Diecast 1/64 Hot Wheels and Other News and Notes Archive Continued...

Visit the 1/64 Diecast News and Notes for the most up to date articles / news about Hot Wheels and more from this site.  This way you can keep up on the news and take a look at collecting tips.

There is also the original archive section to read more about Hot Wheels and other 1/64 scale diecast, etc. articles.

--- More Past News, Notes and Articles ----

New and Old - 2023 Updates - Fast and Furious - Matchbox and Others

Fast X is out which brings us new diecast cars and reissues for 2023 from Jada, Mattel under the Hot Wheels line with exclusives and more.  Walmart has Fast and Furious cars in between the mainline and premium prices at a little above $3 each but then the cars have added details such as painted headlines and such compared to other series of mainline priced cars they did in the past.  There is also special 10 packs of Fast and Furious cars plus a lot more.  Jada has some new cars out related to the Fast X movie and previous ones in the series so be on the look-out for them.

This year it is 70 years for Matchbox so look for special cars out on the shelves and there is a special magazine out there - while not complete with listings of cars or details it is still interesting to pick up but some might find it too vague - it is still nice though but again it is if you want to spend around $13.99 retail for it.

Otherwise nothing big to report but M2 and Greenlight, Auto World, Round 2, Johnny LIghting and others have new tools out - too many to go into here as they had some in 2022 as well - again nice ideas to see out there but as stated before don't try to grab them all - get what you like and don't fret about having to collect and own them all.  Prices have been on the climb for retail so cars aren't as cheap but at least the mainline Hot Wheels and Matchbox are not too far above a dollar now in the US closer to $1.25 these days in 2023.  Maisto is showing at stores more and more with the Fresh Metal series and the ones in Walmart, etc. around $1 so be on the lookout for them.

End of 2022 Soon Here - Diecast Thoughts for Upcoming 2023 Year

A brief update on what is going on in the diecast world.  Round2 has upped their quantity on their 1/64 diecasts for Auto World, Johnny Lightning, etc. so beware of this when buying to collect and store away.  It would be nice to have them available in more locations such as Family Dollar and Dollar General but then they have limited shelf space.  Great to see Walmart and even Target carrying a lot, check out other craft stores as some such as Hobby Lobby carries them albeit it at a slightly higher price.  Online stores are good as long as you don't overspend as they carry a wide range of diecasts in all scales.

For local shopping, remember the 9-car gift packs are always a good buy from Hot Wheels and even Matchbox or the 5-car sets.  Prices unfortunately did go up as most singles are now $1.25 US instead of the $1.00 prices from the past.  If they are out of the singles, the packs are nice.  Some special sets are out there as well and exclusives coming soon for the next year from Amazon, etc. so be on the watch for them such as the Mattel Hot Wheels boxes with new releases in them.  As always, check out the toy grade r/c section as some neat cars / trucks are out there even if you don't use them much - some good display pieces like the Fast and Furious 1/16 '68 Charger in flat black with gold stripe.  The market is fluctuating these days though.  Remember to buy what you like and don't really think about investments as the diecast market is not that stable and we could hit another stagnant time - nice to see all of them out there.

Middle of 2021 Coming Soon - Diecast and Other Things

Nobody really new to report, there is a lapse of new Hot Wheels Mainlines coming out for 2021 but this is normal for the way supply lines run these days.  You can still look for gift packs instead or check other stores.  Matchbox seems to be putting out some more such as at Walmart.  The secondary market sometimes has some good buys at the same prices for packaged Hot Wheels if you want something different like around the late 1990s and early 2000s when everyone was collecting and saving them.  Some do get pricey and beware of the reissues and reproductions out there especially from the Redline era.  Mattel did put out a lot of commemorative pieces.  It is best to do your research and if it seems too good to be true as the saying goes, it usually is.  Just remember collect and buy what you like, there is no need to have to have it all and budget it out - trading works too and sometimes finding a car loose is cheaper.

Be sure to check the other areas of a store too as sometimes you could find something neat in a budget r/c car in about 1/24 scale for a unique purchase if they are out of the regular 1/24 diecasts and they even have out some more 1/64 cars as r/c like the Jeep Gladiator Pickup, Ford Bronco (New Retro Style), Late Model Mustang and the 2020 Corvette C8.  Never know what you'll find and most for under $20 even $10 at the most in r/c land.  Even diecast you can go home with some neat items for under $20 or less.

Scale Stuff Is Rolling In for Final Months of 2020 - Collect and Enjoy

There is the normal mainline releases for 2020 from Mattel under their Hot Wheels line-up.  Be sure to keep an eye out for some new releases - they are new to Hot Wheels so shouldn't be too hard on your hobby budget.  The collector series still being released here and there, don't fret though as you don't need to collect all of them only what you like.  You can grab one or two of the Rick & Morty premium collector releases if you are a fan of the show - the same with the Disney and other rock band releases - some are in the cheaper $1.50+ line or the $5.50+ US dollar bracket.  Don't consider them as investments but more to collect and enjoy overall.

M2, Greenlight and others have some more new tooling out in 1/64 - too many to list here but if you search online such as the auction sites or classified sites, you'll see them or even on social media.  The 1979 to 1985 Mustangs are being released by Greenlight.  M2 has done a 1982-92s third generation Camaro to go side to side with the 1987+ Fox Body Mustangs they have out.  Some of these have been released already in the past by Johnny Lightning and even Auto World in the past like the Camaros so it is up to you if you want an M2 version.  Imports and customs are out as well - just keep your eyes peeled and again don't rush to collect them all to pace yourself.

Grab something for yourself and perhaps to give as a gift if you budget allows - it all depends on how everything goes but the Matchbox releases are nice as well - don't ignore those as they do have some surprises.  Be sure to check the Hot Wheels and Matchbox 5 packs as they have some neat cars in them.

Don't ignore the r/c section as it looks like 1/64 scale Hot Wheels radio control cars are coming out again so looks like I might have to grab one to do a review to see if they improved and to help my fellow site visitors.  There is also a 1/48-scale or so Fast and Furious racing set with Dom's 1970 Dodge Charger with blower.  It is battery operated from Walmart but other place have ones with loops and electric plug in power - extra cars might be hard to find but at least it is cheap enough for the occasional person that wants a slot car set.

Diecast Year So Far for August 2020 - Different State of Mind

As we all know, this year has been a topsy-turvy year in general and not with diecast.  Some of the highlights though in 1/64 include more and different versions of the Fox-Body Ford Mustang Hatchback.  We did have issues in the past by Johnny Lightning and Greenlight but now M2 Machines released their 1987 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback.  Other versions will be coming out such as Greenlight four-eyed versions with their 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra in late 2020.  Jada is doing a 1987-1993 Custom Mustang Hatchback in 1/24 scale.

We have the usual Mattel Hot Wheels and Matchbox releases through-out the year.  M2 Machines they are doing their Square-Body along with Auto World Chevy Truck Line-Ups in 1/64 scale.  Some repaints and updates by Jada in their 1/32 scale series.  Thinking if there's any extra or special to throw out there for the news for those that visit.  I say if stock hasn't been updated for awhile, check gift packs by Hot Wheels as sometimes you'll find newer issue cars or special only colors in there in their nine car packs.  While I don't really cover much smaller than 1/64 scale, they have brought back Micro Machines.  We had a taste of this by those Jada Three Packs.  They aren't too much of interest for me but I did have a few in the past.  Small, cartoonish but still neat little cars.  As always, they are up to you to collect.

Matchbox has a special 5 pack Top Gun twin pack - two versions actually and even an air craft carrier playset.  This set is much more affordable than that really big and gigantic G.I. Joe playset from the 1980s which was out of anyone's price range except for the elite few.  The Matchbox Top Gun 5-packs have one plane and the rest vehicles but is an interesting item.  I may have skipped news and updates but wanted to do one to bring everyone up to speed a bit on what's unique and neat to collect.  While Mustangs have been done before, it is nice to see them being expanded.  One of the 1/64 vehicles I'd like to see would be more oddballs like the Ford LTD Crown Victoria Sedan of the 1980s from the Greenlight Wagon tooling even a 1/18 version or 1/24th.  Maybe even a more true to scale version of the Caprice of that era in 1/24th as Maisto did more of a lowrider / custom version.

Holiday Season, 2020s are Coming Out, Etc.

What's in-store for this holiday season?  Most of the same, some new series and repaints in the 1/64 diecast world.  I know you'll find more series of Hot Wheels and Matchbox, some interesting pieces so keep your eyes out for those.  Greenlight is doing more Kings of Crunch variations for monster trucks so those are popping up.  I do plan to probably get their 1/18 Bigfoot 4x4x4 #1 Monster Truck diecast as a gift to myself and pop a review up here.  Others have covered this truck probably but will give my own slant on it, maybe a good start for 2020.  More 1/64 Fast and Furious is in the Hot Wheels line-up, repaints and new cars for Matchbox, M2 is not really doing too much but almost everyone has their own version of the squarebody 1973 to 1987 Chevy / GMC Pickups out there in 1/64 scale.  Jada is going to be doing some lighted cars it seems in 1/24 scale and I think 1/18 but not entirely sure - one of them is the Back To The Future BTTF Time Machine.  Knight Rider KITT's prototype KARR is out in 1/24 scale with a working scanner and repaint like in the series to differentiate the two which I think is a good idea, maybe later they could do an earlier version of KARR.  So for now shop around.  Looks like new designs on the 9-vehicle gift packs for Mattel's Hot Wheels line and they might be doing a two car exclusive for their 20 packs, I have to see one in person and research that more to give you info on that.  Tomica is in Walmart, they are randomly putting out different cars.  We shall see what else is in store.  For now, enjoy what you like out there and don't feel like you have to buy all the new stuff.  There is enough out there for every budget so don't fret.

The Heat Arrives in July 2016 with Beatles, Mustangs and Humidity

There's yet another exclusive set to Walmart, The Beatles this time around so check them out along with the more expensive Star Trek 50th collectible series of vehicles with Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise including Bones.  Hot Wheels is bringing out another Mustang set of cars again in Walmart.  Look for two special color Toys-R-Us only Hot Wheels - 2015 Mustang and a 1966 Chevelle.  Jada in their 1/32 line-up is bringing over their Fast and Furious tooling such as the 1970 Chevelle, 1970 GTX and the 1973 Barracuda.  Be on the lookout though as they have skipped on some detailing such as the headlights on the 'Cuda but overall look good for collecting.  Matchbox is rolling out their new vehicles slowly but surely.  Nothing else really to report that sticks out except that Maisto has new packaging for their collectible 1/64 All-Stars along with new paint schemes, themes and colors.  Get them at your favorite online or other retailer that carries Maisto products.

June 2016 Report:  Dollar Stores, Matchbox and More

First would like to clarify that there is a new Matchbox Jeep series out with vehicles such as the new Cherokee and an older late 1990s early 2000 style Grand Cherokee plus some other odds and ends including a special color to that series Willys Pickup.  Some more Hot Wheels are out for 2016 including a few new models for this year.  They haven't shown up locally yet as my Wal-mart still has a bunch from the other month of May and Late April mainline Hot Wheels including a lot of the BMW series.  There are various tie-ins to comic book series such as special cars and 5-packs.  I'm not really into them but did pick up one or two to get a 1957 Plymouth Fury in white with Captain America deco.  Jada is planning a series 3 for their Fast and Furious 1:55 line.  Nothing else to report at this time except to check your dollar stores such as Family Dollar because I noticed they had cardboard trays of Matchbox and Hot Wheels vehicles.  This time of year is usually a bit slow for the summer.  Who do you call? Ghostbusters!  Look for Hot Wheels Twin Packs and Retro Entertainment Ecto-mobiles from the old and new movies.  They might be in other toy aisles compared to regular Hot Wheels.

