#tranquilcollecting
I can't get too caught up in my Matchbox 2017 Preview. There is still a lot to get through in 2016. So while I was off gallivanting with my Matchbox friends in Albuquerque, A&J Toys sent over this J Case to open. And I finally did.So have a look, and let me know what you …
Continue reading "Lamley Unboxing: Opening a 2016 Matchbox J Case…"
File this under "Awesome because it is just awesome."As we reported earlier, this week Matchbox sent out their raw, unriveted Skylines to the winners of the #matchboxcustomcontest for them to customize. Over the last few days, those customizers have been showing what arrived:#machtbox#matchboxcustomcontest #skylineA photo posted by Leo Campos (@lcampos37) on Jul 29, 2016 at …
Continue reading "Variation Alert! Yes, the Matchbox Nissan Skyline has two interiors…"
Sung Kang, famous for his role in the Fast & Furious series, and possibly now even more famous in car circles for his "Fugu Z" 240Z, has now unveiled the worst kept secret in Hot Wheels - the little Fugu Z is coming to the 2017 Hot Wheels basic range. Thank you @hotwheelsofficial... a dream …
Continue reading "Sung Kang unveils the 2017 Hot Wheels Datsun 240Z "Fugu Z"…"
So I saw my first 2017 Hot Wheels model the other day - preview coming soon - and one thing really stood out:This model is #10 of...ahem...365. 365! Considering the basic ranges in previous years have been 250, that is a MASSIVE increase. Just think of all the different models we can collect! Overload! We …
Continue reading "So are there really 365 different models in the 2017 Hot Wheels Basic Assortment?"
You say "Matchbox Generic", or as the Matchbox Team likes to call it, "Matchbox Original", and I think of two things.One, I think that I will always like the licensed models better, but that goes without saying. I collect for the replicas of the real cars. But my second thought is always this: Give me …
Continue reading "The upcoming 2017 Matchbox Tuk-Tuk may be the best generic model in years…"
Matchbox let everyone know yesterday that those that won the #matchboxcustomcontest would be getting their Skylines soon. Coming soon to a customizer near you. #matchboxgoodoldtime #letthegamesbeginA photo posted by @matchboxworld on Jul 26, 2016 at 8:02pm PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsAnd now they are arriving. It's here!!!! So many ideas! Just hope I have enough time! I can't wait …
Alright, now that we are in Part 3 of the 2017 Matchbox Preview, how about some SLA models, or 3D prints?The last two posts have of models in EP phase, which means - outside of maybe some minor changes - the castings are essentially done. The SLA models are MUCH earlier in the development stage, …
Continue reading "Matchbox 2017 Preview, Part 3: 1970 Datsun 510 & 1966 Nissan Junior Pickup…"
Hot Wheels 2016 Batch P at Wheel CollectorsP Case is in. That means one more to go and the Hot Wheels 2016 basic range closes out.We have our first 2017 model to preview - that comes later this week - so my guess is information will start streaming through soon, and I don't mean all …
Continue reading "Case Report: Opening a 2016 Hot Wheels P Case…"
It probably isn't the biggest surprise, but it is definitely most welcome.Today on its Instagram feed, Matchbox let the cat out of the bag: Very excited to see this beauty return to the shelf soon! #mercedes #slrmclaren #mercedesmondayA photo posted by @matchboxworld on Jul 25, 2016 at 5:54am PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsThe SLR McLaren is back, and it …
Continue reading "The Mercedes SLR McLaren makes its triumphant return to the Matchbox range…"
Slow process I know, but thanks to your suggestions, I did just DLM four new selections for the wall display. 20 to go...What do you think of my first four?
