RLC Exclusive ’21 Pagani Huayra R in Spectraflame Indigo Blue

It’s time to add another masterpiece to your collection! The RLC Exclusive ’21 Pagani Huayra R has made its return, this time in a mesmerizing Spectraflame indigo blue with a captivating carbon fiber deco on its removable hood. This release is a must-have for any serious diecast collector or car enthusiast.

Ronald Wong’s Premium Debut

This casting, designed by the talented Ronald Wong, marks his first foray into the world of premium diecast. Wong has quickly become a favorite among collectors, thanks to his keen eye for detail and ability to capture the essence of iconic vehicles. He’s also the creative mind behind other popular castings like the Nissan SilEighty, Pagani Utopia, and Batman Forever Batmobile.

A Closer Look at the RLC Exclusive ’21 Pagani Huayra R

The ’21 Pagani Huayra R is a true testament to Wong’s design prowess. The removable hood, a unique feature of this casting, allows you to admire the intricate details of the engine in the back. The rear diffuser, adorned with the colors of the Italian flag, adds a touch of national pride and highlights the car’s Italian heritage.

The Real-Life Huayra R: A Track-Focused Beast

The Hot Wheels model is based on the real-life Pagani Huayra R, a track-only hypercar that pushes the boundaries of performance and design. This beast boasts a a 720-hp twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and revs to an ear-splitting 9,000 rpm. With its lightweight construction and aerodynamic design, the Huayra R is capable of achieving mind-boggling speeds and delivering an unparalleled driving experience.

A Collector’s Gem

Despite its beauty and impressive lineage, the ’21 Pagani Huayra R seems to be somewhat underrated in the diecast collecting community. The first release of this casting, which debuted earlier this year in a different livery, is currently selling for around $40 to $45 on eBay. While this may seem like a reasonable price, it’s significantly less than some of the other RLC castings released this year. I believe that this casting is a hidden gem that will eventually gain the recognition it deserves. Its exquisite design, combined with the historical significance of the real-life Huayra R, makes it a valuable addition to any collection.

Don’t Miss Out!

If you’re a fan of diecast cars or exotic automobiles, I highly recommend adding the RLC Exclusive ’21 Pagani Huayra R to your collection. Its stunning Spectraflame indigo blue finish, carbon fiber deco, and removable hood make it a standout piece that will surely turn heads. With a limit of two per customer, this release is likely to sell out quickly. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own this exceptional diecast model.

Hot Wheels Virtual Garage Series 10 is Coming Soon!

The tenth drop in Mattel’s series of virtual collectibles is almost here! Formerly known as Hot Wheels NFT Garage, the Hot Wheels Virtual Garage is back with Series 10 and a record number of high-octane automotive brands. This series is dropping on Thursday, December 12th at 11 AM CST at creations.mattel.com. Here’s what you can expect from this exciting new release!

What’s New in Series 10?

Series 10 features two types of packs: Standard and Premium. I’m glad the standard packs dropped from $25 to $20. I think they are a better value than the Premium packs at $80. There is potential that Mattel will do another set completion redeemable in the future if you complete the entire series 10 set, including the Showroom NFT.

  • The Standard Pack: This pack includes seven virtual collectibles, 21.32% of which will earn you a Super Rare die-cast car. And 7.61% of the Standard Packs will earn you a Treasure Hunt die-cast car.
  • The Premium Pack: With each pack, you’re guaranteed to land an extraordinary Super Rare die-cast car. In 39.24% of the Premium Packs, it’ll be the ZAMAC die-cast car.

The Redeemable Cars

One of the most exciting aspects of the Hot Wheels Virtual Garage is the chance to redeem virtual collectibles for physical die-cast cars. Here are the redeemable cars in Series 10:

  • Ultra Rare – Treasure Hunt – ’94 Audi Avant RS2: It is Spectraflame Red with chrome Real Rider 10 spoke wheels. It will be the most rare redeemable. The Audi Avant RS2 was a limited-production performance estate car built by Audi in collaboration with Porsche. It was the first high-performance estate car from a German manufacturer and is considered a pioneer in the segment.
  • Super Rare – ZAMAC – ’70 Dodge Charger RT: It is ZAMAC (bare metal) with Real Rider 5 spoke mag wheels. It has blue and yellow racing stripes and a large engine sticking up through the hood. The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T is a classic American muscle car that has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows. It is known for its powerful engine and aggressive styling.
  • Super Rare – Premium – Cupra e-Racer: This one is blue with yellow and white designs on it and bronze Real Rider 10 spokes wheels. The Cupra e-Racer is a fully electric touring car developed by the Spanish car manufacturer Cupra. It is the first fully electric touring car in the world.
  • Super Rare – Premium – Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33): It is metalflake dark grey with anime-style graphics and white Real Rider 5 spoke wheels. This is likely to be the highlight of all the redeemables. It’s even possible that this one is more sought after and ends up being more valuable on the secondary market than the Treasure Hunt Audi. The R33 Skyline GT-R is a Japanese sports car that was produced from 1995 to 1998. It is known for its impressive performance and handling.

The NFT Market

The NFT market has seen a significant drop in value in recent months. This has led to some collectors being hesitant to invest in NFTs. However, there are still some cool castings in this set in the non-redeemable NFTs. At the same time, there isn’t a whole lot of incentive to collect NFTs other than the possibility of a set completion reward. Most people still prefer to be able to hold the collectibles they own in their hands.

My Thoughts

I’m excited to see what Series 10 of the Hot Wheels Virtual Garage has in store! I think the new format with the Standard and Premium packs is a great way to offer something for everyone. The NFT redeemables are among the most limited Hot Wheels produced in the modern era. I’m also curious to see how the secondary market values for the redeemable cars play out.

What do you think of the Hot Wheels Virtual Garage? Let me know in the comments below!

New Hot Wheels Batman Silver Series Collection Coming in 2025!

Hot Wheels is releasing a new Silver Series set of Batman character cars in 2025, and it’s sure to be a hit with fans of the Caped Crusader. The set will feature 20 vehicles in total, with the first five being released in Mix 1.

If you’re looking to add these to your collection, keep an eye out on eBay, as these are likely to be popular. Let’s take a closer look at the first five cars in the set.

Batmobile (The Brave and the Bold)

This car is a copper-colored Batmobile with black P4 wheels. The card art features Batman from the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This series was a departure from the darker, more serious tone of previous Batman cartoons, and it featured Batman teaming up with a different superhero each episode.

The casting was first released in 2010 so collectors may already have a few examples of it. The secondary market may determine this one to be a peg warmer.

Batmobile (Batman vs Superman)

This car is a black Batmobile with MM5 wheels in the back and P4 wheels in the front. The card art features a drawn image of Batman from the movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This movie was released in 2016 and it featured Ben Affleck as Batman.

Drifsta Featuring Green Lantern

This car is a metalflake green Drifsta with black MM5 wheels. The car also features the John Stewart version of the Green Lantern on the side. The card art features John Stewart as the Green Lantern.

This casting first came in 2015 as part of the mainline series and featured a light blue and white deco.  It is loosely based on the Mazda RX-8.

Fast Felion Featuring Doctor Fate

This car is a satin blue Fast Felion with MM5 wheels. The car also features Doctor Fate on the side. The card art features Doctor Fate. Doctor Fate is a powerful sorcerer in the DC Universe who has been a member of the Justice Society of America and the Justice League Dark. He is known for his distinctive gold helmet, which is the source of his magical abilities.

First released in 2009, the Fast Felion is imagined as a futuristic British sports car.

Flight ’03 Featuring Zatanna Zatara

This car is a red Flight ’03 with white fenders and side skirts. It has P4 wheels. The card art features Zatanna Zatara. She is a powerful sorceress known for her stage magic and her ability to cast spells by speaking backwards. She’s a prominent member of the DC Universe and has often been associated with both the Justice League and Justice League Dark.

As you might guess from it’s name, this casting was first released in 2003 as Mattel’s take on a custom early 2000’s Hot Hatch.

Overall Thoughts

The Hot Wheels Silver Series Batman set is a great way to celebrate the legacy of the Caped Crusader. The cars are well-made and the card art is fantastic. I’m sure that this set will be a popular one with certain collectors.

I’m not sure how well these cars will sell on the secondary market. The Batmobiles are likely to be the most popular cars in the set, but the other cars may not be as desirable.

I’m also not sure how many of these cars will be produced. If Hot Wheels produces too many, then the value of the cars will go down. However, if Hot Wheels anticipates smaller demand and produces fewer, then the cars will be difficult to find and the value could go up.

Only time will tell how well this set will sell. However, I’m confident that it will be a popular set with Batman fans.

Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham Legends Archive Car Collection and Rally Case

The Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham Legends Archive Car Collection is a unique and captivating collaboration between the iconic toy car brand and renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. This limited-edition set, available this Friday at 9 AM CST on Mattel Creations for $690, offers a fascinating blend of art and pop culture, reimagining classic Hot Wheels castings as “future archaeological” artifacts. You can check out some of Daniel Arsham’s work on his website. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this collection so special.

The Cars: A Fusion of Art and Nostalgia

The collection features eight meticulously crafted cars, each bearing Arsham’s signature “eroded” aesthetic. This distinctive style, achieved through a combination of Silkstone bodies and die-cast chassis, gives the cars an aged and weathered appearance, as if they were unearthed from a distant future.

