Taking a Chance With The Hot Wheels Speed Graphics 5-Pack

Each year, there's a grand total of about two 5-packs worth getting, and they both revolve around the same theme. One is the annual Hot Wheels Exotics 5-pack, usually featuring five of the hottest European sports cars and supercars, with minimal graphics and occasionally the odd stripe or two. The other is Matchbox's version of the Exotics 5-pack, which is similar but with far better castings and more realistic designs. Otherwise, most of these multi-packs are best suited as children's gifts, for the ones who haven't yet reached the age to differentiate good taste from bad taste.

This year, there's a third, and it's this Speed Graphics fiver. There are two particular models in here absolutely worth having regardless of what you collect, and the rest is a toss-up depending on who you're talking to.

I personally like three of these models: the Corvette Grand Sport, Ford GT LM, and the Toyota Supra. Three out of five, for five bucks, is not bad at all. Last week, I took opportunity of Target's 40% off all Hot Wheels promotion on Cartwheel to snatch this quintet for $3, which brought me to a single dollar for each car I intend to keep.

Now that's more like it!

After examining each of these in person, I felt the Corvette was more ho-hum than I had thought. The yellow base is, naturally, hideous, at which point I had to remind myself that Hot Wheels and common sense are not synonymous with each other. The GT, while a bit simplistic, is pretty as always. The Supra really wowed with its bold colors and perfectly suited (and very underrated) Y5 wheels. It's fantastic and my favorite release of the Mark IV to date.

I think I'll keep those two tucked away safely and toss the others in the donation bin.

The Dodge Charger Drift car is merely a shell of its former self.

Love the colors and the livery, but this casting is plain awful.

Hot Wheels designers sure love their yellow bases!

Fresh Off The Pegs: Johnny Lightning's Classic Gold Series 2, Part One

I've been wondering when I'd be seeing these...

Finally, a new wave of models from Johnny Lightning, just making it in before the end of the year. It's the second series in the Classic Gold line, featuring the following six cars:

- 1980 Datsun 280Z
- 1980 Chevrolet Monza
- 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado
- 1983 Pontiac GTO
- 1972 Chevrolet Vega Wagon
- 1978 Dodge Warlock

I will be showing the first three on the list in today's post.

Certainly, this is a more attractive group of models as opposed to the first series, which has been sitting on the pegs since the beginning of the year and shows no signs of selling out unless clearanced. Those cars were a mixed bag; the Jeep Wagoneer was fantastic, but the others lacked the premium feel of a six dollar car. Some of them even had plastic tires, and that's a no-no for anything that costs more than five bucks. The colorways and designs were a little bland overall, and I was not convinced enough to get all of them.

As much as I try to cut back on 1/64 diecast these days to make way for 1/18's, I couldn't leave any of Series 2 behind. The premium look was there. The colorways and designs were top notch. This is the Johnny Lightning that we've been waiting for and what we've been accustomed to seeing from them in the past. When it comes to models and castings, they have one of the most diverse catalogs out there, and this set should have something for everyone.

Johnny Lightning's models are what I would call an acquired taste. They have the exaggerated look that most would see as a toy, but there is enough detail to suggest that it's largely meant for collectors. The scale is generally smaller than 1/64, and proportions are not always true to scale. If you like vintage and old-school, they have what you're looking for.

The three I am showing today are my guesses as to which ones will be the most popular. I'm sure the Z will be the first to go, but I'll just say it right now: it's neither the best, nor the 2nd best, and certainly not even the 3rd best model in this wave.

The 1/18 Chevrolet Corvette (C7) Z51, by Maisto

This is the last of the Maisto haul, for now.

I hope to go back for more and find some of the models I haven't seen yet. If my wishes are granted, you will be seeing a bunch more in the near future.

I'm a fan of the C7 Corvette. It has been criticized for being too derivative in its styling. The front end has shades of Viper and Ferrari 599 GTB. The front fender vents and A-pillar scream GT-R. Yes, it steals styling cues from its closest rivals, but all the pieces flow together, resulting in a look more exotic than any Corvettes in the past. For a semi-affordable sports car, it still turns heads on the street. My favorite features are the taillights. If you're driving behind one, which shouldn't be a surprise as these things are fast, it looks as if Batman is staring back at you.

Maisto produces both the base C7 and the Z51 in eighteenth scale. Other than a laundry list of performance tweaks, the Z51 Performance Package differs from a normal C7 in its wheels, as far as exterior is concerned. If you're searching for this model, it should be easy to spot with its black wheels. In my opinion, the base's wheels look cheap, and these split-five-spokes are a major upgrade for a car with this much performance and style.

By now, I don't feel the need to explain why these models are totally worth getting. Anything Maisto has produced in the past 3-4 years is golden. Most folks are leaving behind the Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs, and they're really missing out. Go grab them.