Just Unveiled: 2014 Hot Wheels Then & Now Scion FR-S...

We know we are not alone in our fondness for the Hot Wheels Then & Now series.  Last year's set, consisting of mainly muscle cars - Challengers, Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, etc - in their nostalgic and current incarnations sporting similar deco, was a treat to collect.

We now have photos of the first set of 2014.  We already knew the AE86 Corolla had a "Now" counterpart to compliment its "Then", and now, unsurprisingly, we know what it is.

Say hello to the 2014 deco on the Scion FR-S...

...which shares the same deco as the recently released Toyota AE86 Corolla:

There was some debate on Hot Wheels boards as to what the companion model would be to the Corolla.  Some thought the Corolla was the Now, and the Then would be the Toyota 2000GT.  Uh, no.  First, the 2000GT was already released in 2014 in a different deco.  Second, the hachi may be a very hot car right now, but it is most assuredly a nostalgic "Then".  Third, if you live in Japan, and drive the equivalent of the FR-S there, you are driving a car called the Toyota 86.

Toyota sees the 86/FR-S as a logical descendent to the AE86, and thankfully so does Hot Wheels.  Because of it we are getting a version of the FR-S that is far superior deco-wise to the First Edition released in 2013.  The silver is sharp, and the deco wonderfully retro.

We can't wait to put these two side-by-side...

Lamley News: November 2nd Kmart Days Exclusives & First-to-Markets have been unveiled...

A quick pop-in to let you know that Kmart has unveiled the exclusives and first-to-market models that will be available at the upcoming Kmart Hot Wheels event on November 2nd.

As always, the 36-count cases are available for sale online, and the photos were included in the listing.  There are a few that surely interest us, namely the first-to-market Toyota AE86 & Kool Kombi for 2014, and the exclusive colors on the Cadillac CTS-V and Nissan Titan.

We will be at our local Kmart this Saturday and will surely report our finds, and we hope those of you attending will as well.

For now, here is what to expect this Saturday.  Which models are you looking forward to?

Kmart Exclusives:

Cadillac CTS-V

Nissan Titan

Custom '64 Galaxie 500

Dodge Challenger SRT8

First-to-Market:

Toyota AE86 Corolla

Kool Kombi

Chevy Silverado

Model of the Day: Kyosho Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86)...

In keeping with a certain Toyota theme over the next several days (2000GT Super yesterday, new Supra tomorrow, HW AE86 variation alert coming soon) let's jump away from our friends at Mattel for a minute, but keep ourselves in that "Oh, What a Feeling!" range.

And oh what a model.  I have had my eyes peeled for a Kyosho AE86 for some time now.  Older Kyosho models are becoming harder and harder to find, particularly their JDM ranges.  We have seen a lot of European and American makers coming out of the Kyosho factory of late, and while many of those ranges have been superb, nothing beats Kyosho's Japanese car models.  We are happy to see a Mazda set just over the horizon, but if you want some of the other signature JDM cars, you have to go back.

I am still after a 1:64 Kyosho Kenmeri, as well as a 2000GT, but I have my Hakosuka, and now I finally have my hachiroku.  It is not bearing the famous black and white Initial D duds, but I am very happy with the silver and black.  Plus Kyosho's mini black watanabes are a treat.

In case you are wondering, there is currently one Kyosho 1:64 AE86 on ebay this minute.  And you can always find a slew of Kyosho models over at DMC (daboxtoys).


Kyosho Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE86):

My tiny Kyosho nostalgic set:

Then and Now: