Just Unveiled: 2014 Hot Wheels Toyota AE86 Corolla Zamac Exclusive...

Remember when we showed you this?

It is upcoming Scion FR-S Walmart Zamac exclusive, and the "now" to the AE86's "then" in the Then & Now subseries.

Now we have the first images of the "then":

Yes, the E86 is getting the zamac treatment to match its FR-S cousin.  These images were found on ebay, along with a few other newbies.  We assume we will see this soon...

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Toyota AE86 Corolla in 2014 deco...

While this isn't the earth-shattering unveil that the Datsun 620 Pickup was last week, we can now tell you JDM fans that there is more to look forward to in the 2014 Hot Wheels lineup.  Our good friends at Japanese Nostalgic Car have hinted that 2014 will be an epic year for Hot Wheels collectors of the JDM persuasion, and we now have another bit of evidence.

Say hello to the 2014 version of the Toyota AE86 Corolla.  This model is in the midst of a major resurgence after being virtually ignored after its 2006 debut.  One of Jun Imai's first castings, the hachi debuted in white (and erroneously in flat grey) in 2006, then only appeared one time in a 5-pack before finally reemerging in the Walmart Cars of the Decades series in 2012.  Now we know that 2014 will make it three years in a row with the AE86 somewhere in the Hot Wheels world, and we won't complain at all.

So while you Initial D fans mourn the end of the series, you can at least rejoice in the continuation of the hachiroku in the Hot Wheels lineup.

What do you think?

Model of the Day: Kyosho Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86)...

In keeping with a certain Toyota theme over the next several days (2000GT Super yesterday, new Supra tomorrow, HW AE86 variation alert coming soon) let's jump away from our friends at Mattel for a minute, but keep ourselves in that "Oh, What a Feeling!" range.

And oh what a model.  I have had my eyes peeled for a Kyosho AE86 for some time now.  Older Kyosho models are becoming harder and harder to find, particularly their JDM ranges.  We have seen a lot of European and American makers coming out of the Kyosho factory of late, and while many of those ranges have been superb, nothing beats Kyosho's Japanese car models.  We are happy to see a Mazda set just over the horizon, but if you want some of the other signature JDM cars, you have to go back.

I am still after a 1:64 Kyosho Kenmeri, as well as a 2000GT, but I have my Hakosuka, and now I finally have my hachiroku.  It is not bearing the famous black and white Initial D duds, but I am very happy with the silver and black.  Plus Kyosho's mini black watanabes are a treat.

In case you are wondering, there is currently one Kyosho 1:64 AE86 on ebay this minute.  And you can always find a slew of Kyosho models over at DMC (daboxtoys).


Kyosho Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86):

My tiny Kyosho nostalgic set:

Then and Now: