White Booth Wednesday #131

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

 

Vehicle: AMC Javelin AMX

Series: 2010 Hot Wheels Muscle Mania

Boulevard Rating: 9

How I Feel About This Release: Ah yes, the AMC Javelin AMX. It goes without saying that it's a very beautiful American classic, and it's too bad there hasn't been more mainline releases of it. Fortunately, I was able to get a few, and I'm glad this is one of the releases I got. The other ones I have are nice, but I feel this is one of the best looking ones due to the AMC racing theme it has. Now, this release's livery might not cover the entire back half of the car like the real AMC livery, but that's not an issue for me. I also like the additional details that were added to this release. If they wanted to, they could have just stopped at the stripe design, but they took things a step further by adding a racing number as well as some additional decals.

So how do you feel about this week's featured vehicle? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments. Till next time, happy collecting.

My Want List: 2022 Hot Wheels Case D - Part 2

Hello, and welcome to the second part of this edition of My Want List. If you read part one, then you already know how I was able to find all twelve of the releases I wanted from this case. Now, I actually forgot to mention that I had a difficult time trying to find one of the releases. And no, it's not the Treasure Hunt. It's just a regular mainline release, and I bet you'll be shocked to see which one it is. So I've decided to talk about that one last. Okay, there's no need to make a long intro for this second part, so let me get things started. 

There are a lot of cool looking custom vehicles over in Japan, and some of them are a little more wild than others. But they have all led to the creation of some very cool diecast models. And the Raijin Express is one example of a wild vehicle that has led to a very cool diecast model. Of course, that's not the only wild custom JDM vehicle Hot Wheels has made. As you know, one of their other castings is the Mad Manga, and its latest release is the seventh one I had on my case D want list. 

So... I might be wrong, but it seems like there isn't going to be a Race Team set in this year's mainline. Earlier this year, Hot Wheels released a Race Team themed Twinnin' 'N Winnin' in the Baja Blazers set, and now they've released this casting with a similar theme in the Contoured set. 

Remember, I did want to have more Race Team themed releases in my collection. So the lack of a Race Team set in this year's mainline is a little disappointing. Hopefully there's going to be as many as there were in previous years. But if not, then I hope to see at least one more Race Team themed release, and hopefully it'll be a casting I want. Anyway, let me get back to this release.

In my opinion, there are certain designs that are perfect for certain custom cars. And I feel this particular Race Team design is perfect for a Bosozoku casting. Besides liking the design, the exterior color is another reason why I wanted this release. As you know, blue is my favorite color, and I missed the one from 2013. So I've spent all this time hoping they'd do another one finish in the color, and I like the shade that's used for the Race Team releases.

Do you remember the last release of the Custom '01 Acura Integra GSR? Sadly, I do, and it's a release I try to forget about. Yeah... that's how much I didn't like it. You might have had it on your want list, but I felt they ruined the casting with the design choices they made for it. I guess the red one wasn't as bad as the purple one, but I chose to ignore that one too. So I had my fingers crossed that the 2021 mainline would have a better looking one, but that ended up not being the case. 

(Here's a picture of that shameful release.) 

Fortunately, Hot Wheels chose to give us one in this year's mainline, and it is way better than the Speed Blur one.

Now this is what I'm talking about! A nice custom exterior color, a simple stripe, and a decal stack on the doors is exactly what I like to see when is comes to a tuner car like this. I especially like how it features real-life aftermarket companies. This style of design is why the Wings West themed Civic is one of my favorite releases of that old casting. So it'll most likely be the same story with this release. In other words, it'll be one of my favorite releases of it for many years to come.

The Integra isn't the only J-Imports release in this case. Also arriving from Japan is the Mazda RX-7, and it's not a bad looking release either. Although... I do kind of question one of the design choices made for it. Of course, it's nothing as bad as that Speed Blur Integra. 

