July 2006

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.

I was doing some research for 1957 Plymouth Fury's (more specifically Christine) and I happened on your site. I was wondering if I was to buy your Christine from you, how much would I pay for it or where would I find a decent substitute? I need to know, because I need Christine on my model railroad that I am putting together. You can't really have a Movie car show without having Christine, now can you? You may be really busy, so let me know when you get this whether or not you know a place where I can get a Christine.

First of all, the cars in my collection aren't for sale. The car I have in my display to represent Christine came from ERTL's Early Muscle 3-car boxed set. The only officially-licensed version of Christine released in 1:64 scale was released by Johnny Lightning, and it was pretty awful. Until RC2 releases a decent version of Christine in 1:64 scale, ERTL's Plymouth Belvedere will have to do. It was also released individually on a blister card, but it's very difficult to find. If you keep searching eBay, you'll find one eventually.

The only die-cast version of Columbo's Peugeot 403 Cabriolet was made by Corgi in 1:43 scale. A recent eBay auction saw the car sell for a little over $60.

Hi Tim,
I haven't seen Tokyo Drift yet, so I can't comment on the accuracy of the 1:18 scale line from RC2/Joy Ride. I can't really comment on the future of this line either. Although RC2 has put out some great 1:18 scale cars, accuracy never seemed to be high priority. For more information on RC2's The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift line, visit their website:

Good afternoon. I found your site via Google. I am the mom of 3 sons all of which are Dukes of Hazzard fans. My 15 y/o is a fan of numerous older TV shows & the cars. I’d like to know if you could give us some advice on collecting and possibly the best places to buy the 1:64 scale vehicles from their favorite shows. Thanks so much. We enjoyed your website.

Keena Harrison
Greenville, KY

Thanks for the kind words Keena. It's always good to know new collectors are hopping on board. In my experience, the best place to find die-cast cars from old TV shows and movies is eBay. My personal collection wouldn't be anywhere NEAR what it is today without eBay. As for new releases, always search local retail stores such as Toys R Us, KayBee, and Wal*Mart before giving in to eBay. There's a certain satisfaction of finding something new in stores. The Dukes cars pictured above were recently spotted on clearance at Kaybee. If you don't want to waste gas, try online stores such as Movie Car Mania (the link is in the top right of this page.) I've also found cars for my collection at local hobby stores that sell die-cast. They may even special-order something for you if it's not currently in stock. And finally, I occasionally find die-cast cars at toy shows, swap meets and flea markets. Hopefully, my site has given you an idea of what to search for. Good luck in your quest.

Hi Joe,

Did you hear about this?? They're making a Dukes "direct to DVD" prequel that comes out next year. I saw this on USAToday's website yesterday.

Metro

Who could fill the Daisy Dukes that Jessica Simpson discarded after last summer's hit movie Dukes of Hazzard? For the direct-to-DVD prequel, due in 2007, Daisy returns to her dark-brown roots, a la Catherine Bach, who played her in the TV series that ran from 1979 to 1985. Here's a first look at young Daisy, played by April Scott, and her predecessors:

The star	The long and short of it

Warner Bros.	April Scott Dukes of Hazzard the Beginning, 2007 Scott, born on a farm in Missouri, is best known as one of the models in NBC's hit game show Deal or No Deal. She also has appeared in HBO's Entourage, and was on the 2006 Maxim Hot 100 list. In the movie, Daisy starts out as a frump. Sounds like an acting stretch to us.

Warner Bros.	Jessica Simpson Dukes of Hazzard, 2005 Daisy became a blonde in the 2005 film version with Nick Lachey's now-estranged wife. Simpson hired her old pal, trainer Mike Alexander from J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, to get her into shape. "Jessica wanted more of a bump in the rear instead of a flat butt," Alexander told USA TODAY.

CBS	Catherine Bach Dukes of Hazzard CBS TV series (1979-1985) The original, a brunette, said in a 1991 interview: "I think every girl with blond hair and a fabulous body had tried out (for the role of Daisy). I said, 'Well I have brown hair and I'm a little on the thin side,' so I'm not like the script describes." Bach landed the role, co-starring

Thanks for the info, Metro. As beautiful as Jessica Simpson is, I always felt she was mis-cast in the Dukes movie. In my opinion, April Scott is better suited to fill Daisy's shorts. Though I'm expecting the worst, I'll be curious to see the direct-to-DVD release of the Dukes "prequel."

Hello Joe,
Have a question for you. Any idea what the value of the Hot Wheels ZZ Top, Eliminator car is? I came across it in my collection of old stuff, and am curious what it is worth. Not interested in selling, just curious. It is in great condition, not in the box.

Thanks,
Evan Martin

Hi Evan,

The Hot Wheels ZZ Top car sells for $10-15 mint-on-card and $1 to $3 loose in good condition. This is one car I've been meaning to add to my collection for quite some time.

