Today On The Boulevard: Not On The Want List But Got It Anyway

Okay diecast collectors, welcome to today's edition of Today On The Boulevard. So... have you ever come across a diecast release that wasn't on your want list, but you ended up getting it anyway? Well that's exactly what happened with this year's release of the Erikenstein Rod. 

Initially, this was a casting that I decided to pass on, and now that I think about it, I really don't know why. After all, I like custom vehicles like this. Anyway, after I got everything I wanted from this assortment, I decided to pick up this release to get a closer look at it. That's when I found a few things that I liked about it. 

In a few older post, I made mention of how I like releases that are finished in flat colors. Now yes, the first release was finished in a flat color too, however, I feel the flat dark green used for this one is much better. And I know, that is purely subjective since we all have our likes and dislikes. But I think this is one of the better colors for a vehicle like this. This opinion could possibly change with a future release.   

Now as you can see, this release was given a pinstripe flame design. The door was also given a logo, but I was solely focused on the fact that it had flames. To this day, flames continue to be one of my favorite designs for a vehicles like this. The design featured on the initial release was okay, but it wasn't enough to make me buy it, despite it being based on the debut Mod Rod's design.

If you read my review of this year's first Flying Customs assortment, then you'd know that the wheels picked for a release, can play a roll in my decision to add a model to the want list. However, this one's wheels were not one of the things that contributed to me getting this release. The wheels used aren't bad, it's just this is one of those releases where I don't care about the wheel choice.

I think you can now understand why I ended up adding this release to my collection. All of the decisions made for it's exterior combined perfectly to create a release that I'd like.  

So collectors, do you like this casting? Feel free to let me know down in the comments section. Alright, that's all for today's edition of Today On The Boulevard. Until next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting.

White Booth Wednesday #81

It's once again time for another Wednesday showcase here on the boulevard. Here's this week's featured vehicle.

Vehicle: '77 Pontiac Firebird T/A

Series: 2016 Hot Wheels Flames (Zamac)

Boulevard rating: 10

How I feel about this release: Solid ten! One reason for this rating, is due to the casting itself. Basically, this is my favorite model year of this car. Of course, this isn't the only reason why I gave today's featured release a ten. As you all know, there were ultimately two color releases for this casting back in 2016. And it's no lie that this is the best version. I mean... the red one is nice, but the flame design and it's colors, look really good over the the Zamac exterior. I also think it's cool how they decided to give this one a red interior. Now, as cool as this release is, the wheel color is the only thing I would have done differently. In my opinion, the rim should have been chrome instead. At the end of the day though, I like this release too much to really care about the wheels. So I'll usually just ignore them when I look at it. 

So collectors, what would be your rating for this release? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments. As always, happy diecast collecting!

Today On The Boulevard: 2021 Matchbox Moving Parts Case J - Only Two

Hello, and welcome to another edition of Today On The Boulevard. Matchbox has blessed us collectors with another assortment of their Moving Parts. Unlike some of the previous assortments, there were only two that I wanted from this one. The other ones are okay, but I have no need for them. So with that said, let's get this review started.

The 2004 Honda S2000 has finally gotten another release,and it's the one I wanted the most. Being a JDM is not the reason for wanting it. As you know, Hot Wheels usually put a design on their S2000 casting, so that's why I wanted this second plain release from Matchbox.

I will admit that I still kind of like the debut release more due to it's color, but there's no denying how nice the S2000 looks finished in white. Yellow is just my personal preference for this car. It's similar to how red is a popular color for a Ferrari.

Like the debut release, this too has tampo details applied to it's rear. The only bad thing is that it doesn't feature any of the side details that were applied to the debut release. So it doesn't have things like the side marker light. Now since these are cheaper, I can understand the lack of these details. So not having them is no big deal for me.

