Hot Wheels Collecting Guide

Packaging Mistake

2012-01-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

This is one from the "oops files". Occasionally one might come across a production blooper. something small like a car facing the wrong direction or upside down. There might be problems with the casting, assembly or painting which gets past QA. But in this case it was a matter of the car not matching the packaging. Here we have a yellow Porsche Carerra GT in a Fast Fortress package. You would think that having an image of the model printed right on the card would be a small hint. In reality, I am sure the process is largely automated but it makes me wonder how something like this could happen. Wouldn't this make a great episode of "How its made"?

Oops!

Hot Wheels 2011 Year in Review

2012-01-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

One post I never did get to in 2011 was about "the poster". Every Year we can count on a poster depicting the planned releases for the Hot Wheels 1:64 scale. Every series is here, New Models, Treasure Hunts, Track Aces and all. You might have already seen this, but if not, it would help see what 2011 was all about. Check it out, see what you might have missed:

2011 New Model Review Part 2 - Back To The Future

2012-01-17T15:51:00.000-08:00

As promised, another highlight from the 2011 New Models. This one ties in with the previous post regarding the target demographic and power of nostalgia in everything these days. The A-Team on T.V and Back To The Future at the theaters; you have to admit the 1980's had some great entertainment for the kids of that time (a group I feel fortunate to be a part of).

1.21 Gigawatts!

2011 New Model Review Part 1 - A-Team Van

2012-01-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since my last post. Life gets busy but it is always my desire to make time to post here. I have not been idle with the collecting though. 2011 is behind us, and as we look forward to what 2012 will bring, it is time to recap on the past year. I have spent some time updating my catalog site with the New models from 2011. There are a few I have missed and I might need to check e-bay or ask around to see if they are available. If anyone wants to see what I don't have (2011 New models) and offer up any doubles I would be interested to hear from you. I will concentrate on some awesome 2012 models that have been popping up in future posts. For now, I will dedicate this and the next few posts to the 2011 New Model highlights. Here is one I'd like to share now:


If you recognize this van, congratulations, you are awesome.

Yes, the good people at Mattel have seen fit to grace us '80's children with an ample dose of nostalgia in 2011, the A-Team van being a prime indicator that my demographic still counts for something in this world.

All Time Favorite List - 1991 Porsche 930

2011-06-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

For an early 90's casting, this one has the right amount of detail. It feels balanced and heavy with its all metal construction. The Porsche 930 is an awesome car - an icon in the world of sports cars. It has a classic shape regardless of the scale. We have seen this one a lot, it has been released many times since its initial casting, but not lately. I haven't seen it in the Hot Wheels mainline for at least a few years so this is a great opportunity to dig them up and get another look. That is what you get with these 3 models. I like each colour choice; Orange is bold, Blue is racy and Red is classic sports car. It is hard to make such a slick car look bad - see for yourself:

2011 First Editions # 9 of 50 - Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera

2011-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned here many times before that I am a fan of exotic cars. If you are anything like me, the sight of a Ferrari or Lamborghini can be a stirring experience. To a smaller degree, the same is true when I hold one in my hand. What we have here is a pair of Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera models. This is a faithful reproduction, down to the side graphics and black-out rims, showing that this particular Gallardo is above and beyond the regular model in terms of weight reduction and performance.

2011 First Editions Honda S2000

2011-06-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here we have 2 variations of the recently release Honda S2000. Compared to its real world source, the Hot Wheels model has some modifications including custom body panels, roof scoop and rear wing. This model fits right in with the "street racing" theme that a lot of recent Hot Wheels have. It is a fitting choice, as the Honda S2000 is a good starting point for performance enhancements. A great sports car and a bargain at its price point. Though Honda ended production in 2009, the racing spirit of this roadster lives on in 1:64 scale.

2011 New Models: Reverse Colour Variations

2011-06-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have noticed a trend this year for the new models released thus far. The Colours selected for variations seem to be a reverse of the primary and secondary colours. I know there is a history of this with Mattel, but it seem to be more prevalent lately. It is a great way to explore some specific combinations and it makes for some interesting photo opportunities I could not resist:

A pair of Megane Trophy Renault's show well in yellow on black or black on yellow.

This pair of '63 Mustang II concept cars applies the colour reverse idea to the interior as well.

Even the Danicar gets a Bizzaro world clone.

Hot Wheels 2011 - New Packaging

2011-02-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

In addition to all the new things happening in the world of Hot Wheels, we have a new look to the standard mainline packaging again this year. The rendering of each individual car (complete with actual color and rim variations in most cases) is a great feature added last year and I am glad to see that it will continue to be featured even more prominently this year. What wont be returning are the mystery cars series.

In total it looks like there will be 244 mainline releases including 50 First Editions.

The breakdown looks like this:

2011 Main Line 244 Models

50 2011 HW Premiere
15 Treasure Hunts
15 Track Stars
42 Thrill Racers
22 Video Game Heroes

10 segments (10 cars each):
- Faster Than Ever™
- MuscleHeat Fleet®
- HW City Works™
- HW Drag Racers™
- HW Main Street™
- HW Performance™
- HW Racing™
- Muscle Mania®
- Nightburnerz™
- Street Beasts®

Hot Wheels 2011 Premieres Update

2011-01-30T00:22:00.000-08:00

2011 is barely a month old and so I figure I should post before the new models flood in. As usual, I will make the New Models my focus. So far I have been able to snag 6 different models (with one variation). It is also nice that they are pretty much in order compared to last year when the first models to show up were all over the range. The First Editions I have been able to acquire are all posted on my collection site, and I will show the thumbnail links below:

The Danicar - a nice start for the first of the year

Gran Torino - Inspired by the film, no doubt

What Hot Wheels model year would be complete without a few Mustangs?

Classic Corvette

Looks great in white, but hard to see against my regular backdrop

Where there's a Mustang, a Camaro can't be far behind... or in front?

A modern Musclecar by Dodge, the GM and Ford boys can't have all the fun!

readers should know my preference for Italian exotics.

