Just Announced: Hot Wheels RLC exclusive Carroll Shelby SCCA Toyota 2000GT...

In the Lamley minicar world, this is a biggie...

On the heels of last year's release of the RLC Exclusive BRE Racing Datsun 510, comes news that another Japanese racing classic will be an RLC Exclusive in 2014.

RLC members were treated this morning to the first E-Sheet images of the Carroll Shelby SCCA Toyota 2000GT, which will be released to RLC members later this year.  We will adhere to Mattel's request that we not show RLC sneaks, but this one is not a hard car to picture in your head.  Just imagine this car in this exact livery on Hot Wheels NEO wheels (that same that are on the RLC 510):

This marks a full-circle return for the Hot Wheels Toyota 2000GT.  In 2012, Mattel had a great idea for an adult collectible series that focused on many different racing vehicles.  Each mix focused on a specific racing series.  Unfortunately due to price point, bland early mixes and over-ordering, the Racing series met its demise before the last two mixes could be made.  One was a mix focused on rally racing, the other on the SCCA racing series.  One of those vehicles was to be Shelby's Toyota 2000GT and was supposed to be the first release of the new casting.  But due to the aforementioned circumstances, it never made it passed prototype stage, and the casting didn't debut until the following model year in the mainline (and as a Super TH).

But it is back in the livery in which it was intended to debut.  And it should be popular.  Like the BRE 510, it appeals to JDM fans (obviously), but American racing fans as well.  Carroll Shelby is an American icon, even when he was racing a Japanese sports car.

While we are thrilled about the release of this model, be warned that it will be in very limited numbers.  We assume the numbers will be in the 3000 range, so expect a sellout.  And if you are not an RLC Member, and live in the US, now is the time to join.  RLC memberships are limited, and they are selling out quickly.

You can get the membership details here:

Hot Wheels 2014 RLC Memberships

What do you think?

First Look: 2013 Hot Wheels Blvd. Bruiser in Racing deco...

As we have been plowing through First Looks of the latest Hot Wheels models, this one was left out of the loop.  Normally a generic like the Blvd. (don't call it Boulevard) Bruiser won't get featured here on Lamley.  Just not our cup of tea.

But there is no denying this is a fantastic model, a tasty stew made of a dash of Mustang, a pinch of Mopar, and sprinkle of Camaro.  Throw in the Hot Wheels Racing deco and you have the equivalent of the mouth-watering pork stew at the Roaring Fork in Scottsdale, Arizona.

So we want to make sure this tasty treat is not ignored, and give you a gander before Batch P arrives in stores.  We think a few of you will like this one...

(Find Hot Wheels 2013 Batch P on ebay...)


Hot Wheels Blvd. Bruiser (2013 Hot Wheels Racing):

First Look: Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment A-Team '80's Corvette & Stroker Ace T-Bird Stocker...

Time to show the last two models of this latest batch of Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment.  Between the Brady Bunch Wagon, the two Ferraris, and now these two, I think we have the most complete batch so far.

There is not much to say about these two.  I remember Face's Corvette, and cool it was.  I never watched Stroker Ace, so I have no connection to this one, but I know a lot of you do.  So I leave the comments up to you.

Find the latest Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment on ebay...


Hot Wheels '80's Corvette & Stroker Ace T-Bird Stocker (2013 Retro Entertainment):

First Look: Hot Wheels Mig Rig...

So when we posted the first images of Hot Wheels 2013 Batch M, we were surprised to see the excitement about the Mig Rig.  But with a casting like that, a hearty "what the hell do we know?" suffices.

We would most surely welcome comments from many of you on the appeal of the Mig Rig.  We just don't know.  The model doesn't particularly excite us, but that is the case with a lot of Hot Wheels cars.

We know that this model was designed by retired legend Larry Wood, so we get that excitement.  Maybe that fact helps the model tap into that nostalgic Hot Wheels vibe that gets so many RLC models sold.

Maybe it is the design itself.  An old school racing truck.  Whatever it is, many are bound to snag one or a few.  But they might be in for a bit of a surprise...

The model has a plastic body.

Yes, plastic.  I have never been that bothered by plastic bodies, but many people have.  And plus I haven't really been tested.  None of my favorites have gone plastic.  So it will be very interesting to see what kind of reaction collectors give once they find this one on the pegs.

Maybe it was done for racing purposes.  The metal base, plastic body combo has done well before, or so I have read...

What are your thoughts?

(Find the Mig Rig and other Hot Wheels Batch M models at Wheel Collectors...)


Hot Wheels Mig Rig (2013 New Models):

DMC Model(s) of the Day: Kyosho DMC Exclusive BMW Motorsports 3-car set...

We here at Lamley are preparing our brains for an influx of BMWs starting this weekend.  Submissions for the very first Lamley Custom Contest are rolling in, and after the 24th we will get down to going through them and picking a winner.  Customs have to start as the Hot Wheels BMW E30, so we will be looking at a lot coming up.

So we might as well prepare ourselves by getting in the BMW spirit and show off some beauties.  We got this set from Daboxtoys (DMC) a few weeks ago and have really been looking forward to showing it.  All three cars come from the current Kyosho BMW set, only this is the only way to just get the models that pay homage to BMW Motorsport.  The set was made solely for Daboxtoys, and can be a very worthy introduction to Kyosho for a lot of collectors.

What these models lack in toy track speed, they more than make up in looks.  Being racing models, they need to be precise, and in true Kyosho fashion they are.  It is hard to pick a winner, but the M1 gets a nod for good looks, and the M3 GTR for sheer detail.  The signature Motorsport striping is there and wonderfully applied as well.

I have a top shelf in my office that houses some of my current models.  Maybe finds, maybe something in the mail, but all ready to be photographed.  Whenever I clean that shelf off, I find myself putting away more and more Kyoshos.  I have been sucked in.  One day I will figure out a good way to display a few of them.  Until then I am very happy to compile a few.

If you haven't jumped in the Kyosho pool, I suggest you do...

(The BMW Motorsport set can be found at the DMC store and on ebay...)


Kyosho BMW Motorsport Set:

BMW M1 Gr. 5

BMW Z4 Coupe

BMW M3 GTR 2005 Nurburgring 24th No.1