As you can see, chrome gold five spoke wheels are what the designers chose for this release. For those of you that didn't know, Advan has a wheel that's called TC4. And these Matchbox wheels have a similar appearance to them. I decided to search up Advan TC4 S2K on Google, and I was able to find pictures of real S2000's with these wheels. I think the S2000 looks great with them, so I'm happy with this wheel choice.

The DIVCO Milk Truck is the second one that I wanted. If you read my Looking at review of last years's Moving Parts case F, then you already know that I was hoping to see another release with a fantasy milk company logo. I was also hoping they'd use a different color scheme for it. Well they did create a different color scheme, but they didn't use a fantasy milk company. Instead, they decided to make it have the appearance of being owned by a speed shop. 

So for the color scheme, the decision was made to make this model brown with beige wheel arches. I actually really like this decision. I feel the color scheme works really well for this classic truck. I also like how they made the lower half of it's sides black, which is another great color to go along with brown and beige. 

Like the first release, this one features rear doors that are aren't the same color as the rest of it's exterior. As you all know, the first one has doors that are the same color as the fenders. Now I don't have a problem with this release's beige fenders, but I don't think this release would have looked nice with beige doors. So I'm happy they decided to make the doors black.

At the end of the day, I'm still hoping to eventually see one with a fantasy milk company design, but for now, I'm happy with this casting's second release.

So collectors, did you decide to get the full assortment, or did you only get specific ones? Feel free to let me know down in the comments section. Alright, that's all for this edition of Today On The Boulevard. Until next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting.

White Booth Wednesday #80

It's once again time for another Wednesday showcase here on the boulevard. Here's this week's featured vehicle.

Vehicle: '17 Ford GT

Series: 2016 Hot Wheels Exotics

Boulevard rating: 10

How I feel about this release: This is still my favorite release of this casting. Most of you might still prefer the Super, but I think this version looks just fine. With that said, there are two reasons why I gave it a solid ten. The first reason, has to do with the exterior color. In my opinion, the blue that was used for this version, is closer to the blue that was used for the real GT. The second reason, has to do with the wheels. Like the real GT, this too has split 5-spoke wheels. Both of those features combined, made this a very nice 1:64 scale replica to have. 

So collectors, what would be your rating for this release? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments. As always, happy diecast collecting.

Today On The Boulevard: 2021 Matchbox Walmart Truck Series - '35 Ford Pickup

Okay diecast collectors, welcome to another edition of Today On The Boulevard. As you all know, Matchbox has recently released a Walmart only pickup truck themed set. Sadly, I have yet to see the full set. I do hope that I'm able to eventually find the full set, because there are two other trucks that I'm interested in. Now because this is a Walmart set, I might not be able to get the other two. However, if I do get them, I will definitely make a post about them. Anyway, that's enough about those, because today's post is all about the one I was able to get.

As you saw from my social media post, today's model is another Matchbox release of the '35 Ford Pickup. I can honestly say that I have been enjoying the recent hot rod releases from Matchbox. They have been on roll lately with them, and they're really helping to satisfy my want for these vehicles. And I like how they decided to do back to back releases of this cool truck. As you know, we recently got the "swapmeet special" in the recent Matchbox mix 2. 

In my opinion, each release of this casting gets better and better. The debut release of this casting features a matte green exterior, which is fine, but I never really liked the construction theme that was applied to it. I always felt that it should have been plain since it was the debut release. Anyway, this features some cool authentic Ford decals, and I like how they decided to make them beige. I also really like the placement of each decal.

Aside from the theme, I really like how they decided to make this release red, which is always a great color for a hot rod. 

Here's a picture of the debut release.

I ended up liking this release so much, that I decided to take the opportunity to pick up an extra one to have on display. So this release became the newest addition to my open collection. 

I don't know about you, but I think this release looks great sitting with the other two Ford hot rods in this picture. I really love how all of these models are similar in size. 

So... despite not being able to get the other ones I wanted, I'm very happy with how I was able to get multiples of this '35 Ford Pickup release. To this day, I continue to have the mindset that something is better than nothing. And that's especially true when it comes to trying to get anything from Walmart.

