Packaging Mistake

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!

2009 Special Features - Ferrari 512

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

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

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

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

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...