Hot Wheels 1978 DODGE LIL express pick up

This one reminded me of the Chevy C-10 pick up used in the film Driver starring Ryan O'Neal.



HW also do some old skool Trans Am's so I am sure that this would complement the model nicely and one could even re-create the scene.

OK, it's a Dodge, but I think that it is a smart model. And also showcases the need for Hot Wheels to stick with the Americana rather than let Matchbox have a go. This is what they do best, and one of the reasons why I grab these models when I can.

It also gives me the opportunity to learn about models from outside of Europe/APAC, so although they will never make it to the Garage, they are part of the Hot Wheels collection.

Recolours and new models - could the future of Matchbox look bright?

I have been the first to slam Mattel for the direction that they have been guiding the Matchbox brand - it has been an utter disaster for 2012. You can see a mile off how the funding for diecast has gone into Hot Wheels  rather than Matchbox - and the so-called re-brand has been a f**king joke.

However:

there is evidence to the otherwise - have a look at these pictures from the latest Ambassador report (yes, we finally have some more detail!).

My God, some of these castings look fantastic - and credit must be given to Ray Alder from the MB Design team for pushing through the change - note that MB65 London Taxi was a garish tampoed failure, whereas the re-colour is simply a gem.

I like the Z4 and the Exige stands out as a very good model indeed. I am not that bothered by the Buick police car - one for Americans I think, but the new Oshkosh casting (in green, big 4WD oojamaface) is really exciting.

The Gathering is a couple of weeks away - I await to see what this brings to the collectors table. But for the moment, I am pleasantly surprised.

Maybe there is a future for the brand after all.

 
 Buick Century Police Car (1956)

Oshkosh Military (above)

Ford Police Interceptor

Hot Wheels 1968 Copo Camaro

Keeping up with random Americana within the Garage, is this Chevrolet Camaro COPO.

A GM corporate edict forbade Chevrolet from installing engines larger than 400 cu in (6.6 l). Requests from dealers who were dealer-installing 427 cu in (7.0 l) engines in the Camaro caused Chevrolet to use an ordering process usually used on fleet and special orders (taxis, trucks, etc.) to offer 427 engines in the Camaro. Two Central Office Production Orders (COPO), numbers 9560 and 9561, were offered in the 1969 model year. The COPO 9561 option brought the solid lifter L72 big-block engine, making an underrated 425 hp (317 kW) gross. Dealer Don Yenko ordered 201 of these cars to create the now-legendary Yenko Camaro. Other dealers also became aware of the L72 engine package and ordered it. Around 1,015 Camaros were fitted with the L72 engine option

Hot Wheels 1971 Dodge Challenger

From the 2011 Premiere range this one harks back to the film 'Vanishing Point'.

I have got to say that for reproducing muscle cars from the US&A , Hot Wheels do do these well at the price point on offer.

Why Matchbox have re-branded......

I was looking for a clear Matchbox logo to update matchbox1-75.co.uk, when I stumbled across this site.


http://www.popgun.com/?portfolio=matchbox-rebrand -

Below is the snapshot of text as to why Matchbox have re-branded. Upon reading the below, this single handly refutes all notion that they are influenced by the likes of the MCCH Forum and the wims and requests of the collector. So as much as the 20-strong army on that board believe that they have a hotline into Mattel, things are becoming more evident - and again my theory:

1. Mark Curtis is desperate to keep kudos with come involvement with Mattel - this started off in 2005-odd and Mattel gave weight to the gathering of people in New Mexico. Now the MCCH Herd expect a show model which Curtis gets from Mattel, etc every year. I believe that Mattel are just being polite. Curtis needs his ego massaged and hence why wants the exclusvity of Mattel backing "his" board.

It will be interesting to see what would happen if Mattel pulled any support from the MCCH and severed ties with Curtis.....perhaps he would revert to eating more pie? (by the size of his lardyness, I think that the answer is yes).

2. Mattel are interested in Sales and not the collector. If they want the older audience to collect diecast, then it should be the Hot Wheels brand. Look at the premium lines of 1/18 and 1/43 scale modes that are coming out and the wonderful castings in 1/64 scale. As mentioned in a previous blog, the pickings of casting lie within the Hot Wheels stable and NOT the MB one.....