Alright collectors, do you like this hot rod pickup truck like I do? Feel free to let me know down in the comments. Alright, that's all for this edition to Today On The Boulevard. Until next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting.

My Want List: 2021 Hot Wheels Case F

Alright collectors, welcome to another edition of My Want List. Like the title states, today's edition is all about the completion of my case F want list. This weren't that many releases I wanted from this case, so this will be a one part review. One of the releases from this case, is the re-color of everyone's favorite diecast drift car, and it's obviously the one I wasn't able to find. I might be able to score one at a later date, but only time will tell. If I'm able to find it, I will definitely make a post about it. Anyway, let's get this post started.

Setting the fastest lap time, and speeding off of my want list first, is the 2018 Bentley Continental GT3 that's apart of this year's HW Race Day mainline set. At first, I was a little disappointed with their decision to use green again. And yes, it's a different shade of green than the one that was used for the debut release, but I felt that it was still green nonetheless. Initially, I was hoping we'd get one with an exterior color that hadn't been used yet. However, I ended up accepting this release's exterior color after I did some digging on the internet. 

There's a specific reason as to why this color was chosen, and it has to do with the livery that was applied to this release. Basically, this release's livery is based on the livery that's seen on the green number 7 and number 8 Bentley Speed 8 race cars. The top of this release was also given the design that's seen on the aforementioned cars. 

I'm glad this release features a racing number, however, I can't quite get behind their decision to place the number within a box. The number on the Speed 8's is within a circle. I know this is kind of trivia, but it would have been nice if they made this release as close as possible to the Speed 8's they used as a reference.

Once again, front and rear details were not on the agenda for this casting. I guess this isn't a huge issue since this is a mainline after all.

For this releases wheels, the designers chose to use black 10SPs. The Speed 8's used wheels that are similar to these, so I think it was a great idea to use them.  

Okay... I think this next casting is one we have all been waiting for. Checked off of my want list next, is the brand new Raijin Express that's apart of this year's HW Metro. This is actually not the first Dekotora styled truck from Hot Wheels. I'm sure you all remember the Galactic Express right? Well that was their first attempt at this style of truck. The Super Rigs Galactic Express is why I though we would end up getting a Team Transport version. Well we ended up with a mainline vehicle instead, which is completely fine. 

The Galactic Express is still a cool casting in it's own right, but there's no denying how awesome this mainline casting is. I feel the designers were able to masterfully create very realistic looking 1:64 scale version of one. It has every aspect that one might expect to see on one of these. And I think everyone will like how it's entire body is chrome. I know for a fact that I do, because it's realistic for this style of truck. It's body was also designed with engraving like features. This was done to the roof of the cab and the box's doors.  

Applied to the sides of it's box, is a fantastic artwork that helps to complete it's decorated appearance. The Great Wave, Mount Fuji with the sun behind it, and the multiple cherry blossom branches are what the designers used for the artwork. There are so many designs that could be created for the box section of this truck. As such, I hope the designers take a sip of their coffee, and make us another one with some nice art.

Chrome gold 5SPs are the wheels that were chosen for this first release. In my opinion, using this color of wheel complemented the overall appearance of this release perfectly.

Unless I feel it contributes to the appearance of the model, or my likeness of it, I will usually not make mention of the window piece. However, this time I am because it contributed to my likeness of the model. With that said, I like how the decision was made to give this release a purple window piece.

The next release speeding off of my want list, is the '19 Corvette ZR1 Convertible that's apart of this year's HW Torque. I'm happy with all of the decisions that were made for this second release. So to start, I think this release was finished in an okay color. White is the color that was chosen. This color might not be as exciting as the orange that was used for last year's release, but I think Corvette's look okay in white. Plus, it's exterior color is not the only decision that made this a cool release.

