on the lithographs ran when wet which led to many customer complaints.  This is also why it is difficult to find a Ferry that has intact and non-washed out lithographs.

My sister and I collaborated to purchase this ferry for my mother's birthday.  My parents live near the water and she has a soft spot for Ferry boats of all shapes and sizes.  It was fun to be able to surprise her with this rare set.  The set is almost complete but is missing one more life-preserver and a orange AA man with black stamped hair (similar to Gordon on Sesame Street but without a goatee).  

The boat has fold up and fold down red barricades to keep the cars from rolling out.  The back should also have a yellow fold out ramp to help the cars unload, but our boat doesn't have it.  I'm on the lookout for one. :)  The set came with two passenger cars.  A green topped/white bottomed two seat with raised fins and a white topped/green bottomed one seat.

The top deck includes a steering wheel that moves back and forth.  Also two holes on each side for figures to fit into (the captain is in one).  The lithograph is of flags and a brass bell.

The bottom of the front deck has a hole to attach a yellow pull cord.  When you pull (or push) the boat around it makes the familiar clicking sound like so many other FPLP toys.  You can also put little people on the yellow knobs seen on each side of the boat.  I'm not sure if that was their original purpose, but it works!

The top of the boat has a yellow push-down whistle.  Also spaces to hold two yellow life preservers as well as the blue dingy/life-boat.

The Ferry originally came with the life boat pictured.  It has a blue top and white bottom.  There is also a variation with a white top and blue bottom.  That version is the same boat that attaches to the Houseboat.

The lithographs on the left side include a seagull and a Fisher Price nautical themed sign and the right side has a pelican and the same Fisher Price logo.  The seagull is wearing a sailor hat the and pelican appears to be wearing a captain hat and holding binoculars.  Gotta love the little details. :)  

It's a unique set and was a hit with my girls when we visited.  My baby held onto the top and used it as a walking-push toy.  I'll be looking for the 3 missing pieces (one more preserver, the orange AA man and the ferry ramp) to complete her set.

If you like boats make sure to check out the Houseboat #985 and the Floating Marina #2582.

ETA: Here is another ferry boat with all three of the original people.