From the Lamley Vaults: The Hot Wheels carded wheel variation collection...

We thought we would start a new series on Lamley today, and run it periodically throughout the year. It is time to open up the Lamley Vaults and check out some of the collection.

The Lamley collection is very streamlined, but within it are some fantastic rarities and exclusives that many of you might find interesting, and we thought it would be fun to showcase a few of them.  One thing that is obvious is that we have very few old toys in the collection.  While we thoroughly appreciate old diecast like Matchbox Regular Wheels & Superfast, as well as Hot Wheels Redlines, and enjoy learning about them, we don't collect them.  So the rarities showcased here will all be fairly recent, from the last 10 years or so.

Some are variations, some are exclusives, some are carded, some are loose.  But all should be pretty cool to see.  At least to a few of you.

So today we start with something that I love to collect.  Variations have always been an element of collecting that I have enjoyed, and wheel variations are by far my favorite type.  We all have different ideas of what constitutes a wheel variation, whether it be by number reported, or if acknowledged by Mattel, etc.

For me, there is only one requirement to make it a wheel variation.  If the model is sporting four wheels that are different than what is on the original model, it is a variation.  And there are a lot of reasons why that can happen.  Maybe Mattel decided on a running change, thinking one wheel type looks better than what was originally planned.  Maybe the factory ran out of a specific wheel.  Maybe the specific line what was making the model temporarily ran out of a wheel, and used what was lying around until they could replenish the supply.  Whatever the reason, if different wheels are on that model, and it is a model I collect, it is a variation I want.

That other key is "model I collect".  I don't collect just wheel variations.  I collect only wheel variations on models I actually like.  As I stated before, that keeps the collection streamlined.  Of course, if I find a rare wheel variation, and it is on a model I don't collect, I will still pick it up.  It may be just what I need to trade for a wheel vari I want down the road.

So here is an update on the carded wheel variations I have.  I have many more loose, and those will be displayed another day.

There are some real gems here.  Maybe a few you have, or want.  Enjoy...


2012 Honda S2000 with 5-point Real Riders.  GT Real Riders is standard.  Very few found, and only reported from Europe (namely Germany).  Acquired via trade.  In my opinion, the best Super TH variation there is.

2010 Cadillac CTS-V with lace wheels.  10sp is standard.  Acquired through an HWC collector.  Extremely rare.

2013 Toyota 2000GT with PR5.  Chrome-lipped MC5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.  This is the only full-PR5 vari reported.

2012 BMW 2002 with chrome-lipped PR5.  Chrome-lipped MC5 is standard.  Acquired via ebay.

2012 KITT with chrome-lipped MC5.  Chrome-lipped PR5 is standard.  Highly sought-after.  Acquired via trade.

2011 BMW M3 with 10sp.  Y5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.  Only one other has been reported.

2006 Toyota AE86 with 3sp.  5sp is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2006 Nissan Titan with PR5.  OH5 is standard.  Found in a license plate holder at Kdays.

2014 Aston Martin DB5 with 5sp.  Lace wheel is standard.  Acquired via trade, and it was only found at Kmart.

2013 Pagani Huayra with 10sp.  J5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2010 Aston Martin DBS with PR5.  10sp is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2010 Ferrari 308 with OH5.  5sp is standard.  Acquired via trade.  Was found in few numbers at midwest Walgreens.

2014 BMW E30 M3 with chrome-lipped MC5.  Chrome-lipped PR5 is standard.  Found at Target.

2012 Ferrari 599XX with OH5.  MC5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2012 Aston Martin One-77 with chrome-lipped MC5.  Chrome-lipped PR5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2013 BMW 2002 with OH5.  MC5 is standard.  Found at Walmart.

2010 Infiniti G37 with PR5.  Y5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.  Variation was only found at Kdays.

2013 '92 BMW E30 M3 with chrome-lipped MC5.  Chrome-lipped PR5 is standard.  Acquired via trade.

2013 Honda S2000 with white 10sp.  Rear yellow 10sp is standard.  Acquired via ebay.

2013 Toyota Celica with OH5.  MC5 are the standard wheels.  Found in a Walmart dump bin.