Hot Wheels Jump at Indy 500

World record four-wheel vehicle jump set by Tanner Foust on a Hot Wheels-style orange track at the Indianapolis 500 in May 2011. Shades of the classic stunt action set from 1968.

Hot Wheels Ferrari FF

Today I opened a Ferrari FF.  There's something oddly appealing about that roof-line.  The real car seats four so the extended tall roof provides headroom for rear seat passengers.  Porsche's Panamera suddenly looks normal.  Is it a coupe?  Is it a wagon?  Is it a hatchback?  What the heck, it's a Ferrari FF.

I like the classic Ferrari red paint/tan interior (very detailed at that) and photo-realistic headlight tampos.  The air outlet behind the front wheels is an opening in the diecast body with the gray plastic from the chassis behind the hole.  Too bad the same attention wasn't paid to the front grille as its Cheshire Cat grin is a big part of the car's personality.  At least it's deeply regressed like the real deal.  Overall, a fine looking casting.

Below is the upcoming Hot Wheels Elite 1/18 scale FF for comparison.  I first thought this was a photo of the actual car.  Amazing.

 FF = Ferrari Four = Four seater = Four wheel drive (a first for Ferrari)

Hot Wheels Nostalgia DC Comics, 4-Pack

Nice set for ten bucks.  On sale at Walmart.com.  Free ship to store or 97 cents to your house.  Can't beat that!

Includes this cool COE (photo from justjdm).

Thoughts On Collecting Hot Wheels

1. BUY WHAT YOU LIKE. You'll never be disappointed.

2. PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF. If you really want to find that elusive car, there's nothing like persistence.  But when collecting takes too much time away from family ,work and friends, you may have gone too far.

3. VALUE. Collectibles are worth what the buyer and seller agree they're worth.

4. LIMITED EDITIONS. A Limited Edition of 5,000 is not necessarily worth more than a Limited Edition of 10,000.  Desirability is the key, not production numbers.   This is true for all collectibles.

5. DEALERS.  Anyone who constantly buys stuff, old or new, for resale is a dealer.  Then again, most collectors are dealers to some extent.  Hmmmmmm.

6. FUN.  Fun is the most important part of collecting.  If you're not having fun then you shouldn't be collecting.

I'd Like To See A Hot Wheels Rolls Royce Ghost

I'd like to see a Hot Wheels Rolls Royce Ghost.  The Ghost was added to the RR lineup in 2010 giving buyers a lower cost and sportier alternative to the massive Phantom.

I'm guessing Mattel hasn't been able to get the licensing from parent company BMW.  But Mattel had it when they released the Hot Wheels Silver Shadow in 1969 which I have in my collection both loose and in blister pack.  This version stayed fairly true to the real car except, of course, for the mag wheels and enlarged wheel wells giving it an aggressive 2010 look.  Most were produced in silver though other colors can be found.  It features an opening hood (or bonnet to the British).
.

Hot Wheels Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

I have the Matchbox Silver Shadow which stays truer to the real car and is cool because it has an opening trunk (boot).  The metallic red paint is rather sporty for a luxury car but looks great.  There was also a convertible version.

Matchbox Silver Shadow

I also have the older Lesney Matchbox Phantom V.  The rear end of the Phantom was copied by Cadillac in the 80s and grafted to the tail end of the Seville but that's the subject of a future blog.

Matchbox Phantom V

I would actually like to see any of RR's current lineup including the Phantom, Phantom Coupe or Phantom Drophead Coupe (convertible).  Since toy cars are about fantasy there's nothing like a good ol' top-of-the line luxury car to make your day.  I'd like to see a Hot Wheels Rolls Royce.  Or Matchbox.

Black Friday 2011

Happy hunting.  May the good deals be yours.

Cars 2

Please bear with me as I attempt to embed a fellow collector's video for your viewing pleasure. I'm anxiously awaiting seeing Cars 2 in 3D over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

2011 L.A. Auto Show: Hotwheels 2012 Chevrolet Camaro

Among the unique features that Mattel introduced in 1968 with its Hot Wheels was "Spectraflame" paint.  It was essentially pearl colored paint (translucent), similar to that used on Hot Rods of the 50s and 60s, over bare metal.  Spectraflame paints gave a dramatic look to what were previously rather drab looking enamel paint jobs from the likes of Matchbox and other toy companies.

At the 2011 L.A. Auto Show Chevrolet displayed a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro sporting candy apple green paint over chrome. Spectraflame paint brought to life.

Hot Wheels Camaro ZL1

Here's a great looking new casting marred by one thing:  That bump.

