March

Each month, I go through the most recent e-mails I've received and pick a few to share with you.  I try to personally respond to every e-mail I receive, but I also post a few here in my Q&A column.

Joe,
Very impressed with your website.  I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the various JL Speed Racer series.  I know there's Speed Racer 2000.....6 Cars, 2 Indy's, 2 Busses, Mach 4 and Diorama.

What was the actual first set ?  Was it the "Gold Card Collector's" set or the "Red Card Collector's" set ?  How many cars were in each set ?

Thank you,
Dennis
 

Thanks to my pals at the Hobby Talk Bulletin Board, I think I have it figured out.

- Series One:  Red Cards, 4 Vehicles, red/grey variations (Orange Variations FAO Excl.)
- Series Two:  Gold Cards, 4 Vehicles (Same as Series One)
- Speed Racer 2000:  4 Vehicles, 2 Stock Cars, 2 Indy Cars (Target Excl.), 2 Buses (Fullgrid Excl.)
- Mach 4 (Mail Order)
- Diorama 2-Pack
- First Shots (Mach 5 & Shooting Star)

Playing Mantis also released a Speed Racer Sizzlers Track set that included 2 cars.  Visit my Speed Racer page to see photos of all the above.

Hello, I was wondering if you know a cheaper place to buy the 108 car clear plastic 1/64 scale display case that hangs on the wall. I purchased one from Giovanni plastics for 100.00 dollars and my collection has grown  so I need another one.  

- Tdellisbroncos

I've gone through three different display cases since I started collecting TV and movie cars.  The first one held 24 cars, the second held 36 cars and the one I have now holds 70 cars.  I've bought all three of them on eBay.  Like you, my collection has outgrown my current display case and I'm in the market for a case that holds 100+ cars.  I've spotted them on eBay, but shipping is a KILLER.  If I can't find someone locally to make a display case, then it's back to eBay.

Does Diamond Distributors have a web-site?  - Timothy Ellis

It sure does Tim:  http://www.diamondcomics.com/default.asp

For those of you who aren't familiar with Diamond Distributors, they are the suppliers of comic books, toys and other collectibles to comic book stores and hobby stores.  Diamond provides copies of its Previews Catalog to the stores that offer their products.  Customers can order items from the catalog and pay for them when they arrive.  The Previews Catalog is a great source for hard-to-find items and exclusives.  Before you place an order, however, find out if the item ships individually or by the case.  One of the main reasons to order through Diamond is to support your local hobby store.

Hello, my name is Mike and I found your website by looking for Knight Rider cars.  I looked at your top 10 chase movies and I totally agree with your choices. If you're interested in another good chase movie I recommend Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry with Peter fonda, it has a good plot, good car chases and it's funny.   Thanks and cool web site

Thanks for the e-mail Mike.  I haven't seen Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry yet.  There are quite a few car chase movies I haven't seen yet, but plan on getting around to, including:  Vanishing Point, Ronin, the original The Italian Job and others.  I know they just released Vanishing Point on DVD.  I'll be picking up that one soon.