Just Unveiled: 2014 Hot Wheels Zamac exclusive Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X...

We found out about this model a couple of months ago, and have been hinting at its upcoming release in various Lamley posts.  Of course only those that actually read the articles knew, and it was fun to see many of you keep it a secret.

But now the news is out, as photos have surfaced of the Walmart exclusive Zamac Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X, and we are here to share.  The Hakosuka should be hitting Walmarts soon, and we just hope the distribution is better than the last batch of Zamacs, that we still have yet to see in our area.

The Hakosuka's return to the mainline has been a happy one, with it looking stellar in black, and the Zamac compliments it perfectly.  Unless it is sporting a racing livery, less is more with the Hako, and the HW design team has clearly embraced that.

Of course, we do wonder if there will be yet a third recolor on the Then & New R34 Skyline to match this one.  The R34 was a Zamac last year, so maybe a silver version will suffice.  We shall see.

So get your hunting shoes on.  The black Skyline is hitting now, and the Zamac soon after, and both are bound to be a bit popular...

Just Unveiled: 2014 Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-X as part of the Then & Now Series...

I think a few of you, including us, saw this coming.  We even got more than a few hints this was on its way awhile ago.  But who cares?  We now officially know that the Hakosuka is back in the Hot Wheels mainline.

We just came across these first images of the black Hako, set to play the "Then" to the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R's "Now" in the Then & Now Series.  The R34 was released a few batches ago:

And while the two models share the same color, it is nice to see how the actual design of the Hako better reflects the simplicity of the classic Skyline.  Just a simple stripe running along the side, instead of the more modern pinstriping of the R34.  We are also happy to see the tail lights continue to get proper attention as well.

There are a few of us that feel the Hakosuka's release in 2011 opened the floodgates for the JDM run we have seen at Hot Wheels, moreso than even the AE86, Datsun 510 and 240Z before it.  It is purely Japanese, and since then we have seen the likes of the Kenmeri, Toyota 2000GT, Celica, 510 Wagon, EF Civic, Mad Manga, and 620 Pickup.  It is a grand time to be a JDM fan, and we are seeing folks joining the ranks in droves.  (Just try to find a blue 620 in SoCal right now.  You'd be better off looking for Supers.)

So it is nice to see the Hako back in the mainline after its stint as an elusive Boulevard model.  We also know we will see it in blue, as the R34 in blue has already been unveiled.  This should be a lot easier to find than the Boulevard, and maybe just as good-looking...

Just Unveiled: 2014 Hot Wheels Then & Now Scion FR-S...

We know we are not alone in our fondness for the Hot Wheels Then & Now series.  Last year's set, consisting of mainly muscle cars - Challengers, Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, etc - in their nostalgic and current incarnations sporting similar deco, was a treat to collect.

We now have photos of the first set of 2014.  We already knew the AE86 Corolla had a "Now" counterpart to compliment its "Then", and now, unsurprisingly, we know what it is.

Say hello to the 2014 deco on the Scion FR-S...

...which shares the same deco as the recently released Toyota AE86 Corolla:

There was some debate on Hot Wheels boards as to what the companion model would be to the Corolla.  Some thought the Corolla was the Now, and the Then would be the Toyota 2000GT.  Uh, no.  First, the 2000GT was already released in 2014 in a different deco.  Second, the hachi may be a very hot car right now, but it is most assuredly a nostalgic "Then".  Third, if you live in Japan, and drive the equivalent of the FR-S there, you are driving a car called the Toyota 86.

Toyota sees the 86/FR-S as a logical descendent to the AE86, and thankfully so does Hot Wheels.  Because of it we are getting a version of the FR-S that is far superior deco-wise to the First Edition released in 2013.  The silver is sharp, and the deco wonderfully retro.

We can't wait to put these two side-by-side...

More news on Hot Wheels 2014, including the Civic EF and Aston Martin DB5 carded, a new Mad Manga, and the return of Then & Now...

This is the time of year that news comes quickly, and as collectors worldwide start finding 2014 models from Hot Wheels, we can start getting a sense of what to expect.  So let's forgo any pleasantries and get on with the news:

We start with two 2014 New Models that have generated a lot of excitement.  Our perusal of social media has revealed the Aston Martin DB5 and Honda Civic EF on their cards.  We now know that the Civic is a 1990, although I don't know what makes it so.  That is a question I will have to ask Ryu Asada this weekend if I encounter him at the convention.

