![]() Twist 'n Turn Barbie (#1160), also known as TNT Barbie, debuted in 1967. The 1965 American Girl Barbie doll was the first with bendable legs, but TNT Barbie was the first who could turn at the waist! She was a dynamite addition to the prior static dolls who didn’t twist. A pivoting waist added playtime fun and more pose options. She wore a salmon-colored bikini featuring a groovy net cover-up, and she kept the red fingernail and toenail polish that were a hallmark of earlier Barbie dolls. Check out her 1967 commercial! In response to rapidly changing styles and ideals of beauty, the Barbie face of 1959 wasn't relevant for the mod fashions dominating the fashion runways. Mattel's designers re-launched Barbie with a brand new look. Now featuring long, rooted eyelashes and a more youthful face, TNT Barbie was given a trendy hairstyle of straight chest-length hair with bangs. TNT Barbie’s new rooted lashes made her eyes as dramatic as those of Twiggy, the famous 60s British model. Mattel also made a Twiggy Barbie doll in 1967, its first doll based on a real person. The TNT doll's flowing straight locks got a boost in color and, for the first time, her super-shiny hair was given a description. Hair wasn't just blonde, brunette or titian (red). That wasn’t fashion-forward enough for a model! Now her hair came in Sun Kissed (light blonde), Summer Sand (grayish blonde - which I have in my collection, see side photo), Red/Titian (rare), Platinum (rare), Go Go Co Co (brownette), and Chocolate Bon Bon (dark brown).
In an interesting marketing move, Mattel initiated a trade-in promotion for the popular TNT Barbie. Mattel promised children they could exchange any old doll and pay $1.50 to acquire the all-new Twist 'n Turn Barbie. The trade-in dolls (#1162) were identical to regular TNTs, but they sealed in a plastic bag and packaged in a slim pink box. There's no doubt this was a turning point doll for Mattel. It was a departure from the doll's earlier more staunch, proper look. Pop culture strongly influenced Barbie doll fashions and attitude, which continued throughout Barbie history. The movin' groovin' world of the late '60s, with its mod haircuts, micro-minis, and moon boots, inspired Mattel designers to create a new line of clothes for Barbie and her teenage friends.
Sources: The Best of Barbie, Sharon Korbeck 2001; Barbie Doll Photo Album 1959 to 2009, J. Michael Augustyniak 2010 #tntbarbie #tnt #twistnturnbarbie #twistnturn #1967barbie #1968barbie #60sbarbie
10 Comments
Kathleen Haydon
4/13/2018 06:36:18 pm
I am interested in purchasing a TNT Barbie, complete with original swimsuit outfit. Please message me if you have one.
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Heather Williams
6/14/2018 02:52:14 pm
I have a light brown Barbie TNT stock #1160 that I am selling.
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Cat Taylor
7/17/2023 11:45:52 am
What did Mattel do with the old Barbies traded in for a new TNT? I heard a rumor years ago they were donated to orphanages- is that true?
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That rumor is true! Sort of. In 1967, Mattel had a trade-in doll promotion. If you brought in any Barbie to participating retailers and paid $1.50, you'd get a new Twist 'n Turn (TNT) Barbie. The trade-in dolls went to charities although I don't know which ones. There were 1,250,000 dolls that were traded-in during the promotion!
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Debbi Smith
8/1/2023 08:07:12 pm
I have the ash blond TNT Barbie with swimsuit and original promotional box for that Barbie that I would like to sell if there is an interest.
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Lynne
5/9/2024 09:32:05 pm
I appreciate your feedback!
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Traci
5/13/2024 07:25:16 pm
I have unopened original TNT #1160 (not trade in dolls) blonde & ash brown dolls...would like to sell.
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Lynne
5/14/2024 12:17:39 pm
I bet you'd get a good amount of money for her on eBay! Search for TNT Barbies and then check the completed/sold listings (search boxes in left column). You can get an idea of what she's worth and people are willing to pay. Good luck!
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