Hot Wheels 2012 First Edition Camaro ZL1

Yes, the one on the roof.  Sure the real car has one.  But the real car has side mirrors, too.  And satellite radio.  The toy car does not.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Memo to Hot Wheels designers:

If you're gonna lose the mirrors lose the bump.

I Digress A Bit: The Beatles in Mono CD Box

OK.  I get it.  The Beatles Mono Box Set is intended as a supplement to The Beatles Stereo Box Set.  For the hardcore Beatles fan.  It completes your collection of officially released Beatles albums and singles.  But does it?   

 

I love the mini-LP packaging: miniature replicas of the first British album releases. But they're unique to the mono box.  Therefore I own only 12 of their 15 albums in this authentic style packaging.  I can't go out and buy the other three because they don't exist: the remaining three albums were originally issued only in stereo and the stereo releases are in contemporary packaging.

 

I don’t know about you but as a collector I lean towards having complete sets.  I want to own one of every Hot Wheels casting from 1968-1975.  I’m not content to own 95% of them.

PS

Don't get me wrong.  The Beatles Mono box is outstanding and a must have for Beatles fans.  It just comes up a tad short in my perfect world. 

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Hot Wheels Astro Funk

Today I opened a Mattel Hot Wheels Astro Funk.  Clearly inspired by show rods of the 60s and Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's Beatnik Bandit and Mysterion in particular.

1960 Beatnik Bandit

Mattel produced a Hot Wheels version in the late '60s.  I've read that Ed Roth was unhappy with the many colors the car came in, none of which were the real car's pearl white.

1968 Hot Wheels Beatnik Bandit

1963 Mysterion

The granddaddy of all bubble tops is considered to be Darryl Starbird's Predicta '56 Thunderbird.

1960 Predicta

It is interesting to note that the designer's rendering of the Astro Funk (below) rides much lower than the production version which reminds me of Johnny Lightning's awkward take of the Mysterion with its too high rear end stance.

Astro Funk artist's rendering

Johnny Lightning Mysterion

Contemporary cars paying homage to the same influences as the Astro Funk include Aaron Grote's Atomic Punk

2008 Atomic Punk

And Dave Shuten's AstroSled

AstroSled

 And the Roswell Rod by Fritz

For some cool reading you must get Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth: His Life, Times and Art (Cartech)

The Joy of Buying Collections

I recently purchased a childhood collection.

Although many people buy collections from other collectors I prefer buying from their original owners.  Knowing that these cars are all original and may have been sealed in their carrying cases for 30 plus years is very appealing.

As a fellow collector shared with me, "Having the privilege of being the second owner of a collection of Redlines is really exciting!"  Yes, indeed.

If you have a collection for sale please contact me htbomb@aol.com.

If you want to read up on the early years of Hot Wheels I suggest Hot Wheels Classic Redline Era as a starting point.

LEGO DC Super Heroes

LEGO has announced that they will bring LEGO SUPER HEROES featuring DC Comic characters to their 2012 lineup. 

I've been wanting the Batman figure released a number of years ago but now a hard to find collectible to display with my Hot Wheels Batmobiles.  Looks like I'll get my chance in January 2012!

If you prefer action figures you don't have to wait and I might suggest the DC Direct Batman: Arkham Asylum Series 1: Batman Action Figure.

Today I Opened My First Treasure Hunt

Today I did it:  I opened my first Treasure Hunt.  I've been collecting Hot Wheels and the limited edition Treasure Hunt series for over ten years but had yet to open one.

Well, today I did it.  I had two '71 Mustang Funny Cars and decided to open one.  It's a great looking casting and has a heavy diecast chassis, too.  Not to mention deep metallic green paint and cool retro graphics.  In true flopper fashion the body hinges up from the back just like real funny cars.  Tamp printed Goodyear graphics are a nice touch but the rear tires should have been bigger.

Until I get a chance to take my own pics here's a nice one borrowed from the web.

This blog is about a funny car and it's summertime so it must be time for Funny Car Summer a classic video for your entertainment pleasure.  Check it out.

Hot Wheels Arkham Asylum Batmobile

I recently opened a Arkham Asylum Batmobile based on the car in the video game (as if you didn't already know).  It is a great looking Batmobile with a decided retro-gangster look to the front end.   As described on the back of the package, "Dark and Stealthy with a bubble canopy and long fins"  this newest Batmobile entry sports very aggressive dynamic styling.



It has an unusual but good-looking mix of diecast engine and chassis perimeter with chrome plastic infill base.  I understand it does well on track sets.

If you don't already own the Batman Arkham Asylum: Game of the Year Greatest Hits video game, you should.

 

If you already have the game then you need DC Direct Batman: Arkham Asylum Series 1: Batman Action Figure.

 

Or if you're more into books I suggest Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition) for your reading pleasure.