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2024 Hot Wheels Stars and Stripes

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Mattel has started to release this years Stars and Stripes cars and we will be taking a look at them and also giving some possible investment advice on these cars. These cars typically come out around summertime each year and focus on American cars. In each previous iteration, the cards can be placed in order to make an image. This year we have the American Flag shown in a comic book art style. The first car in the set is the 2013 SRT Viper. It comes in a red paint with graphics similar to the comic book flag on the cards. SRT, Dodge, and Mopar logos can be seen throughout. There is also some head and tail light detailing. Expect to see this car around $6 on the resale market. The second car is the 2013 COPO Camaro. This car features blue paint and mismatched white and red rims. COPO and Camaro graphics can be seen on the side of the vehicle. The stars and stripes decals also give this card a similar feel to the card it is on. This car will perform similarly to the Viper or slightly better given the Camaros likeability. The third car in the series is the 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. It comes in a grey paint scheme which deviates from the red, white, and blue aesthetic but still looks good. The car features red rims, Mopar, Dodge, and Demon logos. The red and blue stripes are also similar to those on the card. This car should perform like the Camaro and Viper however, we have seen Challengers become very popular so it could have a higher upside. The fourth car in the line up is the 2020 Ford Shelby GT500. This car features white paint with black stars, blue and red stripes, and black rims. Shelby, Ford, and Cobra logos can be seen on the side of the vehicle The stripes are also in line with the rest of the vehicles and the headlight detailing is a nice touch. We expect the Shelby to perform the best out of the group given its notoriety. The Shelby Cobra is a nice car and the name is enough to make people want to purchase it. We wouldn’t expect to see this car for more than $10 though. Finally, the last car in the set is the 2020 Corvette. It comes in a darker red paint and is the only car not to feature its own manufacturer branding on the side. Instead, we are treated to a white Hit Wheels flame across the side of the vehicle. This car does keep the overall stars and stripes aesthetic. The Corvette we expect to perform at the same level as the Viper. Although the C8 is a great car, it hasn’t had the same popularity as some of the other muscle cars more likely due to its supercar aesthetic. Overall the Stars and Stripes set is a great set for those who are fans of American Muscle. While there isn’t a car going for a massive amount over retail, these cars could be good to pick up and try to make a few bucks.

2024 Hot Wheels H Case Review

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The 2024 Hot Wheels H case is here and we have a review for you guys. This has been our thoughts on the case so far!

The first car on our list is the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS. The car features a silver paint scheme with hits of blue on the hood stripe and number decals. The car has cutouts in the windows and what appear to be smoked headlight covers. A raised windshield wiper can also be seen on the windshield. Porsche branding can be seem on the front fender and Carrera GTS branding makes its way to the rear corner of the back. This car features a lot of small details that make it a nice Porsche for many collectors. The next car to be featured out of the H case is the regular treasure hunt Purple Passion. This car features what appears to be a Spectrafrost Blue paint job with some plaid graphics all over the car. The car is part of the Hot Wheels Art Car series and features an “I” on the roof which will help spell a message once all the cars are together. The Purple Passion has a sweptback look to it and does not feature side windows. There is also a tail that is slightly separated from the rest of the car. There might be just enough room to slide this one onto a keychain for someone looking for an alternative to the coupe clip craze. The car also features dark blue wheels and a treasure hunt logo is visible towards the front of the fender. The third car on our list is our potential Super Treasure Hunt, the Volvo P1800 Gasser. While the paint on the regular version leaves something to be desired, this car still has a few neat details. The car features a matte blue paint but the Spectraflame teal on the Super variant lend itself to more of a Richard Petty aesthetic. The car features grey 5-spoke wheels, chrome engine bay, and orange windows. The number 43 and “Lickety Split” decals are featured on the side. The car also features small tires in the front and large in the back giving it a drag racing profile. The Super Treasure Hunt variant will feature a Spectraflame paint scheme, pink windows, pink rims, and a pink TH logo on the front fender. Our fourth car we will be taking a look at is the tooned Mazda RX-3. The car features an orange paint scheme with black 5-spoke wheels and black fender flares. The car also features some hard to see branding from Toyo tires, K&N, and Mazda. This car is another nice addition to the Hot Wheels Tooned series. The last car we will be looking at for the first half of the H case is the ’64 Chevy Chevelle SS. This car comes in a red paint scheme and features white stripes along the top of the vehicle and on the front fenders. The car features some nice small details like the door handle, key lock, and emblem on the front fender. The engine sticking out of the hood is also a nice touch.

