My favorite Hot Wheels Lamley Awards Category. And always a category rooted in, for lack of a better term, car culture.
Since the introduction of Car Culture several years ago, Hot Wheels has used its Premium lines to go full car nerd, and it hit at the right time. We as collectors have leaned in, and even with some recent, and legitimate, scrutiny on some of the elements of Hot Wheels Premium, the lines are still going strong.
This year saw a variety of new premium castings, and timing-wise a deluge at the end of the year. We saw the most hyped new model since the LBWK R34 in Rexy, some true vintage classics, and a gradual turn in designs as Mark Jones retired and Ron Wong took over Premium Design. I’ve been told the Ron lean in gets even more evident in 2025.
Nonetheless, it’s time to pick the Best of 2024. Watch the video below showcasing all the models, including my Top 5 of the year, and check out the photos below that. In between, you’ll see the poll. You can choose up to 5, and we will see what model comes out on top.
I believe the Viper is technically a 2025 model, so can’t count in this (I have many things to say about it, but I’ll save it for next year).
Anyway, moving on, I have to say that, unlike the basic line this year, the premium line had MANY incredible castings. It’s a bit hard to choose a top 5 (although not hard to choose the no.1) but still, here they are :-
1) Aston Martin V8 – totally unexpected choice. I’m a huge fan of the 70s-80s Aston V8 (and the 90s Vantage) and never, ever thought HW would do a V8 (and the specifically V8 rather than the V8 Vantage, at that). Ron pretty much nailed the casting, and Kristina (I think it’s her) nailed the deco. Not only is this my casting of the year, but it’s perhaps my premium model of the year too, because it’s pretty much perfect.
2/3) draw between Nissan SilEighty and Subaru Forester STi – as an Initial D fan, it’s super awesome to see the SilEighty and I’m even more happy Ron actually did the “user-made” SilEighty (not the official Nissan version) as evidenced by the fact it has the Zenki taillights (not the circular taillights the official car had), “180SX” badge on the rear and “Silvia” script on the front grille (the official car had “SilEighty” badges obviously) and on top of that, it’s literally the Initial D replica, with the extended front splitter, side skirts, ducktail rear spoiler, custom exhaust and of course the mesh wheels and the colour scheme. The Forester STi is a tremendous casting as well (although my two slight disappointments are the lack of a rear number plate – which is weird because it has a front number plate – and the lack of the obligatory JDM cannon exhaust) and it’s a great addition to the arsenal of Subarus in premium.
4) Mazda 323 GTR – fantastic casting, fantastic colourway (thank GOD for the number plate, or should I say, thank you Kristina!), it looks just as “complete” as the Aston. Also it’s a refreshing change from the Hondas, Nissans and Toyotas. Plus I’m a fan of Rally cars and homologation specials, so it’s an easy choice.
5) Toyota Supra – again, a fantastic casting and a fantastic colourway (thank god again for the number plates, front AND back!); white on white with red interior looks stunning, and I love the very subtle bodykit Ron added to this one. My only disappointment is the casting doesn’t have that obligatory cannon exhaust (to match the bodykit). You may say it’s nitpicking, and maybe it is, but that one little detail would’ve made this 100/100 perfect. Other than that though, it’s a total winner.
Some of the other good ones I’d like to mention: 911 GT3 R, 911 R, 911 Carrera RS 3.8, 500 SEL (although I’m not keen on the extended front splitter, side skirts, rear spoiler… they don’t suit the SEL), Civic Type R (LOVE the added the Spoon parts on this, gives it that “aftermarket” flair, which does suit it), Toyota Soarer (I appreciate that they did the RHD Toyota Soarer and not the LHD Lexus SC; although for the record, the movie car was a LHD Lexus SC), 300ZX GTS, Z GT4, GT-R GT3, FJ43, FJ Cruiser, Manx and the Savoy (I’m happy to see some proper American muscle car new castings in premium, especially outside F&F. More of these please!).
Most disappointing – I’d have to say the Nissan Primera. It just looks off. The wheels are tucked in too much, the casting feels narrower than it should and it just overall doesn’t look right. It looks like a NASCAR more than a Touring Car, and it is disappointing to me because I was really looking forward to this one. Also disappointing is the Silverado. I find it stupid how the casting is supposed to be the 3500 Dually but it doesn’t have the dually rear axle, making the casting invalid (and it looks wrong). Another one I was looking forward to that didn’t turn out well.
Been begging for an Aston Martin V8 or V8 Vantage from Hot Wheels for a long time, so I was super stoked to find out it was Ron Wong’s first casting. It did not disappoint. He knocked it out of the park! Now I just hope they don’t limit it to just a Bond car. We need to see it in other colors. Especially an Aston Martin green. This along with the ‘80 Supra, and Plymouth Savoy were my top 3.