Lots to Choose From:  Loaded Shelves, Bins - Late April 2016

The local Walamart got in their huge order of diecasts recently around April 19th or so because the entire section where they have toy cars and diecasts wee fully stocked, loaded with tons of stuff to buy for us collectors.  They had a well-stocked dump bin with newer release Hot Wheels for 2016 from cases such as F, G and H.  They were picked through in the bin (I still found a decent amount of new ones that were nice from new models and paint schemes) but there was still a lot left over on the shelves and on the hooks.  Hot Wheels from regular ones to special series like the Stars & Stripes, Redlines and for the longest time in about a three year hiatus locally Retro Entertainment series such as the Back to the Future Delorean, Star Trek 50th New Style Movie Enterprise and even the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.  Onto the Matchbox line-up they had their regular stock including the Jeep line-up but nothing interesting.  There was a restock of Racing Champions and Johnny Lightning with the new 2016 series of Street Freaks customs and such.  M2 Machines was well represented with the Drivers line-up and even a bunch of Jada cars, trucks and their Fast and Furious line-up.  A bit of something for everyone was there.  I was amazed to see them stock-up like this.  Remember you don't need to collect everything and only pick out stuff that you like within your budget.  Forgot to mention that Auto World Release 4 was there.

Brief note on the new for 2016 Hot Wheels Custom 2001 Acura Integra GS-R where I spotted both styles of wheels in the same bin so I'm not sure if one style is more rarer than the other.  From doing some research, it seems the chrome five spokes are said to be harder to find than the blacked out spoke chrome outside rims.

Batman, Superman, Hot Wheels, Family Truckster, JL - April 2016 Frenzy Fever

Whew, where do I start for the beginning of April 2016.  Mattel has out some exclusive Walmart Batman vs. Superman cars with Wonder Woman thrown in.  They added a chase in there of Hero Batman.  A fresh stock of Hot Wheels came in the other month of March but they were quickly cleaned out.  Round 2 is getting out their stock of more series of Johnny Lightning cars by reissuing certain muscle cars, customs and the like.  Some of them have full blister packaging while others have a new carded blister in which supposedly you can open the blister and reseal it after examining the car.  They have out Release 4 of their Auto World line-up with some previous tooling done up in new colors and new molds such as the '64 Plymouth Barracuda, '64 Pontiac Grand Prix and the '63 Dodge Polara.

Other 1/64-ish news include a second series of Fast and Furious cars in 1:55 scale bringing us more cars from the series such as Letty's Barracuda, Dom's Charger Daytona Custom and others.  Greenlight put out their Hollywood series again including the National Lampoon's Family Truckster.  While you either love it or hate it, the Truckster brings us a 1980s full-size wagon in 1/64 scale even though it is heavily customized.  Some new Matchbox should be coming out soon but I haven't noticed anything around here.  Keep your budget in check though as the market is being flooded with diecast.  Maisto is doing 1/64 like before with new packaging designs so I thought to warn my readers that we could get stuck in trying to collect everything.  M2 Machines is still putting out releases but mostly new paint schemes.  They did do a 1971 Dodge Charger SE with a vinyl top and new design instead of their older mold being repainted.

Lastly, check your Walmart for some other special Hot Wheels series such as the Stars and Stripes of ten vehicles and the BMW series of eight with one of them being a motorcycle.  Some very nicely done cars in both series and at a reasonable price.

More Hot Wheels and New Series Out from Round 2 / Playing Mantis

By now you should have noticed the new 2016 Johnny Lightning line-up out in the stores.  Hot Wheels had their Kmart K-day Collectors Event recently.  Look for some special Kmart only colors of certain mainlines for 2016.  There hasn't been much new locally for Hot Wheels except for new 2016 9-car gift sets and the Mystery Cars for 2016 with one special chase in the bunch.  With the gift packs, the Exclusive is a Datsun 620 pickup or the '68 Cougar Racer in yellow so far that I have seen myself.  I think the other one is a '64 Ford Thunderbolt in red from what I saw from other sources.  Look for some other special colors mixed in with the rest exclusive to the 9-car and the counter register 3-car packs.  A special stars and stripes set was a Walmart exclusive by Hot Wheels and Mattel but I was only to get the Fire Eater, that was the only one there.  The rest must have sold out quick.  I thought I would see them around for weeks like the Hot Trucks series.