Fun With Photos - Backsliders

2010-09-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

What do you do with 3 flatbed Backsliders?

Stack'em!

The Real Cars - Nissan GT-R

2010-08-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

The new Nissan GT-R is a spectacular car. Quality, performance and value are the virtues it possesses as recognized by the automotive press and the sports car enthusiast public. For a car in the $100,000 price range, it may seem that these be a minimum requirement, but considering the competition, in relative terms, this car is a stand out.
It is only fitting that a Hot Wheels model was made of this car to celebrate its release in 2009. Here, in pictures is the initial model run for both Nissan and Mattel.

The Real Cars - Ferrari California

2010-07-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Here is another fun idea - I am digging through some of my photo collection to find pictures of the real cars along with their Hot Wheels counterparts. Today's post will be showcasing the Ferrari California. The California is one of those cars that has to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated. The design is so subtle and well thought out, but the essence of the car's shape rarely comes through in a photograph.

Also, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give a sneak peak of an on-going project - The Ferrari Hot Wheels collector site. It is a Hot Wheels site dedicated entirely to Ferrari models. It is a work in progress, so be sure to bookmark and return in a few months if you visit.

Not all Treasure Hunts Are Created Equal

2010-07-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

There are Treasure Hunts and there are Treasure Hunt$! You probably know that there are a series of 12 cars released every year since 1995 which are made in limited numbers. They have some enhanced features like rubber tires and special high-detail pain treatments. Because of that they are highly sought after by the collecting community. If you are in a "competitive" area like I am, you would rarely see one in stores because they rarely make it to the shelves (insiders and shelf stockers usually get first dibs).

If you are lucky enough to get one it is a treat, but if you are particularly lucky, you might find a "SUPER T-HUNT$". I have some high resolution pics of both below, see how many differences you can spot!

All Time Favorite List - 2005 Shelby GR-1 Concept

2010-07-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

Awesome in chrome

Also good, but not as awesome as chrome

At a recent car show I had the opportunity to see the actual concept car which this model was based upon. It was indeed made with a chrome finish. When this Hot Wheels model was released back in 2005 as a First Edition, it was available in chrome and gray. I made a point to scoop up a few extra chrome ones because I really like the look.

My son stands in front of the actual Shelby GR-1 Concept at the Shelby show

All Time Favorite List - 1995 Pearl Drivers Series - Purple Passion

2010-07-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Back in 1995, I was just starting to collect Hot Wheels as a hobby. I knew this one was special when I first saw it. This particular car has been sitting on my shelf for years. What I like about it is the excellent custom design based on the '49 Mercury. Also, the series that this one is from had a pearescent paint theme. Each car in the 4 car series had a special paint job which was part peal, part chameleon. This one looks metalic purple with some green highlights. Although it has been released in many variations over the years, I most appreciate the colour of this one. It is impossible to show the complex way the light dances off it but if you look closely you can see the green and white highlights.

The End Of Hot Wheels Pop Offs

2010-06-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

There were only a handful of models made to be "Pop-offs" in Hot Wheels history. The first one I know of was the Mini Cooper from the 2000 First Editions. They are a neat idea. They do not have the standard rivets holding every component together. Instead they are clipped together and the body can be taken off of the chassis.

The Pop-offs were different, they had to be specially detailed throughout the interior because when the body is removed, everything is visible. I also liked the idea that every time they came out with a new variation, you had an increasing number of combinations of tops and bottoms to fit together.

And now, it seems Mattel has decided to remove the "Pop-off" ability of these models. I have 2 examples from this year where the clips have been replaced by standard rivets. I have to say I am surprised that this feature has been taken away; and disappointed too.

The following pictures show the 2010 Race World Earth Scion XB with clear green body (Right). Beside that is a previous variation, the 2005 First Editions X-Raycers version of the same model (Left).

Here is the previous model, popped off - pretty cool.

Something different with the green one...

Old one on the left, current one on the right... Hmm, no clip - no way to pop it off, its just a normal car now. :(

You can see the clip on the red one, missing on the newest version.

The next set of photos shows the 2010 Hot Wheels Performance Ground FX in yellow. Beside that is a previous variation of the same model.

What it looks like under the skin

The new one (yellow) with no clip

My disappointment confirmed - no clip.

All Time Favorite List - 1999 First Editions #18 - Turbolence

2010-06-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

What is this one all about? To me it could be a few things. It has the stretched lines of a salt flats racer, attempting to break a land speed record. It could be a pre-war endurance racer or maybe a prototype from some past era. In reality it is a great piece to be able to conjure up those images for me. And it has a solid feel too. This is one of the increasingly rare models with die cast top and bottom. It feels heavy and rolls great. I think the colour and tampos for this First Edition model are well done too but now I'm curious... what do you think? What does this model remind you of?

All Time Favorite List - 1989 Speed Fleet - Pontiac Banshee

2010-05-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Now this is a perfect Hot Wheels car. Based on an actual car - a prototype built by Pontiac in 1988. It has a futuristic look, smooth and sleek. It has some familiar lines (1990's Firebird) but it is unlike anything on the road then or now. The "Ultra Hot" rims compliment the look of this model particularly well and the colour of the original release (1989) is true to the one-of-a-kind show-car.

It is amusing to think that the technology of this car was extreme for its time, and yet conveniences like GPS and rear view cameras are commonplace today. My inner child sometimes feels like he has been transported to the future.

New 2010 First Editions - Mazda Furai

2010-04-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Mazda Furai Hot Wheels 1/64 scale model is fun to look at. It is a First edition car (#31 of 52) for the 2010 model year. The actual car this is based on is a Mazda concept car with the underpinnings of an American LeMans race car from a few years ago. Unlike the Hot Wheels car, I have never seen the real car in person, but I would like to. It seems to me that the flowing lines would be best appreciated up close. The name Furai means "the sound of wind" in Japanese.

New 2010 First Editions - '71 Maverick Grabber

2010-04-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Ford Maverick was a compact car produced in the '70's. The early years of the car coincided with the tail end of the muscle car era. Though the Maverick was not really a muscle car, there was a "Grabber" trim option available in 1971. "Grabber orange" was the name of Ford's bright orange paint. The graphics, spoiler and hood were what set a "Grabber" apart from a normal Maverick. This car was ahead of its time in many ways when you think about the phenomenon of custom graphics and tacking some aftermarket hood and spoiler onto a compact car to make it look more like a bigger faster sports car. Like any good Hot Wheels car, this one is a celebration of small things trying to be bigger faster things and imparting some of that 'larger-than-life' feeling to whomever holds it in their hands.

All Time Favorite List - 2002 First Editions #25 - Lancia Stratos

2010-04-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Yes I am a fan of Italian Exotics of all types. The big names are more familiar: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati; but this 'Lancia' is not as well known. The Lancia Stratos was a purpose built rally car - and quite successful at that. It first appeared in the 1972-73 race season and won a number of championships throughout the '70's. I had always admired the originality of the design. It was wild and different, styled by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. That might not mean much to some people, but others will recognize the name of the man responsible for the styling of some of the most beautiful cars on the road. A short list of his other works include the Alfa Romeo Montreal, Lamborghini Miura, Countach and Diablo.

So as is usually the case, a beautiful road car makes for a beautiful 1/64 scale replica, but there are other things to consider with the Hot Wheels version. The colour of this one is a very nice shade of red, characteristic of the "Italian passion" for the automobile. The details are well represented, pop-up headlights, hood vents, fender flares and all.

I truly appreciate the aesthetics of this car and I would have a place in my dream garage for this piece of automotive history. Having a Lancia Stratos in my pocket is a good compromise.

2010 Hot Wheels Poster

2010-04-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

Click the picture below for a huge .jpg of the 2010 Hot wheels lineup poster. For all of the collectors out there, this is a great guide for what to expect for the rest of the year. It is a fun look at the entire 2010 main line of Hot Wheels cars. Each series is listed and most of the cars are shown in their final form, or if that was not available at the time of the posters creation, a rendering is used for some of the first editions. Enjoy:

New 2010 First Editions - April 2010

2010-04-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

It has been a few weeks with nothing new on the pegs but now its a flood of awesome cars. I am saving a few choice models to show here later. Those are the ones that deserve their own post. Until then check out these:
Cadillac CTS-V

Citroen C4 Rally

Formula Street

Tegray

Snow Ride

All Time Favorite List - 1998 First Editions #6 - Jaguar D-type

2010-03-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Another favorite from the collection: a classic racing Jaguar D-type from the 1998 model year. This one is based on the legendary Le Mans race car produced in the mid 50's. This Hot Wheels model is a fantastic scale recreation. The detail is great, but not over-done (I like the molded gray side exhaust). The car feels heavy in the hand due to the die-cast metal on top and bottom. The seam is higher up than typical models which adds to the unique look of the race-car. Dark blue metal flake paint is striking and compliments the elegant shape of the car.The tampos are true to the period and very evocative of 50's era racing with the large numbers and front stripes. Trivia fact: the #4 Jaguar D-type was not the winner of the 1957 Le Mans, but came in 6th position. The #3 D-type was the overall winner that year.

All Time Favorite List - 1993 Collector # 238 - Zender Fact 4

2010-01-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

I have begun to dig in to the earlier pieces of my collection and pick out some of the cars I find particularly awesome. What you are looking at is the 1993 Zender Fact 4. An actual supercar produced in Germany in the late 80's as a concept car. the proportions of the car are not the best match to the real version, but still I appreciate the distinct style, reminiscent of the Lamborghini Countach. What grabs my attention with this one are the understated tampos, the UH rims and the blue metal flake paint. I have tried to photograph it in such a way as to show it off but my camera skills are not the greatest so the image does not do it justice. It is a beautiful shade of blue, offset with the dark tinted glass bits. Now that I am looking at it again I have to say it is the coloring that makes this one so striking to me.

2010 First Editions #5 0f 52 - Scorcher

2010-01-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

This latest first edition has a definite import tuner feel to it. I'm not sure if it is based on a real car but the front does remind me of some Peugeot designs. I doubt a real car would have such a low roofline, exposed carbon fiber engine cover with windows and a roof scoop. Its a nice casting, it looks fast when its standing still.

2010 First Editions #16 0f 52 - '81 Delorean DMC-12

2009-12-31T19:23:00.000-08:00

First I must make a confession. I am a big 80's kid. My thoughts on the Delorean DMC-12 might be biased because of that fact. I was pleasantly surprised to see this one in a bin at a local Wal-Mart. It is a great choice for a Hot Wheels model because of the iconic status it hold in automotive history. The detail on this one is well done, right down to the DMC tampos, louvred windows and the split side window. Even the colour is an accurate match to the stainless steel finish of the original. Maybe I am overstating a bit but you must admit, the styling of this car does make a statement (I am a fan of the gull-wing doors). The story of this car and the man behind it is interesting, not to mention the recent resurgence of the brand. The style of this car is so "80's future tech", even without the "Mr.fusion" after market add-on.

2010 First Editions #12 0f 52 - Lamborghini Gallardo

2009-12-13T23:31:00.000-08:00

After a few slow weeks I was pleased to find this beauty on a local peg. I am a Lamborghini fan and this one is a fantastic looking car. The Gallardo model has been available for a number of years and so it is a bit unusual that it has taken so long for a Hot Wheels car to be made of it. The paint is a matte black which is an interesting choice for this toy or the real thing. The details of the casting are very well done including what can be seen of the black interior. The tampos are excellent as well, with the front hood emblem being so small you might need a microscope to appreciate the detail.

2010 First Editions #21 0f 52 - '09 Corvette Stingray Concept

2009-10-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

If you've seen Transformers 2 you would already be aware of this car. This is a GM prototype with some great lines from throughout the history of the Corvette. What you can barely see from this photo is the split rear window design as a tip to the 1963 corvette. The metal-flake gray is nice and the use of tampos for front and side badges is well done. This is an all around sleek looking car with "faster than ever" wheels and a plastic "chromed" base.

