Happy Fourth of July everyone! Although I found the newest Stars and Stripes set last month, I felt that today was the perfect time to share my thoughts on them. My overall opinion on this set, was that it contains some nice muscle car castings. It also contains four different Plymouth castings that I like. In fact, these four are my favorites from this set. However, that doesn't mean that I don't like the other cars just as much. So with that being said, let's checkout what this set has to offer.
Starting this post off first, is the '71 Plymouth Hemi Cuda. This first Plymouth, is currently my number one favorite from this set. The main reason for this, is due to the fact that before this one, I didn't have one of these in my collection. And being a first, I like how it's design isn't too crazy.
Featured along it's sides, is a nice blue stripe that was designed to match the shape of the quarter panel. Furthermore, I like how it has a few stars within it. Also featured along it's sides, are three red stripes. Though a red, white and blue themed car, I like how white wasn't added between these stripes. This for me, is what keeps things simple. It's also great how Hot Wheels decided to go with black and white OH5s. I feel like these complete this model nicely, despite the lip not being chrome.
With the top design, the blue section is only featured on the hood. Like the one on the sides, this too has five stars within it. This for me is great, because it keeps the top and sides consistent with each other. Also present on the top, are three red stripes, which again is consistent with what's on the sides. Unlike the blue section, these continue onto the roof. However that's where they stop. Which is fine in my opinion. Overall, I do feel like this design could actually work on a real version of this car.
The '68 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S, is the second of the of the four Plymouths in this set. This release has a nice shade of red, combined with gold 5SP wheels. The design featured on this one, starts with a blue panel. I like how the front of it is shaped to match the front section of the fender, which is where this design starts. There are three rows of stars within this section as well. Three sets of white stripes continue from where it stops, and finish on the back of the quarter panel. The hood of this model, also features the theme from the sides. What I like, is how it's basically an exact copy of the design on the sides. I truly like how the stars were applied in the same fashion as the ones on the sides.
The third Plymouth casting, is the '68 Hemi Barracuda. I have always like the look of the fastback body style. As such, this is my second favorite car from this set. Like the first Plymouth, I feel like the design featured on this one could actually work on a real one of these. Especially if it was being used in a race. I also
feel like silver was an excellent choice to showcase it's design.
With the blue section, I like how it continues up and onto the top of this model. One of the aspects that I like, is how it finishes on the roof. This for me, makes it match the side section that starts on the door. Also featured on it's top, are three red stripes that run next to the blue section. I actually like these, despite them not being a single stripe to match the one on the sides. Another thing that I like, is how this release has the DD8 wheels. The red lip for me, gives off the look of red line tires. Though a great release, I do feel like it would've been even better, If the racing number was added to the hood.
Before I get to the fourth and final Plymouth casting from this set, I thought I would go ahead and show one of the other nice muscle cars. Featured next, is the AMC Javelin AMX, that just so happens to also have their DD8 wheels with a red lip. Again, this gives off the look of red line tires, so I have no issue with these. Like the previous car, I also feel like the design on this one could work if it was being used in a race. Some of this opinion, is due to the design of the racing livery seen on the real cars.
The design is also a little similar to the Formula S, in the sense that it has a blue section with stripes continuing from it. The difference being, the blue doesn't start on the fenders. Present on the fenders of this casting, is a thin red stripe that highlights the shape of the front end. Within this section, are the Javelin and Hot Wheels decals. Another difference, is the fact that this one has four stripes versus the three on the Formula S. The first of the four stripes, is thinner than the other three. But I do like how the top of it is rounded. In my opinion, this goes along with the shape of the body.
Featured on the top of this model, is a design that's similar to the sides. Unlike the sides however, the red stripes aren't attached to the blue section. These stripes were applied to the roof only. The thin red striping is also present on it's top. It starts out on the hood and finishes on the roof. Lastly, I love that they went with white for the body color, as that for me, makes the colors combine better.
The competition is going to be eating dust with the Plymouth Duster Thruster from this set, which is the fourth and final Plymouth. The shade of blue that was used, is the main aspect that I like about this release. This release also has their gold 5SP wheels, which I feel go great with this blue. However, I won't overlook it's design. There are two different design sections on the sides of this release.
The top section, was made out of thin white striping. Stars are featured within this section. I do find it a little odd that there's no star after the rear wheel arch. At first I thought this was a small error, but as it turns out, this was how it was designed. I came to this conclusion based on the pictures I pulled up, where they're all like this. I'm not sure if it has to do with the tampo process, but in my opinion, this section doesn't look complete. One could argue that they did this to match the section where the door handle is. That's the only valid reason that I could think of.