The second half of the H case has few recolors and some interesting cars to look at. The ’63 Studebaker is sure to be a hit with some collectors. The dark red and gold paint scheme give this truck a classic look. The side exhaust is also a nice touch to give this car a slightly modified look. The extra detail to the headlights and grill also set this car apart. The next car we will look at is the King Kuda. This is another car from the Hot Wheels Art Car series and features a white and red scheme. The red wheels and windows go well with the red details on the car. The car features the Jack, King, Queen and Ace of Heart graphics around the vehicle. The Ace on the hood is a unique way of incorporating this car into the HW Art Car message. The third car on our list is the recolor of the McLaren Solus GT. The car now comes in an orange paint scheme with black and yellow splatters surrounding the vehicle. The car is reminiscent of the painting “Free Form” by Jackson Pollock and I think it would be interesting for Hot Wheels to incorporate actual art pieces into their cars. The car brings a unique new look to the Hot Wheels mainline selection. Our fourth car is the recolor of the ’15 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The new orange color is much brighter than the previous iteration. The car is still missing some of the headlight and tail light details that we like to see but the missing top and spoiler still give the car a nice silhouette. The final car on our list is the recolor of the ’57 Jeep FC. The car now comes in a matte red finish and features a few stripes on the doors. The car maintains the tire in the bed and still has the same overall aesthetic that many collectors enjoyed.

Overall, the H case brings some nice new cars to the mainline selection. This case will still be good to look for as it will contain the Olive Skyline and white Civic Si from the G case. From an investment perspective, cars to hold on to will be the regular treasure hunt and the Super treasure hunt. The white Civic will also be a nice car to stash for later.

 

Hot Wheels NFT Garage Series 8

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Mattel has released information on the upcoming NFT Garage release, and we will be giving you a quick rundown on how to participate and which cars you will be looking to grab in this exciting new drop.

The Mattel Hot Wheels NFT Garage Series 8 release will bring 60 new digital NFT collectibles to the program, but only six will give you a redeemable vehicle. We will take a look at each one individually later. There is still some confusion on how the NFT garage drops work so that we will go through a quick rundown. On the release day, you can purchase two different NFT packs just as you would any other item on the Mattel Creations site. The only requirement is having a Mattel Creations account (not an RLC membership). The basic pack will cost $25 per pack, giving you seven digital collectibles. In these packs, there is around a 30% chance of getting a redeemable Super Rare card and around a 4% chance of getting the Ultra Rare. The Premium Pack will cost $80 and is guaranteed to contain 1 Super Rare redeemable NFT while having around a 40% chance of containing the Premium Pack Exclusive ZAMAC NFT. Both packs should be limited to 8 per account. While the redeemable cars are amazing, the drop has one more important rarity type. The showroom rarity Lamborghini Countach LP 5000 QV looks great in all white, and while we’d love to see a real car released, however, that won’t be happening. The Showroom Exclusive will be needed to complete the Series 8 NFT set. The showroom car will only be available in Standard packs. Now that the formalities are out of the way let’s take a look at some redeemable vehicles.

The first Super Rare cars we will be looking at is the ’84 Audi Sport Quattro. The car looks to come in a Spectrflame Navy Blue and features white rims. The car also features Hot Wheels NFT Garage branding on the windshield, and Audi rings on the side. We expect this car to perform the best out of the Super Rare Cars. The next best car to look for is the black ’69 Chevy Camaro. The black-on-black aesthetic of this car is an easy sell, and we could see this also doing very well. The car also features Hot Wheels Radial Tire white lettering on the tires which give a bit of a classic look.

The next Super to look for will be the ’64 Lincoln Continental. This car comes in a nice Bronze paint with what looks like a tan top, although it is hard to tell. The car also features white wall tires with black rims and some black flame graphics on the paint. This car has a great mix of old-school luxury and hot rod aesthetics. The last of the Super Rares, possibly the least of the bunch, is the ’72 Plymouth Cuda FC. This car has a nice green paint scheme with a black tail section. The car appears to have a drag aesthetic with large back wheels and smaller front tires. The side exhaust on this car is a nice touch, and the HWNFTG across the front splitter adds some uniqueness. However, we expect this car to perform slightly worse than its Super brothers.

The final two cars of the set will be the more exclusive cars. The ZAMAC McLaren 720 S features a paintless body with McLaren graphics. The car also features black rims with an orange/red line around them. We expect this car to do fairly well mostly because it’ll cost you a minimum of $80 to obtain. The final car and hardest redeemable will be the Nissan Fairlady Z. This car comes in a dark red paint scheme with white and black graphics. An NFTH logo can be seen on the side. The grey rims also look very nice. We expect this car to perform very well, much like previous Treasure Hunt NFTs before it. The production limits for the NFT series are as follows: ’84 Audi Quattro 4300pcs, ’69 Chevy Camaro 4300pcs, ’64 Lincoln Continental 4300pcs, ’72 Plymouth Cuda FC 4300pcs, ZAMAC McLaren 720 S 3600pcs, Nissan Fairlady Z 1800pcs, Showroom Lamborghini 320pcs. That’s a wrap on the redeemable NFTs releasing on April 18th. Will you be going for any of these exclusive cars? Let us know which is your favorite!

The Legendary Hot Wheels 1969 Pink “Beach Bomb” VW Bus and those that Followed After

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In the colorful universe of Hot Wheels, few models evoke as much intrigue and fascination as the 1969 Pink “Beach Bomb” VW Bus. With its vibrant pink hue and iconic surfboard accessories, this miniature marvel has become a cherished symbol of nostalgia for collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Yet, within the realm of Hot Wheels lore, the “Beach Bomb” holds an additional layer of fascination: its diverse array of variations.

