Recolors are cool. We are always happy to see second versions of the castings we like, no matter what the color. But there are times when a recolor is so good, and upstages the first color so badly, that it is almost like a do-over of the model's debut.
And that is exactly the case with the Fiat 500. Designer Ryu Asada's little happy creation looked nice in red, but it ravishes in white. Accent it with a burgundy interior, and you have one of the great debut models of 2014.
You get a better idea of how nice this casting is. Hot Wheels collectors are getting more and more familiar with Ryu's work, after coming over from Matchbox last year. There have been many Hot Wheels models that have that "Matchbox realism" feeling to them, with realistic ratios, intricate details, and side mirrors. That was one of Ryu's strengths at Matchbox, and he has clearly brought it over to blue. The Civic EF showcases it best, but so does the Fiat. And we know there are many more to come.
But let's ogle over the Fiat for awhile. You customizers are probably thinking turning this version into an Abarth should be easy, and we agree. The pearl white is very sharp, and showcases how sporty the little Fiat really is. It even makes the dreaded Y5 wheels look nice.
We imagine this model won't be as hard to find as the red version ended up being, as it will probably carry through at least a second batch, as recolors usually do. Good thing, because the white will end up being the model to have...
Hot Wheels Fiat 500 (2014 New Model):