Blue Corvettes

2009-10-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Some fun with photography. From top to bottom: C6 Corvette, ZR1 and C6R.

2010 First Editions #3 0f 52 - '67 Pontiac Firebird 400

2009-10-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

The Hot Wheels brand was born at the height of the muscle-car era (1968) and so it seems fitting that new designs are still cast of cars from that time. This 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 is a prime example of the muscle-car breed. Tampo's on the ram air scoops show the "400" designation and the side stripes are finely detailed actually being made of 3 stripes (a large sandwiched by two pin stripes). The middle stripe breaks to form the hot wheels logo. A sharp eye can detect the firebird logo forward of the front wheels and a black Pontiac symbol centered on the grill. chrome front trim and side ground effect panels are also given the painted metallic treatment which might seem like a small thing but you can see that the result is very effective. Considering the recent death of the Pontiac brand, it is a good thing to remember what turned out to be the best of times for the company. Goodbye Pontiac.

2010 First Editions #2 0f 52 - Tooligan

2009-10-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

I just found this one and I thought I would write about it. I think this one is neat. Its a car AND it can be used as a wrench in a pinch (or a ruler, or allen wrench I suppose). Its called Tooligan and it reminds me of a model from 2008 called Carbonator. That one also serves a dual purpose as a car AND a great bottle cap opener. I had to get a second Carbonator to keep on the fridge to mainly serve its secondary function. I think I will have to keep a Tooligan in my tool box. The die-cast metal may not be the strongest when compared to actual tools, but I'm sure it will go down the track a lot faster.

The First 2010 First Editions

2009-10-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

I don't have a complete list of what to expect for 2010, but I am sure it will be another awesome year based on what i have seen so far. I have managed to snag 3 First Editions so far, and a few other mainlines. The three here are the '67 Shelby GT 500, Tooned VW Bug and '08 Viper ACR. I have noticed some changes and additions. One notable fact is that the packaging remains the same as the previous year. The year will see 214 different models, and if you receive international packages, 52 of those will be first editions. If you are getting the boxes in the local USA market, 8 of those will be included in other series. This should generate some interest in 'who gets what'. I will follow up with more information in future posts. So the following are the first 3 of my 2010's. Happy Hunting!

Ferrari Variations - 2009 Dream Garage F430

2009-09-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

While I am still sorting out the last of the 2009 model year and already seeing some 2010 cars, I have decided to change the format of my other website a bit. Instead of keeping cars in their packages and only breaking a few out for fun - I will now try to keep one in package and get a second one to keep loose and take the photos.

What this mean is I will have more loose cars and so I will be taking more fun shots like this:

2010 Hot Wheels

2009-09-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

They are starting to trickle into stores around here, and I have been a bit out of the loop so every car I see on the pegs is going to be a surprise. I must admit I kinda like it that way. I will have a rundown of 2009 soon, and a 2010 preview too, but for now, I will post a few pics of the latest greatest as a taste of what is to come. # 1 of 44: '67 Shelby GT500 and # 24 of 44: '08 Viper SRT10 ACR. Happy Hunting!

2009 Special Features - Ferrari 512

2009-08-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

Opening engine covers, lift off bodies, fold out wings, extending wheels, opening doors and even a whistle. These are all considered "special features" that can be found in some Hot wheels cars. For 2009, some great examples of special featured cars make up a great collector team named "Special features", of course. One of my favorite "hood openers" (or bonnet for some overseas readers) is the Ferrari 512. In true endurance racing style the whole rear end lifts up to reveal the engine and all rear end mechanical bits. The detail is about what you might expect at 1/64 scale - that is not too detailed, but it is always a great enhancement to be able to lift it open and check it out. Also, as a fan of Ferrari cars, I am satisfied with the color of this one - red, with a great Ferrari tampo on the tail.

2009 Hot Wheels Main Line Packaging

2009-07-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

Anyone collecting would have already noticed the new packaging. It is a variation of the 2007-2008 packaging with the colored bar on a slight angle and a major addition of a rendering of the car found in the package. I do like the artistic style of the renderings and they have done a great job in making the look consistent throughout the lineup. It is also worth noting that the coloring and rim styles is an accurate representation of the variations too. It seems like a lot of extra work to get every car rendered that way, and I'm curious as to how they do it, what programs they use, etc.

I do like the new style of packaging and very much appreciate the effort put into the rendered depictions of the cars. Great job!

2010 Lotus Evora Matchbox

2009-07-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know its not a Hot Wheels car, but Matchbox is a Mattel company so they are like close cousins. Anyways, I saw this one and had to pick it up. One of my favorite new cars. I am a fan of Lotus and this new Evora captures my attention. Matchbox did a fine job of recreating the car, and the blue metallic paint looks great. A darker interior would help it, and those rims give it the unique Matchbox feel, which sometimes does some harm to the look of the model, though in this case I can't complain.

2009 First Editions - Nissan GT-R

2009-07-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Another awesome year for new castings. I have a bit of time now so i will try to capture my thoughts on the year so far. Some of my favorite cars old and new have been or will be released in 2009 as First Editions.

The Nissan GT-R is a car that defies classification - It has a shape that does not accurately come across in photos or even in the spotlights and pedestals of a car show. To truly appreciate its design is to see one in its element - on the road. It has a certain presence. As good as the Hot wheels version is, I'm afraid that "road presence" was not captured in the mould. Before I pass judgement I would like to see it in a darker colour - maybe blue, with a heavier tint to the glass. With the amout of variations and repaints I'm sure they'll capture the magic a bit more.

2009 Hot Wheels Mystery Cars

2009-07-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

This year the mystery continues with the release of the 2009 Mystery car series. I have mentioned my feelings about this series in previous posts, but in typical Mattel style they managed to come up with another gimmick to keep my interest. This years Mystery car lineup contains the regular assortment of repaints with one interesting twist. The #2 of 24 is the Ferrari 430 Challenge. It is a magnificent casting with awesome tampos - and in beautiful red no less. You can't search the pegs for this car as a First edition. You can only find it behind the black bubble. I was very pleased when a family member brought a few back and the Ferrari was among them. I have the pics from those at my new hot wheels collecting web site. As in the past, I don't think I will be collecting too many of these as I am not keen on getting too many doubles, but the prospect of having another Ferrari is still tempting...