This is Part 2 of several posts showcasing the EP and 3D prototypes Matchbox brought to show at the Gathering earlier this month.Here are two more models that are in the EP phase - meaning the casting is done, and it moves on to getting any final touches, and then color and deco. The first …
Continue reading "Matchbox 2017 Preview, Part 2: ’16 Toyota Tacoma & Fiat 500X…"
Lamley Carded Sale on ebay...After a girls trip with Mom, a jaunt to the Gathering with Dad, and then summer camp, my daughter has finally settled back home. And I put her right back to work. The Lamley Carded Sale continues at the link below:Lamley Carded Sale on ebay...If you remember, my daughter, as a …
Continue reading "My daughter is back home. Time to start the Lamley Carded Sale again…"
Just a heads up to get your hunting cap on. Time to hunt a new Datsun 620.Lamley Reader Bob Parslow let us know that he found the black recolor of the 620 at a Walmart in California. I am sure it will hit at Targets, Walgreens, TRU, and any other store that stocks 9-packs eventually, …
Continue reading "The third color of the Hot Wheels multipack exclusive Datsun 620 has hit Walmart…"
Hearses at hobbyDBHere is a question we don't really want to spend a lot of time thinking about:After all those years of hunting, trading, buying, selling, organizing, and worrying about your collection, what the hell will happen to it when you...ahem...kick the bucket?It is unavoidable. Annoying, a burden to think about, but it is coming. …
Last weekend the Matchbox Team was among 150 to 200 Matchbox collectors, most of whom know each other and share a specific passion for the orange brand. This weekend, another Mattel Team is encountering something COMPLETELY different.The Hot Wheels team is in San Diego for the greatest crowd-phobia event there is - Comic Con.And among …
Continue reading "Take a gander at the Hot Wheels display at Comic Con…"
Kyosho x Sunkus Lottery 02 Nissan GT-R at Japan BoosterThe Skylines and GT-Rs keep coming, and I don't hear much complaining about it.And now it is Kyosho's turn. They have done plenty of Skylines and GT-Rs in the past, but they have done some refreshes and are now making the GT-R the subject of their …
Time to walk through the upcoming 2017 Matchbox New Models. Through the end of this week and into next, we will showcase the photos that Matchbox allowed me to take while in Albuquerque for the Gathering.Hopefully you were able to see the presentation last Saturday night on the Lamley Facebook Live feed. If not, definitely …
It is always a treat to see the outgoing Ambassador claim the gold bus at the Matchbox Gathering.Each of the last 11 years, the Matchbox will bring that person up and present them with what is a very unique, but very recognizable Matchbox model - the Routemaster Bus, in gold, with the name of the …
A few weeks ago I reorganized my loose Hot Wheels collection. That meant gathering all the loose Hot Wheels I wanted to keep and organizing them in my Jammer cases alphabetically by carmaker.So that also meant the three rows of Hot Wheels I have to display in my Carney displays were emptied as well. Yes, …
Continue reading "Give me 24 Hot Wheels that NEED to be in this display…"
There are a lot of Matchbox previews to come.As they have in years past, the Matchbox Team granted a me a few minutes to photograph the preview models they brought to the Gathering. Many were upcoming 2016 models, and they had almost all 2017 New Models in some form or another, mostly SLA versions, or …
Continue reading "The Volvo V60 joins the stellar Matchbox Wagon family…"
Photo Credit: famousbyrd11_cohwcInstagram member @mistapontiac_cohwc caused quite a stir yesterday with this post:#newset pretty fresh anyone seen these replacing starsandstripes #scalpstrong #cohwc #hwc #hwcollector #hotwheels #hotwheelsaddict #hotwheelscollection #hotwheelscollectorsA photo posted by mistapontiac_COHWC (@mistapontiac_cohwc) on Jul 18, 2016 at 10:23am PDT//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.jsWhat's this? The next assortment for Walmart bins? But Ford Performance was just released! Well, it is indeed …
Continue reading "The Hot Wheels Garage Premium line is now out at Walmart…"
Another little treat from the Gathering. The Matchbox Team handed out artwork for 25 New Models this year. Most models we have seen already released, but it was nice to see the artwork for the upcoming Skyline (find the error), Dodge Ram, and Volvo Wagon.Some lucky winners even took home posters of the models as …
Continue reading "Here is the artwork for all 25 Matchbox New Models in 2016…"
Sad you missed this one? What with all the Miata-ing about and whatnot, this year's Gathering was a massive success.And yes, many of you watched the presentations, and got to see what was coming in 2017. But how much better would it have been to be there in person? You would have had a meal, …
Continue reading "Save the Date: The 2017 Matchbox Gathering of Friends has been announced…"
Still lots of Gathering coverage to come, but first, sleep is most definitely the priority.I had a long drive home yesterday, and today the Albuquerque airport staff will be busy loading all kinds of diecast goodies on planes destined for locations all over the world. The Matchbox Team is romping and rolling the brush truck …