Random finds from the Flea Market, part 2

This second group came from a second trip from 2017, this time more focused on a bunch of Ford Mustang’s, a Dodge Viper, and even a few Audi Avant wagons.

Matchbox Audi Wagons: can’t get enough!

The RS6 Avant has been revived for 2018 thanks to a return of the Audi license and Hot Wheels making a modern 2017 version (I’ll review that one at a later date), but before then the RS6 is a hot car for the secondary market as the value of them has skyrocketed during the time when Mattel could not release another one without the permission of Audi. The RS6 is based on a 2004 Audi A6 Avant, adding flared fenders, revised front grille with larger lower grilles and a rear bumper with dual exhaust pipes. The Quattro all-wheel drive system is then mated to a 4.2L DOHC twin-turbo V8 pumping out 444 horsepower through a 5-speed automatic transmission. It is not only fast but versatile as well with seating for five and plenty of room in the cargo area. No one else made a replica quite like Matchbox and it was a surprise choice when released in the 2007 line. The two additions here are black and yellow, though the latter suffers from more paint chips, and both offer detailed front grille and headlights, taillights with badging, and six-spoke wheels that are smoked on the black version. Just like the exterior the interior offers detailed front and rear seats with the ribbed pattern, detailed dashboard with visible controls and steering wheel spokes, and center console with shifter. Nowadays the rear cargo area now shares space with the rear rivet post and for 2018 Matchbox incorrectly calls it a 1994 RS2 Avant, yet still this is the same fantastic casting that has been with us since 2007.

Specifications:

Engine: 4.2L DOHC twin-turbo V8 444 hp.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 4.5 sec.
Real vehicle price: $60,000 est.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Rough and yellow Viper

The 2009 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR is the track version of the standard SRT-10 Viper and Hot Wheels decided to replicate it for 2010. Since then it has appeared in several decos, with the first half of its life in standard ACR apparel with black hood and red stripe as seen on this yellow version. I don’t recall this one and never saw one so this is the only one I can find: a well-worn example with paint chips, faded headlights, knawed on rear spoiler, and squeaky wheels with a bit of rust on the pins. After some clean up and additional details I was able to give this battle-scorn Viper a second lease on life. The car looks fierce with lower chin spoiler, black hood with scoops, side exhaust, and a rear spoiler despite the ride height sitting a tad too far off of the ground. The interior in chrome seems to have the correct details but some of them look rather plain or melted in the chrome. While this would be a nice casting an earlier release by Johnny Lightning in 2009 with better details, ride height, and an opening hood made this ACR from Hot Wheels my second choice.

Specifications:

Engine: 8.4L V-10 600 hp.
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec. est.
Real vehicle price: $95,000 est.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Low-tier brand of Mustangs

The lower-tier brands of diecast still offered some unique Mustangs as in these two with Kidco and Zylmex. The Zylmex Mustang Cobra Street Racer is based on a 1976 Mustang II coupe with a lower chin spoiler and wrap-around rear spoiler. The graphics were removed and the faded chrome grille revived with silver sharpie, though the wheels have the same inner bend problem as the Matchbox AMX Javelin that I also found. The front has the large grille and round headlights, along with rear taillights that are part of the interior recall the Mustang II model and the roof has the outline of the T-tops. The wheels look nice, if a bit small, and the doors open to an interior with seating for two and a spare tire where the rear seats used to be. Adding some more detail and cleaning the casting up really brings out more in this unique take on a Mustang II street racer. On the other side is Kidco’s version of the 1979 Ford Mustang fastback, now based on the same platform as the Ford Fairmount, with the 1979 Indy 500 pace car theme. The look was faded and almost gone before I came along and revived most of the graphics all while completing the stripes around the front and rear of the vehicle for a complete look. The front has the detailed quad headlights, slightly-raised hood, and angled fastback rear roofline that ends in the rear spoiler with detailed taillights right below. Adding more detail really helps out this casting despite a crooked driver’s side door (both doors open) and a squatting rear end. The interior is basic but at least it’s there and the red really matches the graphics on the outside. Rough and crude, but both of these Mustang’s still look cool.

Specifications: (Zylmex/Kidco)

Engine: 302 CID V8 400 hp est./302 CID V8 150 hp.
Transmission: 4-speed manual
0-60 mph: 6.0 sec est./8.0 sec. est.
Real vehicle price: $3,400 est. 1976/$5,000 est. 1979

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars/3 out of 5 stars

Two sides of the Hot Wheels Ford Mustang

It’s no doubt that the 1965 Mustang and 1996 Mustang convertibles are one of my favorite Ford Mustang’s in the Hot Wheels lineup and adding a few more wouldn’t hurt. Or not. Both came from playsets so this would explain how these mint examples ended up in a loose pile of cars. The 1965 Ford Mustang carries on with the same clean look, now in purple, adorned by side Mustang stripes and the prancing horse. The front has the detailed grille in metal, round headlights, sleek side profile, and taillights that are part of the metal base. That same metal base also offers nice details as well, the hood opens up to show off the V8 motor with exposed carbs for a sporty look, and the interior has the proper seating for four with a twin-pod dashboard. So far so good, until you get to the point that the interior is a rather bright neon yellow color and worse yet is the addition of screaming wheels: these are wheels that have grooves to give off a screaming sound as the car goes down the track. Well, they didn’t sell well which is why they didn’t last long, they’re noisy, and make the car look cheap; such a nice car ruined by a bright interior and noisy wheels. Let’s look at something more pleasing as in the 1996 Mustang GT convertible in grabber blue with a tan interior, lace wheels, and not a lick of graphics in sight. Like the 1965 the 1996 has a metal base with loads more detail of the engine and drivetrain, detailed headlights up front, and a rear spoiler with the vertical slot taillights that are new for the 1996 Mustang. The interior offers the detailed seats and twin-pod dashboard details like the 1965, though the tonneau cover out back has a large gap between it and the trunk to allow the windshield to curve over the interior and create a coupe version on some models. More disappointing is that both have not been treated fairly over the years: the 1965 still continues with opening hood and metal base, but a new version has a plastic base and hood shut for lower-priced lines, while the 1996 for some reason was Final Run-ned for 2003. Still I like the clean look of the 1996 better here than the awful wheels of this 1965 Mustang.

Specifications: