March 2005

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.

It seems like a lot of work, but I wish you luck and look forward to seeing the results.

Even when these two cars were available at retail, they were pretty tough to find. I have to admit though, I almost laughed out loud when I searched eBay and found an auction where the seller was asking for $120.00 Buy It Now for Cooter's Camaro! That's a little absurd. However, an auction for the 00 Mustang ended with a $35 Buy It Now bid. Wow. Keep in mind, the Mustang was also included in a 3-Car set. With a little patience you should be able to snag these cars online or at a flea market or die-cast swap meet.

Joe,
I know that JL has recently released a new series of Star Trek ships. As yet, the Wal-Marts, Targets, and Toys R Us in my area (MD/DE) have yet to start carrying them. None of the "mom and pop" hobby shops in my area have ever carried this kind of stuff, so I won't bother looking there. I was on your site yesterday and saw your note about how you recently picked up the new Enterprise-D, Voyager, and Borg Cube replicas at a local hobby shop. Since you own "non-prototype" versions, maybe you can answer a question for me.

On an online vendor site, I've seen pictures of the third series for sale. In the Voyager picture, the phaser strips on the top of the ship appear to be the incorrect color yellow, when they should be grey. Perhaps the picture is of a prototype which isn't correctly painted, but I don't know. From the picture on your site, it appears that the phaser strip on the bottom of Voyager's engineering hull is also yellow, but I can't tell for sure, given the resolution. On JL's website, the phaser strips also appear to be yellow. So the question is: are the phaser strips on Voyager yellow, or grey?

I'm interested in getting the Enterprise-D and Voyager replicas. I'd rather buy them in person, but since I can't find them, I'm tempted to go ahead and buy them online. But before making an online purchase, I want to be sure I know what I'm getting.

Thanks for your time, Joe.
Sean

Hi Sean,
As of today (3/12) I haven't seen the new Star Trek series at any of the major retail chains. As I posted earlier, I found mine at a local hobby store. Lately, it seems Johnny Lightning product has had major distribution problems, or maybe they're relying more on online vendors. Anyhoo, I photographed the top and bottom of Voyager out-of-package. I hope this helps.

Hello Joe, Whaddaya know? Cool website you got there. You've probably received loads of e-mails about this but do you have any news about any scale versions of an official release of the V8 Interceptor from THE ROAD WARRIOR? I reckon it's the only car I need for my collection.

Cheers mate!

Omer Sheriff, London UK

The only concrete news I've gotten in regards to Mad Max's V8 Interceptor is that AutoArt seems very close to making a major announcement. I sent them an e-mail in February and here is their reply:

Hi Joe,

We are interested in making the Interceptor but we have to finalise the licensing details.

By the way, do visit www.aa-collection.com regularly to see details on our new releases and current models.

Best regards,

Gateway Global Ltd

Hello,

I have been trying to locate the Fast and Furious transporter from the opening of the movie (the Rodgers semi.) I see that you have one in your collection. Could you tell me where I might be able to locate one for my collection? Thanks!!

Jonathon

Jonathon,
I remember when this particular transporter could be found EVERYWHERE. It was at all the major retail stores. I didn't realize it had appeared in the film (or at least a similar version) until I sat down one day to watch the movie on DVD. When I hit the stores to pick one up, of course is was NOWHERE to be found. Then one day, I popped into a local hobby store and I spotted one collecting dust. I snatched it up for a reasonable price. Searching eBay, it doesn't look like it has come up for auction recently. Be patient. You'll find one.

Hey Joe,
I was surfing the net doing some research on a book I'm writing on Cars and Car Culture in Australian Film when I found your site and The Big Game ... what a hoot ! Just thought I'd let you know I really enjoyed it ... lots of people criticise others and their work but contribute nothing.

It's no small undertaking to put together a short film ... and hell ... who wouldn't want to be Batman?! But now that I think of it, I'd be building an Interceptor and heading into the desert like Max if I had $350 mill ....

Peter Millynn
Production Executive
Australian Film Television & Radio School

Pete,
Thanks for the kind words. Putting my short film together was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. Being such a huge Batman fan, it was fun to put on the suit and run around like an idiot. For those of you who haven't seen it, click on the link at the bottom of the left column.

I have a question to ask. I was wondering if the owner of West Coast Choppers ( Jesse James ) would be a ''hollywood die-cast." I bought his Long Beach Low Riders Collection. It's a yellow 61 Impala hard top with yellow rims. It cost me $38 at Wal*Mart.

Thank U
Jtsosie815

I've thought about adding Jesse James' stuff to the Hollywood Die-Cast gallery. Keep in mind, the focus of this site is 1:64 scale, so I would probably stick to the Muscle Machine cars. The motorcycles are 1:18 scale. In the meantime, you can check out the official site:

http://www.musclemachines.com/wc/index.asp

Joe,

To your knowledge did any toy company make a replica of the car from the movie Black Moon Rising?

- John Frazee

I'm not aware of any die-cast replicas of the car from 1986 movie starring Tommy Lee Jones and Linda Hamilton, but it is one sweet-looking car. Here is the plot summary from IMDB:

"Former burglar Quint is forced by FBI-agent Johnson to steal a tape with incriminating evidence from a suspicious company. Unfortunately he is caught in the act by guard Ringer, a ruthless ex-colleague. Running from the scene, Quint hides the tape in the "Black Moon", a prototype super car made by inventor Earl Windom. Shortly thereafter, this car is stolen by Nina, who works for top car thief Ryland. Chased by Ringer and Johnson, both thinking he still has the tape, Quint's only way out is to steal the car back."

It's on DVD. I'm going to have to pick this one up.

Hey there Joe,

Got a question for yea. Where did you find the Hot Wheels' Limited Edition 2-Pack from Batman Begins? You said you "grabbed," I am assuming you found them in stores. PLMK, please, those are too cool to pass up on. Oh also, how much did you pay for them? Thanks and have a good day!

Kevin Blackard

Tx_Wolf

I purchased my set at a local die-cast store that was having a clearance sale. I got mine for $10, or half-off. I've never seen these at any other retail store, but I have seen them showing up on eBay at surprisingly low prices.

Hi, Joe, can you tell me if this car was shown in a movie?

Best Regards.
Antonio G.

That is one unusual and interesting car. I'm sorry, but the Turbo Nuclear car isn't ringing any bells with me. Can anyone else provide any info on this car?

I have a small bit of info for you...In the April '05 "Talking Cars" The first item you responded to was asking about the cars in the Hot Wheels "Gone in 60 Seconds" Set. All of the cars in the set were in the movie, but you said the car hauler was supposed to represent the truck that Nick Cage uses to jump over toward the end. Not exactly true... the car hauler says "Halliwell's" on it. That's the name of the shop that Robert Duvall runs in the movie and in the Director's Cut you can clearly see a shot of an older car hauler in the parking lot....Hope that clears that up...Great site by the way!!!!!

Rich

Thanks Rich, I stand corrected! You have an eye for detail.

Joe,

A little over a year ago, I started collecting 1/64 scale diecast TV and Movie vehicles. My collection is still pretty small, but it is definitely underway. Currently, I have 31 vehicles in my collector's case and 5 more that I ordered still on their way. My collection will probably not get larger than 60 or so, but I am certainly having fun! At some point, I'll take some pictures and send them to you and maybe I, too, can end up on your web site!

I also have a wish list of vehicles that I have not seen manufactured in this size. In addition to some of the items on your wish list, my list includes Mr. Incredible's transforming car.

The real reason I am writing to you is that I'm looking for some possible help/direction. I noticed that you have a M*A*S*H 4077 Army Medical Helicopter in your personal collection. I've been trying to track one down but with no luck. I was wondering if you could tell me where you found yours and when?

Also, I don't know if you already know about this, but there is a guy on eBay selling custom 1966 Batmoblies in 1/64 scale. They look incredible and are just what every collector would want in his own collection! Unfortunately, they are a bit pricey! Check them out!

Thanks in advance,
Brian Charpentier

Thanks for the nice e-mail Brian. First of all, I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your collections. Secondly, I'll have to add the IncrediMobile to the Wish List Poll. Thirdly, I got my M*A*S*H* helicopter many years ago. I believe I got in on eBay. It shows up occasionally for auction. And finally, the creator of those custom Batmobiles you mentioned are the result of hard work from long-time contributor TonyMoe, who created the Hollywood Die-Cast Forum. He does great work!

Your e-mails really make my day. Please keep them coming. Click on the e-mail link in the left column and I'll do my best to find the answer for you.

Q&A Archive:
9/03 10/03 11/03 12/03 1/04 2/04 3/04 4/04 5/04
6/04 7/04 8/04 9/04 10/04 1/05 2/05 3/05 4/05
5&6/05 7/05 8/05 9/05 10/05 12/05