Sometimes in this hobby, it is hard to be patient. Case in point? The latest release of the Hot Wheels Custom ’56 Ford Truck.
The newest Hot Wheels from Batch E have been hitting Asda stores in the UK, well ahead of the rest the world. There is a lot to be excited about, but most I can wait for until they arrive in this part of the world. The ’56 Ford I couldn’t wait for, so I asked a collector in the UK, James Yeung, if he didn’t mind sending me an example. I sent him payment, and he sent over the model. Yes, I paid the UK prices and shipping for a model that will be $1 here in a few weeks. Goofy, eh?
And I don’t even collect the ’56 Ford casting. So why did I do it?
It is definitely a good-looking model. The casting is super nice, and the barn find look of this version, with its matte gray color and rust details, is fantastic. But that isn’t the reason.
It’s those wheels.
The ’56 Ford Truck is the first model to sport a brand new basic wheel, the deep dish steelies. Mattel might have a different name for them, but for now we will go with that. New wheels are always a significant deal with Hot Wheels, but these especially so. This is easily the most realistic basic wheel Hot Wheels has ever done, and I don’t think I am overstating when I say it is the best they have done.
Hot Wheels has Real Riders figured out. There are styles for all kinds of vehicles. Basic wheels have lagged far behind. There are some really nice options, like the 10-spokes and lace wheels, but others either don’t look like any real wheel or have too low of a profile. The gap is particularly large with classic cars. Typically Hot Wheels has used the 5-spoke and MC5 wheels for these type of cars, and while they don’t take away from the models, they don’t add much either.
That changes now. The DDS (let’s call them that for the sake of this feature) will work on all kinds of classic cars. It is here on the ’56 Ford, and we know it is coming on the recolor of the Datsun Fairlady Roadster. And style works on both. The detail is comparable to real riders. The barrel has a steelie look with open notches along the outside, making it work on a rusty old truck as well as a sporty classic. Start thinking of the models these would work on, from the ’83 Silverado to Datsun Wagon to any classic Mustang to the Hakosuka Skyline. There is no doubt so many of these models will sport these at some point, and I can’t wait.
Matchbox has always had the better basic wheels, especially when it comes to classic-style wheels, but the DDS closes a massive gap in a very exciting way. I have a feeling you customizers will be throwing them all kinds of models.
Looking forward to it…
I have it, and I love it. Very nice looking model, one of my fav of this year.
Picked one up on Saturday it is very nice.
I wish someone would do a GOOD PICTURE, painting it so we can actually SEEN the dang rim you're so excited about. I've yet to see a decent picture
Are they e case? My stores just got got c case
umm…the pics that are second from the bottom and fourth from the bottom aren't good enough to see the rim? Get your eyes checked, buddy. Those both give an excellent view of the rim. You do know you can expand the picture, right?
These are great looking basic wheels! Don't they remind you of Mopar rally wheels? They would look sharp moulded in gray.
It seems like 2017 is the year of new basic wheels! I like almost every because those saw-blade style wheels on the Tesla are a little tacky. But this truck looks sweety sweet! Not only does it suit these awesome new steelies, it's also suiting this neat barn-find livery! Hot Wheels doesn't do that as much as they should. So it's a twofor!
Those are definitely some killer wheels. But imagine how they'd look on the Matchbox Skyline! I think I can safely say that this truck will be hoarded for the wheels, at least until more models are available with these wheels.
I hope those hideous wheels on the Tesla are limited to very few castings, I would hate them to show up on muscle cars and classic trucks.
Would HW ever learn to add TIRES to their rims? Classic cars & trucks have tires that are “visible” – not like these. I don't understand how this suits classic cars/trucks.
The pics 4th & 2nd from the bottom but you really can not see the detail in the rim.
Agreed. If they at least tried to get the spokes closer to the hub it would be better…I'm ok with the slanted spokes, but as is, it just looks like they're floating…not very realistic.
That said, if there's any licensed casting that these work best on, it's probably the Tesla.
That was the nice thing about the old BW rims. If they did one of the nice current rim designs with a sidewall like the BW wheels, it would really elevate some of the muscle car castings
Absolutely… But they wouldn't do that, because then the model would look too realistic like Matchbox. And they wouldn't let Matchbox to do licensed castings either as that would affect Hot Wheels' sales. Sorry about the rant.