It has been awhile since we have seen a decent version of the Morris Mini in the mainline. Of course the three Italian Job Minis were a treat, but not since 2007 has there been a $1 version worth buying.
Even then, as much as we loved the Italian Job models, this new version is the best the Mini has ever looked. There have been quite a few mini-Minis, but it looks best as a rally racer, and this one is fantastic. It is a casting that feels a bit refreshed. All of a sudden this model fits well with some of our favorite racing models, like this year’s Celica and Cougar, as well as the Chevelle SS racer introduced last year.
With Batch H hitting, this should be a very popular model. And from what we have seen in the bins we have come across, it is only one per case. Of course that could be different elsewhere, but this might be a model that gets gobbled up. It surely deserves to be…
(Find the Morris Mini on ebay…)
Hot Wheels Morris Mini (2014 Mainline):
The Morris Mini has some beautiful red paint job, great deco, and some style. This thing is almost as good as the Camaro in the Speedhunter livery. Very nice!
Not bad. It reminds me of the old Lesney Matchbox “Racing Mini” from the '70s
I'm looking forward to this one! Which is saying a lot since I have only bought one a little over 10 years ago. The previous colors were poor choices for a classic Mini, and I wasn't impressed by the Retro Entertainment Italian Job line due to lack of 3 rally lights on the front of each… something every model manufacturer seems to skimp on when it comes to these.
Is this the most accurate recreation of a Mini in 1:64, even in fender-flared form? Not so much… but it is close enough and the tribute to the Monte Carlo winning #177 on the doors is a valiant effort by Hot Wheels and I'll buy 2, maybe 3. Even with the lack of premium wheels & metal chassis I'd say it's my favorite!
Now does anyone know if it still 'opens' like the earlier version or has that feature long-since been removed?
This one does appear to have a metal chassis, you can tell because the grille is metal…if you remember from previous versions, that grille is the tab that holds the chassis to the body at the front. I would guess that it does still open up. Which is good news as far as I'm concerned. I love that even nowadays you can find a mainline model here and there that's still metal on metal.
Mighty Mini…!!
I got one today opened it and noticed: No roll cage!
I modified mine by replacing the very stiff “S” plastic spring with a real coil spring. The chrome on the wheels have already rubbed off from opening the body so many times.