New Stuff for 2025 - Diecast Companies Bring More Recolors and New Tooling

Some new tooling coming from Auto World and Johnny Lightning for their 1/64 diecast lines, be on the lookout.  Also, they will be coming out a big two door Chrysler from around 1970.  Nothing much else to report that's special for diecast - more of the same and some new stuff for Hot Wheels and Matchbox.  Greenlight is redesigning their packaging and hopefully will get some new tooling out there soon.  M2 did release the 1970 Dodge Challenger in 1/64 scale.  Be on the lookout for Johnny Lightning 1/24 diecast cars as are most likely having Motormax vehicles packaged for them in their own boxes.  Nothing wrong with that but it is good to be informed so you don't buy something that you already have - looks like no unique colors or issues in that line-up such as chases.  It would be nice if Round2 would reissue some Johnny Lighting 1/24 cars from the past but not sure if they still have the tooling and the prices would be higher than $20.

Nearing the Holiday Season and the Final Months of 2024 - Diecast News

As suspected due to the price increase, Matchbox as well has downsized their main nine vehicle gift packs to eight.  There is still a special exclusive vehicle included.  Will try to get a photo of the new Matchbox gift pack of eight here on the site for you to see.  Otherwise, we have the usual recolors and color schemes.  New cars from Hot Wheels and Matchbox mainlines along with some others from Greenlight, M2, Johnny Lightning, Auto World, etc.  A couple new tools to keep an eye out for in the Auto World line-up especially.

Greenlight has done some restructuring for 2024 so there wasn't much new in tooling released from them this year but be sure to keep an eye out once they get moving again.  Looking forward to their late model Dodge Challenger updated tooling and other pieces.  M2 Machines has new dioramas out in Walmart Stores currently an exclusive to them.  Nothing else to really report at this time - keep your eyes peeled though on the shelves as they stock for the holiday season as there will be a new influx of 5-packs from Hot Wheels and even some from Matchbox.  The Buick Grand National / Regal tooling has been popular for M2 and their OBS 1990-era Chevy / GMC trucks.

Wonder What 2024 Will Bring Us - April 2024 Notes

New thoughts and article coming soon for 2024...thanks for visiting and be sure to check out the other archives and articles.  Nothing spectacular to report - new tooling from Hot Wheels and Matchbox - Matchbox is expanding their Moving Parts line especially with new packaging to be more environmental friendly.  Remember that Matchbox now has out chases similar to Hot Wheels Treasure Hunts so be sure to keep an eye out for them - most of the Matchbox ones are labeled as a chase on the packaging.

Greenlight, M2 Machines, Round2's group of Auto World / Johnny LIghtning / Racing Champions and many others are going strong still for 2024 with new releases / tooling along with new color schemes and other designs.  Be sure to check them out and remember collect what you like and don't feel you need to grab them all.  There are many choices available for your budget as well.

Store out of Hot Wheels, Same Old Stock? - Look at Nine Vehicle Gift Packs

If you're ever in a bind and notice that the stock of Hot Wheels is stale at your local store where you buy your single Hot Wheels, check out their nine car gift packs.  Why you ask?  The reason is that they offer one exclusive color or design car to the line-up for the year so that one won't be found in the main line-up in that color or design plus while the rest of the eight vehicles might be in the line-up you may find some gift pack only cars.  I can't guarantee anything special but you could gather up a few neat ones in that pack that aren't in the main line-up.  Examples coming soon.  Just wanted to throw that tip out there.  Remember to always keep your collecting in check but if you hit a dry spell and wish to get something different, the gift packs are the way to go.

Update 2023 - Mattel due to the rising prices of goods have gone to eight vehicle gift packs but you still get an exclusive vehicle, etc.

Looking for older news and articles between 2020 and 2016?  Check out the diecast 1/64 small car article archive part of this site. Head over to the overflow section which has more articles in the diecast 1/64 small car article overflow archive section.

Lots more good information below about collecting and finding Hot Wheels and other cars so don't leave just yet.

