Unlocking the Charm of Growing Hair Francies: A Dive into the 1970s Doll with a Unique Spring Mechanism

Introduction

In the expansive world of vintage dolls, few discoveries match the intrigue and charm of the Growing Hair Francie. This 1970s doll features a distinctive mechanism that sets it apart, capturing the fascination of collectors worldwide. In a recent exploration, I delved into the realm of Growing Hair Francies, acquiring damaged dolls and spare parts to unravel the secrets behind their innovative hair-growing feature. For more information about the Barbie family read here The Evolution of Barbie and Her Family: A Nostalgic Journey Back to the 1960s

The Allure of Growing Hair Francies

Among vintage doll enthusiasts, Growing Hair Francies have always held a special appeal. Produced in the 1970s, these dolls boast a unique feature – a strand of hair that can be extended or retracted effortlessly. This uncomplicated yet effective mechanism adds an extra layer of allure to an already beloved collectible. The Growing Hair mechanism was also used for Barbie, so Francie is not the only doll that was available with this feature.

The Mechanism: A Detailed Examination

While I hadn’t disassembled one before, my hypothesis was that the hair-growing mechanism likely relied on a spring system. To validate this theory, I recently obtained damaged Growing Hair Francies and spare parts. The goal was to unveil the inner workings of this captivating mechanism that has intrigued collectors for decades. Francie dolls are hard to find in the meantime and it’s not easy to find one for a good price. For this article I’ve been searching for several months to find the right doll for a repair.

Upon meticulous inspection, it became evident that the mechanism is indeed a straightforward yet ingenious design. The hair-growing feature is powered by a spring-based system, providing users with easy control over the doll’s hair length through simple manipulation. Not only is the mechanism easy to produce, but it also proves remarkably durable, assuming the doll hasn’t suffered irreparable damage. When I got my first Growing Hair Francie I made a video about the Growing Hair mechanism. Long before I saw what’s inside I assumed that it must be a mechanism with a spring. It was just from using the mechanism.

The Collector’s Puzzle

Growing Hair Francies have perpetually piqued the curiosity of collectors. The simplicity and effectiveness of the mechanism raise questions about why more dolls didn’t incorporate similar innovations. As collectors, we value uniqueness and creativity in our dolls, and Growing Hair Francies epitomize that spirit. It’s never too late to educate us. Recently some broken Growing Hair Francies appeared on the market and I purchased them to study the mechanism. I purchased the body how you see it here right now. My estimation is that it is incomplete. I have not destroyed any doll for it.

Preserving the Legacy

Through the acquisition of broken Francies and spare parts, my aim was not only to satisfy curiosity but also to contribute to the preservation of these nostalgic treasures. Understanding the inner workings of the Growing Hair Francie mechanism allows collectors to deepen their appreciation for the craftsmanship and ingenuity behind these timeless dolls. You don’t find anything like these mechanisms anymore. For more information about box and accessories that are missing here have a look at https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/francie-with-growin-pretty-hair.html .

Even when I was little they were gone already. You can speculate that it was because of production costs or warranty reasons. Hair features were big but no mechanism was in the body. Hair coloring features and hair gel were fashionable and popular in my childhood.

Conclusion

The Growing Hair Francie remains a cherished gem in the vintage doll realm, and the recent exploration into its unique mechanism has only heightened appreciation for this iconic collectible. As collectors continue to unveil the mysteries of their beloved dolls, Growing Hair Francies stands as a testament to the simplicity and brilliance of vintage toy design from the 1970s. Explore the allure of these timeless dolls and the ingenious spring mechanism that makes them truly special.

Growing Hair Francie rotated
Growing Hair Francie

Outlook

As I continue my journey into the world of Growing Hair Francies, the excitement grows with each revelation about the inner workings of this unique doll. Armed with the knowledge gained from examining damaged dolls and spare parts, I am eager to delve even deeper into the mechanism’s intricacies. The prospect of creating an informative video to share my findings is on the horizon, as I strive to unravel the full functionality of this fascinating spring-based system.

Stay tuned for future updates as I document my exploration, aiming to provide fellow collectors and enthusiasts with a comprehensive understanding of what makes Growing Hair Francies truly special. Together, let’s uncover the secrets behind this iconic 1970s doll and celebrate the craftsmanship that continues to captivate generations of collectors.

Francie, the cousin of Barbie

Today I’m going to present you Francie. She’s the first and only cousin of Barbie. She was released in 1965 and was produced for approx. 10 years. She disappeared around 1975. When she was available she was popular among young girls. At first she was only available as Straight Leg doll (without knee joints) but in 1967 a Bend Leg version was available too. Francie has a different body than Barbie and she is smaller. She was originally called Francine Fairchild but she was sold under the name of “Francie” and was thought to be a 14 year old.

The Francie dolls are popular among the collectors too. She was available in a wide variety of dolls like the two one I have in my collections. The “No Bangs” Francie is the most expensive doll. She has no bangs and giant hair do. I don’t have one yet in my collection but I really like her. She so late 1960s – stylish. Her wardrobe is very beautiful. Exiting outfits from the Mod-era (Mod-era 1966 – 1975) contribute to her popularity. The Growing Hair Francie was the only mechanism Francie doll.  I was glad to get one last week.

1970 Growing Hair Francie

1970 Growing Hair Francie

1967 Bend Leg Francie

1967 Bend Leg Francie