Hot Wheels James Bond 007 Goldfinger DB5

As part of the 2014 HW Workshop/HW All Stars line Mattel introduces the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 made famous in the 1964 James Bond Goldfinger movie.

For a dollar toy it is beautiful and reasonably accurate for a 1/64 scale car. Attention to detail front and back are sweet with the round instead of squared wheel wells being the most obvious detraction. Tampo headlights and hood ornament are a nice touch as is the film-accurate license plate number (appearing only in back). The grey plastic grille even looks good instead of chrome. And yes the steering wheel is on the right side.

However, it sports none of the film gadgets that made it famous: ramrod bumpers, tire slashers, rotating license plates, armor sheild or most noticeably the ejector seat that made the 1960's Husky/Corgi Jr. so popular. Perhaps a tampo line would suffice to indicate where the hatch would be. 

I applaud Mattel for the DB5 because it looks great but it's a bit of a stretch to market this as a James Bond vehicle. See a silver DB5 and one immediately thinks Bond, James Bond.

Hot Wheels Volkswagen Kool Kombi Bus

The 2013 HW Showroom series brought us this fantastic vehicle.

The first Hot Wheels release was green. Note the clever flipped tailgate improvising as a wing. It's a bit cartoonish ala Dave Deel's finest right down to the surfboard tucked inside the tailgate.

 The real deal.

There's even a LEGO version.

What does the future hold for the Kombi?  VW has teased with concepts over the years.

Update: VW introduced the ID. Buzz in 2025. Beautiful design but sadly EV's were declining in popularity and the Buzz will not be back in 2026.

Hot Wheels Bread Box

Hot Wheels Bread Box a cool custom featuring panoramic sunroof.  This was introduced as a 2010 New Model.  Mattel dropped the New Model segment for 2013 preferring to simply blend new castings with old.

The first Bread Box release sported cool Post Office-like graphics.

In time a similar paint scheme was used on the "unmarked" Treasure Hunt.  The package no longer proclaimed "Treasure Hunt", instead a small circular branding identified it to the initiated.

Inspiration for the Bread Box came from the Jeep FJ-3 Fleetvan, a compact delivery van manufactured by Willys Motors and Kaiser-Jeep from 1961 to 1965.  The FJ-3 was produced first as the right-hand-drive postal delivery vehicle seen below. The FJ-3A had an additional 19 inches of rear overhang.

Tupac Maltese

One of my favorite CDs by Tupac Maltese. 

USPS Muscle Cars (Forever®) Stamps

With the newly issued Muscle Cars (Forever®) stamps the U.S. Postal Service celebrates five iconic automobiles from the muscle car era of the late 60s to early 70s.  Muscle cars are probably the most desirable cars to adult collectors. Not surprisingly, each of the Postal Service's choices has been issued by Hot Wheels over the years.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

1966 Pontiac GTO

1967 Shelby GT-500

 1970 Chevelle SS 

1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

According to the USPS website, "Muscle Cars is the third issuance in the America on the Move series. The stamps were designed by art director Carl T. Herrman. The first issuance in the series, 50s Sporty Cars (2005), was followed by 50s Fins and Chrome (2008). The Muscle Cars stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (4 of each design)."

Hurry!  Get these great new stamps while they're still hot.