Alright, let’s get this out of the way right off the bat:
Should Matchbox have made this model? I guess. Why not. But Hot Wheels did. And they did a damn good job. Yes, the Aston is British. Matchbox used to be. So be it. But why should Matchbox have made it?
The notion that Hot Wheels was all about fantasy and Matchbox about realism was never true. Both brands have gone through times where one direction trumped another, but there was never a rule, under Mattel’s direction or not. Yes, the brands are trying to separate themselves now more than ever, but the terms “fantasy” and “realism” are not how they designate the direction. Both brands have licensed cars, both have unlicensed designs, some are based on real vehicles, and some completely made up.
But so many seem to think this is how things should be, and form their opinion solely based on that notion. Too bad. There is too much good stuff out there. We just showed a fantastic BMW 1M from Matchbox that Hot Wheels could have done, and now here is a classic Aston that could easily have been a Matchbox.
Outside of the fact that the DB5 is one of the coolest cars ever made, there appears to be a VERY specific reason why this model was done by Hot Wheels. It is called the Retro Entertainment line. I recently had a discussion with a Hot Wheels designer, who told me that Hot Wheels will continue to push “Entertainment”-related models, both in basic and in the Retro Entertainment line.
And they are clearly on to something. Star Trek and Jetson’s models don’t seem to hang on the pegs very long, and hoarder collectors sure love to get as many of them as they can. And when hoarder collectors grab all they can, it means their ultra-sensitive “must-have” radar has latched onto a slight perception that these models are popular. And you know, when hoarder collectors perceive that something is wanted by others, they pick them all up. It is like animals getting restless before a storm. It is a great gauge.
Nonetheless, Hot Wheels is putting a lot into the entertainment models, and the signature line continues to be Retro Entertainment. And when it comes to the combination of pop culture and cars, James Bond is right in the middle.
I figured the only reason we didn’t see any James Bond cars in the Retro Entertainment lineup in 2013 was because Mattel didn’t have the license. And that could very well be the case. I have no idea. But they do now: A James Bond Mustang was introduced at the HW Convention as part of the 2014 Retro Entertainment line. James Bond does not equal Mustang, but it is a start. And now that the DB5 is in the basic line, and not in silver, you know that model is on its way. It is not a matter of if, but when.
There might be a lot more to the story. Maybe the DB5 was being developed to debut in the Retro line as a James Bond model, but the Bond license didn’t come as quickly. Maybe the licensers wanted to see the casting released before accepting it as a James Bond officially-licensed product. Maybe the DB5 is specifically licensed to another toy company when associated with James Bond. Maybe none of that is true at all. But you know where its future lies.
So we look forward to a silver DB5 with the lace wheels we saw on Ferris’s Ferrari earlier this year. But coming or not, let’s celebrate how great this British Racing Green Aston is.
Clearly the relationship between Mattel and Aston Martin is happy and healthy. In the last few years we have seen the fantastic DBS Volante from Matchbox and four different Astons from Hot Wheels (not counting the DB5). The Vantage started it all, and since we have had the Zagato, DBS, and One-77.
And this is a good thing. Aston Martins have always been the best-looking cars on the road, and until I can afford a real one, Mattel’s versions will do. Of Mattel’s minis, the two DBS models have been my faves. The One-77 casting is a little too small, and sits a little too high, the Zagato is ok, but I am not a huge fan of the real car, and the Vantage decent.
But they are all trumped by the DB5. Iconic, beautiful, and shit, Mattel, you killed it on this one. Killed it. Stance, slope, size. It’s all there. Add to that the BRG, front and rear detailing, and even those lace wheels, and you have an instant favorite.
It is a bit stunning to see a Datsun 620 and Aston Martin DB5 in the 2014 lineup. Both certainly fall in the “never saw it coming” category. What’s next? It will be fun to watch…
(Until the Australians who found this one post some on ebay, you will have to settle on filling in the other Aston gaps in your Hot Wheels collection…)
Hot Wheels 1963 Aston Martin DB5 (2014 New Models):
The other Mattel Astons (save the DB4 Zagato):
Matchbox DBS Volante
Hot Wheels V8 Vantage
Hot Wheels DBS
Hot Wheels One-77
Now that is one STUNNING model, and one I hope I will be able to get hold of, sometime in the future.