Make All Your Mustang Dreams Come True at AmericanMuscle

2009-04-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

The biggest dream of any Mustang owner is to be able to customize their car exactly how they want to. With the exact parts they want, in the exact order they want, and in the exact style they want. When these Mustang owners only have a small selection of parts to choose from, however, they really can't achieve this dream. But when they finally head over to AmericanMuscle, they'll find that our ever-growing collection of all the highest-quality Mustang parts will allow them to make their dreams come true.

One of the easiest and most noticeable modifications you can make to your Mustang is to change the headlights. And if you want to enhance the stealthy look of your Pony, a pair of Mustang Smoked Headlights is the way you want to go. These headlights look great on any dark or light colored "New Edge" style Mustang. Plus, they will actually improve you night time visibility despite the smoked exterior, because of the powerful Luminics or Sylvania bulbs you can get with them!

Where there are modded headlights, modded tail lights should follow! And what better way to give your car that old-school, retro-Pony feel than with a pair of Mustang Sequential Taillights! Most famously used in some of the legendary Mustangs built by Carroll Shelby in the 1960s and 70s, we proudly offer both plug-in and splice-in versions of these tail lights, and provide you with simple instructions for installing either type.

But the lights don't stop there - you should also consider picking up a Mustang Roll Bar. These roll bars are designed to provide safety because they have an extra brake light in them, and style, as they are an absolute must-have in any convertible Mustang. Designed to fit the curves and natural lines of whatever Mustang they're made for, you'll find that even though the blend in well, they still give your Pony a unique appearance whenever you've got the top down.

The trunk of your Mustang is probably one of the last places you think about when it comes to modifications, but AmericanMuscle did. Our selection of Mustang Trunk Liners will not only protect your trunk floor, but they're also designed to prevent items such as toolboxes, first aid kits and groceries from sliding around while you're out enjoying your Pony. These trunk liners are available with the Cobra, GT, or classic "Running Pony" logo. Best of all, we stock versions suitable for both convertibles and coupes, so you'll be able to enjoy them no matter what 'stang your cruising around in.

2009 Hot Wheels

2008-10-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here in Canada we collectors can usually count on new boxes of our favorite toys arriving weeks or months later than in the U.S. With that being said, it is mid October 2008 and I have just found a slew of cars in 2009 packaging. It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise to be able to start thinking ahead to what 2009 has to offer us in Hot Wheels. What is left of the 2008 First Editions will still be fun to find. The only one '08 first edition I haven't seen yet is #39 of 40 - the '65 Volkswagon Fastback. I hope its not a matter of it never making it here.

Wal-Mart sale on Hot Wheels

2008-09-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

This week Wal-Mart is having their anniversary sale. Hot Wheels are $0.68 and so its that time when I take inventory and decide to get some doubles of cars I picked up previously and maybe get a few I would otherwise leave behind. As a collector who likes to mostly keep them in their packages, I'm not a big fan of the "sale bin" and how they get dumped in 2 feet deep. Its hard enough going through them with people on either side throwing packages around but spotting one you like just to find it has a bent card is not ideal. And as usual, the stories are told of the guys who show up just as the doors open and fill shopping carts with all the prime picks - oh well, thats the price I pay for a day job.

Another recent article

2008-09-10T01:22:00.001-07:00

I was featured in another newspaper article recently. Like a few weeks ago, this one is from a local paper based on an interview done at my home. They ran a fairly big picture of me too - here is the article:

Hot for Hot Wheels
A Ferrari five-pack ignited a life-long collecting passion
Shane Buckingham
Published on Aug 22, 2008

After a long day at work, Jason Norton sometimes finds himself uncontrollably drawn to a department store he hasn't visited in a while.

He'll pull over to a Wal-Mart, Zellers, Toys R Us or whatever store he's spotted that day, with one thing in mind - finding Hot Wheels to add to his collection.

Now, Norton is the first to admit he's not the biggest collector out there, and he hosts only a modest collection of about 6,000 cars in boxes stacked to the ceiling.

"I'm just your average collector. I couldn't afford to collect them all," the Smithville resident says.

While some people collect as an investment, he says he simply does it for fun. His collection is continually evolving, he says, because he tries to add each year's first addition cars to it, not to mention their variations, which are released by Mattel shortly after.

"They've got you. Mattel knows they have diehard fans out there that have to get every variation. That becomes an expensive prospect," he says, adding he doesn't take it to that level.

"There are people out there and give them credit they go that extra mile, but I've got a day job. To be honest, I don't know how they do it," the 32-year-old design draftsman says.

He admits his hobby quickly turned into a habit, but why not when a Hot Wheels car costs only about $1.

"Always in my mind they've seemed more valuable than that," he says. "So some people might get a daily coffee; I'll go grab a car."

Describing one of his many stops to a department store, he began to expand on what goes through the mind of a collector as he or she starts the "hunt."

For example, driving his Mazda Miata with Hot Wheels printed on the license plate, Norton spots a department store and pulls over.

Sometimes he's just stopping to browse around, but other times he's looking for what brought him to become an avid collector in the first place - red Ferraris.

Norton says he started out as a collector at a young age, but as time wore on he began to lose interest until one day when he was 17 he spotted a five-pack of red Ferraris.

"I picked up that five pack, and that's what reignited the passion," he says. "It got me back into it, and I haven't looked back since."

Returning to his stop, he walks down the aisle of the department store, and sees children run around the corner of a display. He looks directly above it, noticing he is now in the toy department.

As he proceeds toward the Hot Wheels rack, he sees another person rummaging through the toy cars. He soon realizes it's another collector. Norton feels there's no need to be pushy or horde, for he's only in this for the love of the hobby.

