Monthly Archives: April 2024



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Hot Wheels 2024 Collector Nationals

The 24th annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals kicked off on April 3rd and while we didn’t get the chance to go, there’s a lot to talk about admiring from afar. Outside of all the festivities associated with the convention, the most important thing to look at is the convention vehicles that are available at the event. The first car to take note of is the Pink Party RLC 1993 Mustang. This car has been made available early at the convention but will also get an RLC release later this month. Overdrive members currently have the car showing a purchase date of April 14th so we expect the actual release to take place on the 16th. The Mustang comes in a familiar Spectraflame pink paint scheme and features five spoke wheels. The car also appears to have the possibility of an opening hood but it will be hard to know until someone opens one up. Currently prices for this car are around $100 but we would expect that to go down once the RLC release has passed. The next car to pay close attention to is the first souvenir car for the event, the Mk IV Supra. The car is retailing for around $40 at the event but prices for this car are currently around $120. While the car is listed as having rhodamine red paint, it appears more pink from pictures. The car features smoked windows, black interior, and is rocking an awesome carbon fiber hood. The car also has some interesting chrome rims and we love the additions of TRD inspired stripes on the side of the vehicle. The headlight detailing and carbon fiber skirts are great touches as well. This car will be highly sought after for years to come as the Supra is a cult favorite amongst JDM lovers. Speaking of cult favorites, our next car is a big one. The 2nd souvenir car for the convention is the 55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser. Prices on this casting have seen insane amounts of profitability so expect this car to be the same. This version is sporting a yellow paint scheme with black top and Mooneyes branding. The pinstriping featured on the hood is a nice touch we’ve seen from other gassers. The varied tire width gives this car an awesome drag look that appeals to a wide audience. This is another car that will be retailing for around $40 but we can see prices currently upwards of $150. Another car to recently pop up from the convention is the dinner car, the Kawa-Bug-A. This is another casting that seems to be gaining some traction and becoming more popular. The convention Kawa-Bug-A comes in a cream paint and features a surfboard and luggage on the rack. The surfboard features an olive green paint and shark livery that we’ve seen displayed on fighter planes in the past. There is also some graffiti on the side that says “Vance Speed Shop”, a tip of the cap to the Kawa-Bug-A’s designer Dwayne Vance. This car currently has a value of around $200 on the secondary market. The last car that may or may not be confirmed is the finale car. There aren’t any pictures currently of this car but it appears to be a 2018 COPO Camaro SS as the finale car. The car will feature a spectraflame blue paint scheme. Overall, the event seems to be great.  Let us know what you think about these rare cars and we look forward to giving you more exciting diecast news!


Hot Wheels RLC Overdrive- A High Price to Get Over on Bots?

Its been a few weeks since the release of Mattel’s new membership add on for RLC members, Overdrive. This new addition has not gone without criticism and backlash. Many in the collector community are upset that they have to pay an additional membership fee rather than Mattel fixing the problem of bots with bot protection that many other retailers use. For those that aren’t aware, the Overdrive addition is a $99 yearly charge that gives you access to future RLC drops before others. With the add on, you will be given an update on future RLC releases up to 10 days in advance and be given the option to skip the drop should you choose. This is a great way to secure any upcoming RLC drop without having to worry about checking out come release day. For some of the older collectors who may struggle with small bot protection checkpoints like captchas, this seems like a decent idea. For the small percentage of people that took advantage of the RLC Overdrive addition, RLCs should be smooth sailing for the year. However, regular RLC members will now have an even harder time. With some RLC releases having production as low as 30000, having a service that eliminates a possible 10000 units before the drop does nothing for your chances of securing product come release day. This is especially impactful to those collectors outside of the US where Overdrive was not an option. Up to this point, Overdrive has worked for two releases, the Kawa-Bug-A Membership car and McLaren F1 RLC release. While both are readily available on the Mattel Creations site right now, regular RLC members, including one of our employees, had difficulty trying to check out the latest McLaren F1 RLC. While we aren’t sure what is causing the issue, if Mattel can’t reliably perform checkouts on less desirable items, the question becomes; What will happen on a highly anticipated release? With the rise in resellers and bot usage, Overdrive, although a pricey option, is a good option to secure all RLCs worry free. For those that did not take advantage of the program, good luck on future releases. Hopefully Mattel will not have any issues.


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

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