Lamley News: More new Hot Wheels multipack exclusives have been released...

We are having more and more fun with these multipack exclusives.  We will continue to say we love what Mattel is doing, using the multipacks to release more recolors of popular mainlines.

And after a visit to Smith's today (our local Kroger chain), we have discovered even more:

We have seen the Mini and Porsche unveiled on T-Hunted, but now we can confirm that they are in fact multipack cars.  The orange Mini Challenge is now the 5th color of the 2011 New Model, following red, blue, and white in the 2011 mainline, and yellow in multipacks in 2013.

The Porsche is a recolor of last year's multipack version in metalflake grey, which is a recolor of maybe the 2010 First Edition, or the 2011 Nightburnerz, or the 2012 All-Stars versions.  We have no idea because all share front and rear detailing with no side deco.

The Beetle is a surprise.  We had no idea this one was coming out.  We just mentioned a few days ago that we were disappointed we hadn't seen the New Beetle casting since its debut, and here it is.  This may mean we will see the third color in 2015.  This is a great casting and we are happy to see it getting attention again.

We brought a 9-pack home with us, as one contained the Porsche, Beetle, as well as other recently released multipack cars.  The Mini had to stay at the store.  How about some pics?

Porsche 911 GT2

Comparison with the 2011 mainline in black:

The model we think is the original that the two recolors are based on, the blue mainline from 2012:

Our two favorite Hot Wheels Porsches in 2014 clothes:

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Comparison with the 2012 mainline:

Almost the exact same color as the brand new multipack S2K:

Corvette Z06

The three colors: 2014 multipack in yellow, 2013 multipack in red, 2012 mainline in black:

'69 COPO Corvette

The three colors - 2014 multipack in green, 2013 multipack in gold, 2012 5-pack in red:

First Look: Hot Wheels VW Beetle - Herbie the Love Bug...

With Hot Wheels emphasis on entertainment-related models, there are certainly some no-brainers.  Herbie the Love Bug is probably near or at the top for many of those "no-brainer" lists.

And we finally have it, in the 2014 basic range.  And we will be getting it again (you RLC'ers have already seen it) in the Retro Entertainment line later this year.

Being the car guy I am, the thing I like most about the Retro Entertainment line is that it is producing cars that look fantastic, whether in a movie or not.  The Ferris Bueller Ferrari California is the best example of that.  Other than that these entertainment "character" models don't do much for me, premium or basic.

But I can get behind Herbie.  It is a great racing deco for one, and more importantly, I loved the Herbie movies.  I don't remember much about them, other than the car had a mind of its own, and I always wondered why Dan Rather was the star of the movie (let's see who gets that), but I do remember loving them.

So Herbie is a welcome addition.  Now thoughts on the actual model.  I think most collectors will clamor for an updated classic Beetle.  I agree.  This casting, while metal on metal, is just a bit too dated.  I actually like the stance, and on Herbie I like it a lot.  Herbie with a nice modern Hot Wheels touch.  But those headlights, and those wheel wells, and wide wheels.  All a little off.

But that is my opinion.  More than anything I am happy to have Herbie around.  Even without Dan Rather...

(Find Herbie on ebay...)


2014 Hot Wheels VW Beetle: 

A Black Friday Stocking Stuffer First Look: The Special Edition DMC/WheelCollectors/Lamley VW Beetle Turbo is now available in the US for purchase...

How about I suggest a nice stocking stuffer?  Thanks to Lamley Partners Daboxtoys Model Cars and Wheel Collectors, this ultra-exclusive 1:64 VW Beetle Turbo is available to purchase here in the US.

If you have followed the Lamley Blog for the last few months, you have heard about this model.  If you are also a follower of Daboxtoys Model Cars, you are even more aware of its existence.

We here at Lamley are very fortunate to have a worldwide following.  Folks from all over the world visit the blog daily, and we are very thankful for that.  We hope you continue to tell your friends about us, so that we can continue to grow and keep the good stuff coming.  We are creating a great community over at Facebook as well, and if you haven't joined us there you should.

Nonetheless, many of our Asian friends are very familiar with A) the OEM Kyosho factory that is producing these fabulous dealer models, and B) Felix and Daboxtoys Model Cars, which sell some amazing Asian diecast brands.

I have always been a Matchbox/Hot Wheels guy at heart, but it did not take long for me to buy into what Kyosho and the OEM factory are doing.  They are producing some amazingly detailed models in 1:64 scale that have to be seen to believe.  It is my thought that there are many collectors here in the United States that would love these models as well, so it is my hope that giving them some coverage here at Lamley will help promote them, and eventually make it easier for US collectors to acquire them.

That is why I have really enjoyed my partnership with Felix and DMC.  He also thinks these models could be very popular here, and is helping sites like the Lamley Group and Japanese Nostalgic Car promote these Asian brands, and we will continue to do so.

And that leads us to the Beetle.  The OEM Kyosho Factory produces special dealer models that are sold in Asia.  They are usually done in sets of 6 or 12, and come in multiple colors.  We have profiled models from two sets - the Pagani Huayra and Porsche 911 Turbo.  We also have a Nissan GT-R in the wings as well.  If you haven't seen those posts I suggest you do.

Daboxtoys not only sells these sets, but Felix has worked with the factory to produce special limited run models to compliment the sets as well.  There was a special Pagani made for the Macau Grand Prix, and now this special Beetle to go along with the 6-car set.  Only 299 of the Beetles were made, so it is a very limited run, and is being gobbled up over the DMC store.

The Lamley Group and Wheel Collectors got in on the act, and helped get these models completed.  And because of that a small number have been shipped here to the US and made available at the Wheel Collectors store.  And considering they will still honor the Lamley 10% discount, you can get it for a great price.  Just mention Lamley at checkout.

There are more of these exclusives on the horizon, and from what I have heard, some amazing cars are in the works.  Don't miss out on this Beetle...

(The exclusive Beetle is available at Daboxtoys Model Cars in Hong Kong and Wheel Collectors in the US...)


Kyosho OEM Factory Volkswagen Beetle (DME/Wheel Collectors/Lamley Exclusive):