Still, he thinks there might be a Treasure Hunt addition car somewhere in the mix.

He knows Treasure Hunts are released sporadically by Mattel, and to find one is rarity occurring once or twice a year, but still he waits.

"Because of the rarity and the value, a lot of collectors will have somebody on the inside and basically (Treasure Hunts) don't even make it to the pegs," he says.

Once the other collector has finished looking, Norton moves forward scoping out what the store has to offer, and soon discovers what appears to be a Ferrari, not to mention it's red.

"That's the best, red Ferraris. They don't have to be red but that's the identity of the Ferrari."

He snatches it up as he carefully scans for other gems. Looking through the rows of first editions and special series cars he notices something special - a Treasure Hunt.

"There's a certain euphoria to it. Once you finally find that car, I can tell you any collector's heart will be going quickly because of that thrill of the hunt."

Getting over the surprise, he then proceeds to the checkout after a job well-done.

Once at home, he adds the one or two cars he's found to his collection with certain sense of pride and satisfaction.

On average he purchases one or two a week, he says.

Norton says his three-year-old son Bladen also loves Hot Wheels, almost as much as he does.

"You try not to steer your kid, and have them develop their own personality but it turns out he is naturally a car guy. Without the hot wheels influence he's a car guy regardless," Norton said with a smile.

So whether it's watching the Pixar movie Cars, playing with hot wheels or scouting out different vehicles that drive by on the road, the two have a lot of fun with their cars.

"It actually surprises me (Bladen) can spot cars, and he'll know what they are. He'll see a car and tell us there's a Corvette or a Mustang."

Just because Norton takes pride in his collection doesn't mean he doesn't like to share it with others.

Norton sometimes gives his cars away to inspire others to become collectors or simply to oblige a request to have a really cool car.

"Every once in a while somebody will remind me of something or somebody will say hey I really like that car so I'll slip them a Hot Wheels."

To see Norton's Hot Wheels, or to get tips on collecting, log on to www.morehotwheels.googlepages.com or www.hotwheelsferraris.googlepages.com.

The Ferrari 288 GTO is finally here!

2008-09-03T15:00:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting for this one for months and I have to say I am not dissapointed! The detail is very nice and the colour/smoked glass and tampos are well done. Classic 5 spoke rims are a natural choice but I would like to see this model with a few of the other 5 spoke variants such as the PR5's. Of course red is the way to go with all Ferrari's, all other colours are tied for second place.

2008 First Editions

2008-09-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some of the First Editions from this year. It has been a great year for new castings, Mattel seems to have outdone itself regarding quality and detail. The variety of new cars for 2008 is quite good too. Exotics, muscle cars, tuners, fantasy cars, trucks and classics are well represented. And its always a great year when not one, but two new Ferrari's come around.

I've been featured in a newspaper article

2008-08-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by a reporter from The Waterloo Region Record earlier this month. She did a short phone interview and wrote this nice article I thought I would share:

Hot Wheels fan can't wait for museum visit

Jason Norton is always on the lookout for another exotic car for his collection.
The 32-year-old design draftsman has been playing with Ferraris, Porsches and Camaros since the mid-'90s.
He tries to keep most of them in their packaging.
"But I don't mind a few to zip around on my desk," he said.
It's become a bit of an obsession, he admitted.
Norton's not sure how many tiny Hot Wheels cars he has, but there are "many thousands," he said. He scopes out department stores and will buy up to 200 of the $1 or $2 toys every year.
"I don't consider it an investment," he said by phone from his home in Smithville in the Niagara region. "I think of it as more of a special treat."
It might be the lifelike mini car models or it could be the way they fly across toy race tracks with ease. But there's something about Hot Wheels that's attracted generations of boys for 40 years.
"It's so iconic at this point," said Nancy Modrcin, a marketing manager for Mattel Canada. "It's a toy that's been around because kids play with it, and they keep playing with it."
Kids -- and their parents -- will have the chance to play with the toys when a life-size Hot Wheels car rolls into town for two weekends in August. It will make a pit stop at the Waterloo Region Children's Museum in Kitchener on Aug. 7 to 9 and at the KidSpark festival in Victoria Park in Kitchener on Aug. 17.
Modrcin said she's not surprised many adults still adore the toys. With more than 200,000 registered users of Hotwheelscollectors.com, the cars are a vehicle for nostalgia. "It's like a generational toy -- it gets passed down."
She said although the core target market is three- to six-year-old boys, there are lots of young girls and adults who like the cars, too.
"It becomes quite the family experience," she said.
The Hot Wheels car and interactive trailer will have "really awesome tracks and challenges," she said. They'll also give away free toy cars.
The Hot Wheels brand has been around since 1968, when Mattel recruited designers from real car companies to develop miniature California hot rods. Now, more than 800 models and 11,000 variations have been released.
Norton, who hosts two websites and a blog about his passion, said his wife and three-year-old son are "very supportive" of his hobby.
"I've always been a car guy," he said.
He drives a Mazda Miata with HOTWLZ on the licence plate.
"It's my own little Hot Wheels car for real life."

Looking forward to more Ferraris

2008-08-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting around to blogging again. Recently I have been directing most of my on line activity to my other Hot Wheels websites. I have revamped the Hot Wheels Ferrari collection site and I hope to have a new addition to it soon. The Ferrari FXX has been seen in a few different colours for 2008 and it is pretty cool. What I am most looking forward to though is the near future release of the 288 GTO. That one happens to be one of my favorite car designs of all time. I will make a point to get some pics posted as soon as I find one.

2008's So Far

2008-03-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

March is almost over and the 2008 models are well represented on store shelves. I have personally seen about half of the entire mainline at stores over the past few months. Some 2008 First Edition models worth noting are the Corvette Grand Sport, the Ferrari FXX, the Audi R8 and the 69' Dodge Coronet Superbee. Mattel are continuing the trend of releasing multiple colour variants for most First Editions models and keeping collectors on their toes. I look forward to seeing the rest of them as they come along. I am trying to keep up with the latest local releases on my website, check it out for a more thorough run down of what I find.

