In 1970 Sindy began parting her hair in the center, and developed a considerably more flexible body. The new Lovely Lively doll was jointed at the neck, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips and knees.
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In 1973 Sindy was put on a diet, and she emerged in 1974 with a slimmer face, and slimmer arms and legs. On the left is shown the 1973 Funtime doll, and to the right is the slimmer 1974 model.
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1974 also saw the introduction of the first ballet dancing Active Sindy. This first ballet dancer wore a short-sleeved white leotard, mauve skirt with white top layer, opaque white tights and white ballet shoes. Her ankles did not bend. This doll is extremely rare. In fact, no dolls identical to the pomotional picture shown here have ever been found, so it is possible that only a prototype was ever produced.
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The 1975 and '76 Active Sindy wore white fishnet tights, a white leotard, a mauve skirt and white shoes with cord ties. She had a redesigned body, fully jointed at ankles, knees, hips, waist, neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists. At right is the 1976 box; the 1975 box showed a picture of the elusive 1974 doll with the notation that the doll's outfit may differ from that pictured.
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1976 Funtime Sindy with basic body and short hair. Sindy would not return with a short hairstyle until 1982 when the popularity of Princess Diana made short hair fashionable.
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In 1977 Pedigree introduced what was to become the most popular Sindy ever marketed: an Active ballet dancer wearing white leotard, white tights, pink skirt and pink ballet shoes. The new pink ballet shoes fastened with a plastic clasp.
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In 1977 Sindy joined the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. The Royal Occasion doll is usually found with an unusual light auburn hair color. Click here for a picture.
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1978 saw the introduction of the short-lived Sweet Dreams doll. Her sleeping eyes now make her a sought-after collectors' item, but at the time they were thought unattractive and did not sell well. I personally can remember looking at these dolls in a toy shop and thinking how ugly they were. In the 1978 catalogue picture shown at right, the doll in the lower left is not a sleeping-eyes Sindy. With her eyes open, the sleeping-eyed doll had an unmistakably odd expression.
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The 1979 Majorette is quite rare. Although pictured in the UK 1979 Pedigree toy catalogue, she is missing from all of the 1979 Sindy-only leaflets that I have seen. She was definitely not pictured in the catalogues distributed in Australia, nor do I recall seeing her in stores when I was 9 years old and at the height of my childhood Sindy craze. I suspect that this doll was sold only in limited markets.
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In 1978 Sindy made her debut in America, distributed by the Marx Corporation. Click here for more information about Sindy in America.
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