Finding Hot Wheels in the Oddest Places:

Most everyone knows to check pharmacies and the smaller stores but sometimes you can find them in the larger stores where you least expect it.  This happened to me by chance as I was looking around a section of my Kmart store near layaway and hardware.  They have a huge spinning rack full of Hot Wheels right beside the layaway and online order window.  Looked to be mostly common ones but since it was Kmart you can get Kmart only colors there.  I marked a 2008 Challenger off my want list because I spotted one hanging there.  Check the registers as well since some are even stocked there.  The main toy department was pretty void of them but they were kind of hidden elsewhere.  So look around!  It won't be as easy at Walmart since they seldom move their dump bins and racks from the toy section but sometimes they might move it closer to automotive or even seasonal at Christmas.  You just never know.  A tip for the casual collector out there and be sure to check your grocery stores since they might get older stock in.

Hot Wheels 1959 Chevrolet Impala vs. 1959 Impala "Bel Air"

Something looked odd about the recent flamed 1959 Impala I got for my collection but I couldn't pinpoint it.  Anyway a close friend of mine is into collecting 1959 Chevy diecasts especially the Hot Wheels '59 Impalas so after getting in a few from trading, I showed him some of them in case he didn't have them yet..  I looked them up online since I was curious about what all they came out with over the years.  I wondered why at the reference site that they were split up into two groups.  Now I see why since there is the original 1997 First Edition '59 Chevrolet Impala style with different colors schemes released through 2002 and then it evolved into the separate 1959 Chevy Impala "Bel Air" sedan with the B-pillar post added and missing side skirts around 2003 to present.  The first issue of the '59 Bel Air coming out around 2003 from my research while still called a 1959 Chevy Impala by Mattel on the Hot Wheels 2013 mainline package but has Bel Air stamped on the chassis bottom.  The strangest thing about this is that I haven't even noticed the difference at first but thought this newest issue with the flames looked a little different.  My take on this is that they either needed to revise the mold or just wanted to slightly update it.  They are are so close that you can't really consider it a new release but possibly an update or variation perhaps..

Only Buy What You Like Not What They Like - Keep Your Diecast in Check

I'll elaborate on this more but for now the basic thing to remember is collect what cars you like and not what is popular at the moment.  This way you won't be looking at boxes of cars later on and thinking where did all of that come from.  Now sometimes you might want to put an extra piece or two which is good for trade material but the key is not to go overboard with it.  This will save room for your collection.  For example, the new AutoWorld 1/64 cars that are coming out.  I will get one or two from each series because I actually like those automobiles but will not collect the rest just because they are part of the series.  For some, they will want a complete series be it Hot Wheels, Matchbox, etc. but for me it is more to gather what I like than just to have them all.  This goes for other diecast, I might verge back into some larger scales but have restricted myself to 1/24 as the largest I'll buy as 1/18 can get expensive and / or take up a lot of space.

Buy Them When You See Them (Within Budget)

I will expand on this further but for now my advice is when you seen them in the store to buy what you like and not wait as next time they could be gone.  Overall remember to stay within budget though as this is a hobby to enjoy and not stress over it.  You might have a $1.00, $10.00, $20.00 or even $50.00 to spend but don't go overboard.  If you run across too many cars, pick out the special ones that jump out at you.  You do not need to buy the new colors or variations or new releases just because they are different or new.  Buy what you like and don't think you have to have them all.  As I call myself a casual collector, I don't feel the need to drive everywhere or check the local stores just to find what is new there.  If I am at the store, I will check the department where the Hot Wheels or other diecasts are when I have the time but I don't make it a big priority.  I consider this as a hobby to be fun and not stressful trying to track down certain cars.  Remember to keep the collecting simple and fun!

Hunting for Hot Wheels Part 1

(Note: Both Parts 1 and 2 have archived news from 2013)

It has been on the quiet so far for the end of April and beginning of May 2013 with new stock locally of Hot Wheels.  I was lucky enough to find a Star Trek Enterprise along with a gold 1955 Gasser plus a Super TH 1971 El Camino including some others like the Fast and Furious Supra.  Now I noticed they have not restocked the areas where they are in.  I assume they wish to let them sell out of what they have before getting more cases in.  I know it was piled with them for awhile.  For me, I don't really go specifically for Hot Wheels at the stores.  Some will travel to maybe five stores within a 30 mile radius to check them all out.  I have no time to do that nor wish to waste precious fuel on looking for the recent issues.  I figure I'll get them when I do.  Also, I do have a few to trade but I have decided against hoarding them for sale or trade later.