Hot Wheels Invader Invades 2007

2007-08-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

I love this tank-like vehicle design. It looks mean and dangerous. Pictured here is the sand camouflage paint scheme released as a blueline last year and the sinister dark grey blueline for the 2007 model year.

2007 Mustang 5 Pack

2007-08-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

This 5 pack made a great gift for a young Hot Wheels fan. The yellow '65 has an opening hood and the tooned '68 is a bit more geared towards his tastes than mine. The red Mach 1 is probably the best looking of the bunch and the gold GT is a great casting with a classy paint colour. I suppose the blue cobra is ok too :)

2007 First Editions '69 Ford Mustang Variations

2007-08-27T22:02:00.001-07:00

Some of you may be new to the hobby or just have a passing interest in collecting Hot Wheels and might wonder what to consider. This model is a typical example where there are 3 completely different variations in colour. Other variations would include the tampos (paint decals applied over the main paint), rims (dozens to pick from) and other materials (glass colour, base colour, etc.) The variations here are pretty obvious, but some variations might take a keen eye to spot.

Also, you can imagine that one of these three might have been produced in a smaller quantity and so it would be more rare and therefore more valuable to collectors. Keep them in good shape, sometimes you don't know which one turns out to be the rarity until they are no longer available.

5 Pack Informaiton

2007-08-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

Many collectors might not be aware of the full contents of a 5 Pack gift set. Of course there are the 5 cars, but there is also a collector card that is punched out of the cardboard below the peg hanger. Look at this:

Complete 2007 Pop-Offs series

2007-08-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here are the 4 models of the "Pop Off" series. I don't usually try to complete the series cars but I do like the "pop offs" as they are called. Its like getting a bonus ability above the normal Hot Wheels - a little extra playability.

Dodge Challenger Concept - Another Red Variation

2007-08-24T20:50:00.001-07:00

Check out this colour variation of the Dodge Challenger Concept. A beautiful deep red. I have posted a less recent version - The green one was found months ago and featured in a previous post. I must say that either colour looks great on this car. In my mind the green is more of a classic muscle car era colour and the red is more suited to the modern re-interpretation of the Challenger design.

Buick Grand National Variation

2007-08-23T20:39:00.001-07:00

I mentioned before how I like this car. Now I see this colour variation. Another nice deep red. I like how this model isn't all gaudy with crazy tampos. Just simple and classy.

But still if I had to call a favorite, it would still be the black one.

2007 First Editions Porsche Cayman S

2007-08-22T20:22:00.001-07:00

I have so many cars to go through I decided to make this a 2 post day. This one I just picked up today. It is a yellow colour variation of the Porsche Cayman S. The previous metalic colour was nice but not quite as exciting as a canary yellow.

2007 Chevy Silverado Variation

2007-08-22T20:17:00.001-07:00

This is the first variation I have seen of this popular model. the body colour is a nice deep red. This classic colour would make any model look good.

Hot Wheels 2007 Mystery Cars

2007-08-21T19:26:00.001-07:00

This is a great marketing idea from Mattel. As a consumer, I am not entirely sold on the idea. What you would see with a mystery car, is a car packaged on the same type of blister pack as most other basic cars. The band marking what series it belongs to is black, and there are no indications of model name or number on the packaging. The blister itself is blacked out so that it is impossible to know what car is inside.

Why this is cool: you never know what you will get - it could be a rare model.

Why this sucks: you never know what you will get - it could be the same car you got in the last 3 packages (like what happened to me with the pictured purple Volkswagen Beetle convertible).

Ferarri 512M Revealer

2007-08-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't know it at the time but the Ferrari 512M found in a three pack a few months ago was a preview of one of the revealer's series. It is an interesting variation of a good casting - the colour is hard to describe - metalic-orangy, but with brownish tint. See for yourself:

Many new cars!

2007-08-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, it has been a long time since my last post - I have had a lot going on but I plan to make up for it - I will profile a number of cars I have found lately. There are many new 2007 First Editions hitting shelves now and a few unexpected variations as well.

I will start with what might be the most unique casting of the year - Sky Knife. It is 2007 First Editions #13. A very cool futuristic helicopter. I'll let the picture speak for itself.

Black Ferarri 599 GTB

2007-06-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

I found the Black Ferrari 599 today. It looks slick. I have said before that I am a Ferrari fan and so I am usually biased about these things. The casting is pretty good as these things go but something doesn't look quite right about the interior. I bet tinted windows would be an improvement.

A Bunch of New Finds

2007-06-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find a few new 2007 First Editions on the pegs. First, this Humvee from the GOLD series. These really catch my eye. This is the second one I found - I think I will try to get the whole set.

Next is the black "Hot Bird" I have the black and purple ones - I like the 80's cars.

This Old Number 5.5 looks great in yellow or red.

And the Track Stars series is interesting because of the quality of the castings. I recognize a lot of these cars as special series cars from the 35th anniversary year. They were not released as "regular" Hot Wheels before.

Now This is a great hot rod colour scheme! It is a reverse of the other version I have from a few months ago.

And then I saw in front of me a few new models which do look very nice. This is the CCM and It has a great metal flake gold paint job.

I looked a bit deeper and found the "Nitro Scorcher" AKA "Ferracin'"

But my hunt was not complete until I found this beautiful Ferrari 250 LM: I do love a nice vintage racing Ferarri. Mattel knows to make it red for Farrari fanatics like myself.

TV Batmobile

2007-05-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, I finally found a Batmobile. It seems like everyone stateside has been talking about them for months. As a Canadian, I have had to adjust to the fact that the new stuff takes a bit longer to get to us. The 2007 First Editions and other new hotwheels models have not been as slow as I can remember from previous years but I am always left to wonder if some cars will ever get here. At least I can say I got my TV Batmobile! for the record, it has the textured grille - I am not sure if that makes it special or not. Here is a picture:

Awesome Hot Wheels 3 Pack

2007-05-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

For a Ferrari fan like me, this one was a great find. Two of the three cars were Ferrari's and they happened to be variations of the cars I don't have. I know that the black 599 GTB has been showing up in other places but I have yet to see it in its own blister pack. And the orange coloured 512 seems unique to me. The third car is a rather common Volkswagen New Beetle Cup car from the "Pop offs" series.