PR5s are the wheels that were chosen for this release. Now to switch things up from the orange one, the designers chose to make these ones have a red rim. At first, I felt that I would have liked it better with all black wheels. But now, I actually don't mind their decision.  

Unlike last year's release, the decision was made to give this second one a design. And no, it's nothing crazy. Black stripes are what they went with, and I like how they weren't just applied to the font half. The stripes were also applied to the back half of this model just behind the interior. They also took the time to add the stripes to the rear end as well. I only wish they could have made the stripes continue down the front bumper.

One of the other things that makes this a cool release, is how it was given the same front and rear details as last year's release. In my opinion, this model would not look complete without these details. But that's just me.

The Big-Air Bel-Air is apart of this year's Baja Blazers mainline set, and it's the next car that got checked off of my want list. I honestly though the second release of this casting wouldn't be as good as the first release. But I can honestly say that it is. So for this year's release, the designers chose to paint it red. And I like how a somewhat bright shade was used. The paint used is cool, but that's not the only thing that makes this second one as good as the first one for me.

Once again, the Hot Wheels designers have showed their ability to create a design that looks like it was replicated from a real vehicle. In my opinion, this casting will always look better with a design. The design itself is pretty simple, as it's basically one white stripe in-between multiple yellow stripes that were applied along the lower half of it's sides. 

Ultimately, it was the decals that helped to make this one just as good. What I like, is how this second release was given the decals of real-life aftermarket companies. That is one of the things that I really liked about the first release.

Once again the BAJA5s are what was chosen for this release, except this time, they are the brown tires with black spokes.

The top of this release was also given the theme from the sides. A total of four yellow stripes start on the hood, and finish on the trunk. In-between them on the roof, is a wide white stripe. The Chevy logo was applied to the front of the hood. Decorating the top of this release was a great idea, and I believe you will feel the same way too.

Cruising off of my want list next, is the re-color of the 2020 Jaguar F-Type. I'm so glad we didn't have to wait till next year's mainline just to get another one of these. I really like how this release was given different wheels. The blue release was given the 10SPs with a chrome finish, while this one was given the TRAP5s with a chrome finish. In my opinion, this decision really helped to make it look like a second release, rather than a re-color.

Now then, I personally still like the first release more due to it's exterior color, but I can say that the color picked for this release is not bad at all. I would best describe this color as being metallic dark grey. Now I'm not entirely sure if this color is based on one that's offered by Jaguar, but I'm sure some of you out there wouldn't mid owning one of these with the color that was used. And I guess if I look past my preferred color choice, I can say that I wouldn't mind owning one with this color either.

The second mainline release of the Mazda RX-3, is the next one that got checked off of my want list. I'm sure we can all agree that it was a good idea to add this casting to the mainline. I feel being in the mainline makes it so we'll see many releases of it. This was something I was worried about when this was a premium only casting. Anyway, this release is simply stellar, and I like all of the details that were applied to it. 

This release is sporting a very cool Mad Mike theme. Initially, I thought the designers created a design based on his cars, but it appears that I was wrong. From what I can gather, this release is actually based on his FD with the Pandem Boss kit. I came to this conclusion based on the placement of the various decals on this release. Furthermore, this release has the Rotiform decal on the hood just like his FD. 

Now due to obvious reasons, there are a few differences between this release, and the car it's based on. Unlike Mike's FD, this release does not feature Red Bull. I actually think the design looks just fine without that sponsor. The tire sponsor is another thing that's different. Instead of Nitto, this release features Toyo Tires.

For this release's wheels, the designers chose to use the DD8s. I'm not quite sure if Rotiform ever made a wheel like these. So I feel they should have used a different wheel. I know the wheels on Mike's FD are deep dish wheels, but based on the spokes, I feel Hot Wheels should have gave this release the lace wheels. 

Flooring it off of my want list last, is the re-color of the the '64 Corvette Sting Ray. Although I'm still not entirely fond of number circle's placement on the sides, I am happy with their decision to release another color of this Corvette. Unlike some re-colors, everything about this one is different from the first one.