So what's the design choice I'm questioning? Well, it's the colors they picked for the design. I'm sure you all remember how the 2017 release was also finished in blue, and it too featured a blue stripe design. And the colors they picked for it were basically the same as the ones picked for this release's design. So even though there's nothing wrong with this year's release, I do have to admit that I'm puzzled by their decision to make it have it feature a similar color scheme. At the end of the day though, there is nothing wrong with having two similar colored RX-7s. 

Now, I don't like assuming things, but I'm going to assume that you also like the additional decals that were applied to this year's release. In my opinion, having them makes this blue one slightly better than the last blue one. But custom cars don't always have to have decals, right? So I could totally understand why someone would like the 2017 release a little more. 

The '69 Copo Corvette was the vehicle I picked for White Booth Wednesday #126, and one of the things I said was that I only had two releases of it. Well, for some reason, I totally forgot about the one I got from the Corvette 5-pack. So I actually had a total of three different releases. Anyway, that doesn't change the fact that I still don't have as many releases of this casting as I'd like. So I can say that I was stoked to see a release of it in this year's mainline.

This release does feature a color scheme that's somewhat similar to the one I picked for a White Booth Wednesday post. So to be honest, I would have preferred to see one with a different color scheme. But I'm not going to complain because I think this one is slightly better than the blue one I had. And it's all thanks to how decorated it is overall. The additional decals also contributed to how I feel about it. 

Ultimately, like the RX-7, there's nothing wrong with having two similar colored Copo Corvettes. I'm just happy to have another release of it in my collection.

It's no lie that Hot Wheels gave us some fantastic models in last year's Factory Fresh mainline set, and five out of the ten were new castings. It also featured an updated version of the Civic Si. So if I had to score it, I'd give last year's Factory Fresh set a ten out of ten. And I'll most likely feel the same way about this year's set.

The Mercedes-Benz 500 E is one of the castings that made its debut in last year's Factory Fresh set, and in case you didn't know, I ended up getting an extra silver one to have on display. So that should tell you that it was one of my favorites. With that said, I think you can imagine how happy I was when I found out we were going to get another Factory Fresh release of it.  

Magnificent! That's the only thing I can truly say about this release. Initially, I though the first two were going to be the ones I'd liked the most. Basically, I considered black and silver to be two of the classiest colors for a classy car like this. But who says this shade of red can't be a classy color too? I, for one, think this car looks outstanding finished in the color. 

Now I'm eager to see the next color they pick for it. Personally, I'd love to see one finished in the same green that was used for the Integra. Metallic white is another potential color they could use. No matter what they pick though, it'll most likely be another release added to my want list.

Like I said at the start of this post, there was one release I had a hard time finding. And you might be shocked to learn that it was the 2009 Ford F-150. That's right, it was a HW Metro pickup truck. 

In my area, trying to find this release was like trying to find a Treasure Hunt, and I really don't see why. Maybe I'm just missing something. I mean, it is a nice release, but I didn't think it was that nice. In fact, it wasn't even initially on my list due to the Goodyear decal being so big. But my opinion of it changed after I had some time to think about it. Basically, I started to think that this this release looked like a vehicle you'd see at an automotive show. 

The tailgate is one of the sections I'd like to put the spotlight on. Why is that? Well, it's because the designers chose to decorate it. Since this is a mainline release, they could have left it plain, but I'm glad they chose to continue the stripe, as well as add the Goodyear logo. 

Okay, that's all twelve of the releases I had on my case D want list. I'm sure many of you had more on your want list than I did. I'm also sure many of you wanted that cartoonish looking Batmobile. I saw it, but I had no interest in getting it. And I currently have no desire to ever have it in my collection.

So how did you feel about the releases from case D? Did you have a specific favorite? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments section. Alright, that's all for this two-part edition of My Want List. Until next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting. And remember, these are just toys.

My Want List: 2022 Hot Wheels Case D - Part 1

Hello, and welcome to another edition of My Want List. This year's case D releases have finally been added to the garage, and thankfully, this case wasn't like the last two. In case you didn't know, I'm still not entirely done with case B and case C. Anyway, today's post isn't about those. So let me get back to the topic at hand, which is what I was able to get from this year's case D. Now, there were a total of twelve releases I wanted, and I was able to find all of them. So I've decided to make this a two-part edition of My Want List, and each part will feature six releases. So that being said, let me get things started.