Originally introduced in 1969, the “Beach Bomb” underwent several design iterations, each contributing to its unique charm and desirability among collectors. The most notable of these variations revolve around the placement of the surfboard accessories and the wheel configuration.

The earliest version of the “Beach Bomb” featured surfboards mounted on the sides of the vehicle, evoking the image of a classic surf wagon ready to hit the waves. However, due to stability issues, Hot Wheels designers made a pivotal revision, relocating the surfboards to the rear of the VW Bus. This modification not only enhanced the vehicle’s balance but also transformed its aesthetic, giving it a more streamlined and iconic look.

Alongside the surfboard relocation, Hot Wheels also experimented with different wheel configurations for the “Beach Bomb.” The earliest releases featured Redline wheels, characterized by their distinctive red sidewalls, which added a touch of vintage flair to the model. Subsequent variations saw the introduction of alternative wheel types, including black-wall wheels and even ultra-rare prototypes with translucent wheels, each contributing to the “Beach Bomb’s” allure and collectibility.

Among the most coveted variations of the “Beach Bomb” are the prototypes and pre-productions, which offer tantalizing glimpses into Hot Wheels’ design process and creative evolution. These early models, often featuring hand-painted details or unique color schemes, represent the essence of rarity and exclusivity sought after by collectors.

In addition to design variations, the “Beach Bomb” also saw regional releases tailored to specific markets, further enriching its diverse tapestry. Variants such as the “Hong Kong” and “India” releases exhibit distinct characteristics, such as different baseplate markings or casting variations, adding an extra layer of complexity to the pursuit of completing a comprehensive “Beach Bomb” collection.

Despite its humble origins as a toy car, the Hot Wheels 1969 Pink “Beach Bomb” VW Bus has transcended its status to become a cultural icon cherished by enthusiasts of all ages. Its enduring popularity and the myriad variations it encompasses serve as a testament to Hot Wheels’ legacy of innovation, creativity, and timeless appeal.

As collectors continue to scour flea markets, swap meets, and online forums in search of the elusive “Beach Bomb” variations, the legend of this iconic miniature marvel continues to grow, perpetuating the sense of wonder and excitement that has defined the Hot Wheels experience for over five decades.

 

Featured Image from Hot Wheels Wiki Page

2024 Hot Wheels F Case Review

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The 2024 Hot Wheels F case is here and we have a review for you! This case is not as good as some of the others we have seen this year, but there are still a few gems to be found here.

The first car we will be taking a look at is the new Porsche 911 Carerra. This time the car is done in the same style of a coupe clip with an attachment on the rear so you can put it on a key ring. It’s awesome to see Mattel using real cars as a basis for these and we hope to see more! The Porsche includes Porsche branding on the side and a Porsche emblem on the front. Overall a basic but great casting that will be very hard to find. Next up is the regular Treasure Hunt for the case, the Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400. This car features a ton of Ford branding throughout. The Treasure Hunt logo can be seen on the rear quarter panel. The car also features mismatched rims which look ok but not great. Our next car is the potential Super for the case, the ’71 El Camino. The regular version of the car features a purple paint job and 5 spoke wheels. The super comes in a much nicer spectraflame purple paint with real riders on better 5 spoke rims. Currently, the Super is going for around $80 but we could see prices dip considerably as more become available. The final car we will look at for the first half of F case is a recolor of the Ford GT40. The car features a fark blue paint with black hood. A white racing strip also makes it ways down the top side of the vehicle. Ford, Hot Wheels, Autolite, and Goodyear graphics grace the side of the car as well. Overall a clean new livery for the GT40.

The second half of the case is lacking on new vehicles but does feature some decent recolors. First up is the Audi RS-E Tron-GT. Originally done in white, the new olive colorway is refreshing. The car also features full headlight and taillight detailing. Both front and rear license plates also read “AMPED UP”. This car is packed with small details that help it punch above its weight class. Next up is the ’94 Audi Avant RS2. This car comes in a red colorway with 5 spoke rims. Like the Audi before, this car also features full front and rear lightning details which we think should be standard on all castings. This car is simple and great for any Audi or wagon lovers! The next car we have is a recolor of the Mighty k. This time the car comes in an off yellow paint scheme with pink and white graphics. The car still features the signature skateboard in the bed. Rear lightning details help make this car just a bit better. Next up, the recolor of the Nissan Patrol Custom. The car now comes in a green and yellow colorway and features white snow detailing and blue windows. The car is done well and the cutouts on the hood are a great detail. The last car on our highlight list is a recolor of the “Texas Toot” Mazda Autozam. The new blue/grey colorway gives it a nice look. The truck retains all of its previous details including front light detailing. The first time around this truck was popular and we expect the same this time.

Overall the F Case is not the greatest case but there are a few things to be found. From an investment standpoint the Super Treasure Hunt is a great find as usual. The Porsche keychain will also be a great hold if you can find any. Cars such as the GT40 and Shelby Daytona from the E Case will also do well.