You #lamleyhype critics, I’m gonna give you some fodder today.
Let’s just start with it. The Subaru BRAT from the Hot Wheels Trucks Assortment is the best Car Culture model so far, and that includes Japan Historics.
Yikes! That’s quite a statement, and Lamley is at his hyping best again!
I guess I am. The Japan Historics as a set is a gem. Homages to historic racing liveries, a creative police car, and a fantastic new model in the RX-3. A VERY popular new wheel too. It really can’t be beat. The models on their own are great, with the Toyota 2000GT probably my favorite.
The Trucks Series is up there as well, but not at the same level as the Historics. But there isn’t a weal model in the bunch. AND, throw all 15 Car Culture models released so far into a Best-to-Worst list, and guess which, to me, comes out on top? Well, let’s do the list, shall we?
(Cringing as I write this. Darts preparing to come…)
- Subaru BRAT
- Toyota 2000GT
- Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X
- BMW E30 M3
- Mazda RX-3
- Porsche 993 GT2
- Ford F-250
- Chevy Silverado
- Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R
- Ford Ranchero
- Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon
- Datsun 620
- Fiat 500
- VW Golf MK7
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Yeah, explaining that list is a post for another time. But some are at the bottom because I am just not fond of the liveries. All great castings though. The fact is the series has been stellar so far, and there isn’t one model I actually dislike. Just some I like more than others.
And that speaks to how much I like the Brat. I have been so fond of that casting since it was released. Such a great choice for a Hot Wheels (while doing a stock Brat would be perfect for Matchbox), and the casting is executed perfectly. Seats in the back, seats in the back!
I just haven’t been really into the decos. They are nice, but nothing stands out. Until this simple zamac version comes out. It’s essentially a black-and-white Brat, with more stock cues deco-wise. And while I would have been singing its praises if it had this deco over a white or gray base, zamac takes it to the next level. The model is just so damn sharp. And I haven’t even gone into the perfect choice for wheels. Oh, and tail lights, which seem to be having a hard time showing up on other Car Culture models.
Yes, the criticism that everything is Lamley’s favorite is legitimate – I just get too excited about models sometime – but count the Brat as one. It always will be. As long as I have display space for Hot Wheels, the Car Culture Brat will be there.
The rest of the Trucks are no slouches either. I mentioned in my video that this is the first Silverado going in the collection, and the more I look at it with those wheels and raked stance, I am all in. Best Ranchero so far as well, great vintage Ford, and I won’t turn away a 620.
Trucks is rad.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Well, before anyone else gets in I'll just say I agree…..mostly.
I would put the 2000gt and the RX3 ahead, but the the brat is a perfectly done model, and the lack of deco shows that. Just the shape with no distractions.
I like it.
…and I really hope the RX3 comes to mainline soon.
I actually completely agree. I've had my eye on the BRAT since I saw the preview you put up a few months back and now I can see the model for real I want it even more. Waiting for it to be released is excruciating, I don't think I've ever wanted a HW this bad.
Also do the wheels roll okay on it? Looks like a tight fit there.
I like fairly simple decos on the cars. So the BRAT, Golf, and Ranchero would probably all be up there.
Yup. I like the Brat casting a lot. But i have not picked up any as of yet. The main reason is the wheel choices. The wheels all are a bit too much for the small trucklet. I think the Hot Ones fit and look best. Another item related to this is the wheel arch shape. The Brat has curved wheel openings. This one has openings with a flat top. I understand this is a modified version but most I have seen still have curved arches with the flares. This would go a long way towards the tire fit. I do like the Zamac on this one. So I will likely get it if I find it in a store. Then do a swap for smaller wheels/tires.
Don't be such a BRAT! Get it? Haha! Little car pun humor! I do have to agree that the Brat is the best casting in the series. Love the simplicity as oppose to the deco-friendly cars seen before. I'm not saying they're terrible in any way, I just prefer clean more than decos. Also, taillights is a great touch, especially on the best casting so far. The odds of me finding it in the wild, however, are very slim. I still have yet to find the Euro Classics. But who knows, just got to keep my eyes out. Great posting.
P.S., I'm looking forward to the coverage on the Gathering of Friends this weekend! Can't wait to see what's in store for 2017 and even the rest of 2016!
Nice Truck line up. Brat should have the wheels off the F-250, smaller and with tread. The F-250 is striking and the Datsun's paint scheme is beautiful.
The f250 though!!!!
Totally concur with you on this BRAT. It’s been a personal favorite of mine, the 1:1 that is. I lived in rural nowhere PA in between the mini-wannabe metropolis of Harrisburg and Hershey, so rural that we had a “RD” address (rural delivery route). On this rural road called Pine Hill road where I lived the owner of the property next store owned a small import car garage. Nothing special, just 3 bays with a bathroom that oozed that stereotypical feel of a dirty little garage. It was complete with a bathroom full of nude pinups. All they primarily fixed were small imports, mainly Subaru, Renault, Datsuns, and occasional Toyotas/Hondas.
One of the guys there had a Sub Brat and it was my dream car the moment that I saw those seats in the back with vertical handlebars to hang onto for the ride. Never got one but this HotWheels casting caught that mystique for me the moment I saw one. Great, great casting!