Last year, Hot Wheels gave us the Raijin Express, which is a very nice looking mainline version of a dekotora truck. And like many of you, I was extremely pleased with the overall design of it. So it instantly became a casting I could't wait to see more of. I also couldn't wait to see the next design they'd create for it. The first release's box section featured a nice design along its sides, so I had high hopes that the next release would also feature a nice design. Well, the next release of it is finally here, and I'm impressed with the design they created for it. 

You usually won't see Art Cars talked about here on the boulevard, and that's simply because of the design choices made for them. Fortunately, they didn't make this Art Cars release as wild as the others. And you'd almost think it wasn't apart of the aforementioned series due to the design choices made for it. In fact, the only thing that really makes it an Art Cars release is letter on the top of its box section. But it was designed to be similar to the additional designs you see around the dragon, so it doesn't really stand out like that.

At the end of the day, this is another awesome release of this casting. Like I said, I had high hopes for another one with a nice design, and I think we can all agree that this release features an awesome design along its sides. I mean, who doesn't like dragon artwork? These first two releases have me curious to see what they'll do next. I don't know about you, but I'd love to see one with artwork depicting a samurai. Of course, they could also choose to do one with the HW Race Team livery. Ultimately, there are a plethora designs they could create for a casting like this. 

In recent years, both of Mattel's diecast brands have started to add more electric vehicles to their lineup, and they have picked some very nice ones replicate. So one day, the HW Green Speed might be one of the mainline sets I look forward to each year. And I'll definitely look forward to it if they continue to give us castings like the Mustang Mach E 1400. Now, that's not the only recent Green Speed release that I like. Last year, the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC_02 made its Hot Wheels debut, and it was a release I chose to feature in the boulevard's 1:64 Scale GT auto museum. Well, they've chosen to give us another one in this year's mainline, and it is the next release I checked off of my want list.   

Although I added it to my want list, I was slightly disappointed with how it featured the same side decal as the first release. However, after doing another Google search, I came to the realization that this too is a replica. So now I don't mind. Furthermore, I now feel this release is somewhat unique due to its livery. The real car this is based on features a design that's mostly on one side of it. So after I saw that, I decided to inspect this release a little more. And sure enough, this too only has most of the design on one side. That's why I feel it is somewhat unique. After all, it's not everyday we get a release where the design is mostly on one side of it. 

The first two releases of this casting are definitely nice, but I'd love to see what type of livery they'd create for this car. If it was up to me, I'd give collectors one with a design that's based on various Nissan liveries. So it'd be a white release with a red and blue design. But I guess it all depends on the legal agreement between them and Nissan. So I hope Nissan lets them create whatever they want for this casting.

Sometimes, I'll get really excited about a release of a certain casting, and it's usually the ones that aren't used that much. I'm even happier when it's a casting I don't have many of. So it'll be a release I absolutely have to have. With that said, the next release I'm going to talk about is the '63 Studebaker Champ. And I think everyone got excited over this one because it isn't a casting that's frequently used. In fact, this is the third mainline release of it. 

It goes without saying that this is one hot truck, and I think we're all pleased with the design choices made for it. I especially like how they chose to decorate the top of it as well. In years gone by, the Super Treasure Hunt versions had the most decoration. But now it seems like more and more of the regular versions have the same amount of decoration as the Supers. And it's a design choice I'm happy with. personally, there's no reason not to give everyone the chance to own a nicely decorated release. 

The overall design isn't the only thing I like about this release though. Combined, the exterior and wheel color helped to make this one hot HW Hot Trucks release.

Although it isn't one of the mainline sets I look forward to each year, I will admit that I do somewhat pay attention to the Baja Blazers. After all, they have given us some very nice looking off-road racers since the creation of it. The only reason why I don't pay more attention to it is because I don't usually get all of the releases from it. Anyway, this case had another Baja Blazers releases I wanted, and it is the Custom Ford Bronco.

