Best Motorcycle 2014: Kmart

Showing posts with label Kmart. Show all posts

First Look: Hot Wheels Kmart Mail-in '69 Chevy Chevelle SS 396...

Something is wrong with this model.

It is not the choice of casting. The '69 Chevelle SS is a great choice. It seems there is a small contingent of models that are used for premium mail-in models. Chevy Panels, Blown Deliveries, etc etc. Those are great models, but it is nice to see a mainline type model get the treatment. We hope this means we will see more. Maybe even some Euro or Japanese cars.

It is not the choice of wheels. These are great wheels. GREAT wheels. The watanabe-looking rims don't just look good on JDM models. They look good on pretty much any classic model. Plus we would not be surprised if a few folks just got this model to use the wheels on a custom.

It is not the deco. The burnt orange and flames really works, especially with the black trim. We have seen the Walmart 69 Camaro with the deco over Zamac, which works, and we assume the other three mail-ins will as well. We are in on this year's set.

So what is wrong?

The base. It's plastic, and that presents a problem.

Look, we normally don't care one way or the other if a base is plastic or metal. Metal bases are great, but we don't get too caught up in that. How the model looks is far more important. And that goes for premium models as well.

BUT, we have a problem if what is promised about the model is not what happens. While whether a base is metal or not would not convince us to buy a model, it does convince a lot of collectors. So if Mattel said the base would be metal, and it shows up plastic, that is a problem.

So will Mattel do something about it? Probably not, and we don't know what they could do. Surely something has been mentioned in the El Sug office, and things will probably be a bit tighter the next time around.

So, does this bother you? Do you want Mattel to do something about it? Mistakes happen, but we are sure many would like Mattel to at least acknowledge it. Maybe they will, maybe they can't.

(Want it? There are plenty on ebay

...)

Hot Wheels '69 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 (2014 Kmart Mail-in):

The Cars of Kmart, Part 4: The Supersharp BMW E30 M3 in Alpine White...

Frank Ocean famously put an E30 on the cover of the mixtape that shot his career into the stratosphere:

He also has an E30 that is most likely meticulously finished and in his garage at this point.

Why do we mention this? Well, in case you haven't heard his music, Frank Ocean reeks cool. Dive into his background and you quickly see you are not dealing with your standard R&B artist. He is creative, smart, incredibly talented, and he is obsessed with the E30. Wouldn't you know...

Let's talk looks on the E30. Factor dimensions, stance, proportions, silhouette, and especially those box-flare wheel arches, and you have the quintessential BMW. It looks like a classic, but it doesn't look old. Put it next to the 2002 and the 6 Series, and you get depressed wondering how the company that made those later made the 7 Series of the 2000's. (But then made the 1M, so not all is lost.)

And with its good looks, and legacy, it is great to see this model in mini form as a Hot Wheels car. And it hasn't looked better than what its got going on in its Alpine White Kmart duds. As we said before, with the Datsun 620 and BMW E30, Mattel hit a home run with the exclusives at this event.

So while this hasn't created the frenzy the Datsun has, it is still one that is a must-have, and you might regret not picking one up

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Hot Wheels '92 BMW E30 M3 (2014 Kmart Exclusive):

The Family:

The Cars of Kmart, Part 3: The ever-popular Datsun 620 in blue...

The reports from California were all the same:

Good luck finding the blue 620. Frenzied collectors gobbled them up quickly at Saturday's event, and there is not a one left at any Kmarts.

Reports from elsewhere were a little more tame, but there is no doubt the blue Japanese pickup with the JNC inkan on the rear has been a very popular model.

And it should be. We have already spoken to the fantastic casting it is. Not too high, not too low, relatively stock with a snazzy chin spoiler, with that pleasing embossed tailgate. One of Jun Imai's best. On top of that, the blue trumps the previous version in orange. The silver over black tampos are more defined, and the white lettering on the tailgate stands out a bit more than the black on the orange.

So do the math. Popular casting + good looking design + limited release, multiplied by the fact that JNC warned its readers to hit the event if they wanted any chance to get it = a very popular model.

So if you passed on a couple at your local event, you may want to go back and get them. You don't want to miss out on this one, and it's not coming back.

Of course, there is always ebay. The best time to get one is now, while the listings are saturated with the 620. Once the supply dries up, the price will surely rise...

Hot Wheels Datsun 620 (2014 Kmart Exclusive):

The Cars of Kmart, Part 2: First-to-Market '70 Chevelle SS & '70 Camaro...

Maybe we would have included the First-to-Market Dodge Demon as well, but let's instead pay tribute to 1970 with these two. Plus, I forgot to pick up a Demon. And I am not returning to Kmart for a Demon.

Hmmmm, 1970. My grandfather died. My wife was born. So was my sister. I was still four years out. Tribute done.

The Camaro and Chevelle? Great models. The yellow Camaro is a bit of a throwaway design, but I love the casting, so into the collection it goes. I love the Chevelle casting too, and I do like the Summit livery. The Super is cool too.

So, here are both cars, out at Kmart