June '07 News Archive

6/27/07 - My Collection
I've updated the "My Collection" page with some new pics of my display, including a pic of the entire wall.  Keep in mind that my display is made up of my own personal favorite TV and movie die-cast cars, and as you can see, most of them are loose.  Click HERE for more.

6/26/07 - Real Rides 1:87 Scale
Popping into a Wal*Mart recently, I found the entire set of 1:87 scale cars from Real Rides.  I know they've been out for awhile, but it was the first time I've seen them.  I decided to pick them up and add them to the galleries.  HO Scale collectors seem to love these things and I have to admit they're pretty cool looking.  I heard the folks at Real Rides are currently planning the next wave.  As soon as I get any news, you can be sure I'll post it right here.

6/25/07 - Recent Acquisitions
Y'know, despite constantly checking eBay, websites and forums, occasionally things slip through the cracks.  But then folks like you come through to keep me informed.  A big thanks goes out to Steve, who not only brought to my attention the Target-exclusive Optimus Prime 3-pack , but he also made me aware of two Titanium motorcycles from Nicholas Cage's Ghost Rider film.  I had no idea these existed.  Dave was kind enough to offer me Optimus Prime in truck form (above), PLUS both of the Ghost Rider cycles (below.)  Thanks Steve!

In other news ... although I normally discourage collectors from resorting to eBay unless it's a last resort, I finally grew impatient looking for the Fabulous Hudson Hornet with red rims.  I found a good deal on eBay and couldn't pass it up.  So here is a pic of one of my favorite releases from the Cars line:

6/21/07 - Top 50 Car Movies of All Time!
I was watching AFI's 100 Years, 100 Movies on CBS the other night, and I read Entertainment Weekly's 25 Greatest Action Movies (Die Hard was #1) and I thought, "I need to create a list of the Greatest Car Movies of All Time!"  But I need your help.  I need you to send me your Top 10 Greatest Car Movies.  Rank them from #1 to #10.  Those getting a #1 rating get 10 points.  Those getting a #2 rating get 9 points.  #3 gets 8 points and so on. #10 gets 1 point.  After a few weeks, I'll tally the scores and post the 50 movies with the highest score.  I came up with a list of 125 car movies to help you out.  Send me an e-mail or post your list in the forum.  I'll start thinking of MY top ten. 

6/21/07 - Holy Exclusive, Batman!
My buddy Tim sent me a link to this exciting bit of news.  Apparently, Hot Wheels will be offering an exclusive version of the 1:64 scale 1966 Batmobile at the '07 San Diego Comic Con.  Check out the pic above found at www.toynewsi.com.  The detail is amazing.  I hope I can get my hands on one.  If anyone can help me out, let me know. The price is $20.

6/20/07 - More than meets the eye!
Steve sent me the above photo of a Target-exclusive Titanium 3-pack that includes three versions of Optimus Prime from the upcoming Transformers movie.  I believe this is the first Transformers Titanium release that actually includes a vehicle and not just a robot.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  If anyone comes across any more die-cast Transformers vehicles, please let me know.

6/19/07 - Speed Racer News
A pic of the packaging for Johnny Lightning's Speed Racer line appeared on the JL website (left.)  Senior Design Manager Tom Zahorsky says each car will have minor changes from the previous release.  In a related story, it was announced that Mattel obtained the license to produce die-cast cars from the Speed Racer movie.  This means that we'll be seeing cars from the film under the Hot Wheels brand.  I wonder if they'll use their superior casting of the Mach 5 from the Charawheels line.  Below is a comparison of JL's version (top) versus the Charawheels version (bottom.)

6/18/07 - Holy Bat-Cycle!
Pics of Batman's newest vehicle have surfaced.  The "Bat-Pod" will be featured in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins.  Also, for a look at Batman's new costume, click HERE.  Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive pic from the set.

6/16/07 - Wild About Harry
In the June edition of Previews, Diamond Distributors is soliciting three die-cast vehicles from the Harry Potter movies. Pictured above is Mr. Weasley's Ford Anglia in 1:43 scale.  Below left is the Knight Bus in 1:76 scale and below right is the Hogwarts Express in 1:100 scale. Made by Corgi these vehicles will hit stores in October.

6/16/07 - Buck for 3 Bucks!
Yesterday, while spending the day with my nephew, I was driving past a Big Lots store when I decided to stop in to see if they had Flash Gordon vehicles in stock.  I didn't find Flash, but I did find three Buck Rogers die-cast space ships.  Based on the original comic strips, these ships make a colorful addition to anyone's die-cast collection.  They cost $3 each.  I've added pics of the Buck Rogers space ships and Flash Gordon vehicles to the Cartoon/Comics section of this website.

6/13/07 - Yet Another Batmobile
Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous.  Cam Currie sent me pics of the new Arkham Asylum Escape playset from Hot Wheels.  Included is yet another Batmobile created from a pre-existing Hot Wheels casting.  Personally, I wish they would stick to "official" Batmobile castings. 

In a related story... a couple of weeks ago "a_spidey_fan" tipped me off to the existence of two new Batman playsets from Hot Wheels.  Pictures finally surfaced on the Hot Wheels Collectors Forum:

6/7/07 - Say Ahhhh
Metro sent me pics of his newly-acquired Tongue McQueen.  I can't wait to find this one in stores.  It ranks up there among my favorites from the Cars line so far.

6/10 UPDATE:  There is yet another Lightning McQueen hitting stores now.  Bug Mouth McQueen is showing up on eBay in large quantities. 

6/11 UPDATE:  I also just found out there is yet another RAMONE hitting stores now.  Cruisin' Ramone is showing up on eBay as well.  It looks similar to Hydraulic Ramone, but it has white along the side.  I believe this version of Ramone is based on the flashback sequence in Cars.

6/5/07 - The Dukes of Hazzard - Release 3
We already know that a more accurate version of the General Lee will included in the third release from Johnny Lightning.  What else will be included?  www.1stopdiecast.com has revealed the list:

Ghost of General Lee
Enos' Race Car
General Lee Monster Truck (ugh)
Finchburg County Sheriff
Uncle Jesse's Pick Up Truck (woo hoo!)
Molly Hargrove's Race Car

Uncle Jesse's pick up truck has been loooong overdue.  If you're curious to see what some of these cars look like, check out this awesome site I just discovered:  http://www.tilleysdukes.com/vehicles.html

6/5/07 - Herbie Rides Again!
Jason of Simi Valley, California owns a beautiful replica of Herbie the Love Bug and brought it out for a car show on June 2nd.  Herbie had the distinction of being parked right next to a replica of the '66 Batmobile.  While there, Jason got to meet George Barris' daughter Joji, Mad Mike from Pimp My Ride, and fellow car enthusiast Jay Leno!  What a great experience!  Thanks for sharing the pics Jason.

6/4/07 - The James Bond Car Collection
Ricardo Mulder tipped me off to this news item.  MI6 is offering a subscription to The James Bond Car Collection magazine.  BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!  With each issue comes a 1:43 scale diorama!  There are 40 issues/dioramas planned.  Check out the pics below.  Click on the magazine above for more information.

6/1/07 - Salute The General
Metro Privratsky directed me to this item posted on the Johnny Lightning website:

Over the last 12 years I have worked on thousands of cars and numerous releases of the General Lee but none excites me more than the long awaited facelift to casting 488. The General will now have a new front push bar, interior roll cage and accurate series 47 wheels. Look for the new General in Dukes of Hazzard R3, due to hit retail shelves in Nov. 2007.

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager