Oh that's Dallas! I should have known that- I had "Midnight" Also 1980 thereabouts. Same body mold. I called him Black Beauty though- hehe

Hard-body/molded Starlite had the "Dallas" mold too. It might be hard to see because his feet are in the box.
The hard-body/molded BLACK skydancer/thunder also had that mold-


But then the molded PURPLE Skydancer- had the same mold as Sunriser- (outstretched legs) which was evidently the mold that Mattel used throughout the late 80s and 90s (maybe later) Since the Skydancer prototypes were made both ways, I guess 1986 was the year they decided to switch

That Dallas horse must have been made for the adult collector market. I remember watching that show way back when and I really can't imagine that it would have been a favorite of young girls.

I got Dallas when I was four years old. She had an insane amount of parts including the saddle, stirrups and bridle, because each part was a separate rubber part that hooked together. There wasn't really an 'adult collector market' back then, but she was one of the most accessory-intensive toys I ever had.


Thanks so much for the pics, Galacticatt. That clears up all of my confusion!

I want that hardbodied Starlite so bad...

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I think there have been adult Barbie collectors out there since 1959 when she was first launched. I could be wrong, but I think she is one of the most collectable toy lines that started during my lifetime.

And the HB Starlight is also on my 'Most Wanted' list...

Oh sure, there have ALWAYS been collectors, but Mattel did not launch a dedicated adult collector line until the late 80's, such as the Bob Mackie dolls and such. Dallas was quite definitely intended for children.

Those are simply beautiful, I am so jealous!

Actually, my sister and I loved our Barbie horses. They weren't as sturdy as Breyers, but you could at least comb their hair- I liked all of the accessories too...