That is a definitely going to be the star of the 2014 mainline. What a casting! The color, the wheels, the proportions and full front and rear tampos. Just perfect. Simply astonishing! This is going straight to the top of my 'most wanted' list. Great pictures man. And thank you for the post.
_ Black Wind.
I see a Retro Entertainment James Bond version of this one in the future
The headlight tampos are pretty bad, just like the Ferris California. Matchbox's wheels and excellent tampos could have made this model a lot better.
Well, this just makes it official. Having secured the trademark from Crayola company, Mattel will soon announce their decision to refer to their I-120 lineup of shape-shifting paint/plastic/diecast mighty morph'in toys as “Silly Putty on Wheels”. The Hot Wheels line will incorporate castings from the former Matchbox line with a packaging designation ” MB Concepts with that HW touch”
The only good reason to acquire MB any more is to cut off the plastic wheels for customs.
Once again, Hot wheels have totally nailed it. Everything is right, all where it is supposed to be. Anything less would have been a disappointment. Like I had said before, it's been a long time coming, but it has been well worth the wait.
On another note, I like the DB4 Zagato. I might not be a fan of most of Zagato's designs in general, but the DB4 Zagato and the Ferrari 250 GT Zagato are in my book, rare masterpieces. Getting back to the original note, the DB5 will look right at home next to the rest of my Aston Martin collection. The Mattel gods have been good to us.
I'm afraid that in the stores the tampo won't be made with the precision well known from Matchbox cars (or even visible on these photos). And the question – is there chrome interior?
Dominik
It's much too early to decide that it's the star of a year that hasn't even made its way in yet. Why not just wait for more castings to be released before making such a decision?
Thank you for this great post – what a pleasure to read! On the hoarder topic, I have a recent experience to share: being a UK collector in a country completely abandoned by Mattel's distribution in 2013, I decided to fly out to the States for a day this week to finally complete the P/Q/A case model collection. Following your good example, I did the tourist thing- hired a Mustang Convertible and drove around every Walmart, Target and Kroger I could locate all through the night. I finally managed to come across freshly pulled pallets of toys in one Walmart with a number of A cases on it fresh out of the back. I asked the sales assistant if he minded me opening the cases and he got them out for me – and oh surprise – they had all be opened in the back and every single Jetsons car had been removed prior to them even reaching the shopfloor. I don't actually mind as I honestly couldn't care less about the capsule car but it proves your point that the entertainment focused models continue to attract interest and desirability. At least I managed to find what I was after (love that Corvette) and happily endured another 9 hours of American Airlines somewhat rustic customer service on the way home 🙂 thanks John and all the best!
Chris
HOLY CRAP! I LOVE THIS ONE!!!
Yeah, this one is freakin' cool! The color, tempos (ha ha ), and the wheels (Yeah, some people think it's really ugly. The wheels. Yeah. But to me it's cool in this model or other vintages, not new cars.
Hey John, do you have the hot wheels 2014 corvette from a 204 toy fair? T hunted has it. You have to get it. It's really awesome with a shiny metallic red color OK, that's it.
OOPS, it's a 2014 toy fair.
Wow! Tampo'd headlights & tailights, from Mattel. Usually it's one or the other.
You'd could have post something right now, here, October 19!!! You know why, It's my sister's birthday!
)
That was a mistake from my first comment, not the other one. The one that says “HOLY CRAP!”
I agree this is better as a Hot Wheels, but not for the same reason: If this was an MBX who would be able to find it?
Recolor???
Hello !
I come here after a link posted on a French a forum of collectors of hotwheels !
You do realy pic of it :p I hope find one quicly !
I Expect a James Bond variation in the future… as Hotwheels do some cars from série or movie.
Matchbox and Hotwheel are own by Mattel !
I don't think that Matchbox will do it better, as I have some model !
They are all made in Thailand, Malaysia for the majority 😉
For answer to your question, the interior must be in grey, like the base and the front grill 😉
I got it-AT GIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!