Joe,
I just wanted to let you know about a new model car site that I developed and just launched called www.eModelli.com (Modelli is Italian for models). eModelli.com is a die-cast model car resource that I hope to grow to become a portal for model car collectors. I want to create a site that model car enthusiasts can go to and find model car manufacturers, retailers, clubs, forums and collector sites like Hollywood-Diecast.com. As a fellow collector, you know that it may be difficult to navigate through the Net to find that elusive car that you search for. I would like collectors to come to eModelli.com and use the site as a guide post to help them find outlets to find the car(s) and information they are searching for. Additionally, I want these same collectors to help build this resource for other collectors to enjoy. I have even set up the site so that a retailer who isn’t on the Net can be listed as a resource as well.

So, please take a look at the site and let me know what you think (Checkout Collectors Sites). I would really appreciate it if you let your Hollywood-Diecast.com faithful know about eModelli.com. Lastly, I would like to start posting collectors stories on how they became interested and involved in this great hobby of model car collecting. I would like to post your story if you are interested.

Thank you for your feedback and continued support of Movie Car Mania and now eModelli.

Rodney – Head Maniac

Good luck with your new endeavor Rodney, and thanks for your continued support of Hollywood Die-Cast.

Hello,
I am not a big die cast collector, but I this item, and notice it's possible "one of a kindness." It is a die-cast from the movie Cars of Mater. However, the packaging (excluding the little name sticker on the plastic) is for Doc Hudson. The package is in near mint to excellent condition (not a die cast collector, but a baseball collector, that's where I get that info from.)

Anyway, searches on the web have turned up nothing as far as information about what I have here. I came across your web sight during one of those searches, and I thought I'd ask a pro. Any information would be appreciated.

Dominick Errico
Philadelphia, PA

In any hobby that involves collecting, packaging or production errors occasionally surface. I, personally, feel that errors lesson the value of any given item, with the exception of a postage stamp. Searching eBay, there are a few "errors" up for auction from the Cars line. Below is an example. The auction ended with a Buy It Now of $24.00. That blows my mind.

Hey,

Love your The Fast and The Furious collection. It would be soooo awesome if you could please please make a list of the cars in it!!

(lol) Well, if you do thanks so much. (hehe)

Love from Halie

The cars in my personal collection represent cars that actually appeared in the first two The Fast and The Furious movies. Here is the list:

From The Fast & The Furious

Rodgers Semi-Truck

3 (black) Honda Civics

(red) Ford F-150 Lightning Pick Up truck (Brian's)

(green) Mitsubishi Eclipse (Brian's)

(red) Mazda RX-7 (Dom's)

(black) Honda S2000 (Johnny Tran's)

(white) '95 VW Jetta

(orange) '95 Toyota Supra

(black) '70 Dodge Charger (Dom's)

From 2 Fast 2 Furious

(silver) Nissan Skyline Custom (Brian's)

(red/yellow) '95 Mazda RX-7 (Orange Julius')

(bronze) Toyota Supra (Slap Jack's)

(pink) Honda S2000 (Suki's)

(orange) '70 Challenger

(blue) Yenko Camaro

(yellowish/green) Mitsubishi Evolution VII (Brian's)

(purple) Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (Roman's)

Hi Joe,

How are you mate? Brilliant work as always with the site. I was wondering if you know about any scale models of the L.A. Taxi featured in the Tom Cruise film Collateral, as driven by Jamie Foxx? I'm a BIG fan of Michael Mann movies and I'm pretty sure that when Miami Vice comes out, it'll feature some cool cars...

Cheers Joe

Omer Sheriff

London, England

According to www.imcdb.org that car featured in Collateral is a '95 or '97 Ford Crown Victoria. Although there is no officially-licensed product from that film, Johnny Lightning has produced a '97 Crown Victoria Taxi in 1:64 scale. With a little effort, maybe you can customize your very own Collateral Taxi.

Hey there Joe,

Not for sure if you are into these, but I see that you have Star Wars Titanium pics on your site. So I was just wanting to show you these pics of the new Battlestar Galatica series that Hasbro made, just like the Star Wars sets. I think these are so cool. Here are the pics if you want to use them. Have a good one my friend.

Kevin Blackard

Thanks Kevin. I admit I've neglected to add these die-cast vehicles to my site. I've since corrected my oversight. According to www.rebelscum.com, Hasbro will be releasing additional ships as part of this line, as well as more Star Wars ships and vehicles. Click HERE for more info.

Dear Joe,
My name is Govern, from Pro-Models.com.... we sell mostly 1:18 diecast cars.
I've been vistiing your site from time to time... a lot of interesting information
good job and keep it up !

Just wondering if you have any advertising program that you can offer on
your site ??

I'm always looking for additional sponsors. Anyone who is interested in purchasing an ad or link, please send me an e-mail to discuss the details. Thanks.

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 3/06