Model of the Day: Kyosho Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAm...

Here is something that is great about diecast collecting:  Today we feature a beautifully-made model of an Italian car, made by a Japanese diecast company, sold by a shop in Hong Kong, to a collector in the US (who is trying to show it to collectors all over the world).

So, to summarize, it took something from Japan, via Hong Kong, to help an American collector appreciate an Italian car.  Pretty cool, eh?

And how great is this one?  One thing that brands like Kyosho and Tomica Limited Vintage can do, that the $1 brands like Hot Wheels and Matchbox cannot, is be as creative with the wheels as they are with the actual bodies of the models.  Hot Wheels and Matchbox have to build around the wheels they have.  Kyosho and TLV can start from scratch.

Now we don't bring that up to compare the brands, because that doesn't make any sense.  We just say it because Kyosho built the wheels, matched them to the unique Alfa wheel wells, and totally nailed the casting.

And since we are celebrating the whirlwind way we came to appreciate the fantastic Alfa Romeo and its GTA compadres, our friends at Daboxtoys are offering a special deal for Lamley readers.  Between now and Sunday, June 22, all models from the Kyosho Alfa Romeo series are 10% off when you use the code LAMLEYALFA at checkout. Considering Daboxtoys has lowered their cost of shipping, this code makes it the perfect time to buy those Alfa models you have been looking at. Check them out here:

Kyosho Alfa Romeo Collection

We hope you take advantage.  The more that buy now, the more we can do sales like this on future items.  And if you need further convincing, just take a look at the breathtaking 1750 GTAm in all its Italian glory:


Kyosho Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAm:

First Look: Hot Wheels RLC HWC Original 16 Custom Mustang, by John Rino...

New Lamley contributor John Rino is at it again, this time shooting the just-released HWC Custom Mustang.  John has agreed to be our RLC model expert, but looking at his photos, you know what expertise we envy.

Enjoy the photos, and be sure to visit John's store at www.scoomer.com/diecastdemon.

(Thanks John.)


My take on it:

Gotta' say, the opening in the hood scoop is fantastic! This exclusive club car screams old school muscle, and many of us wish we could own something like it, least I do.
Mattel's designers really made this gem a must have for any collection.  Wasn't sure about the Spectraflame Gold at first, but it really shines well with this car. Yes, I had to tear in to a collectible black box and a replica 1968 blister...was it worth it? Yes!  You really can't appreciate these beauties until they are loose. Great job to all involved in this exclusive.

Everytime I see an older mustang fastback always reminds me of my youth.  My father took my sister and I for a vacation in Arizona. My father rented a White Mustang Fastback, and headed out to some ranch to do some horse back riding with us.  I believe I was 13 years old at the time.  Never forget, as we started to come back from our trail ride, my sister's horse saw the ranch.  Because of that, her horse decides to go in to a full gallop and head back home.  She got thrown and broke her arm needless to say, we city slickers are only good at riding a city bus.

Cya' around everyone and thanks for stopping by the Lamley Group and please visit my store at: www.scoomer.com/diecastdemon.

Respectfully,
JohnRino


Hot Wheels RLC HWC Original 16 Custom Mustang (photos by John Rino):

First Look: Hot Wheels Boulevard '63 Corvette & Corvette C6R...

Corvettes here, Corvettes there, Corvettes everywhere...

Glad I am starting to like them more, because there has surely been a campaign waged to get me to change my mind about them.  I have talked about my slow but sure shift towards liking Corvettes, especially those of the last 2-3 decades, so I won't bore you again.  But no matter how much the newer Corvettes are growing on me, they will never surpass the Vettes of the 50's, 60's, and 70's.

Unless we are talking about Hot Wheels castings.

Hot Wheels has released two more Corvettes in the final (for good) batch of Boulevards.  One, a '63 Stingray paying homage to Bob Bondurant's #614, and a Corvette C6R in what appears to be a generic racing livery (although it might be based on some racing deco).  While doing the 614 was a great choice (and Hot Wheels has done it before), this 63 Vette casting is one that should probably be retired.  The Wheels wells are too large, too narrow, and the casting just doesn't sit on par with the more recent classic Corvette castings.  At least the design works.

On the other hand, the C6R continues its run as one of the best HW Corvette castings, especially of the current C6 body type.  And once again, it looks great.

In the near future, we will get into the sadness that we can't get over as the Boulevard line comes to an end, but this final batch is definitely taking it out on a high note.  We will preview the others shortly.

For now, enjoy the Vettes...

And find them and all the latest Boulevard at Wheel Collectors...


Hot Wheels '63 Corvette & Corvette C6R (2013 Boulevard):

First Look: Hot Wheels Scion FR-S...

Finally.

There is a lot to discuss on this one.  Clearly a no-brainer of a Hot Wheels car.  Whether it appeared as a Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, or Scion FR-S, this model had to be done.  The little car that could has gotten rave reviews all around, and even though it has been on the road awhile now, it still elicits a head-turn whenever one passes by.

So Hot Wheels version, in the form of a Scion, has finally arrived.  It might be a little late to the game, as the car has gotten a large share of attention from diecast companies, from Kyosho to Tomica.  But Hot Wheels can do what it wants, and the Scion casting has made a stellar debut.  

Let's talk about that debut.  There will be some mixed feelings once it hits the pegs.  Not about the casting, as it is near flawless, but about the choice of color and deco.  I will agree it doesn't stand out like some others do, and many times metalflake colors just don't pop.  But my guess is that this casting has a long future, and we will see many colors and decos in the future.  Perhaps one or two more in 2013 alone.  So deco and color, and wheel choice for that matter, don't really bother me.  Its looks don't bother me at all.  In fact, I quite like it.

The casting?  It looks great.  In pure Hot Wheels fashion, the model is a slightly modified FR-S, complete with a racing kit.  The only confusion?  It sports a right-hand drive, which would technically make this a Toyota 86, since Scion is a US brand.  Could we actually see this casting change badges in the future?  

Hmmmmmmmmmm....

(Find the FR-S and the rest of HW Batch N at Wheel Collectors...)

Hot Wheels Scion FR-S (2013 New Models):

The fantastic group of new Toyota castings in 2013: