July '04 News Archive

7/30/04 - Monster Garage Skool Bus Pontoon Boat
While shopping at Target today, I stumbled across this 1:64 scale die-cast based on a vehicle actually created on the TV show Monster Garage.  Jesse James and his monster mechanics created this vehicle that transforms from a 20-passenger school bus into a floating, propeller-driven party boat!  There are a total of six vehicles that make up Release 1 from Muscle Machines:

1989 Ford 20 Passenger Skool Bus    "Pontoon Boat"         - Episode #8   
1996 Lincoln Town Car Limousine     "Firetruck Limo"       - Episode #2  
1990 Ford Mustang GT                      "Switchblade"             - Episode #4   
1994 Chevy Suburban C2500             "Wedding Chapel"     - Episode #16 
1997 Ford F-150                                  "Tree Shaker"            - Episode #11 
1994 Ford Explorer                             "Trash Truck"            - Episode #1  

7/30/04 - Shipping from Diamond
According the the latest issue of Previews, the following die-cast vehicles will be shipping late fall/early winter:

- Johnny Lightning:  Star Trek Die-Casts  This series gives collectors six spaceships with all new castings.  Each intricately molded and painted plastic model comes packaged with its own die-cast metal stand.  Scheduled to be included are:  Enterprise A, Romulean Bird of Prey, Cardassian Ship, NXO1, Reliant and Galileo.  Scheduled to ship in November.  SRP:  $4.50

- Dr. Who Die-Cast Toy Film Can 40th Anniversary Gift Set  (above) Imported from England.  Figures of Dalek, Bessie, Tardis, Darvos, Dr. Who, Cyberman and K-9 stnad approximately 4" tall.  Scheduled to ship January.  SRP:  $70.00

- Hot Wheels:  Batmobile 2-Pack Die-Casts  These 1:64 scale Batmobile collectible 2-car sets comes packaged in an acrylic case to preserve and protect these remarkable replicas.  Each 2-pack will consist of previoulsy offerd Batmobiles.  Scheduled to ship in November.  SRP:  $22.50

7/23/04 - HW Crooze Batmobile is Here!
I normally don't buy things on eBay that can still be found at retail stores, but I got a little impatient.  I purchased a Hot Wheels #69/100 First Edition Crooze Batmobile on eBay and it arrived in the mail today.  I haven't seen it in local stores yet and it's averaging $5 on eBay, not including shipping.  I'm sure now that I have it, it'll start showing up all over the place.  But for now, I have peace of mind that I have every Hot Wheels Batmobile produced to date. 

7/23/04 - Futura to Batmobile Conversion
I've gotten quite a bit of e-mail regarding a custom '66 Batmobile made from Johnny Lightning's '55 Lincoln Futura.  Click on the following link for step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself:

http://www.hotworldcustoms.com/Project%2015.htm

Wish List Poll Winner

7/23/04 - Poll Results
Though the poll is still active, I wanted to post the results of the 1:64 Wish List poll so far.  Coming in at #1 with a whopping 49% of the vote is the Interceptor from the Mad Max movies.  Surprisingly, coming in at #2 with 16% of the vote is Ecto-1 from the FIRST Ghostbusters film.  Though Johnny Lightning has given us Ecto-1A from Ghostbusters 2, fans are still partial to the original.  In third place is the Clampett's truck from The Beverly Hillbillies.  I was told that Johnny Lightning was considering this as part of its Hollywood on Wheels line.  We'll see.  In 4th place is Greased Lightning (red or white version) from the film Grease.  There was a three-way tie for 5th with the Jurassic Park Ford Explorer, Vacation's Family Truckster and Jim Rockford's Firebird Esprit snaring only 5% of the vote.  I was surprised to see Robocop's Police Cruiser and the Deathmobile from Animal House get 0 votes.  Wow.  There was only 1 write-in vote asking for The Green Hornet's Black Beauty, which, of course, was produced by Johnny Lightning a few years ago.

7/21/04 - Munsters Halloween Village Now Available
Announced on this website quite a while ago, it seems the Hawthorne Munsters Halloween Village is now available online.  When I first found out about it, I thought it only included the house, car and family.  As you can see above, it's a complete village.  I'm trying to get info on the Munsters Koach that is included.  I'd like to know what the scale is and whether it's made of die-cast metal.  If Hawthorne responds to my e-mail, I'll share the info with you.  In the meantime, you can visit the Hawthorne Village website for ordering info.

7/16/04 - Christmas in July
Popped into a Hallmark store today to see what ornaments were on display when a smile stretched across my face.  There on display was a Herbie the Love Bug ornament.  When I held the display model in my hand, I was surprised to discover not only was it die-cast, but the wheels rolled.  I had to have one.  It wasn't until I got it home to photograph it when I discovered the doors opened as well!   Wow.  Though it is slightly larger than 1:64 scale (see it compared to the 1:64 JL Love Bug below), this is a MUST-HAVE for any Herbie collector.

7/16/04 - Killer Croc 2-Pack Found
I finally found the Hot Wheels Killer Croc 2-Pack featuring the BLUE Batmobile.  I stumbled onto it at a Meijer store.  So far there are 6 variations of the #1/100 First Edition Batmobile to date (7 if you include the Zamac version).  I now have all the Hot Wheels Batmobiles except for the Zamac version and the #69 Crooze Batmobile, which I haven't seen in stores yet.  I may end up just getting one on eBay for now.

7/12/04 - Talking Cars in July
Wow, time flies.  Where has July gone?  I hope everyone had a nice holiday.  I've been so busy lately that this month's Q&A comes a little late.  But here it is with topics that include The Batmobile, The A-Team van, customizing tips, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and War of the Worlds, Knight Rider, Taxi 3 and The Partridge Family.  Click HERE and enjoy.