First Look: Matchbox 1963 Mack B Model Fire Engine...

We are getting ourselves into the Matchbox mood.

In just a few hours I am setting off for Albuquerque, New Mexico, by way of Moab, Utah through Cortez, Colorado and Farmington, New Mexico.  I will arrive at the home of the Matchbox Gathering, the downtown Marriott, sometime in the evening, where I will set my things down and see what the trading rooms have to offer.  At that point it will be all things Matchbox until my drive home Sunday.

While I am there, I plan to document the festivities by way of the blog, the Lamley Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Lamley Instagram feed.  There will be lots to show, including some studio time with several of the new and exclusive models, so keep checking in.

With that in mind, the timing was just right to find at Target one of the more anticipated Matchbox models for 2014.  The Mack B Fire Engine is the type of model that many associate with Matchbox, and want to see more of.  We will see if that is the case when Mattel presents the 2015 line on Saturday night.

But no matter what the future brings, the Mack is here, and our guess is it is not going anywhere.  Fire Engines are not our forte, so we will not try to write too much about the actual vehicle, and just let the photos do the talking.  Maybe some day in the future we will get someone in here who actually knows a little about these to give his thoughts.

In the meantime, enjoy the pics.  The last few pics are an obvious pairing with the Seagrave Fire Truck, which was released a couple of years ago.  Both classics, and hard to tell apart.  Do you have a preference?

(If you don't want to wait, find the Mack on ebay...)


Matchbox 1963 Match B Model Fire Engine (2014 New Models):

With the Seagrave:

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Porsche 934 Turbo RSR...

The second-to-last major unveil of 2014 is here, and it is a doozy.

2014 has been a great year for Hot Wheels New Models, but with all due respect to the Aston DB5, Datsun 620, Honda Civic EF, and the upcoming 2015 Mustang, the Porsche 934 takes the cake.  We have been waiting with bated breath to see it, and photos have finally emerged:

Batch Q is clearly going to be great.  Yes, we are as excited as any to snag the 510 Wagon standard and Super, but we may be more excited for this one.  The detail and proportions appear to be right on.   The model looks so well designed, and will be a perfect companion to the recently released 993.  Hot Wheels has not always hit home runs with their Porsche castings, but there is nothing to complain about here.

What does everyone think?

First Look: Hot Wheels BMW E36 M3 Race...

This is a model that leaves us more curious to know what you think than to totally go into what we think.  If that makes sense.

The BMW E36 was a bit of a surprise when it was announced at the Hot Wheels Nationals convention back in April.  No one knew it was coming.  No one except a BMW aficionado who called Mattel late last year and asked the rep who answered if Hot Wheels was doing more BMW's.  The rep called him back a couple of days later and said that Mattel would be releasing an E36.  That is a true story.  When I heard that I just assumed the operator was confusing the E30, but in fact she asked, got an answer, and passed it on.  Does that give anyone some ideas?  When you do call and ask, find out about the Mazda Cosmo.

Anyway, this model was a surprise, and after a few early images, we finally have it in hand to give it a good look.  And...well...we want know what you think.

On one hand, the E36 is a such a great choice.  Another legendary BMW, fitting in nicely with recent Hot Wheels releases like the 2002 and E30.  For that reason alone we will be thoroughly collecting this one.

On the other hand, something is off.  Here is the real thing:

And the Hot Wheels version:

Too long?  Too high?

It probably appears too long because it in fact sits too high.  So we will fun with the "too high" thing. It is way too high.  But why?  Well, it has probably been deemed by those in charge a Hot Wheels track car.  Meaning, "it's gotta run good" on the orange track.  So it sits a bit higher to not get caught on a track connector piece.  We have seen those cars deemed racers suffer the same fate, most notable the Lotus Evora and Mastretta MXT.  This isn't as bad as those, but the high stance does distort the look of the model a little too significantly.

And yes, that's a bummer.  I know, Hot Wheels are toys, meant for the track, I as always I respect that.  But obviously others don't get the same treatment.  The Porsche 993 GT2 sits appropriately low, but then again it was originally meant for collectors in the Boulevard line.  The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta sits low.  Maybe that was a Ferrari licensing thing.  Why the decision was made here, I have no idea.

Which is made further disappointing when you put the E36 next to the BMW M3 GT2 that was released a couple of years ago:

Same pedigree, different stances:

It is crazy how one little detail can make a world of difference.

So are we happy with it?  Ultimately yes.  It exists, and it is really well detailed.  Could it have been better in our books?  Yes.  But count us fans.

Whether or not you want to riot in the streets, let us know.  We are definitely curious...

(Find the E36 and the rest of Hot Wheels Batch N at Wheel Collectors...)


Hot Wheels BMW E36 M3 Race (2014 New Models):

Surprise! Hot Wheels Batch N (Kenmeri, BMW E36) & Matchbox Batch H (Toyota Tacoma) are now out at Wheel Collectors!

When it rains, it pours...

On the heels of Tomica Limited Vintage's release of the amazing Nissan IDx Nismo, our friends at Wheel Collectors have just let us know that Hot Wheels 2014 Batch N is now in stock.

Batch M still has yet to hit big box stores, yet hobby dealers are already at N.  We will take it, especially since Batch N is chock full of Lamley favorites.  The brand new BMW E36 is in there, as is the racing Morris Mini in British Racing Green, the Fiat 500 in white, and what looks to be an absolutely sick version of the Then & Now '68 COPO Camaro.  For me, however, is the triumphant return of my favorite Hot Wheels model, the Kenmeri Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R, looking fantastic in an homage to the 1972 Tokyo Auto Show Skyline.

Not only that, the latest Matchbox is out, with the just-released Toyota Tacoma.  Lots and lots to be excited about.

You can see all the models in HW Batch N & MB Batch H by following the links:

Hot Wheels 2014 Batch N

Matchbox 2014 Batch H

What models are you looking forward to?

Lamley Case Report: Opening a Hot Wheels US M Case...

Here we go again.

We continue to get great feedback from everyone about these case reports, so we will keep doing them.  We have gotten the question on what we do with these cases we open.  Well, obviously there are some models we keep.  Interestingly, it is not many, usually 5 to 7 out of the 72.  The rest go back in the case, are sealed up, and donated to local hospitals through Lamley Charities, which is run by my 13-year-old daughter.  We are very happy to see these put to good use, outside of providing the info you readers crave.  We may expand Lamley Charities someday, so if you have extra models you want to put to good use, stay tuned.

Alright, back to the M case.  As always, we got this case from Grana Toys, and as always, Grana is offering this case to Lamley readers at a special discount.  All you need to do is use the promo code "Lamley" at checkout and the discount will apply.  But remember, this only applies to cases purchased on the Grana Toys website, which can be found here:

GranaToys.com Hot Wheels M Cases for sale

Of course if you prefer to purchase an M case on ebay, you can do that here:

Grana Toys eBay Store M Cases for sale

And make sure you act fast, as there are only a few cases left.

Alright on with the report.  Here is all 72 models as we pulled them, 3 by 3.

Enjoy...


The M Case:

(crack)

The first 36:

(Treasure Hunt Alert)

The next 36:

(James Bond Alert)

There it is.  No Super this time, but some of you might get lucky in your case.  Let us know if you do.  For us, the 370Z (1 per case), Aston Martin DB5, and LaFerrari take the cake for us.

Maybe not the strongest case this year, but N is coming (Kenmeri, BMW E36, COPO Camaro, and Zamac Hakosuka to name a few).  There is always something to look forward to...