First Look: Matchbox 2014 Toy Fair Dump Dozer...

Alright, where to start on this one?

A bit ago I mentioned that my approach to Matchbox would be simple.  With the brand going in a different direction than what I normally collect, I would mainly feature those models that interest me or that I know would interest the Lamley audience.  I reserved the right to say what I want, but I am frankly tired of the "Matchbox is doomed and hates collectors" diatribes.

Now my mentioning that I am tired of the diatribes does not mean I am a blind collector who will like anything Matchbox puts in a blister, it only means I am tired of them the same way I would tire of my favorite food if I ate it every day.  We know Matchbox has moved away from collectors for the most part, and I am frankly fine with it, whether I collect more Matchbox or not.  Let them do what they want.  If they feel the need to separate the two Mattel diecast brands more now than they have in the past, that is their right.  I will just continue to collect what I want.

But I know others feel betrayed by the brand and its current direction.  I get that too.  But I feel all that has been said, and I am fine moving on.  I will enjoy the Matchbox models I like, even if they come out few and far between.  There is plenty to keep me busy from Hot Wheels, Kyosho, TLV, and others.

So that leads to the Dump Dozer.  We didn't feature the yellow Dozer when it hit the pegs a couple of months ago, frankly because it isn't a model we wanted to feature, and we know the kind of response it would get.  But since Mattel decided to make it a Toy Fair model, it seems like we should at least give it some attention.  Plus, it was made easy to feature it because our Lamley cohort, David Tilley, is a Matchbox completist.  Hence, he bought one and had it shipped to me so I could ship it to him.

So here it is?  Do I like it?  Nope.  Why would I?  Looking at it strictly within the context of its deco, they did a very nice job with it.  The metal-like paint they gave the model looks good, as does the overall deco.  It is a good promotion piece for what Mattel wants to convey to retailers brand-wise, which is the purpose of this model anyway.  It is not aimed at collectors, but as a giveaway to retailers.  Obviously many find their way to collectors, as this one has, but it is meant to convey where the brands is headed.

And the brand is headed towards...wait, what was it...oh yeah...Unstoppable Vehicles for Heroic Adventures.   Seems like a mouthful, but take it for what it is.  I will happily select the BMW 1M and Alfa 4C as my UVfHA, but kids these days probably have different views on that.  Hence, construction.

So there it is.  Now let's wait to see what Hot Wheels' Toy Fair model will be...

(And the best way is to follow the Rusnak2000 on Toy Peddler.  He got this one for us, and will be one of the first to get the Hot Wheels model, in case you are interested.)


Matchbox Dump Dozer (2014 Toy Fair):

Just Unveiled: Matchbox 2014 Toy Fair Dump Dozer...

Late last night we got a message on the Lamley Facebook page letting us know that the Matchbox Toy Fair Model for 2014 had just been unveiled.  A Toy Peddler seller we have dealt with many times in the past now has a few in hand, and wanted to share.

And the model chosen by Mattel to represent Matchbox to retailers?  The infamous Dump Dozer:

Well isn't this a development?  The Toy Fair models are supposed to signify the direction of Matchbox, and based on the amount of new construction models in the 2014 lineup, I get why they chose the Dump Dozer.

Collectors will obviously not be happy, and we can get into that when we do a First Look (one is on its way to Lamley co-founder David Tilley).  As much as some might not like it, I think we can at least agree that the model won't look better than this.  How is that for silver lining?

We are still trying to get word on the Hot Wheels Toy Fair Model.  I could be a 2013, but historically it is a new model for the upcoming year.  So your guess is as good as ours.  C7 Corvette?  I can always dream of the Datsun 620 being the model, but I highly doubt it.  As soon as we know, we will pass it on.

In the meantime, visit rusnak2000's Toy Peddler listings to grab the Dump Dozer and other Toy Fair models if you feel so inclined:

2014 Toy Fair Dump Dozer

First Look(s): Hot Wheels 2013 Toy Fair and white recolored Kool Kombis...

If you were a Lamley visitor last year, you might remember the Lamley Awards.  It is something we will do every year - asking as many collectors as possible to vote for their Best and Worst in several categories, including Best New Hot Wheels casting, Best Super Treasure Hunt, etc.

We conduct a vote, and we had several thousand last year, and announce the collector's choice.  We then announce our choice as well.  Last year, readers selected KITT as their Best New Model, and the Ferrari 599XX Super Treasure Hunt as their Hot Wheels Model of the Year.  Good selections.  Of course, our selection of the attention-grabbing Mad Manga as Model of the Year was met with a lot of scrutiny.

We explained then that while the Mad Manga was not our favorite model of 2012, we chose it because it represented Hot Wheels' ability to introduce collectors and consumers alike to all kinds of cars and car cultures that may not be familiar with.  We thought it was a great reason to choose it Model of the Year.  It doesn't have to be the most popular, just something that is significant.

Now that we are well into 2013 (actually on the tail end), we start thinking about what models might be in the running for Best New Model and Model of the Year this year.  There are a lot of candidates, and we will get into them when we start the Lamley Award process in the fall.  But there is one that we are sure will be right in the thick of things - the Kool Kombi.

Hot Wheels obviously knew they were on to something great with this model, or they would not have selected it as their Toy Fair Model to show off to retailers.  But I don't know if any of us could predict how popular the Kool Kombi would be once it hit the pegs.

Its appeal to collectors is obvious.  First, it is a VW.  Second, it is obviously tooned, but in a reverse direction from the ever popular Drag Bus.  Instead of becoming a mean machine like the Drag Bus, it is cute.  You just want to pinch its cute little cheeks.  But then a look at its rear shows that this little cutie means business.  But NOT TOO MUCH business, because it has some space for surf boards.  I love that back and forth in the details.

And what about that word Kombi?  It comes from Kombinationskraftwagen, German for "combination motor vehicle".  The Kombi variant of the VW Minibus had removable seats, so it could be used as a transporter and a cargo carrier, hence its "combination" of purposes.  The Kool Kombi serves several purposes as well, including as a dragster, a surfboard carrier, and obviously as a transporter (maybe only for 2 people, but that is beside the point).

And there is something else about the word "Kombi".  While German in origin, it is synonymous with Brazilian VW Buses.  Did you know that VW Brasil has been producing Kombis all the way up until now?  In fact, they announced just last year that they would cease production in 2013.  To me, Kombis are Brazilian.  I enjoyed a ride in my share of them during my time in Brazil.

Hot Wheels must think the same thing, because the colors of the Toy Fair and initial versions are purely Brazilian.  The 6-time World Cup champs could arrive at the tournament in one with those colors.  The side design colors on all versions so far scream samba, and the surfboards and colorful ocean waves tell us the Girl from Ipanema arrived in one.

So there is a lot to love about this model, and we at Lamley, who normally celebrate realism, have fallen victim as well.  We are totally entranced, enough to spring for a not-cheap Toy Fair model.  (It is worth it, with its spectraflame Brazilian green and metal base.)  

Collectors are obviously mesmerized too.  The green Kombi is harder to find than most regular Treasure Hunts.  We have had more trouble finding it than any other model, but have gotten lucky a couple of times.  Errors on the Kombi sell for ridiculous prices on ebay.  And it is a customizers dream.

We even asked Lamley friends on Facebook about what makes the Kool Kombi so appealing, and the answer we liked best came from Marv Hughes:

This is one of those cars that will make a current 8 year old say "Oh Wow! I remember this car from when I was a kid" When he gets to be 30-40 years old.

We could not agree more.  It is memorable.  It instantly enters the pantheon of Hot Wheels collector faves, and will surely show up to several parties in Super TH and RLC exclusive clothes.  Not to mention conventions.

Is it our favorite this year?  Nah.  We are JDM'ers here, and Toyota has dominated 2013.  But we have fallen victim to its spell, and it could get our nod as Model of the Year.  Collector response sure suggests it should.

So here are photos of all four versions released so far, including the fantastic Toy Fair model and recolor in white, which is part of Batch L, due in June.  Enjoy...

(Find Batch L at Wheel Collectors, and the Kool Kombi all over ebay...)


Hot Wheels Kool Kombi:

Yes, painted surfboards:

Model of the Day: Hot Wheels 2011 Toy Fair '69 COPO Corvette...

I tend to blabber on a lot.  For a model of this magnitude, let's keep it simple...


COPO!!!

Hot Wheels '69 COPO Corvette (2011 Toy Fair Exclusive):

(HW '69 COPO for sale on ebay, and find the Toy Fair for a great price here...)

The Family:

2011 FE blue

2011 FE white

2011 FE black

2012 Corvette 5-pack

2012 Multipack exclusive

2012 Hot Wheels Racing

2013 Flying Customs