M2 1959 Volkswagen Double Cab Truck USA model - Walmart exclusive

M2 has released a new series of Volkswagen Double Cab trucks exclusively through Walmart. At almost $6 a pop, they are a little pricey (as compared to the basic Hot Wheels). But these models look really, really good. Here is the 1959 Volkswagen Double Cab truck with a customized look. The paint may be correct for the period, but the wheels are definitely not stock. This could be the cherry red with black, but I'm terrible at telling.

Hot Wheels Star Wars Planet Series - Tatooine

Here is The Vanster (DJL09), number 3 of 8 from the 2016 Star Wars Planet series. This series was another Walmart exclusive.  It was an 8-car series released around October of 2016. All of the cars in this series were non-licensed vehicles, so interest among collectors for the series for the cars themselves seemed limited. I've seen it said elsewhere that, while the card art was impressive, that was the only thing going for this series. I've liked all of Hot Wheels Star Wars offerings, including this one.
The Vanster has decos to commemorate Tatooine. This cost the same as a car from the basic line, so no special wheels, and no all-around tampos. I like the Vanster anyway, and like the tampos on it here. And the card art does look good.

Hot Wheels 1966 Dodge A100 Van - 2016 Pop Culture Peanuts (DWH13)

I'm of the right age (almost 50) that I couldn't help but see the A Charlie Brown Christmas every year until I was around 10. This was pre-cable, so there was not as much competition or alternatives. Variety shows may have varied from year to year, but certain shows became classics that got shown each and every year. With the Peanuts, I was OK with the repetition. From the soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi to a script that didn't insult the child viewer, there was so much to like about the show. The animation wasn't Disney, but it was serviceable. The show became an indelible part of my childhood memories of Christmas. 

I was glad to buy this model to commemorate that. The casting allows a nice surface for the tampos, and the silver paint compliments the theme. The art work is not from the holiday show, as Woodstock didn't enter the strip until the late '60s, and the special was made in 1965. This is a great model for the holidays.

Hasbro Star Wars Command - Arena Assault

asbro sold a series of sets of toy soldiers featuring Star Wars characters and vehicles. The figures are around 1/32 scale, and the vehicles just vary in scale. I was able to snag a fair number of these when they started being sold at 1/2 off. You sometimes still see them in discount stores, but at closer to retail prices. I have seen examples painted up - I haven't tried that yet.

Hot Wheels Draggin' Wagon (BDL13) - 2014 Holiday Hot Rods

Here is Hot Wheels Draggin' Wagon (BDL13) from the 2014 Holiday Hot Rods. This series was a Walmart exclusive. Happy Holidays to all.

2016 Hot Wheels Star Wars series - # 4 Rockster (DJL07)

Hot Wheels releases (it seems almost monthly) small series of themed cars that are available exclusively at Walmart. A few months ago there was another 8 car release with a Star Wars theme - this time, planets shown in the movies. I assume in a bid to save money, the cars in these series are not licensed vehicles. That really isn't a draw back for me, as I get these for the tampos and the art work, not for the cars in particular. Here is Rockster (DJL07), a good choice to represent Hoth.

Yat Ming Jaguar E4.2 (#1010)

I picked this 2-pack at a recent show. Not a fan of the wheels, but like the casting. As a kid I wouldn't have bother getting this, but as a collector I like the variety Yat Ming offered, and hope to add more to my collection.

Hot Wheels '34 Dodge Delivery Bus (DLB45) - 2016 Pop Culture, DC Comics

I picked up a few examples from this series, and I really need to be a little more choosy. I like the casting, and this is the only example I have of it in my collections. But the tampos aren't my cup of tea. It may be that I'm just not that big of a Batman fan, as I keep buying the Hot Wheels Star Wars, which are similar in execution. And I really like the Hot Wheels Star Wars releases.

Holiday Hot Rods - Trak-Tune (L1190)

December is finally here, and I'm hoping that the weather starts to become a little more normal here in central Indiana. Hoping for snow, and may get some next week. Wanted to showcase some of the Holiday cars Hot Wheels has released over the years. Here is a 2006 offering - Trak-Tune (L1190). I got this car mostly because I love the satin red Mattel does. Plus, for a non-licensed casting, Trak-Tune still looks like something you could see on the streets. Thanks for looking.

Hot Wheels 2008 Gilmore Special 2-Car Set (M3261)

I picked this up a few years back at a swap meet. It's Hot Wheels Gilmore Special 2-car set (M3261). From the box:

Matchbox Jeep Willys Concept (MB575) from Walmart 2016 Jeep series

To commemorate Jeep's 75th anniversary, Matchbox released an 8-car set through Walmart of various Jeep models. Here is the Jeep Willys (as referred to as Jeep Willys Concept), Matchbox number MB575. This was a concept car first presented back in 2001 at the Japan Auto Show.

Matchbox Jeep Wrangler Superlift (MB832) from 2016 Walmart Jeep series

Here is another offering from Matchbox's 2016 Jeep series offered through Walmart. It is the Jeep Wrangler Superlift (MB832), and is based on a real vehicle. Not a personal favorite of mine, to be honest. The card art on this series is well done.

Hot Wheels Jaguar D-Type (B0945) from 2003 Hall of Fame series

I am slowly adding the models from the 2003 Hall of Fame series to my collection. Here is the Jaguar D-Type from the Milestone Moments segment. From the card back: The D Type was designed to replace the C Type and to continue Jaguar's competition successes. The D Type achieved its goal by winning Le Mans in 1955, '56 and again in '57, when Jaguar dominated the race finishing first, second, third, fourth and sixth. The D Type legend was born. In 1957, the Number 6, D Type driven by Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb led from the start and proved to be a worthy winner. Hawthorn and Bueb gave the spectators one of the most astonishing displays of racing Le Mans had ever seen.

Matchbox 1943 Jeep Willys (MB784) from Walmart Jeep series

Earlier this year Matchbox released an 8 car series of jeeps through the years that was a Walmart exclusive. Here is the 1943 Willys MB, commonly referred to as a jeep. Willys, through mergers, became part of AMC, which was acquired by Chrysler in 1987. Jeep became its own badge, and that is why this is called by Mattel as a Jeep Willys. I like the casting and like this version. For a buck it does a great job of representing the original.

Hot Wheels Ford GT - ZAMAC version (DHX89) from 2016 Mainline

The ZAMAC versions of various castings are worth collecting in my opinion. The bare metal with just the tampos add an interesting variant. This Ford GT is a great example - in the Gulf livery, it looks great. As a ZAMAC, it looks different but still looks great.

Hot Wheels Bone Shaker (L3038) from 2007 Street Show line

Picked up this Bone Shaker from a recent diecast show. It is from the 2007 Street Show line. The life-sized version is from a 2012 exhibit at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Life Size Twin Mill from Hot Wheels exhibition

In June of 2012 I went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum to see a Hot Wheels exhibition. Wasn't collecting then, so I took some pictures but didn't spend a lot of time on the display. One of the things I liked about the exhibit was the life size vehicles based on Hot Wheels designs, such as the Twin Mill and Deora II.

Greenlight's 1982 Chevy Monte Carlo from Breaking Bad

I snagged this 1982 Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the Greenlight Hollywood collection even though it had some obvious flaws with the tires. I haven't found any others in the stores, so I will live with the minor flaws. It represent Jesse Pinkman's 1982 Monte Carlo from Breaking Bad. Even has his vanity plate.

Hot Wheels 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 (16452)

The July meeting for the Indy Hot Wheels Club includes a diecast show and is well-attended by a fair number of vendors. I was able to add to my burgeoning collection and picked up this loose version of a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 (16452) that was part of a 4 car set "40th Anniversary of Signature '57s Legends" that was released in 1997. Haven't seen the other cars up close, but this model is very well done and shows how good Hot Wheels can be on their premium models. It was a bargain at $2.00.

auto world 1963 Dodge Polara

Here is one of my favorite diecast models - auto world's 1963 Dodge Polara. The paint seems to be period accurate, and it looks great. The details are well done, and the overall look is spot on. And it's not another Charger or Challenger - I appreciate some variety.

Futuramic 98 Holiday Coupe - a Valvoline give-away

Really stoked to have stumbled across this at a flea market - it's a 1949 Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 Holiday Coupe. It is marked with Valvoline on the bottom, and it kind of looks like a Yat Ming offering (though I'm happy to be proven wrong). While it is a little rough, it certainly is unique.

Hot Wheels SRT Viper GTS-R (DHP38) from 2016 Mainline

Vipers have been fairly popular, with a number of castings being released by different manufacturers. Here is a recent offering by Hot Wheels dressed up in the Team: Hot Wheels colors. 

Johnny Lightning Volkswagen 1965 Type 2 Pickup

Johnny Lightning is kind of hit and miss with me ... some of the castings are clunky. But when they released a good casting, such as this Volkswagen Type 2 pickup, it was really good. The lines look great, the paint is spot on, and the details are well rendered. Glad I was able to add this to my collection.

Hot Wheels 1970 Ford Escort RS1600 (DHX59) - 2016 Mainline

The recent release of this casting has sparked some interest on my behalf for Rally Cars. Here is the 1970 Ford Escort RS 1600 sporting Castrol logos. 

BMW 2002 (DHX90) - ZAMAC version from the 2016 Mainline

This is the ZAMAC version of the BMW 2002 (DHX90) from the 2016 Mainline. Hot Wheels made some good choices for its recent ZAMAC versions. This is 1 of 5 from the BMW segment.

BMW Z4 M Motorsport (DHR82) from the 2016 Mainline

As part of the 2016 Mainline, Hot Wheels had a 5-car segment for BMW. Here is 3 of 5, the BMW Z4 M Motorsport (DHR82).