#tranquilcollecting
It is still one of the visceral pleasures of collecting - ripping a blister off the card and freeing a $1 model. No offense to some of the premium brands, but it is far better than unscrewing a tiny screw or using scissors to cut open a fully sealed package. So that meant the N …
Continue reading "Opening a Hot Wheels Bugatti Chiron, two Supers, and bunch of other stuff."
Just arrived from A&J Toys, the N Case, aka the Bugatti Case. As I mentioned in the previous post, the Bugatti deserves all the attention it is getting, and seeing two in this case is definitely a good thing. Enjoy: https://youtu.be/mjPNQuyBhNY
It doesn't disappoint. The new Hot Wheels Bugatti Chiron is in hand and truly spectacular. The Chiron was undoubtedly going to cause a frenzy when it was first unveiled by Ryu Asada and the Hot Wheels Design Team. A Bugatti is a big deal in all aspects, large or small. The king of hypercars has …
Continue reading "Bugatti makes its triumphant return to Hot Wheels with the brilliant Chiron."
Call this a fun mixup. As Wheel Collectors was plowing through the pallet of N Cases Mattel sent, one at the bottom looked a little different. The code suggested a US Case, and even more so, a Zamac Case. For a pallet that already produced the highly-anticipated Bugatti Chiron, as well as a surprising group …
So by now you have probably figured out what I do once a new Hot Wheels Basic case is released. It starts with a message from my friends at Wheel Collectors, telling me they have it. Then things kick in. Matt & Matt pick a couple of cases off the pallet at random, open one …
Just when you thought you had had enough of the Gasser, this drops: https://www.instagram.com/p/By0aw19BL8e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Try to ignore it. Just try. You might say you sick of it, but you know you'll be watching that waiting window with bated breath the day it goes on sale. That is truly something.
My guess is a few of you are already have the track. Since the word spread this morning that Hot Wheels id had arrived, there has been a lot of action. Many of you went right to the event in Southern California, other went right to their local Apple Store. Since I made the preview …
Continue reading "You have seen the Hot Wheels id Cars, now here is the Smart Track."
It debuts today, available now at Apple Stores all over the US. It's Hot Wheels id, and it is a major step forward for the world's most popular toy. Mattel gave me a chance to preview the new cars and Smart Track. Here is Part 1: https://youtu.be/f_-EbfWA2hg
Hot Wheels dropped this on their IG account today: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqJU6MAa70/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The Gumball 3000 Road Rally is underway, and it is no surprise that Hot Wheels is involved. And it is also no surprise that they are doing a special model. They don't make it clear what they are doing with this, but my guess is …
Continue reading "Check out this Hot Wheels Gumball 3000 Lamborghini Aventador"
It has arrived! Hot Wheels' follow up to last year's 50th Black & Gold set, called Satin & Chrome, is here and Wheel Collectors has it: Hot Wheels Satin & Chrome at Wheel Collectors The set is very similar to last year's group, with cool card art and a mix of signature and unique castings. …
Continue reading "Hot Wheels Satin & Chrome is now available at Wheel Collectors"
Lamley and JDM. In the diecast world we have appeared to go hand in hand. That has been a little inaccurate, as I like to feature a lot of different cars, but it seems Lamley's existence has coincided with the surge of interest in Japanese cars in both the 1:1 and 1:64 worlds. I'm just …
The next batch of Car Culture Team Transport is on its way. Three sets, one a repeat - the Black Hole Gasser, which has been hard to find anyway - and a duo of supercool licensed cars. Mattel sent the mix over and I posted the preview last night. Photos coming? Yes, photos coming. https://youtu.be/r_4Rxvpg7vU
Let's be honest, Hot Wheels Entertainment has been a little bogged down by themed assortments that have hung on the pegs WAY too long. Batman, Halo before that, and a few others. That is in direct contrast to Car Culture, where the themes are a big part of the line's popularity. What works with Entertainment …
Continue reading "Preview: Hot Wheels Pixar Pizza Planet Truck and all of 2019 Entertainment Mix 3"
Before we dive in, let me clarify that title. This is obviously a feature on the new Hot Wheels Panamera, and we are lucky to have a few thoughts from the Hot Wheels Designer who spearheaded this one, but why is it surprising? Lots of reasons. First, the actual car is surprisingly cool. I’ll say …
Check out what Hot Wheels just announced: Are you ready for the evolution of Hot Wheels? Well, then grab the family and come on down to the Westfield Century City Atrium for an epic 3-day event to celebrate a global new product launch. Whether you are a kid, know a kid, or once was a …
The last couple of cases seemed to tell us Hot Wheels was closing up shop for 2019, giving us recolors and a random new model. And then BAM! A Class, Lamborghini, and one hell of a Panamera. So a video of the highlights first, and photos coming (you'll see on the video I've already taken …
Continue reading "Hot Wheels L Case Highlights, including a trio of fantastic new models"
For your enjoyment, the 2019 L Case. Lots of good new models in this one. https://youtu.be/-GnTYLvz5bU
Honestly 2019 has been a magical year for Hot Wheels New Models. I can't remember a year where such a wide variety of models has been introduced. And on top of that, the amount of clean, stock looks with only front and rear decos. When the Lamley Award voting starts - sooner than you think …
Continue reading "I sense a pattern. Plain white New Models are taking over Hot Wheels in 2019."
After this, four cases left. Lots of Case Reports (International & US), but only four assortments. This one is really nice. Mid-year it seemed there were lots of New Model recolors, but this one is full of all kinds of new stuff. As always, our friends at Wheel Collectors grabbed a case at random, and …
My friend and local Utah collectors Mike shared this on IG today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxslolSJsZ0/?igshid=19sbz5k66ygtj It is nice to see the Zamacs being released more widely this year. Last year was sparse to say the least. Mike mentioned the next guy. I am kind of that guy, because he picked up a set for me. As soon …
Continue reading "Hot Wheels K Case is hitting Walmarts along with the next group of Zamacs"
Why the hate? The response from collectors when the Hot Wheels x Supreme Team Transport collaboration was a bit surprising. Sure, there were many who asked what Supreme was. That's normal. But I am not talking about that. Most of you know what I am talking about. I am sure after this post has been …
Continue reading "Opening – and thoroughly digging – the Hot Wheels x Supreme Team Transport"
I think everyone is pretty aware that the bulk of my Hot Wheels/Matchbox collection is loose. I've always preferred the models out of package, obviously to photograph, but also to display. As nice as some of the card art is, displaying all the cards together can look like a big jumbled mess. Aesthetically, loose is …
Crazy to think we are in the home stretch for the Hot Wheels 2019 Mainline. 2020 is just around the corner and the Design Team is started to drop the sneaks. Last week it was the Subaru WRX STi 22b, this week it is this: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxbvA6-D_BM/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=qsmx44awnqzy Obviously this is an early unpainted prototype, but based …
Continue reading "The ‘89 Porsche 944 Turbo joins the 22b in the 2020 Hot Wheels Mainline"
Always nice when the Hot Wheels Design Team drops a little surprise: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJWEj5DfJG/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=bjfc3ehi3t6u When Hot Wheels released the Bugeye Subie in Car Culture, it seemed the most common reaction was "What about the 22b?". The Bugeye definitely needs more love, but that question has now been answered.