As I was going through my Hot Wheels collection a few days ago, I came across this Hot Wheels Boulevard Honda Civic Coupe that I completely forget about. I am probably not alone in that, this model was a legendary pegwarmer back in 2012/2013.
But man, it is a great model! I am glad I snagged one when I did, because something tells me it would not hang on the pegs as long if it were released today.
Not that it be gobbled up as quickly as models like the Track Day 510 or Redliners ’55 Gasser, but I could see it being popular with many. Oh, how times have changed.
The story of Boulevard has been told many times here. The line had some amazing models, and looking back, many of them would be very popular with collectors today. But the line had several flaws. For one, the card art was super bland, especially compared with the art of the Car Culture line today. The cards didn’t pop at all. Second, they released far too many. Way too many assortments, released way too quickly, with too many models in them. The models that didn’t move quickly piled one over the other over the other. And third, there were a lot of unpopular models. A ton of generics and other bland releases that clouded up all the good stuff.
The result was pegs and pegs full of stagnant product. Sadly, by the time Hot Wheels figured out how to do Boulevard – fewer assortments, spaced out better, with fewer models, but all licensed – the big box stores didn’t want the line anymore. That is how the best models of Boulevard, all released in 2013, ended up in HW purgatory like TJ Maxx. The Datsun Wagon, Skyline GT-X, Porsche 993, and Jeep Wagoneer were incredibly hard to find.
The Honda was part of that problem. The color didn’t pop, there were no side graphics (it makes a difference), and at the time, Honda Civics weren’t on the collector’s radars. The model hung and hung, well into 2013, and even into 2014.
Times are so different, My thought is this model, with those wheels and carbon-fiber-like hood would be welcomed by collectors in a Car Culture batch. The mess that Boulevard was probably led to the success that is Car Culture. So we can be happy. And at least there is a cool Honda to show for it.
So, would you grab this now if it were in Car Culture? Honda for Life.
(Find the Boulevard Hondas on eBay)
Not trying to be a jerk here, but no. I wouldn't. I think it would be a peg warmer again. For the same reason the integra is, the undesirable mods. Stock? I would buy a stock civic si in heartbeat. I just don't like the fronts on either. I like the mods on the s2000 and the crx a lot. I just don't think these are tasteful.
Do a stockversion with proper back lights and no Rr wheels then maybe it would sell
I didn't buy it when it first came out mostly due to the color. If it was red, black, blue or white, I probably would have bought it.
It's alright not bad but at 3.99 any car in any line has to really stand out and few do at 3.99 for me.
Early 2000's, you couldn't go anywhere without seeing cars like this on the street. You'd kids loved them and the served as an entry way into the automotive hobby. These cars a part of the American car culture during that time. Is this model the best, no, but it definitely is an accurate representation of a car you would pass at a cruise in on Saturday night. I snagged one for my collection.
Fourth problem with the Boulevard series: quality was horrid. The Malaysia plant has been an issue for years, and this line was no different. Tampons alignemt was atrocious.
Anyway…
To me, I feel this casting was tastefully done. Talking about the casting itself, not this specific release. It is not over the top “Fast and Furious” modified. I have no care for real Honda Civics, but I do really like this casting.
Now as for this specific release, I actually really like it too. My biggest problem is the wheels, I just don't like the RR8sp when done in chrome. If they did them in a gray, black or even body color, I think it would be better. I have one loose where it was gutted for the wheels and the person put gray mainline 10sp on them and it actually looks pretty killer.
I'd buy it only because of nolstalgia. I was in my late teens, early 20s during the days when you'd see 'ricer' cars everywhere and when The Fast and The Furious first came out. The color isn't the best….but it actually does represent some of the crazy color choices some tuners chose.
Back in years when it was released, Hot Wheels rarely made cars from the Honda brand, this one though is a stunner for me, being a JDM fan and it never crossed my mind a Honda Civic Si would make it into the line, so it was a surprise for me. My most favorite version is the Walgreens release. However with this particular model, I think should be retooled such as a different bodykit and non-chrome rims. It would have been better. But the best Honda model that Hot Wheels released was the Honda S2000, hands down.
I would definitely buy it, pegwarmer or not. I've always liked the Civic Si coupe (both real and HW) and this one looks great. Its a shame it wasn't available in my country.
Honda hasn't quite jumped on the Nissan bandwagon just yet. And I honestly think the JDM thing is starting to wear off already in the HW world. I'm betting the guys that are paying $10-15 for these aren't in the USA either.
Stock versions are for Matchbox. It's not really a Hot Wheels thing.
My main complaint about this model wasn't touched on by anyone yet…it's the size. It's too damn big. That said, I DO have one, and I am glad I picked it up when it was busy peg-warming. The fact that it did warm the pegs is honestly probably the only reason I got one…It took quite a few times seeing it hanging there to start appreciating it. Once home and out of the blister, I do appreciate it.
Also, a quick perusal of sold listings on ebay shows that the Civic does have a bit of traction…prices seem to be in the 12 to 15 dollar range. So, not a hot commodity in the same way some of the more desirable boulevard models are, but not a slouch like some of the other perennial pegwarmers. I'm guessing this will be on a gradual upward trajectory
This car will still be a pegwarmer in 2017 if she is making a comeback, because she is the perfect definition on why everybody hates Hondas in US and Canada. The huge bodykit, massive wing, shiny wheels, false carbon fiber stickers and of course, the fartcan in the back. THis car is the perfect definition of a Ricer build.
Umm…false on all counts. the tuner scene for Honda Civics is very much alive and well, and cars like this have a big following in the U.S. It may not be to your taste (and honestly, not really to mine either) but to say “everybody hates Hondas in US and Canada” is a hilariously erroneous opinion.
I actually bought a heaps of these as a cheap source of wheels because they look like the minilites that were pretty common on circuit racers in the 60's and 70's, and are small enough in diameter to look in-scale on some other brands of 1:64, especially Kyosho's. I have them on a Kyosho Camaro, Boss Mustang, Alfa stepnose and Fiat 124 spider, and on some Greenlight castings. I tried them on the Hot wheels Escort RS but they looked a little undernourished.
As for the actual Honda casting – I think a 3 door Type R hatchback would have had wider appeal.
The colour scheme doesn't really work either – it was definitely the weakest model in the series.
I actually bought a heaps of these as a cheap source of wheels because they look like the minilites that were pretty common on circuit racers in the 60's and 70's, and & are small enough in diameter to look in-scale on some other brands of 1:64, especially Kyosho's. I have them on a Kyosho Camaro, Boss Mustang, Alfa stepnose and Fiat 124 spider, and on some Greenlight castings. I tried them on the Hot wheels Escort RS but they looked a little undernourished.
As for the actual Honda casting – I think a 3 door Type R hatchback would have had wider appeal.
The colour scheme doesn't really work either – it was definitely the weakest model in the series.