Model: Hot Wheels ’19 Corvette ZR1 Convertible
Line: 2020 Factory Fresh
eBay Link: Hot Wheels ’19 Corvette ZR1 Convertible
Why I am featuring it:
The relationship between Corvette and Hot Wheels goes back to the beginning. A Custom Corvette will forever be remembered as one of the Original 16, and subsequently reissued in a commemorative set from the Red Line Club back in 2018. Since inception of the brand, Hot Wheels has done every generation of the Corvette numerous times over, in various lines. Mainlines, 100%, premium series…just like the 1:1, there is a Corvette for every budget. The 2020 release of the 2019 ZR1 Convertible, from the design mind of Ryu Asada, is the latest and greatest to represent GM’s halo car as a Hot Wheels.
While Ryu got the C7 ball rolling with both the Stingray Coupe and Convertible in 2013 and 2014 respectively, Mark Jones took the reins for the C7 Z06 (again, in both Coupe and Convertible form). I’m not a Corvette guy in the slightest, but all of those castings are very well done: mostly realistic proportions, simple tampos, and unoffensive wheel choices (even if they are small front, large rear).
But if I had to choose an absolute favorite of Corvette’s last front-engine tour de force, it would be Ryu’s most recent ZR1 that would remain on my desktop. And for one, err two, simple reasons: mirrors.
When it comes to Hot Wheels, I suspend my personal preference of scale accuracy. I understand they’re pretty much designed for a blister, much like Matchbox, and allow for artistic license in arriving at that goal. But I don’t know why it’s so hard to add two little nubs of zamac to really make those otherwise smooth-sided castings pop.
The inclusion of side mirrors on the ZR1, and especially being painted in Sebring Orange, elevates this model to keeper status. And while the recolor in a dark blue is nice, it falls short IMO due to the wheel choice (gray OH5s vs. black PR5s.)
There isn’t much else to say about the casting except it’s worthy of a place in anyone’s collection, regardless if you’re a Bowtie toadie or a Blue Oval lackey. And of course my brain wonders if any of the C7 releases will ever make it to attainable premium status (The RLC release notwithstanding).
Gorgeous photographs man!! Especially of all the 5 Vettes together!
And yes, I completely agree on the mirror argument. I have mentioned many times before and I will say it once again: they may be the smallest detail but they make a big difference on how the casting looks overall. And that’s also a big factor when it comes to picking my “best new model of the year”. And for this year, this ZR1 is one of my favourites.
Thanks! I thought the group shot would be appropriate to really send the message home that mirrors make all the difference ha.
I’m probably going to expound my mirror feelings in a future post.
Cheers!
I like it. I want to exalt it. The problem is that it’s not the more balls-out coupe with the big wing. And it makes me think: between this and the Audi R8 Spyder, did Mattel crimp out of these releases? Especially for this one, as I can’t help but think that the car may have been meant to be a coupe before being a convertible.
Don’t get me wrong: it’s a brilliant casting, and undercuts the Tomica version by enough of a degree to matter. But the Tomica version DID include a coupe version. Maybe I’ll just have to wait for a yellow version of the coupe.
I would imagine they’re going to follow this up with a Coupe, as they’ve done with the previously released C7s. As for casting the big wing version – I’d be all for it if it could be plastic and not an awkward hunk of metal.
We shall see!
So we have 5 different c7 corvettes
C7
C7 ZO6 Coupe and convertible
C7 ZR1 and Convertible
I’d rather a coupe version as there’s more options for it eg police / then and now .
6 castings:-
C7 Stingray coupé and convertible
C7 Z06 coupé and convertible
C7 ZR1 convertible (this one)
C7.R
Why would HW make a police version when Matchbox has already made one?
Because hot wheels seems to copy everytbing matchbox does
Except make great cars
(stare at divo)