I can't tell you how happy I am to see another release of this casting, and I really like how they chose to finish it in red. Now, I know there was a red one released back in 2018, but I didn't get it due to them choosing to make it have blue features. Of course, as time went on, I started to regret not getting it. Basically, I no longer have an issue with that particular combination of colors. At the end of the day though, I no longer feel need to try and get it since they gave us this one. And to be honest, this one features a racing design that's much better than the 2018 release's design.

Although I like this release, I do have to say that there is one thing I would have done differently, and I think you might know what I'm talking about. Now, if you thought I was talking about the wheels, then you are wrong. I used to have an issue with these brown wheels, but I had to force myself to look past them so I didn't miss out on too many nice releases. So it's not those. My issue is with the choice to give it purple roll bars. Although, since it is a dark purple, it doesn't completely ruin the appearance of this release. However, I would have used black roll bars instead. Ultimately, I can ignore the roll bars. I just think it looks a little odd, since purple wasn't used anywhere else on this release.

So how do you feel about the vehicles from the Fast and Furious Spy Racers series? I, for one, really like them, which is why I'm glad they have mainline versions of them too. I also like how some of the vehicles have gotten recolors. Now, since I haven't seen this Netflix series, I have no idea if any of the recolors are accurate or not. But what I do know is that I've enjoyed being able to have different ones.  

Not all of the vehicles have gotten recolors though, and the Rally Baja Crawler is one of them. Each time it was released, it featured a black and green color scheme. So I always wondered how it'd look if they did something different with it. Well, I finally have my answer!

Just to reiterate, I have no idea if these recolors are accurate or not. So feel free to let me know if they are. Anyway, this is a very cool release. The black and green ones might very well be the better ones if they accurate replicas, but I happen to like this one a little more. Silver is not a bad color for this vehicle, and I feel it looks fantastic with the stripe design they created for it. I also like the choice to give it gold wheels. In my opinion, it is a wheel color that goes great with the other colors used for this release.

Like I said at the start of this post, there will be a total of six releases featured in both parts of this edition of My Want List. So with being said, the Toyota Land Cruiser 80 is the last release I'm going to talk about in this first part.

I might like plain releases, but I have to say, this is one stellar release of this casting! And I'm not just saying that because of the design they created for it. Besides the aforementioned, I really like the exterior color they picked. Like purple, it isn't a color I see too often on licensed castings.

Now, I do kind of wish they didn't give it mud splatter details, but it is a design choice I can accept. After all, this release is a part of the Mud Studs mainline set, and having a muddy appearance is kind of the whole point. And at the end of the day, I like this release enough to add it to the off-road section of the 1:64 Scale GT's auto museum.

So how do you feel about these six? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments section. Okay, that's all for this first part. Be sure to come back to the boulevard tomorrow to see the other six I wanted. Until then, thanks for reading, and happy collecting. And remember, these are just toys.

White Booth Wednesday #130

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

Vehicle: '69 Ford Mustang

Series: 2010 Hot Wheels Treasure Hunts

Boulevard Rating: 10

How I Feel About This Release: The rating I gave this release has nothing to do with it being a Treasure Hunt. It also has nothing to do with the design choices that were made for it, although... it is worth mentioning that I absolutely love everything about it. I mean, who wouldn't like a custom green Mustang with a cool flame design and some nice aftermarket wheels? Anyway, I gave this release a ten because it is from the first Kmart event I attended. And to this day, I remember how thrilled I was when I got a box. So this release will always be a special piece in my collection, and I think that's a good enough reason to give it a ten. 

So how do you feel about this week's featured vehicle? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments. Till next time, happy collecting.

Today On The Boulevard: 2022 Hot Wheels Star & Stripes - The Rest Of What I wanted

Hello, and welcome to a brand-new edition of Today On The Boulevard. Last month, I was able to come across remnants of this year's Stars & Stripes series. And in case you missed that post, I was only able to find two of them. So I wasn't quite sure if I was going to be able to find the other ones or not, but the hunt continued. And after a few random trips to Walmart, I was finally able to find the entire set hanging on the pegs. 

