Posts

Hot Wheels Lamborghini Aventador Coupe, J Concept, and Reventon Roadster

Image
Hot Wheels has been lately on a Lamborghini frenzy with a few new castings released each year, just like the Ferrari's.  I've decided to show these three, one of the best of the larger-sized Lamborghini's in the Hot Wheels lineup currently today, yet one was only a concept while the other a million-dollar limited edition concept. Reventon:  The start of the Aventador's bodywork Hot Wheels first version is the coupe introduced in the 2009 line.  While it looked cool, I noticed a lot of parts sharing with the 2003 Murcielago casting.  However, the roadster in 2010 was a different story with a completely new tool inside and out.  The Murcielago's body is modified to a sharper, fighter jet styling with smaller headlights, sharper front bumper and air intake, gills on the engine cover and rear bumper vents that just look like the back end of a fighter jet!  Also note the new LED taillights, tinted, and almost hidden in the rear bumper.  The inte...

Matchbox Mazda 2

Image
Just recently at the Geneva Motor Show Mazda showcased the Hazumi concept, which previews the upcoming next generation Mazda 2.  It looks good, so I decided to show off the Matchbox version of the current generation, a car I thought I wouldn't like much but ended up appreciating thanks to this Matchbox version. Click for Photo Gallery 2: Styling of the 3, handles like a Miata The third generation of this model debut in 2008 with more styling flair that would, unfortunately, be the last nicest-looking Mazda for a few years until the resurgence in 2013 starting with the 6 redesign.  It's hard to believe that this version is also shared with the new Ford Fiesta since it looks and acts nothing like the Fiesta.  The 2 is smaller, yet roomer inside, and has a smaller engine than the Fiesta: 1.5L I-4 producing 100 hp. through a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic; seems weak until you notice the lighter 2,300 Ib. curb weight.  It's not fast, but it moves ...

Hot Wheels 1955 Chevy Bel-Air Gasser

Image
Last month I profiled the Hot Wheels 1955 Chevy Bel-Air and 1955 Nomad in their best color variations.  One version I forgot to mention was the Gasser for a reason:  I haven't obtained the new 2014 version yet.  Now after a slight delay I finally found one recently, so here's the group (minus the gold recolor). Click for Photo Gallery The '55 Gasser variations While it may seem to be a bit premature to show variations on a casting that was just released last year, you can't deny that this one of the finest-detailed Gasser I've encountered!  Gasser's are usually modified cars, some like the AF/X versions have a stretched front axle in addition to the raised front-end.  The hood says buh-bye, so does the interior trimmings including the rear seat.  Other additions include track bars to control axle movement at high torque loads and most importantly a modified engine, usually with a supercharger bolted on.  The whole idea of a raised fr...

Hot Wheels 1969 Camaro Coupe and Convertible

Image
One of my all-time favorite cars is the 1969 Camaro because unlike the first two years the 1969 model features a more aggressive look that looks much better on the first-generation Camaro's.  I have a few 1:24 M2 versions that I'll likely review later on, along with countless versions from different diecast manufacturers, but for now i'll just focus on the Hot Wheels version, both offered as a coupe and convertible. Click for Photo Gallery The second on the list The very first Hot Wheels car in 1968 was called the Custom Camaro, basically a 1967 Camaro modified for the proper custom Hot Wheels look of the early Redline era.  After a mild revision in 1983 as the '67 Camaro, the casting still continues to this day with the opening hood and metal base still staying put!  Yet after a while you wonder what other Camaro's can you make, so in 2006 the 1969 convertible was introduced.  The car looks stock, but has a raked rear end with a small rear fascia (one...

The 10th Anniversary of the Hot Wheels Mad Propz

Image
It's hard to believe it, but ten years ago this year the Mad Propz was first introduced.  Among the 100 cars and trucks, along with some oddly-shaped vehicles, the Mad Propz was the first full-proper airplane for the Hot Wheels line, not as a plane with four-wheels like a car nor the first aircraft (that title goes to the Proper Chopper and Goodyear Blimp).  What's interesting is how they managed to fit a plane, which usually has a long wingspan, inside the small 1:64 packaging, but Mattel managed it with little to no problems, and after ten years it's still active in the Hot Wheels Mainline. Click for Photo Gallery Is it Madd or Mad? To start it off, the plane was inserted into the 'Tooned segment of the 2014 First Edition line, which does aid in making the wings of the plane fit in the package.  However, unlike the rest of the 'Tooned cars, Madd Propz doesn't look anything off aside from being a generic version a P-51 Mustang.  Fighter planes lik...

Flatbed Haulers, Part 3: Matchbox Real Working Rigs International Flatbed and Western Star Tow Rig

Image
The final look at the flatbed saga includes two cool, but short-lived, tow trucks from the short-lived Matchbox Real Working Rigs.  The series was created in 2009 to allow Matchbox to get the scale right on large rig vehicles and tractor's, while at the same time adding more moving features and removable parts to add more play value to the line.  It was a cool idea, until recent decisions at Matchbox decided to replace the realistic rigs with generic versions designed just for the kids only, then completely axe the series.  What a shame because as you'll see these vehicles have some interesting features and, as in the flatbed truck, packaging issues are non-existent here! Click here for Photo Gallery International Durastar 4400 Flatbed One of the most popular flatbed, or chassis, trucks out there is the International brand.  For decades the trucks have been seen all over the place from school bus, box trucks, utility trucks, flatbed, trash, and more....