  • Eroded Porsche 930: A classic Hot Wheels casting reimagined with Arsham’s signature eroded effect.
  • Eroded Rodger Dodger: This iconic Hot Wheels car gets a futuristic makeover, complete with crystallized erosions.
  • Porsche 356 Speedster: A beautifully detailed replica of Arsham’s own Porsche 356 Speedster.
  • Eroded Deora II: The futuristic Deora II concept car is given an ancient, artifact-like feel.
  • Arsham Livery Porsche 930A: This car features a unique livery designed by Arsham himself in a more traditional Hot Wheels release.
  • Eroded Twin Mill: The iconic Hot Wheels dragster is reimagined as a relic from the future.
  • Eroded Ford Mustang: A classic American muscle car transformed into an archaeological artifact.
  • Eroded Porsche Safari: This off-road Porsche gets a rugged, eroded look.

The Eroded Rally Case: A Display Worthy of Artifacts

The collection also includes a replica of the 1968 Rally Case, reimagined with Arsham’s eroded aesthetic. This unique case features eight storage shelves, allowing you to display your cars in their acrylic boxes with simulated granite bases. The frosted back of the case adds to the “future archaeology” theme, giving a hazy view of the treasures stored inside.

The Value Proposition: Art, Collectibility, and Investment

At $690, the Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham Legends Archive Car Collection is a significant investment. However, considering the individual cars have been selling for $100 to $250 each, the set price offers a compelling value proposition. The recent sales of collector curated sets for $850 to $1200 prior to the announcement of this official set also suggest that this set could be a sound investment. The set’s limited availability, combined with Arsham’s artistic reputation and the enduring popularity of Hot Wheels, make it a highly collectible item with potential for appreciation in value.

My Thoughts: A Must-Have for Collectors and Art Enthusiasts

As a longtime diecast collector and enthusiast, I’m thoroughly impressed by the Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham Legends Archive Car Collection. The attention to detail, the unique artistic vision, and the high-quality presentation make this set a standout piece in any collection. Whether you’re a die-hard Hot Wheels fan, an art enthusiast, or simply appreciate finely crafted collectibles, this set is definitely worth considering.

RLC Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34): A Collector’s Dream Come True

Hot Wheels collectors and JDM fans, get ready! The second RLC sELECTIONs car of the year is here, and it’s a beauty. The Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34) is a diecast model that’s sure to be a hit, and I’m going to tell you why.

This RLC release is a must-have for any serious Hot Wheels collector. It features a Spectraflame oxblood paint job, NISMO logo, and Real Riders 5-spoke modern wheels. The car also has an opening hood, full-metal chassis, and light smoke-tinted windows. It’s a stunning model that’s sure to turn heads. But there’s so much more to this release than meets the eye!

A “CHOICE” Selection: Designed by the Collectors

What makes this particular release extra special is the fact that it was designed with direct input from RLC members like you! Through a series of polls, collectors were able to voice their preferences on the casting, the paint scheme, and finally the wheel selection. This democratic design process is reflected in the car’s license plate which appropriately reads “CHOICE”. I love that Hot Wheels is engaging with the community this way and I think the final product is a testament to the discerning taste of RLC members.

Carbon Fiber Details and a Premium Pedigree

One of the standout features of this model has to be the carbon fiber hood and rear wing. These details add a level of realism and sophistication that you don’t always see in diecast cars. It’s a nod to the high-performance nature of the real-life Skyline GT-R and a reminder of its racing heritage.

Speaking of pedigree, this casting itself has quite a history. Originally designed by Brendon Vetuskey in 2019, it debuted as a premium model and quickly became a fan favorite. Vetuskey even acknowledged the casting’s popularity, stating, “Maybe it’s because the real cars were never sold here in the U.S., making it that much rarer and more desirable?” He’s got a point!

Skyline GT-R: JDM Legend and Pop Culture Icon

The Nissan Skyline GT-R, especially the R34 generation, holds a legendary status among enthusiasts. Known for its incredible performance and advanced technology, the R34 dominated Japanese touring car championships. Its twin-turbocharged 2.6L RB26DETT engine, all-wheel-drive system, and sophisticated ATTESA E-TS Pro system made it a force to be reckoned with both on the track and the street.

But the Skyline GT-R’s fame transcends the racing world. It became a pop culture icon thanks to its appearances in movies like the Fast and Furious franchise. Who could forget Brian O’Conner’s blue R34 in 2 Fast 2 Furious? These appearances cemented the Skyline’s place in automotive history and fueled its desirability among collectors worldwide.

RLC Exclusivity vs. Made-to-Order Availability

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the made-to-order nature of this release. While it guarantees that everyone who wants one can get one, it also potentially impacts its future value. Unlike traditional limited-production RLC releases, this Skyline GT-R might see a flood of cars on the secondary market, which could keep prices relatively stable. However, the two-week ordering window creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Those who miss out, and new collectors entering the hobby later, might be willing to pay a premium to acquire this model down the line. Only time will tell!

The Nissan Skyline is undoubtedly one of the most popular castings among Hot Wheels collectors. This RLC release, with its collector-chosen design, premium features, and connection to JDM royalty, is sure to be a standout in any collection. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Hot Wheels history!  Pre-order here.