3. The direction of the Matchbox brand is very clear - ACTION and ADVENTURE. Like it or not, Matchbox seems to be moving away from the traditional car segment and getting all Lara Croft....

Below are some choice quotes:

Our workflow started with child’s point of view— young boys are in awe of big vehicles. Their power and presence makes them appear larger than life.

Rugged, Heroic and Unstoppable were guiding key words that described the Matchbox vehicle lineup and spoke directly to boys’ imaginations and how they interact with their toys.

With both hands on the wheel, the young Matchbox driver is ready to take on any adventure he can dream up.

I do not see any reference to the adult collector - and again, the so-called Ambassador roll appears to be little more than a goodwill exercise to the small minority of collectors.

It is very clear - those who have a romantic affair with Matchbox are going to face disappointment as the brand progresses. And the refusal to acknowledge this is going to be their downfall. It seems that it is only a matter of time before the range is moved to what I call the larger "Bruder" toys (large Trucks) that you can very easily take to a park and get dirty and muddy.

And with that direction we could see the folding of diecast under the Matchbox name......

SuperKings were the best thing that drove my imagination when I was growing up, yet Mattel have refused to invest in these models again. The HW site is bang up to date, MB is two years out of date. The toys are aimed for the 2-5 year old market and then once exposed to the likes of PlayStation and other character franchises, then the work is done.

Maybe I am reading a little bit too much into it. But the reluctance of Mark Curtis to accept anything bad about Mattel is bordering on silly.....and that collectors do not influence Mattel in any way shape or form.

As an aside, believe it or not, I quite like the 1-120 line up for this year - I care not for the graphics, but as for a bunch of cars and vehicles, it makes a good selection to choose from.

As ever, it would be good to get some free, unrestricted thought and opinion on this particular blog - and welcome comments from those from the MCCH who are muffled with their views.
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On the brand

Ever since the introduction of Hot Wheels in 1968, Matchbox has lived in the shadow of its more colourful, exciting and flashy Mattel brand-mate. However the Matchbox vehicle line has always kept its wheels firmly grounded in reality with trucks, ships, military and adventure vehicles at its core.

Popgun collaborated with Matchbox on a major brand overhaul that began by redefining the target audience, brand personality and attributes. Rugged, Heroic and Unstoppable were guiding key words that described the Matchbox vehicle lineup and spoke directly to boys’ imaginations and how they interact with their toys.

Following much exploration it was decided to retain the equity in the existing 70′s Matchbox letterforms, but update the weight and finish to align with the new brand values. Packaging, structural concepts, segmentation and trade dress soon followed.

With fresh gas in the tank and a GPS pointed toward success, the awesome new Matchbox brand can demolish any type of terrain.

On the graphics

Beginning in 1953, Matchbox has maintained the fine tradition of product line illustration for packaging in order to spark a child’s lively imagination. Wanting to change its recent illustration style from a flat, comic book approach to realistic renderings, Matchbox looked to Popgun to refresh its style, incorporating rich detail for their young audience to study and discover.

Our workflow started with child’s point of view— young boys are in awe of big vehicles. Their power and presence makes them appear larger than life. We transformed Matchbox’s 3D production files from grey scale models with little detail, into vivid vehicle illustrations, that, combined with evocative backgrounds, bring together an over the top sense of realism.

With both hands on the wheel, the young Matchbox driver is ready to take on any adventure he can dream up. Vrooooooom!

Hot Wheels Mini Cooper Challenge S

I cannot stand the BMW Mini at all.

For me, the brand has lost the identity of its original concept of affordable motoring and turned into a hybrid marketing machine preying on the stupid with a so-called lifestyle brand.

The car itself is rubbish to drive. And the variations on the theme have taken the length to be almost that of a Golf. Not really a Mini is it BMW.

However –

I do like the Hot Wheels version – even more so than the Matchbox casting. Hence why this one has been added to The Garage. It is a bit of a fun casting for me – unlike the real car, so therefore I reckon it is a good inclusion in terms of casting.

Yet again, this casting gives ample scope for a little bit more detailing - lights would be very easy to do.