An example was the last time they dumped a few cases out.  I could have gotten an extra Super TH, extra THs and gathered all the popular at the minute Hot Wheels.  I did get an extra gold 1955 Gasser for my close friend who is into the 1955 1956 1957 Chevys but left all the extras there.  Too much hassle in gathering them up then finding buyers or traders then shipping, running to the post office, etc.  Not worth it.  I consider myself a casual collector than a diehard in the hobby running like mad to get the newest ones.

Hunting for Hot Wheels Part 2

They have finally restocked here at the end of May with a new shipment of Hot Wheels.  These included the Fast and Furious 1970 Dodge Charger in the regular line-up along with the 1972 Ranchero, Cuda Convertible with Flames, 1969 Camaro Convertible and many others.  There was plenty of regular ones to choose from but the bunch has been picked clean of any Treasure Hunts or special editions.  The line of special packaged specific collection of eight Fast and Furious series cars were due to be out but I was waiting for the local store to get them in.  I was surprised to see them on display the beginning week of June with a separate display of special packaged 60th Anniversary Corvettes as well.  The previous set is a must for any Fast and Furious fan.  The good part about them is that they are priced the same as the regular Hot Wheels which means about $1.00 each but have a special background card and slightly more detail to the car itself.  These include the 1970 Dodge Charger, Supra, 2008 Challenger, Nissan GT-R, Nissan Skyline R34, 2011 Dodge Charger, 1970 Chevelle SS and rounding out the group is the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback in Green with White Stripes.  From checking sources online about this release, the Mustang is rumored to be the hardest to find of them all.  I have to agree as there was plenty of others on display except for the Mustang but it is not a special piece out of the set.  All of them are marked equal.  I'm sure they'll turn up in future re-stocks in a higher quantity so  just be patient instead of throwing cash out just to get that one car.  Sometimes you can work out a trade or just wait as they will turn up.  As I'm not a diehard collector, I don't worry about trying to get the must-have Hot Wheels of the moment.  Now I just need to see when that 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona new model for 2013 will be showing up but there's plenty of time.  As I mentioned before and I say it again, patience is what will bring the cars to you.  You remember to stay within budget and not go overboard traveling to other stores searching and battling with other collectors / dealers / hoarders.  It is just a waste of time, money and too much stress over toy cars.

Know Your Subject Matter for Collecting 1/64 Die-cast

This might sound so simple but it really helps you from getting taken when collecting.  Most of the time when you purchase from a retail store either in person or online, you are sure to get a factory production item.  The problem comes either from an auction or other private party where they have taken a regular piece and combined it into a custom but use confusing words.  Another one is just an error in a listing even for an online store, be sure to match the description and photo to be sure you are getting the correct item.  Some diecast come in assorted colors, do not assume you will get the one pictured.  Most that sell Hot Wheels especially the specialty shops do know to make sure you get the correct color from that same item number.  Mattel likes to offer the same model Hot Wheels in various color shades for the same year.  A few might be special such as Secret or Super Treasure Hunts but many are just factory variations to allow more sales.  Update:  For 2017, Mattel is expanding their model number system from 250 to 365 to avoid this issue for their Hot Wheels Mainlines but it is always a good idea to match item numbers to make sure you're getting the correct product from any manufacturer.

Hot Wheels Gift Packs have been downsized from nine to eight vehicles for mid-2023 due to the general price increase for all diecast.

Special Matchbox Magazine for their 70th Birthday Celebration in 2023.

Current Matchbox Package Design:  2021 Issue '19 Ford Mustang Coupe shown

Here's a 2020-2021 Hot Wheels Gift Pack close-up showing a 1967 Camaro. Sometimes if singles are sold out they can be found in nine packs, too.

Hot Wheels 2018 New Nine Gift Pack Design - Includes new 2018 cars in these packs and an Exclusive car.

Hot Wheels 2016-2017 New Nine Car Gift Pack Design - Includes new 2017 cars in these packs and a new Exclusive car.

Two 2016 Q Case Hot Wheels Cars
Left is one of the last 2016 series and on the right is one of the first new 2017 cars

Hot Wheels 2016 Late Issue Gift Pack - These gift packs include an exclusive color vehicle plus a mixture of mainline issues and some gift pack only vehicles so don't pass them up.

This example pictured above bought in September 2016 has some early 2017 mainline cars included.

Hot Wheels Dump Bin for April 2016.  You can see newer Hot Wheels mixed in on top with an exclusive BMW series.

Some neat vehicles can be found in one of these if you have the time.  Pick through carefully so as not to damage the cards for other collectors..