Collection: Hot Wheels Ferrari 288 GTO

I am back in Australia! Since the beginning of the year, Mattel has followed up the highly successful Larry's Garage series with Hot Wheels Garage. This is a series of cars that feature designs by notable Hot Wheels designers Wayne Scott and Phil Riehlman on top of Larry Wood.

One particular car that really caught my eye in this lineup is the 288 GTO. First debuted in the First Editions as the Ferrari GTO, it was originally red and then had two recolours: yellow and copper. The 288 GTO appears again in 2010 under the Phil's Garage, and everything about it is awesome. The new rims, the paintjob, the detailing, everything!

So after seeing fellow collectors in Australia purchasing the model, I managed to get one myself after I came back. Enjoy the pics!

Collection: Hot Wheels '65 Volkswagen Fastback

Since I posted the touch up on the VW Fastback, I have received quite a bit of comments on the casting. In my personal collection, I have these three. The casting itself, has been pretty well done on the outside and inside. Details, tempo and flamework on the exterior, the interior has a roll cage, engine, one bucket seat (with seat belts), fire extingusher, etc.

They put so much effort into this casting, that when it was distributed into the cases there was only ONE piece in 72. That's as rare as a Treasure Hunt! The weight (everything except roll cage is metal), the history of the VW Fastback, and the limited numbers made this casting a very sought after piece.

Right after the initial First Edition release in 2008, the VW Fastback was a Toys R Us Mail-In promo item in the US for 2009. I was fortunate enough to have received help from a fellow collector to get my hands on it. In 2010, the VW Fastback has been reproduced under the Hot Wheels Phil's Garage, but is a US Target exclusive. Anybody has got an extra to trade? : )

Kustom Restoration: '65 Volkswagen Fastback

Just a small touch-up in the interior for this one. A friend of mine had recently acquired a Hot Wheels VW Fastback with a faulty wheel so he swapped it with rubbers. When he shown it to us at our local Friday gatherings, I couldn't help it but to ask him if I could detail the interior and exterior for him.

So yeah, I did. The rubbers wheels and the casting would not be justice without detailing, full stop. The interior was very well moulded, with an engine attachment, roll cage, fire extinguisher and bucket seat amongst others.

Time for pics!

Collection: Hot Wheels '09 Corvette ZR1

It's been a while since I updated my collections! However, I find that with the low figure and promotions in Australia, I have swayed a bit from my original aim in collecting. I initially aimed to collect First Editions/Premiere/New Models of cars I fancy, be it supercars, japanese imports or american muscle.

Today, I will feature the Corvette ZR1 by Hot Wheels. Released initially in the iconic metallic light blue colour, Hot Wheels has since produced 3 recolours for the 2008 FE (metallic red, silver and a K-Mart exclusive yellow) and 2 recolours for the 2009 FTE Series (copper & green). As I collect primarily First Edition cars, I have skipped the FTE recolours since they do not offer anything more than just an extra black hood.

Currently one of the fastest and most powerful production vehicles in the world, the ZR1 was designed to be a high performance version of the Z06. Initially codenamed as the Blue Devil within GM, it does not disappoint. Featured in one episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson's joy in driving this machine speaks volumes for this supercar.

Kustom RideZ: Lamborghini Murcielago

It's been another long hiatus, but I have been travelling a lot and also helping out the very first Hot Wheels Club Malaysia (HWCM) dinner and custom competition! We had some massive fun during dinner and also judging the custom competition with my friends danielh and enyomic. Kudos to HWCM!

Okay, back to the topic. This custom was made for cham2020, as he suggested an exchange custom. We will both do a Lamborghini Murcielago custom and then we will swap once we are done. He has completed his custom ages ago, whereas I just finished mine today. Sorry bro!



The highlights of this custom would be the wing from a Lotus Esprit and the front bumper from a Lamborghini Gallardo. This casting of the Murcielago was when it still had the old-fashioned bumper and nowadays the intakes in front are slightly more squarish, ala Reventon. This is evident in the Murcielago LP640, Gallardo LP540/4, F430 Scuderia.

Holes drilled for the wing.

Erm, this part is rather embarassing. Unfortunately, I have accidentally wiped out the other production photos for this custom. I thought that I have saved them somewhere, but turns out I didn't. Many apologies! : ( Do feel free to ask me any questions, as usual, and I will try my best to get back to you.

So, fast forward to the completed photos then! The custom Murcie is pictured together with a hauler, the original card and cham's exchange custom Murcie that he has completed and sent to me.

Cheers! : )