First Look: 2014 Hot Wheels '68 Mercury Cougar...

Nope, not that '68 Mercury Cougar.

This is a new one, but my guess is most of you know that.  Take the old casting, which is pretty nice, but bland like the real '68 Cougar.  (Oops, did I say that out loud?)  Lower it, add some bolt-ons and a spoiler, and you have a winner.  This happened last year.  Hot Wheels took the Chevelle and added just enough to add a fresh addition to an already badly overused muscle car.  And they did just about the same thing.  Lowered, bolt-ons, a chin-strap, etc.

Is this based on a real car?  My heavily scientific research (Google images) produced no obvious inspirations.  But that is the fun of Hot Wheels.  Make it up.  Like the Chevelle, this has a bit of a Japanese feel to it, hence the comparison photos below.

One other very interesting thing.  This is the FIRST classic muscle car to be introduced by Hot Wheels this year.  Surely more are coming, but how interesting is it that we have seen Civics, Datsun Trucks, Aston Martins, Alfa Romeos, and a Porsche all before we see a new muscle car (and we know of a cute little Italian coming as well.  A certain Brazilian site might break that news soon.).  Kudos Hot Wheels team.

This is a fun time of year.  Half the fun of collecting is NOT knowing and one-by-one learning what is coming.  There are new models we can predict (2015 Mustang?) will come, but as for the rest it is wide open.  So we will keep learning, unveiling, and showing off.  This is fun.

If you told me a Cougar was coming as a New Model, the only response would be frustration that we are getting another.  But this one wins.  A very pleasant surprise.

By the way, we are happy to be starting a new year.  Moving into the holiday season, we found the time off refreshing, and Lamley took a bit of a back seat.  But we are back and have many things coming.  The Lamley Award winners will be showcased, we have a heap of customs to share, and Lamley is set to expand a bit slowly and surely.  Thanks everyone for all the support...

(Find this Cougar and the rest of Batch E at Wheel Collectors...)


Hot Wheels '68 Mercury Cougar (2014 New Models):

First Look: Hot Wheels '69 Mercury Cyclone...

1969.

Is there any year that has produced more classic American muscle cars?  Has anyone ever researched what year has been replicated by Hot Wheels the most?  I would imagine 1969 would be up there, if not at the very top.  Maybe someone should start a thread on HWC to see how many 1969 models are out there.

Here is another 1969er.  I have admitted before, and will admit again, that my muscle car knowledge is weak at best.  So, like many other models before it, Hot Wheels version has taken me to the web to learn more about the car.  That is one of the great joys of collecting.  You learn more the more you collect.

There is a very interesting thread on HWC that started a couple of days ago.  A collector's idea about an all-classic Japanese car subset started a muscle vs. everything else discussion.  It of course quickly took the usual "those cars will be pegwarmers around here" argument on both sides, which of course makes no sense.  Instead of fighting about what would be more or less popular, we should enjoy the fact that names like Torino, Skyline, Javelin, COPO, Bluebird, and Cyclone are now familiar to a ton of people that had no idea what they were before finding them on the pegs.  I hope this continues, pegwarmers or not.


Hot Wheels '69 Mercury Cyclone (2012 New Models):

Matchbox Monday: "My Favorite Matchbox" by Dave Weise, Mattel Matchbox Die-Cast Design Manager..

It is once again Matchbox Monday.  The blue brand takes the day off every Monday and orange presides.

Today we are starting a new feature.  It is the debut of "My Favorite Matchbox", where the Lamley Group welcomes in a guest who will tell us about his or her favorite Matchbox.  I leave the question wide open.  It could mean a model from childhood, it could mean a current model.  It could be a favorite because of the memories it sparks, or because it just looks good and is well-designed.  It could be a replica of a family car or of a dream car.  It doesn't matter.

We are very privileged to start the feature with one of the main cogs in the Matchbox range, Mattel's Matchbox Die-Cast Manager Dave Weise.  Dave has been with Matchbox for several years after moving over from Hot Wheels, and has a hand in the design and direction of all the diecast ranges we encounter at the store - basics, multipacks, Real Working Rigs, etc.  He is also responsible for the design of many castings from both Mattel die-cast brands.  For example, that Hot Wheels Camaro Road Race that has been so popular?  It was designed by Dave.

When I asked Dave what his favorite Matchbox model was, he came back with two.  One from childhood, and one from today.  And his descriptions highlight two key elements on why we collect - the memories of childhood, and the enjoyment of good design.

From Dave Weise:

"Favorite model from the past:  Mercury Cougar

I remember the light green Mercury Cougar # 62 from the late sixties.  

My dad had rented a summer cottage somewhere in the country for vacation.  There wasn’t much to do so we went into town and there was a Matchbox display.

The Cougar caught my eye because of the color, I was allowed to get it.  I was fascinated by the opening doors and I pretended that I was the driver inside.  I would stare at that car for hours.  It was cool .  I wore it out playing with it."

Photo from Dan's Matchbox Picture Pages

"My Favorite today:

The International Workstar Brush Fire Truck is one of my favorite Matchbox vehicles today and it’s a fire truck.  Having seen one of these trucks close up , I knew that we had to make one in Matchbox.

It looks rugged and purposeful yet it has a unique profile that is very imposing. Creating the details was a challenge but this toy captures the essence of the real thing which is why I like it a lot."

Now that we have that perspective, it gives a clearer idea of who might have been behind this Matchbox Mercury Cougar that was released a few years ago:

One last thing about Dave.  He one of the best liaisons collectors can have.  He will once again be in Albuquerque later this month at the MC International Gathering of Friends, where he presents the upcoming range and brand direction.  He is also known to sit and chat with collectors for hours, who annoyingly pick his brain about pretty much anything Matchbox-related.  I might have been one of those annoying collectors last year, and he indulged me and my cohorts for much longer than he needed to.

As always, thanks Dave!