Well, we knew this day would come.
Hot Wheels Boulevard is done. Sure, a few models are just hitting the pegs, but everything has been released, all that is left will be distributed, and Hot Wheels will move into its “Cool Classics” phase.
But it was fun while it lasted. Boulevard seems (or seemed) to be the culmination of an evolving line of premium Hot Wheels. First Designer’s Garage, then Garage, then Boulevard with subsets, and finally the short but tantalizingly sweet 2013 Boulevard lineup.
We here at Lamley are going to miss this line immensely. The pegs were full of realistic looking muscle cars, supercars, JDM, classics, Euro sports cars, and many others, all full metal, all with realistic design, and all with real riders. So much thought was certainly put into this line, and it showed.
But alas, sales aren’t what Mattel wanted, and we move on. But thankfully we are left with some spectacular models.
So why don’t we pick the best?
Here is what we did. We put our heads together with some of our favorite Hot Wheels “consultants”, and tried to come up with a list of Boulevard models that appeared to get the most attention and best response, and then came up with a list of nominees. We will let you pick the best in the poll below.
There is certainly a good chance that your personal favorite is not on this list, but we tried to think in general terms. And it wasn’t just the normal Lamley folk that came up with the list. We asked several others who frequent Hot Wheels forums and asked for their input. This list is the culmination of that brainstorming session.
Take a look at the list, peruse the photos below, and vote for the model you think was the best. And be sure to share with everyone. You can link the poll via Facebook or Twitter but hitting the links on the poll after you vote. We want everyone to get a chance to choose the best…
Be sure to vote now. The poll will close on Sunday, July 21.
What was the best Hot Wheels Boulevard Model?
The nominees (in no particular order):
’77 Pontiac Firebird
AMC Rebel Machine
Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X
’55 Lincoln Futura Concept
1988 Jeep Wagoneer
’55 Corvette
’63 Chrysler Turbine
’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon
’64 Ford Falcon Sprint
’58 Plymouth Belvedere
’69 Chevy Camaro
Long Gone
Porsche 993 GT2
’85 Chevy Astro Van
Vector W8 TwinTurbo
I selected the Datsun wagon as my favorite in the poll, with only slight hesitation over the 993 GT2 & 1958 Plymouth Belvedere.
Otherwise, I would vote for the orange and black Porsche 914-6 race car if given the option; which is seen hiding in the background of the first photo!
+1 to Datsun wagon
BTW, love wagons and missed '66 Pontiac GTO wagon in the list.
I'm excited that we finally got a decent Vector casting! Also, it's hard to really vote on this seeing as most of that list never even got to my area because the stores around here royally suck at restocking on any regular basis.
The Chrysler Turbine is almost a dead ringer for the semi-production turbine cars. Hands down one of my favorites…
dynodog here,,, I voted for the Vector, best paint i have seen on a $3 car ever! The 77 T/A is also sweet, tied with the Vette as my #2 favorites. I'm basing my choices on cars that i have seen in person and able to buy, the Astro Van looks hot as well, i'd love to find one !
I had to vote for the hakosuka. I know the Bluebird will win, and deservedly so, but that hakosuka is magic.
69 Camaro 1st Rebel Machine 2nd
Yeah I second that, I live in Wisconsin and I have not seen any of the good ones in person. Common crap as always stupid hot tub car…
Where is Hudson Hornet option? Oo
I had to roll with the Vette and the Belvedere. Them thangs are downright gorgeous!
On a side note, I really don't know what all the fuss is about for that Datsun wagon. I understand this blog caters towards the JDM crowd, and I love me some JDM too. But I just think that car is overrated, compared to the other cars in the series. First of all, what the hell is so great about THAT car? Second of all, the colors kinda clash. Pastel green with red wheels? But, I guess it's a matter of taste. Not trying to hate; I'm just not sure what people see in that one so much.
Not hating, just saying. Flame me all yall want to, I really don't care.
AMC all the way!
That's the only one, of these choices, that I ever found. I probably would pick it anyway, though.
dang… the lovely 914 didn't make the cut….
Now I'll have to break ranks and vote the Vector, becasue it's an unusual design that actually stands out…
(The 993 variant 911 gt2's only major draw is the massive rear spoiler for me)
I can't vote, my favorite isn't on the list… the custom '41 Willys Coupe.
Perhaps I should clarify for those who aren't already aware, but the main reason you haven't seen the recent batches this year in stores is because they didn't and won't be hitting the pegs. Correct me if I'm wrong but Walmart, Target, Meijer, etc stopped reordering/receiving the Boulevard line as it was being discontinued.
So, if you're like me and waited for the Datsun wagon to hit the shelves that never came, you should go to eBay or one of the Lamley sponsors and purchase them there before it's too late and the prices go up even further!
turbine car all the way
Long Gone. Love it!
Really, the Datsun is winning? Of all the cars listed if I ranked them 1 to 15 I'd rate it a 16 – not because of the casting, the casting is nice but the car as presented is just dog ugly. Plain pond algae green with red wheels, seriously?
Fell in love with the '55 Corvette the first time I saw it!
btw what happened to the last poll??? Toyota 2000GT followed by the Celica…
How bout the poll b4 that.. The Toyota Truck won here but later on there was also a voting on a different site…
The JDM poll results will be used for a future piece we are doing when we review 2013. The Toyota truck was part of a 2012 Lamley Awards Poll. You can look up our write-up on those if you look for the label Lamley Awards…
I voted for the Datsun Bluebird. I have not found one yet and the Corvette, Turbine car, Rebel et. al. are amazing but that Bluebird is great.
I don't think you understand the difference between amazing and great…
You guys would pick the Porsche after seeing those huge wheel wells?
'55 Corvette and '58 Belvedere represent!
That's because this is a JDM lovers site…..You shouldn't expect a fair poll here…
Agree…..