10/03 Archive

10/31/03 - Happy Halloween Everyone!

10/28/03 - Code 3 Unveils Star Wars X-Wing
Code 3 began its relationship with Lucasfilm by producing a detailed die-cast version of the Millennium Falcon.  Now they've unveiled their second offering.  The X-Wing has just as much detail as the Falcon, including removable panels.  Click on the following link to see more detailed pics of  Luke Skywalker's Starfighter from Code 3:

http://www.code3.net/Starwars/workshop.asp

10/28/03 - New 1:18 Images from JL
Posted by tinywheels at the Hobby Talk Bulletin Board, here are some pics of upcoming 1:18 scale offerings by Johnny Lighting.  Herbie looks to be in miserable shape in this version from Herbie Goes Bananas (top left).  It will be in stores summer 2004.  The Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo (top right) will be available in November.  Visit the Johnny Lightning website for more info on the Mystery Machine:

http://www.playingmantis.com/jl/coming_soon_details.php?articleid=687

10/14/03 - Top 10 SPOOKIEST Die-Cast Cars
Halloween is my favorite holiday!  The colors, the smells, the chill in the air....I look forward to this time of the year all year long!  Inspired by ERTL's release of The Car, I decided to create a list of SPOOKIEST die-cast cars.  Click here to see this list.  Agree or disagree?  E-Mail me.

10/14/03 - The Car is Showing Up on eBay
George Barris' modified Lincoln from the 1977 horror film The Car has received the 1:18 die-cast treatment from ERTL and it is now showing up on eBay, meaning you should find this beauty in stores now.  Just in time for Halloween, this car will become a part of my collection as soon as I can find it.  The Car starred James Brolin as the sheriff of a small town terrorized by a driverless car.  The similarities to the film Jaws are UNCANNY, but it's a fun film nevertheless.  I sure hope ERTL follows up with a 1:64 scale version.

10/14/03 - New The Fast & The Furious Product
Fast & Furious also describes the rate at which ERTL Racing Champions has been releasing die-cast from The Fast & The Furious and its sequel.  Every time I go to the store, I see new product.  Today I saw some new die-cast cars packaged with mini-figures from the films, including the Ford F-150 red pickup truck (pictured above).  For a more thorough list of product offered by ERTL/RC than I can offer, please visit their website:

http://www.ertltoys.com/brand/fast_furious/2003/index.shtml

Other new product I found today:  Racing Champs black Charlie's Angels van and Fast Times at Ridgemont High 1970 Camaro.  Though they were released some time ago, it's the first time I've seen these in stores.

10/10/03 - October Q&A
I know I'm a little late this month, but here is the new installment of Q&A.  (I really have to come up with a cool name for the Q&A column.  If you come up with a cool one that I end up using, I'll send you a PRIZE!)  Now on with this month's column.  Subjects include:  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Batman 5, My Classic Car, Blue Thunder, and Ghostbusters.  Click here to read the mail.  If you'd like to send me an e-mail, click on the link at the bottom of the left column on this page.

10/8/03 - Hollywood on Wheels 5???
Collectors seem to be referring to this set as HOW5, but it's just re-decos of HOW4 and The Simpsons.  I'm trying to get confirmation on the changes made to The Simpsons cars.  I can't tell what it says on the side of the school bus, or what those things are on the windshield of Homer's car.  I'll post an update as soon as I find out.

Update:  The following was posted on Hobby Talk by pms485:

That's correct. They are parking tickets.
The bus has a banner that reads "Springfield Charter"
Marge's car is dirty (can't remember the episode)
Wiggums cruiser has black and white paint.

10/8/03 - More Herbie News
The Seabreeze Point diorama from The Love Bug can be found in stores now.  There are two versions:  One featuring Herbie with his racing tampos and one featuring Herbie WITHOUT.  I'm not sure which one is more rare, but if you're looking for accuracy, Herbie DIDN'T have his racing tampos yet during this particular scene in the film.

In other news, a second release of the 1:18 scale Herbie is due out in stores in a few months.  I asked Johnny Lightning's Jeff Koch to explain the difference between the first release (in stores now) and the second release:

"...it will be the Herbie Goes Bananas version, after Harvey Korman shoved him off the cruise ship and he floated ashore."   - jk

I'll post pics as soon as I see them.