1967 Twist 'n Turn Barbie
1967 - 1971 Twist 'n Turn Barbie #1180
1967 - 1971 Twist 'n Turn Barbie #1180
Also known as TNT Barbie, she debuted in 1967 and ushered in the new Mod era coupled with a major glow up! She was the first "Mod" Barbie. Her torso twisted and turned, making her perfectly groovy for the new MOD'ern era!
In response to rapidly changing styles and ideals of beauty, the Barbie face of 1959 wasn't relevant for the Mod fashions dominating the runways. Mattel's designers re-launched Barbie with a brand new look for the Mod era.
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1967 Twist 'n Turn Twiggy
A new look for the Mod era
A new look for the Mod era
Now featuring long, rooted eyelashes and a more youthful face, TNT Barbie was given a trendy hairstyle of straight chest-length hair with bangs. Her new rooted lashes made her eyes as dramatic as those of Twiggy, the famous 60s British model. Mattel also made a Twist 'n Turn Twiggy doll in 1967, its first doll based on a real person. Twiggy is the same size as Francie.
TNT Barbie was the first Barbie who could turn at the waist! A pivoting waist added playtime fun and more pose options. The TNT had bendable legs and rooted eyelashes. She was a dynamite addition to the prior static dolls who didn’t twist. Check out her 1967 commercial.
Check out this fun, informative video about Twist 'n Turn Barbie from Fashion Doll Dreamer; a wonderful Barbie collector and enthusiast! Click here for video.
Each year, between 1967 and 1971, Twist 'n Turn Barbie wore a new swimsuit. The first Twist 'n Turn Barbie in 1967 wore a salmon-colored bikini featuring a groovy net cover-up, and she kept the red fingernails and toenail polish that were a hallmark of earlier Barbie dolls. Below, you'll see each year's doll and swimsuit.
Click on each image below to see doll full-size. Also, when you hover over the doll, her name pops up. I wanted to show these TNT dolls side by side for you to compare the differences over the years!
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My favorite feature: What still amazes me nearly 60 years later is how natural Twist 'n Turn Barbie can pose. Simply turning her waist gives her an attitude and personality that earlier Barbie dolls didn't have. It's easy to see why she became one of Mattel's most iconic dolls.
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 (ash blond), Red/Titian (rare), Platinum (rare), Go Go Co Co (brownette) and Chocolate Bon Bon (dark brown).
The first TNT had long, straight hair with bangs and a bow at the top of her head. In 1969 her hair changed to a shorter "flip" hairstyle (often called the Marlo Flip) because it was similar to what Marlo Thomas wore in the TV Show, That Girl. Cue... toss that beret in the air, doll!
1969 Twist 'n Turn Barbie (repro) Marlo Flip
TV show That Girl with Marlo Thomas
Collector's Tip: When shopping for a Twist 'n Turn Barbie, focus on the face first. Original makeup, bright eyes, and a sweet expression are much harder to replace than a hairstyle. Hair can often be restyled, but factory face paint is part of what gives each doll her personality.
Twist 'n Turn Barbie trade-in promotion
Trade-in promotion
Trade-in promotion
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.
With her bendable legs, rooted eyelashes, and revolutionary twist-at-the-waist body, Twist 'n Turn Barbie wasn't just another doll—she was the face of the Mod Era. Her popularity was so immense that Mattel quickly transformed Barbie's circle of friends into TNT dolls, creating some of the most beloved and collectible dolls of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Barbie's friends who received the same mod makeover were Stacey, Christie, P.J. and Julia. Talking Barbie and her friends also used the twist 'n turn body that helped define the Mod Era. I have a blog post here about Talking Barbies.
Miss Barbie 1964 with a swing set and wigs
Miss Barbie 1964
Miss Barbie 1964
Although not a TNT, the first Barbie doll with bendable legs was "Miss Barbie" released in 1964. She featured blue "sleepy eyes" that opened and closed, allowing it to appear as if she were sleeping. Because she had a molded hard-plastic head rather than rooted hair, kids could swap her various wigs. However, this molded look was often perceived as frightening by children at the time, which led to a very short one-year production run and makes her a highly sought-after rarity.
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In the 1960s, London was a cultural hub, music was hip and fashion looked to Carnaby Street. Barbie's closet evolved from one of haute couture to one that was completely modern! Reflecting the times and fashion, Barbie's wardrobe included funky, bright colors and designs. Brilliant floral prints in hot pink, turquoise and green defined the era.
There's no doubt Twist 'n Turn Barbie 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 go go boots, inspired Mattel designers to create a new line of fashions for Barbie and her teenage friends.
1967 Twist 'n Turn Barbie #1160
- NRFB $600 - $875 (blonde + brunette), $1,200 - $1,500 (redhead)
- Mint/Complete $275 - $375 (blonde + brunette), $450 - $600 (redhead)
- 1968 Twist 'n Turn Barbie (Trade In) #1160
- NRFB $475 - $575 (blonde + brunette), $875 - $975 (redhead)
- Mint/Complete $275 - $375 (blonde + brunette), $450 - $600 (redhead)
Source: The Best of Barbie, Sharon Korbeck 2001; Barbie Doll Photo Album 1959 to 2009, J. Michael Augustyniak 2010 (This is my favorite Barbie reference book of all time!!)
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