Some 2006's still showing up

2007-05-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

I see these still showing up. We are well into 2007 but the 2006 models still make appearances. They are newer stock and they do come in the latest package style. Here are a few of those:

Odds & Ends

2007-05-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

There have been a lot of new releases for different series' in 2007 that have caught my attention. I have mentioned before that I do not want to collect every single car that gets released but I will pick them up if I think they are worthy for whatever reason. The following cars have that special quality. I can't explain why, but these are the cars I have brought home over the past week or so, in no particular order:

My New Favorite Hot Wheels Car

2007-05-02T22:55:00.001-07:00

Yes, I like this one a lot. The Ford GTX-1. It has the right combination of detail, color, tampos and style. The interior is chromed plastic and if I had one complaint it is that the dashboard behinf the windsheild has a fingerprint on it from the assembly process. It happens from time to time. I have a few other new finds I will be sharing in future posts - stay tuned.

Drought

2007-04-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Its a usual occurrence, when I get half a dozen new cars in such a short time period, then nothing for weeks. It doesn't stop me from looking regularly - but I get a bit disappointed when I go for more than a week or two with nothing new. So this update is just about how there is nothing new yet. For the sake of posting a picture, I present this graphic from my collecting website:

1 New Car Today

2007-04-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

This Dodge Ram 1500 pickup in red looks much better in my opinion than the purple one. More... manly?

Good Day For New Cars

2007-04-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day for new cars. I didn't get any treasure hunts but I did find a few new models and some variations for the 2007 First Editions. They have been trickling in for the past month, today the flow was better than average.

It started when I spied the white '70 Firebird. I like a lot of the old musclecars - this one is one of my favorites. The 66 Nova doesn't appeal to me as much but I was quite pleased to see the Buick Grand National.

To be objective, I could say the design of this car is a bit ugly - but in an '80's context it has a definite "edginess".

This red Camaro doesn't look quite as sexy with plain old 5spokes.
Colour variations were found for the Shelby and Charger, as well as a Ferrari blueline.

The great surprise for me today was this 5 pack. Gotham City is the name and it contains some awesome models. The top is a bike I have not seen before, but it looks very cool. Next is the 'Batman Begins' Batmobile - one of the best for sure - it was never released as a mainline car as far as I know. Then a Viper coupe with matte black paint. The helicopter looks very cool too but I don't recognize it - anybody know about it? please let me know. And the submarine is a mainline casting from a few years ago, but looks like it fits with the Gotham theme here - I might have to open this package!

Another new 2007

2007-03-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

This one is quite different. Its a motorcycle, a dirt bike actually. Its called "Wastelander" and is the 11th car of the 2007 First Editions series. Its got some good detail and it comes with a small plastic stand. Check it out!

Pop-Offs

2007-03-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I finally saw some cars in the Pop-Offs series. I like the idea of getting more interactive with these little toys. It adds an extra element to an already fun toy. If you are not familiar with them I will explain: There have been a few Hot Wheels models released in the past 8 years or so that have a special feature: They have a switch that will release the body from the chassis. And the interior is modeled with full detail too. I can tell that more effort went in to the design of these particular models and I do appreciate it.

Some Miscallaneous Bluelines

2007-03-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

I do not plan to be the collector who needs to get every Hot Wheels Car released. That is just not feasible for me. I do plan to get the entire "First Editions" set - and any other car that might catch my eye. These cars are a handful of "Bluelines" released in 2007 that did interest me enough for me to take them home. Sometimes I don't know why I am drawn to a particular car, its just what I like.

Batman 2 Car Sets

2007-03-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have some catching up to do - It has been a good week...

I saw these at Toys 'R Us the other day. The Batmobile is a new casting - the other car is from last year - they throw in a mini figure and charge $3.99 - Brilliant (sarcasm)

Did I mention that there are 2 different Batman action packs? This (Joker) one with the Cyclops car and another (Riddler) with a Hypermite and Riddler mini figure - with the same Batmobile!?! (though it does have a different shade of detail stripes on the top)

yes, the Batmobile looks cool, could I just buy it on its own card?

2007-03-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

Walmart had a few new cars on the pegs today. I picked up this fine 2007 First edition - Dodge Ram 1500. Jacked up with big off road tires. Purple exterior with ghost flame tampos. The bed cover has a side hinge and reveals custom equipment. I am not much of a pickup guy, but I kinda like this one.

I also found a 2006 blue-line 1970 Mach 1 Mustang. Electric blue with the classic Hot Wheels race tampos. I feel the Hot Wheels brand will always be closely tied with the muscle car era in which it was born (1968). This car is a favorite of mine from the 1998 First editions. Its nice to see the old favorites in new colors.

Camaro Concept Variation

2007-03-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Today I found a red Camaro Concept. I do like this car - it has very clean lines. The silver metal flake paint job was the first variation I found. The glossy red makes it look very sporty.

One new find today - Ferrari 599 GTB!

2007-03-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

I rarely go to Sears - especially for Hot Wheels, but today I am glad I did. I found the particular new model I had been anticipating most this year. The Ferrari 599 GTB... and it looks fantastic!

It was the only one of its kind, the only 2007 on the pegs. It was surrounded by much older cars - many had been there for years. (Explaining why I rarely go there for Hot Wheels)

I have a weakness for Ferrari Hot Wheels. I will probably buy half a dozen of these and open the second one I get. This one has a slightly darker shade of red than most other red Ferrari's of the last few years. I wonder if this is a production tolerance, a variation or the new "Ferrari Red". I cant wait to find out.

...Sears!?

New Finds Today

2007-02-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

I was at a local WalMart and came across some new 2007's today. I thought now would be a good time to post what I have for this year, before it gets out of hand...

First Post

2006-11-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

this is the first post