The Turnpike Vault: Hot Wheels Zowees #hotwheels

Hey! There's a new "From the Vault" video.  I found some old footage and put it together. Vintage Zowees.  Those models are over 50 years old now.  Geez, time flies.

I'm uploading new content to Youtube

I'm uploading new content to Youtube.  If there is something you would like to see, I'll consider it. 

Here's the newest video.  A Shrinking Batmobile!

Cool Classics... Series 2

I just added Series 2 of the Cool Classics series and just like last time, every picture is clickable.  Check it out here.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everybody!  Here's a picture of 3 of the 6 Hot Wheels Easter cars. The other 3 are posted on the Facebook page.  Peace to you all in this crazy world. :)

New Page: Cool Classics

I put together a Cool Classics page.  Right now, it's just series 1 from 2013 but I will update it with series 2 from 2014 when I finish it, which will apparently be around 2015 when Mattel will release the last 10. As usual each picture is clickable and will take you to the model's variation pages.
Woot.

New Section: Pagani

"Pagani" it's as fun to drive as it's as fun to say.  Not that I know, I don't have that kind of cash.  But I have these little guys and I made a new section in the museum.  Have fun. :)

Holiday Hot Rods 2014

The 2014 Hot Wheels "Holiday Hot Rods" set page is ready to go just in time for the season.   If you haven't seen these yet they are Walmart Exclusives. Each picture is clickable and I now have links at the bottom of the Holiday Pages so you can review past years.  CLICK HERE to get started and have a Merry Christmas!

Spongebob Squarepants

I've posted another set of Hot Wheels: Spongebob Squarepants character cars. Click Here for all your underwater driving enjoyment.  Goofy, but I like them. In the past, I've worked for Mr. Krabs...

The Muppets

Not much to report in the world of diecast but I did put up a new Hot Wheel Collection: "The Muppets" character cars.  You can check them out here if you haven't seen them yet.  I rather like the Kermit amphibious car and the Animal truck.  If you hold your mouse over the Kermit image you can see the back end with the propellers. Fozzie the Bear is pictured below.

Site Point of Interest... Since 68 Collector Top 40 Set

Hi folks.  I just wanted to point out  a new page on the site.  The Since 68 Collector Top 40 Set by Hot Wheels.  Now you can see the set without the annoying box and as a added bonus each pic has a link to its main location so it can be a different way to start browsing the museum when you're bored at work or trying not to listen to your partner yak on about some bill or whatever...

Just remember to say "yeah your right" every now and again to make it look like your listening.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Buses

Well, it's that time of year when the stores don't stock that much so there's not too much to collect. Don't worry, things will pick up again as we approach Easter. In the meantime, here's a picture of some big & fast Hot Wheels Buses from 2013 that I thought looked good together.
Enjoy!

Donations!

2 new additions last week in the form of donations.
The viper came from Alan who has sent me a car before, and a big "Thanks" go out to him. The Thunderbird Stock Car from Revell came from a customer at the shop that I work in.  He found out I was a collector and had this car collecting dust at his house and decided to give it to me.  Nice guy and a "Thanks" goes out to him as well.

The Revell stock car did have a detail that I found funny.  It was still in the original box and when I removed it and flipped it over to take it off the base, there was this sticker warning of the dire consequences I would face if I went any further.

Good Lord I've ruined the model, my present and future enjoyment of it and I'm apparently going to Hell.  Take heed, and please take better care in your endeavors...

To Boldly Go... Into a dump bin.

Geez! I don't know about you, but the Hot Wheels Enterprise was very hard for me to find.  I never did find the first version but I finally scored this "battle damage" version in a newly created dump bin at Walmart. I don't know why Mattel has kept this model at 1 per box this time, treating it like it was a Treasure Hunt.  They had to know about the cross collectibility with this vehicle and that it was going to be very popular and in demand so why limit it that severely? It is illogical...
I guess I'll keep digging.
Enjoy!

Red Carpet Review: Hot Wheels Back To The Future Time Machine

The Super Happy Funtime Virtual Diecast Vehicle Museum Presents 

A Red Carpet Review: 

Featuring Hot Wheels Back To The Future Time Machine

from the 2013 Retro Entertainment edition.

I have been buying some of the Retro Entertainment cars when they have come out in my area but I haven't opened a package to take a closer look until now.  I assumed that what I was paying the extra money for was the fancy package and better paint job and rubber tires... and I was right, but in a good way.  The first one I've looked at is the Back To The Future DeLorean. 

First of all, I was more impressed with the paint job than I thought I would be.  The metallic grey looks more realistic and they got more of the details painted in, like the tail lights.  The rubber tires and rims are also more authentic looking.  Another feature you get with the deluxe version of the car is a metal base.  It adds a nice weight to the car and is painted black.  As for the package, well it's nice but I rip most of the packages off the cars anyway so I'll let you be the judge.

Check out the pics below for comparison with the original Hot Wheel and to see some of the added details. As for me, I guess I'll go open some of the other cars from this line that I've bought and see what they have to offer. 

Happy Hunting.

Red Carpet Review: Hot Wheels Scorchin’ Scooter

The Super Happy Funtime Virtual Diecast Vehicle Museum Presents 

A Red Carpet Review: 

Featuring Hot Wheels Scorchin’ Scooter

from the 2013 Motorcycles edition.

In 1997 the Scorchin' Scooter appeared as a First Edition and everybody went crazy for it.  It was unique and it was a cool design and it stood out since it was the first motorcycle Mattel had put in the basic range since the 70s. As is the case with many popular castings there have been a lot of variations made of this model as well as inspiring many more motorcycles to join the lineup. 

Then Mattel did another thing with the pioneering Scooter, they took a cue from another 70s product, the Rumblers, and gave the Scorchin' Scooter a rider.  A skeleton, in fact. And in my opinion recaptured the feel of the original bikes with the modern casting that breathed new life into the Hot Wheel motorcycle lineup in the latter decades. Nice Job, Mattel!

You can check out some motorcycles in the Museum here. 

Sorry there are no Rumblers.  None survived my childhood. :)

New Addition - Donation!

The museum got a new donation a couple of days ago from Alan in Texas and it was this really nice '57 T-Bird Houston Astros Promotion.  I usually take cars out of the blister pack but I think since this one is in good shape I'm going to keep it sealed.  This was totally unexpected and appreciated, as I didn't have one of these and I use to live in Houston.  So, "Thank You" and take care!

Crush!

I've been seriously busy with work so its been hard to update. I am even planning on doing a review on a recent model but I can't get enough time to do it.  So in the meantime, here's a "coming soon" pic.  The Monster Truck Crushstation.  All I have to say about this truck is I would like to drive it to work... or at least to a seafood restaurant.
FYI, When this gets uploaded 4 more will as well. Seeya!

Dogs enjoying a ride.

A couple of days ago I posted a pic on Facebook of dogs that ride in various diecast cars.  There are 4 in the picture and then I remembered a couple more.  One of them is "Ol Roy" in the back of this Hot Wheels replica of Sam Walton's truck that was issued in 1999.  Below is a detail shot. The standard view of the truck will be added to the Museum site a some point.  Enjoy.

Happy 2013, Elvis Style

I hope you all are doing well so far this year.  The museum's first picture on the facebook page was a study of French design in the 90s.  In contrast, on the this blog, I would like to start with a good ol' American over-the-top bling bling Cadillac made for Elvis.  If Elvis was a superhero this would be his "Batmobile".  It reminds me of the 60s TV Batmobile which would make since since both were designed by George Barris.
Oh by the way, this model is a Hot Wheel and was issued in 1997.