The lower section, is the one that I like the most. This is due to the back half of it being a flame. Aside from the flame shape, this is where the red and white come into play on this model. The theme from the sides, was applied to the roof only. To match the sides, there are two white sections that have red stripes within them. Between these two sections, is the design that has the stars. Finishing off the top, is a Plymouth decal that was applied to the truck.
Racing around the boulevard next, is the magnificent '68 Mercury Cougar. I love this particular race themed version of this car. The bolt on fenders, as well as the duct tail spoiler, are what gives this casting that aggressive look that I like. With the formula S and Javelin, I made mention of how the designs featured, would work if they were being used as race cars. The design on this one however, more than just works. For me, it makes for a perfect race livery. Like the other cars so far, this too has a blue stripe section that has stars within it. Placed behind this section, is a red scallop styled design. And on top of all of this, is it's racing number. In my opinion, gold was a fantastic decision for the racing number. I also like how it's outlined in blue.
The gold 5SP wheels, look absolutely fantastic on this release, especially since this is a race themed casting. Like the Javelin, I also feel like white was the best color for this model, especially taking the gold aspects into consideration. The hood of this model received the stripes from the side, while the racing number was applied to the roof.
Celebrating the Fourth next, is the '64 Pontiac GTO. This classic American beauty, is sporting a nice maroon like color. Gold wheels seems to be the theme with these cars, as this too has gold wheels. This time it's the PR5s. It's overall design, is made up of two different sections. With the lower section, there's not much to talk about. This is due to it being a simple white stripe, that runs from the front wheel arch to the back bumper.
Things get real interesting with the top section though. Starting on the front half of the fender and finishing on the door, is the blue section with stars in it. Like the Duster, the back half of it is a flame. The main aspect that I like about it, is how it's outlined in gold, which I feel, looks great over it's body color. Continuing from this, are five thin white stripes. I do like how they gave these the look of being behind the blue section. They achieved this by adding portions of the stripe in-between the flame.
Although the theme form the sides was given to the top, each section is separate. The flame design is on the hood, while the stripes are on the trunk. Nothing was applied to the roof. Personally, I would've added white stripes in-between the flames, which would've made the design match the sides. Aside from that, this is ultimately a wonderful '64 GTO release from Hot Wheels.
The '70 Camaro RS is up next, and it's also the third one in my collection. Being the third one, I really like how this one was done. The first features to notice about this model, are it's great shade of red and it's gold PR5 wheels. The sides of this model feature multiple thin stripes, with the top one being blue. Sometimes blue stripes on a red car, is a little hard to pull off. Thankfully that isn't the case with this release. The shade of blue that they picked, works so well with this red. One of the interesting aspects about the sides, is how a black tampo was added to the rear. This creates a look similar to how the front looks, which is due to the base.
The best design aspect on this casting in my opinion, is seen on the top of this release. Like the sides, multiple white stripes are present. In-between these, is where the blue section is. Unlike the sides, this section features stars within it. I like how the stripes start on the hood, and then run all the way to the trunk.
The '68 El Camino is the next one, and due to it's rear mounted V8, I feel that it was a perfect addition to this set. I love the grey that was given to this model. And personally, it's okay since the design has the red, white, and blue. I also like how this model was given the DD8 wheels. The design that was applied to this release, is truly awesome! Starting on the top, are two blue stripes that are outlined in white. Stars are also within them. One of the things that I feel is cool, is how they turn to continue down the sides of the car. The stripe doesn't stop there, as it then runs along the sides and finishes at the rear bumper.
With the main stripe out of the way, I want to highlight my favorite aspect with the design, which was only applied to the sides. Flowing fantastically along the sides, are red and white stripes. I love they way these were designed. Initially starting out as stripes, they ultimately finish as a tear styled design. A number seven, was the last thing added to this car.
The last vehicle from this set, is the Chevy Blazer 4X4, which has a great shade of blue. Like some of the other cars in this set, the wheels on this one are also gold. Aside from them being gold, I just really like the way this casting looks with their OR5SPs. The design given to this Blazer, is on the wilder side of things, but I truly think it looks great. Stars cover the front fender, as well as the front half of the top. Along the sides, the body color was used to create flames that go over the red and white stripes. A single flame is also coming off of the rear wheel arch. The red and white stripe design, is also present on the hood. However, unlike the sides, there are no flames present, which is fine by me.
Well that's a wrap from this Stars and Stripes set. Despite the Plymouths being my favorites, I do personally feel, that each and every one of these cars from this set is a must have. So racers, what is you favorite car from this set? Like always, feel free to let me know down in the comments section. Okay everyone, back to racing! Until next time, happy collecting!