Now, even though I found all of the releases, I ended up leaving one behind, and it was the Muscle Speeder. It's not a terrible looking release, and I'm sure many of you added it to your collection. But I chose to leave it simply because it's not a casting I care for. At the end of the day, I was solely interested in getting the castings that I like. And I'm not a completest, so I don't mind having an incomplete set. Okay, now that I got that out of the way, let me move on to the releases I got.  

As you know, I don't go out of my way to search for store exclusives releases, but sometimes there is one I have to have no matter what, and there are reasons for that. It could be that I really like what was done to the release, or it could be because it's a casting I want to have more of. So with that said, the release I had to have is the '67 Pontiac GTO. And both of the aforementioned reasons are why I wanted it. 

Even if I owned more of this casting's releases, I'd still add this store exclusive release to my want list. That should tell you how much I like it. Now, I'm sure some of you out there won't like chrome gold features, but this is a diecast model after all. So it doesn't have to be completely realistic. 

Since this is an American flag themed set, it is only natural that each of the vehicles are from American Manufacturers. So some castings will get multiple Stars & Stripes releases. One such casting is the Custom '56 Ford Truck, and this is the second time they've used it for the Stars & Stripes series. Now, I'm actually very happy with their decision to use it again, and I'll explain why.

This casting was used for the 2019 Rod Squad mainline series, and there ended up being a Kroger exclusive release of it. And as you know, it too was finished in dark red. It also had chrome Aero Disk wheels. Now, if you were able to get the aforementioned release, then you're probably not too happy about them using dark red again, and I can understand you frustration. After all, I also get disappointed when a new release is somewhat similar to a release I already have. But these design choices are great for collectors who missed out on a release, and I'm a part of the crowed that missed out on a the dark red Kroger release. 

Even if I did get the Kroger one, I'd still have this one on my want list. The 2019 release featured an okay looking shop truck theme, but I feel this one's theme is much better. Furthermore, the 2019 release wasn't as decorated as this one. 

The '71 Dodge Challenger is the next release I wanted. Now, normally I'll show the side of the release first, then I'll show the top. But there's a reason why I decided to show the top first, and it has to do with the design. 

Although I like this release, I do think the side design could have been a bit better. If it was up to me, I would have made it similar to the design that was applied to the top of this release. But I guess they were trying to make the sides look similar to the American Flag. So I'm not going to complain. 

Some of you out there might not like an overly decorated release, but if you wanted a Stars & Stripes release with a lot of decoration, then the 2018 Ford Mustang is the release for you. In fact, one might even say that this release stands out from the other ones due to how decorated it is. And I might just be one of those people because I'm really impressed with the design choices that were made for it.

This release features a very flashy design, and I feel it helped to create one of the coolest releases of this casting. I mean, the other releases in this assortment have a lot of decoration too, but there's just something special about the overall design that was applied to this release. 

The '65 Ford Ranchero isn't as decorated as the Mustang, but it's still an okay looking release, although... I do have to admit that I don't completely like what was done to it. And to be more specific, I don't like the design along its sides.

In my opinion, the two side designs don't combine well, and I feel it should have been one or the other. And if not that, then they could have slanted the red stripes so they'd flow in the same direction as the blue stripe. So even though it's not a terrible looking release, it is definitely not one of my favorites from this assortment.

Overall, this year's Star & Stripes set is okay, and I'm really glad to have a few of the releases from it. However, I think the set could have been a little better. And I'm basically saying that because I didn't absolutely like every single release from it. But I guess it was only two of the eight, so I won't bash this set too much.

So how do you feel about the releases from this year's Stars & Stripes set? Go ahead and let me know down in the comments section. Alright, that's all I got for this edition of Today On The Boulevard. Till next time, thanks for reading, and happy collecting. And remember, these are just toys.