Next, what appears to be the Year of JDM at Hot Wheels produces another gem.  Mad Manga fans can get their bosozoku on with a new deco for 2014, this one in fantastic Falken racing livery:

Lastly, some more preview pics from Batch A from our friends at Camaro Garage.  We were excited to learn that the Then & Now series will continue into 2014.  The brand new COPO Camaro is shown on the back of its card to be (what we assume) the "Now" of a Then & Now pairing.  Could the '68 COPO be the "Then"?

They also send the best pics we have seen so far of the 2014 deco on the DeLorean.  We don't know if the design is based on anything real, but it does work extremely well:

Yeah, all random bits, but since we enjoyed Then & Now immensely in 2013, can't deny the utter coolness of a classic Aston in BRG, and because we are unapologetically JDM nerds, we will take it all.

First Look: Hot Wheels Then & Now '92 and '07 Regular/Super Mustangs...

There are models that grow on you.

And there are models that grow on you the way the beanstalk grew when Jack tossed the magic beans.

Let's document how quickly I took to the '07 Mustang Super Treasure Hunt once I had it in hand:



When our Brazilian friends at T-Hunted broke the news on the '07 Mustang Super, my response was "bleh".  Literally.  Bleh.  Not "meh", not "eh", but "bleh".  That means more on the "ewwwwww" side than the indifferent side.  What I saw was a Super of a bland car that a looked a lot like the Shelby Super Snake that was released earlier this year.

I think that was less about the actual model, and more about the fact that I was not a big fan of the Super Snake Super TH in green.  I love the casting, but thought the color was bland.  So I clearly had decided that Mustang + Green + Super TH = bland.

To quote the movie Prometheus, I was wrong.  I was SO wrong.

As I saw more pics, the model started growing on me.  I have never owned a version of the '07 Mustang, because I (regretfully) didn't collect Modern Classics, where it debuted, and didn't buy either of the 5-packs that contained the model.  So the Super TH, which I found in a dump bin on Monday, was my first real encounter with it.

By the time I was leaving that West Phoenix Walmart I was sold.  The green is more bright than forest, the wheels work perfectly with its low slung, boxy style, and the deco is nicely done.  It is a case where I prefer the model to the real thing.  I think this is another Jun Imai casting and it shows.

So this Mustang has gone from "bleh" to my second favorite Super TH in 2013, right behind the Toyota 2000GT.

And its basic counterpart ain't too shabby either.  Both of these are out of the superb "Then & Now sub-series that Hot Wheels created this year.  So far we have seen Camaros, Mustangs, Chargers, and Challengers sporting the same deco on models that are years apart.  I have liked every set.  (And hint - I will like a JDM set as well, Mattel.)

But this one probably edges out the black Camaros as my favorite T&N set this year.  The '07 paired with the '92 Mustang is a great move.  Neither car is as iconic as other Mustangs, but Hot Wheels has been doing more models from both eras, and these epitomize that new coolness of soon-to-be-classic cars.

Plus, how fun is it to have a Super in this set?

(Find the '07 Mustang in all its forms on ebay...)


Hot Wheels '07 Mustang Super Treasure Hunt, basic '07 Mustang, and '92 Mustang (2013 Then & Now):

First Look: Hot Wheels Then & Now Dodge Chargers ('69 and '11)...

Well, we want to stay consistent with featuring the fantastic Hot Wheels Then & Now models, so here is another.

So far, we think the upcoming Mustang set with the cool Custom Mustang takes the cake in terms of best one, but there hasn't been a bad duo yet.  The Camaro set was earlier this year, followed by the Mustang, and now the Charger and Challenger.

The Charger set is a little more separated than the other two.  The 2011 R/T has been out awhile, while the '69 finally hits in Batch L and stays through at least Batch M, so they may not even overlap.  Maybe it would be smart to pick up the 2011 R/T before it vanishes (although it does tend to stick on the pegs awhile).

So we will go ahead and let the photos do the talking, while we prepare First Looks for Batch M starting tomorrow.  In the meantime, catch up and fill in gaps on your 69 Charger collection here.

Hot Wheels '69 Dodge Charger and 2011 Dodge Charger R/T (2013 Then & Now):