For the exterior color, the decision was made to paint it white. Normally, I would have told you that I liked the red one more, but that's not the case this time. Like I mentioned with the ZR1, I think Corvette's look okay in white. Of course, if I was offered a blue one, then that opinion goes straight out the window while doing 101 MPH.

The next color change was done to the number circles. These were changed to black. 

Now instead of just changing the wheel color, the designers chose to use a different wheel entirely. It's nice when this is done because it helps to truly make the release look different. With that said, Lace Wheels are the ones that were picked, and I'm happy with their decision to make them grey. 

So aside from the design, I think this is a really good looking release of this casting. In my opinion, it would be a great addition to any Corvette collection.

Okay everyone, that's everything I wanted from this year's case F. Initially, my list had two other releases besides the AE86. The releases I'm talking about, are the two Porsche re-colors. I don't know about you and your color preferences, but I couldn't bring myself to acquire them. Now if you liked them, go ahead and let me know down in the comments section.

Alright collectors, that's all for this edition of My Want List. Until next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting.

Matchbox Is Going Green - My Thoughts

It's well known that Mattel is one of the best toy makers around. Their products are very influential, and are effective at inspiring young children to be creative. Well now, they are inspiring young children to have a new mindset. And it's one that we as adults should have too. As of today, Mattel has announced some fantastic news. They have decided to move towards using recycled materials for their die-cast products. 

It's fun being a die-cast collector, but we also have to think about protecting this planet we call home. So using recycled materials is a great way to reduce the overall impact that waste has on the planet. As a child, I was very serious about protecting the environment. This mindset was initiated by my aunt, who had a city job that promoted protecting the environment. Most children might not have a family member with one of those jobs. So I think it's great for influential companies like Mattel to get children hooked on saving the planet.

According to Mattel's website, they are going to make all Matchbox die-cast cars, playsets and packaging with 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic by 2030. I'm glad they're not waiting to get started with these changes, the sooner the better. 

Using recycled materials is not the only way they're encouraging us to protect the environment. E-vehicles are obviously the way of the future, and one of the best manufacturers is none other than Tesla. As you've seen, both of Mattel's die-cast brands have given us their various vehicles. In my opinion, using Tesla's vehicles is a great way to promote this new eco-friendly direction. These releases should also help to influence children into wanting them as their daily vehicles when they grow up. 

 Mattel is also going to make some changes to their fuel station playsets. They have decided to add e-vehicle chargers. Adding this exciting feature should definitely get children interested in driving e-vehicles. So I think this is a great decision.  

Mattel's playsets also have electronics in them. So the decision was made to re-design these sets with a single module that will contain all of the aforementioned. Doing this is definitely a step in the right direction, because it will help to make e-waste recycling easier. 

I also think it's great how they're going to educate consumers on how to recycle their products. This is going to be done with How2Recyle labels.

At the end of the day, I think it's awesome how our favorite toy brand is thinking about the future. I, for one, am in support of this new direction. After all, we all have to do our part, and toy makers getting children involved, is the best way to bring awareness to the next generation. 

Images contained in this post are owned by Mattel, and are available for download here.

White Booth Wednesday #79

It's once again time for another Wednesday showcase here on the boulevard. Here's this week's featured vehicle.

Vehicle: Aston Martin 1963 DB5

Series: 2016 Then and Now

Boulevard rating: 9

How I feel about this release: Being a classic sports car is not the only reason why I gave this release a nine. In my opinion, this classic looks fantastic finished in black, and I love how they chose to use metal flake black. I love the way this paint looks when a light is shined on it. So that helped to make this a very enjoyable release to look at. The wheel choice is the other aspect that contributed to the rating I gave it. These wheels are always a perfect choice for a classic sports car. All in all, this is one release that I'm happy to have.

So collectors, what would be your rating for this release? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments. As always, happy diecast collecting!