The next release from Round 2 aka Playing Mantis aka Auto World has hit Walmart here locally:  Racing Champions Mint.  I noticed they got a mixture of the cars in but they're a bit pricey like the 2016 JLs at $5.99 suggested retail.  They're ok but nothing really that special about them.  The series do have some chases in them so be on the lookout.  Most of the good colors were taken of the examples there.  I wish there would be more Hot Wheels out as the local stock is pretty low at the local Walmart unless the bin was already raided.  I'll keep my eye out though and don't be disappointed in your hunting because they'll show up eventually, be patient!

January 2016 - A Brand New Year For Collecting!

The 2016 series of Hot Wheels are still rolling out so be on the lookout for them.  They did update the card a bit.  Jada has put out the next line of 1/24 and smaller 1/32-ish Fast and Furious series cars such as the bare metal 1970 Charger, white Supra, etc.  Round 2 aka Auto World is said to be slowly getting out their Johnny Lightning line and Racing Champions Mint.  The only thing is that they'll be pricey at around $5.99 suggested retail price from what I heard.  You'll find some neat Hot Wheels through in the $1 mainline series so don't be worried you'll go over budget.  You can't collect them all.  Matchbox will be putting out some new ones here and there so be on the lookout.  Nothing else to report at this time.  Walmart does have an exclusive series of eight Hot Wheels pickup trucks so check them out as you'll find a 1979 Ford F-Series with Camper, Datsun 620 in red, white and blue along with some others like the lowrider Nissan Titan.

Furious 7 - Fast and Furious Diecast

These are not 1/64 scale and definitely not Hot Wheels as Jada Toys has released for March 1, 2015 in Target as an exclusive for now a line of Furious 7 tie-in movie merchandise but now is everyone but remember to check the Target website as they usually list their r/c cars on there and some 1/24 and 1/18 diecasts.  This line includes cars from the Fast and Furious movie Furious 7 along with other Fast and Furious cars.  They are in 1/24 and 1/32 scale with the molds looking to be modified Jada cars from previous line-ups for the 1/24 cars but the others seem to be refreshly minted.  I highly doubt they would be doing a 1/64 line-up as Mattel / Hot Wheels is doing a set for 2015 for the mainline series along with a special six car set for Walmart but as you might have read they did do two series of 1:55 or so cars.  Look out for some 1/16 radio control cars from Jada as well.  Greenlight is covering them in 1/43 scale but that series can get pretty expensive to collect all the Fast and Furious cars.

Furious and Faster - Greatness Awaits

Save your pennies and dollars because Greenlight is coming out with a 1/43 Custom Dodge Charger Daytona from the Fast and Furious franchise.  They are also to be rumored to have a 1/18 in the works.  My guess at this time is mid-2015.  Good things come to those who wait.  Jada is out with some new 1/32 diecasts or repaints? such as 1969 Dodge Charger Daytonas, 1970s Firebirds and late model Camaros.  They are also expanding their truck line with the 2014 Silverado in various paint schemes and styles.  Hot Wheels is releasing their 2015 line-up slowly but surely.  Some of the treasure hunts and paints look alright for 2015 but wish they could do some different cars in the form of some muscle cars and street cars that are missing from the current line-up instead of repaints.  I know they need repaints but hopefully they can bring back some others even in a special line.  I'll keep you updated once I gather more information.  And for all the Fast and Furious fans out there expect more releases from Hot Wheels in another special eight car set, Greenlight in their 1/43 line-up and even 1/18 plus possibly some others.

Head over to the main section for collecting tips and more articles about the world of 1/64 diecast and Hot Wheels.  Read tips about finding and hunting down Hot Wheels, variations, new releases, other manufacturers, etc.

The Dump Bin of Doom at a Big Box Store.  This photo was taken on August 9, 2015 with earlier cases mixed in with newer ones.  A big headache of a mess I didn't have time to sort through that day

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