Hot Wheels Forza, Part 2: The Alfa is the star, but the whole assortment is brilliant…

There is no getting past how fantastic the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA is.  My guess is when this set hits the pegs, the Alfa will be the first to go.  It may be the best Car Culture model, with full deco, even without being part of the Car Culture line.

My suggestion, however, is to get the whole set.  Order a case from A&J Toys, or buy the set from Wheel Collectors when it arrives.  Just get the set.  It is worth it.

The Alfa is the new casting, the Ford GT is almost new, and the other three – the Lamborghini, Camaro, and Falcon – have been around for a few years.  I have already sung the praises of Mark Jones for the Alfa and GT castings, but there are other major players as well.  The premium models have taken a stunning turn to incredible card art and fantastic, realistic decos, and those fall in some very qualified hands.

It starts with the artwork.  I know I am one to discard the cardboard as soon as I get a model, but I find myself saving the cards more and more.  That is definitely the case with Forza.  Julian Koiles is in charge of the card art with Forza, as he is with Car Culture.  No surprise that I have saved all the cards from both assortments.  Not only is the execution of each right on, but the variety of the art is stupendous.  I love that the art on Car Culture changes drastically with each assortment, and the same applies to the last two Entertainment lines.  And Forza is crazy nice.

And the decos.  My oh my.  Hot Wheels folks know the name.  Steve Vandervate.  Think RLC Gulf.  Think Candy Striper Gasser.  Think Car Culture.  Now think Forza.  That’s Steve.  I mention variety with the card art.  Look at all the stuff Steve has been in charge of lately.  And look at these.

Sweet eh?

Now to the series.  I have had mixed feelings on what was Retro Entertainment and is now called solely “Entertainment”.  There have been some gems over the years, form the Dodge Macho Power Wagon to Ferrari California to the ’87 Toyota.  I will admit that Entertainment-themed cars like the Mystery Machine and Flinstones car do nothing for me, as I am more about the cars themselves, so I won’t be a fan of all.  And that is fine.  Most of those themed cars have been very successful, so I am happy about that.

But there have been too many repeats, and some models that are hanging way too long on the pegs.  That is why I love the Forza and Gran Turismo sets.  I don’t play video games, but I do like the cars, and I think that applies for a lot of collectors.  Forza and GT are wildly popular, and combining with Hot Wheels is a no brainer.  The video gamers get their thing, the car collectors, who are also gobbling up Car Culture, get theirs.  Win.

So count me a huge fan.  The US, Italy, and Australia all represented.  And obviously, if there is a plan for more, a million directions to expand.  A premium Focus RS.  Escort Rally.  McLaren P1.  Honda S2K.  Mazda RX3.  Chevy Opala SS.  The list goes on.  Let’s hope this continues.

For, make sure you get this set…