Hot Wheels 2011 - New Packaging

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 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

What do you do with 3 flatbed Backsliders?

Stack'em!

The Real Cars - Nissan GT-R

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

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

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

 

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