I had myself a day when it came to peg finds yesterday. The same rural store that I have visited a couple of times this year yielded yet more very cool older Hot Wheels.
It is a trip when you find older models like this, literally and figuratively. It is such a shock, and a bit exhilarating to see them hanging there. Moreso, it is a trip down memory lane when these cars were all over the place. You remember the models you did buy, but even more you find yourself appreciating the cars you passed on back in the day.
These finds today were from 2009 and 2010. And holy cow, I should have been paying more attention then. I was all about the Japanese releases back then, namely the 510, R34 Skyline, and GT-R. What I missed was all the interesting muscle Hot Wheels was putting out.
Back then Hot Wheels was all about muscle, so the interesting cars like the ’67 Firebird 400, Dodge Demon, and Buick GSX sadly blended in with all the Mustangs and Camaros of the day. I can’t help but think that these are the equivalent of the Datsun Roadsters, Mazda RX-3’s, and 190E Evo’s we are seeing today. Just, for lack of a better term, way interesting.
I started picking up on it a year or two later, with models like the ’72 Gran Torino and Trans Am Race Cars, but I didn’t see that things had already taken off a couple of years prior.
So thanks goodness for the retro finds. These models are amazing. Muscle is Lamley’s new hype.
Thanks mate. Here I was quietly being left alone to collect muscle and then you shine a searchlight in them. Now everybody and their aunt will want the awesome Pontiac GTOs and the kickass Mercury Cougars and super hot AMCs
The tampos back then were much simpler and cleaner looking then today's. Those cars have to be coming from someone's collection as that yellow C6.R Corvette is a Wal-Mart exclusive car.
ah, those Vettes and that orange 'Cuda! <3
LOL
All those muscle power can never be put to use without proper shoes! Hence they all are disappointing, IMHO.
2009 was when I started to really get back into collecting again. So all of these were actually found by myself at the time. Was thrilled with all these cars I sort of idolized because of my father. Especially the GSX, Demon, Javelin, Cuda and (not shown) the Super Bee.
Also, that yellow C6R is a Walmart exclusive.
Someone at Mattel should look back at just how damn good these all look without unnecessary tempos detracting from what are essentially great little replicas for their price. I collect mainly JDM only yet my favourite HW of all is the Fairlane pictured here in teal,along with the two Garage variants
I'd buy everyone of those cars and the current 2017 equivalents as well if they had the much better wheel designs of the Car Culture, etc series. Doesn't have to be the real riders tires or even the upscale chrome surfaces – just wheels that look more like mags, drag wheels, modern customs etc.
I purchase most of the premium series, but the current “toy box generic” wheels on most of the mainline Hot Wheels turns me off from purchasing hundreds of new models. Even Matchbox offers a series of much better wheels on a lot of their mainline collection.
That orange AAR is a favorite of mine.
God I wish I could find stores that did this…
I do have about half of what's pictured here, but it would be awesome to find some of the stuff I don't have.
Isn't it great to snag some old Hot Wheels for $1 each that would otherwise cost you $3 (or more) to get any other way?
Nice! The stock variations of these cars are always great
Wow, nice finds, love the card art from that era too!
Listen I am a muscle car guy but I find JDM very intriguing. Most of all I like veriety and realism. I would love to see more casts of both. That said I don't need to see more Camaros, Firebirds and Chargers. I mean I love them great models but there is some really obscure stuff I would love to see. As a matter of fact I tagged the HWDT on IG with a pic of a bad ass Ford Pinto that would look great next to the Poison Pinto. I love the Vega but they could have done so much better. Case in point the Maverick, the current version is nice but the Mighty Mav blows it away. The stance just screams muscle. The current Mav looks stock no balls. That is what is missing from the design team imo BALLS! Maybe because the team is not from that era. Whatever the reason they need to research these before they design them. Not saying their horrible but they lack the it factor. They could kill these if they put in the time.
I have to add my two cents about tampos. It's true that the classic examples above are WAY cleaner than some of the models that have been recently released.
I noticed how crazy busy the designs on some castings have become. It's almost refreshing to gaze at the reclaimed lost treasures because of their SIMPLE tampos.
It's like.. less is more!
Man, if i saw these in some store i'd freak, freak I say. It's like they are trapped in time. Since it's Easter time, these colorful beauties look like Easter eggs!
I was thinking the same thing, the card art from this era was truly stellar.
Very true, the simple decos combined with the clean and attractive card art make these very Eastery indeed. Wouldn't mind finding a few of these on an egg hunt 🙂
Am I the only one whose over seeing a new camaro charger or corvette
Like I could write a list of every new one that's come out since 2008
2007 Camaro
2008 Camaro Convertible
2009 Camaro SS
2010 Custom 10 Camaro
2011 Custom 11 Camaro
2012 Camaro ZL1
2013 Camaro Special Edition
2014 14 COPO Camaro
2015 No New Camaros
2016 Camaro SS
2017 17 Camaro ZL1
A new camaro every year since 2007…
I'd hate to see what challengers charger and corvette is like
Hotwheels needs to do more super cars
Lykan SSC Lexus Mercedes Bmw Aston Martin (the concept cars)
More race cars
Less Japanese ones
Hooyaa for 67 pontiac firebird 400… Still missing the garages, boulevard n 2016 mystery car..
If you live in the Mid-Atlantic or Southeastern regions of the United States, you might want to check out your local Variety Wholesale store (Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Value Mart, Super Dollar, Bargain Town, Bill's Dollar Store) or Fred's, they usually stock Hot Wheels from previous years. These are mostly stock that were found in the distribution center or the store's backroom, because someone doesn't understand the meaning of the terms “stock rotation” and “inventory auditing.”
I've been on both sides of the process (retail employee and field inventory team) and you won't believe what you'll find in those storerooms.