#tranquilcollecting
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
I have no idea whether there is a letter code assigned to this case, but I do know this is the fourth Moving Parts mix of the year. And it is good to know, because there has been an onslaught of new opening parts stuff from Matchbox this year. Moving Parts is the basic line, …
Continue reading "Unboxing: Matchbox 2019 Moving Parts Mix 4"
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 …
The 2019 M Case is out, and as always our friends at Wheel Collectors have given us the rundown. One case grabbed from their shipment at random, opened, filmed and photographed. Of course the models are available at the WC Store: Hot Wheels M Case at Wheel Collectors Enjoy the video and photos: https://youtu.be/TRALmtLFaAc
I say "Schuco", many of you European collectors know what I am talking about, as will many of the more hardcore collectors in the US. Schuco delves into several diecast scales, and does a damn good job at all of them. For our purposes, 1/64 is where to focus. And it is a good thing, …
Continue reading "Schuco 1/64 is coming to the US. Here is a look."
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
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 …
Coming to a Kroger near you. That means, Ralph's, Food4Less, Smith's, City Market, Fry's, and a whole lot of others. Matchbox indulged its sweet tooth and went full candy for this Kroger set, and they sent me a set to preview. A nice mix of licensed models, packaged in some cool car art. Here is …
Continue reading "Preview: Matchbox Kroger-Exclusive Candy Series"
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"
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
Call it pre-Squarebody. The Auto World Chevy Trucks are coming, and from the vibe I am getting, it will be the Auto World equivalent of TLV's Ferraris. Something completely new, and very exciting. But as I have said with the TLV Ferraris, let the Squarebodies be the entry, and then immerse yourself in the fantastic …
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 …
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"
The new Larry Wood 50 Years set hit Walmarts in a big way last week. A few friends let me know, and the hunt was on. Fearful that a gold Boneshaker would make finding a complete set near impossible, I was shocked to actually find a sealed case at a Walmart as I was heading …
Continue reading "Showcase/Unboxing: Hot Wheels Larry Wood 50 Years 10-car set"
J Cases have just started hitting at Walmart. I only say this because it serves as a nice prep case for K, which just hit hobby dealers. Yes, using the word "loaded" to describe a basic 72-count Hot Wheels case might be stretching a little, but I will at least say there are a lot …
Part 3 of the Preview videos I shot with the Hot Wheels Design Team at Hot Wheels Nationals in Chicago last month. This time all Premium. Jimmy Liu and the Team brought a plethora of premium models in all kinds of states, from totally complete to "first shot" prototypes. And we walked through them all. …
Funny how things work out. I didn't plan on taking a couple of weeks off from the the blog and channel, but after a day or two, it was clear to me that it was the right thing to do. And it felt great. Surely a few things arrived in the mail, but nothing too …
How quickly have we gotten used to Matchbox sporting the opening parts again? Seems like a natural fit does it not? Mix 3 has hit in Australia, and will hit elsewhere soon, and this mix is certainly the biggest and most diverse. We have seen a mixture of throwback models and new castings, and this …
Continue reading "Preview: 2019 Matchbox Moving Parts Mix 3"
Remember when collectors were complaining that most of the Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunts were red? It was true. A lot of them were. Things have changed a bit. Hot Wheels introduced a new spectraflame paint for Supers this year, and not only does it look good, but it has allowed for more colors. Browns …
Part 2 from the Hot Wheels Preview series I sold at Nationals earlier this month. This time Designer Brendon Vetuskey walks us though some of the upcoming models for the 2019 RLC Series, in various states of completion. Brendon is the epitome of a collector-friendly designer, and was very cool to walk through all these …
Continue reading "Hot Wheels Designer Brendon Vetuskey previews upcoming RLC models for 2019"