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.

Hot Wheels Germany Promotion

Got this on the weekend via Marktkauf, Weil am Rhein:

Simple:

Buy 6 HW, get the below free:





OK, it's a baseball with the HW logo printed on it, but as blogged in a previous post it a nice freebie.

Incidentally the peg space allocated for Matchbox is non-existent.....2 pegs with old 2011 stock. Was in Zurich yesterday at Letzipark - Manor had 1 peg of old 2011 stock as well.....and this is a major department store.

More evidence that Mattel are pushing Hot Wheels as the brand of choice?

Getting narked with Norev.....

I do a food run every two weeks in France - for the simple reason is that there is more choice than there is here @ CH....and it is cheaper!

As i have written before, the Geant in St Louis is the most expensive one in France, but without a actual set of wheels, I am a little limited in going exploring further afield.

The last run brought about these 4 models from the 1/64 Norev Showroom range. The Peugeot RCZ has got to be one of the best little castings of late - I absolutely love the detail and accuracy that this model represents.



The BMW X3 is also a nice little model - you could even mistake it for a Siku from afar.





HOWEVER -

There are two blights - first one is the Racing Touerag. As you will be able to see from the pictures, the model suffers from the old suspension issue, and does not sit right. It almost looks like it is broken, and the model hardly runs well. I suspect that for a child, they would not care less - it would end up with paint chips, and semi-destroyed within a short while, but for a collector, despite the well detailed tampos, the model simply cannot be displayed well. I may have just picked up a duff one, but should we be content with these quality issues at almost €3 a pop?



and then we have the Fiat 500 CC - looked like someone has just ripped out the rear end suspension!



I get really annoyed about stuff like this - the tramline suspension is a cheap and effect method of creating suspension, but I think that at this price point, Norev really need to re-think this in terms of quality. It is not really acceptable - to a child who knows little better it might be OK, but for the collector - nil points.

But again, am I making more out of this than I should be - after all, they are just toys - it is the collector who makes such items be elevated to a higher podium. So should we just accept that this is just life, and get over it?

Super Weekend - Team GB

It was amazing to witness Jess Ennis & Mo Farah win Gold for Great Britain over the last 24 hours. OK, it was on the telly but there was no hope in hell of getting a ticket for that one.

Even Andy Murray beat Roger Federer in the Tennis (a result that pleases me no end as that is one less gold the Swiss have).

Team GB goes from strength to strength and I am really looking forward to seeing some of the events we have got tickets for this week.

The whole country is riding on a high at the moment and we have forgotten about the problems with the economy and the tough times we are experiencing. 

Long may Team GB's success continue into next week.

Sexy Alfa

Alfas had a bad reputation for rust in the 70s and 80s - I mean the cars just fell apart after a while due to the lack of proper corrosion treatment.

Yet they produced some beautiful cars and the GTV - enhanced by James Bond giving it a good workout in Octopussy - is one of them.

Classic 80s cues, the wedge front and fast slope at the rear - superb, stunning and very sexy.

I am not a great fan of the Brera and modern stuff - OK, the 8C is the exception, but seeing one of these classics in the flesh and in such good nick is a wonderful thing.

Happy.

MB73 - Volkswagen Saveiro Cross (1-75 - 2011)

Born in Brazil, I was fairly pleased that for the 2011 range, MB were embracing models from all around the world, like they did back in the day of Lesney. This is what helped me learn about cars from a very early age.

OK, I only picked this up the other week, as the final batches of models for 2011 enters 2012 (go figure - Mattel have no idea about distribution).

I think that there could have been a little more detailing that would have gone on here, esp. with the front end. Just detracts from the model somewhat....which is a bit of a shame.

However, this is a good inclusion rather than the constant demands of Americana from certain members of the collecting community.

Vauxhall's RWD Ute - VXR8 Maloo

Forget your Ferrari's, lambo's and Porsche's - 

If you want thrills and fun, may I suggest a Ute. 

OK, this translates to a pick-up in Blighty, but Ute's are something of a legend in their native Australia. Tradies have been using them for years and Holden and Ford have always had performance versions within the range. 

I had a mission to complete several tasks/challenges when I lived in Melbourne. And one of them was to drive a Ute. Fortunately, my manager at work told me I had to get from Richmond to Carlton to deliver summat and I could take "Shrek" a BA XR6 Ute in Green. 

Bloody hell, I had some fun in that! As there is no weight at the back it is very light and you can easily swing the back out. Further to that, I went up the wrong way in it, and had to reverse. Slightly heavy on the right foot meant that the rear wheels spun and the arse of the Ute bounced backwards whilst reversing. Superb!

I still don't get why Vauxhall refuse to import Commodores and Statesmans as their bigger cars in Europe. I don't buy the BS that it is not economical and there are some tweaks needed for Europe. The V6's these days are very fuel efficient, so I still do not see what the issue is. 

Vauxhall already import the HSV GTS in VXR8 guise and now look to get the HSV Maloo as well. 

The review from Autocar can be read here

What makes this so special is that there are going to be very few on British roads - and they are going to cost a mint - £51k is a lot to ask for a pick-up. And more to the point, you will not see the Opel equivalent. This is exclusively for the British market. And on the track, with the lack of weight and 6.2 LS3 under the bonnet (booming over 400bhp), this is some weapon.

I really want to see Ford UK and Vauxhall start importing these big Aussie saloons. Having driven a VE Series II for a week last year, they are fine cars and very good to drive. They would make great motorway/autobahn cruisers, and I would potentially get one over a 5-Serie or an E-Class on price.

Come on guys - you know it makes sense!

Bburago's 1/43 Ford Focus Estate

Modern day cars are what appeals to me in any range. I tend to leave the fantasy models alone and they are suited to the Hot Wheels range.

The inclusion of a Focus estate in the Bburago 1/43 collection does remind me of K-74 Volvo Estate by Lesney all those years ago.

OK, it doesn't have the front absorbing bumper, nor the opening boot, but I think that by owning that particular model, I realised that there were estate cars available on Britain's roads. Yes, I had seen them in real life, but never paid much attention.

Normally there is a tendency to just include all the supercars and be done with it. I am really pleased that Bburago has decided not to go down this route and concentrate on what is seen. And more to the point, the little people will relate to this car. They can see a version on the road.

The proportions are captured well, tampoing is nicely executed - a good, honest model.