Just Unveiled: Matchbox Gathering Dealer Exclusive Dodge Charger Albuquerque Police...

There is still a lot of Matchbox news to come out of the Gathering.  The Toyota Tacoma Dinner Model has been unveiled, Larry Scaduto has been named the new Ambassador (congrats!), the Mattel team has unveiled the 25 new tools for 2015, and we have gotten details on the first Matchbox models with "real riders" in years.  We are positive a few of you have gotten the details from friends on the Matchbox presentation, but it will all be laid out here with Nigel Cooper's final report as Ambassador coming very soon.  It will also be accompanied with pics of the upcoming 2014 and 2015 models that  we were able to take in the Lamley studio with Mattel's permission.

In the meantime, here are a few closeups of the other Gathering model, the Dodge Charger Police in Albuquerque Police livery.  We will go into more detail on this one later in the week.  In the meantime, here is what those who reserved a dealer table for the toy show today are taking home.

Enjoy:

Just Unveiled: Matchbox Gathering Dinner and Early-Registrant exclusive Toyota Tacoma...

Just a few minutes ago the cat was let out of the bag, and we can finally show the 2014 Matchbox Gathering Dinner Model, the Toyota Tacoma.  Because time is short, here are a couple of pics to let you see how great the model is, and look for a full showcase next week.

Keep in mind there are two models.  The actual Dinner Model, and the Early Registrant Variant.  The first model is the Dinner Model.

The second model is the Early Registrant variant, with only 75 produced for the first 75 attendees to register.  You can see the difference between the two is on the hood and roof.

There are several stories behind this dinner model, including Lamley's involvement in its design.  We are very proud to see the design idea we threw out at Mattel, an homage to classic Toyotas, included in the model.  We will give you the full story when we give it First Look treatment next week.

Just Unveiled: The Hot Wheels RLC Datsun 510 BRE is getting a brother, the BRE 240Z...

Maybe Hot Wheels is trying to steal a little Matchbox thunder this weekend, and maybe they succeeded.

Posted on the RLC sneaks this morning is none other than the upcoming Datsun 240Z in BRE livery, ready to join its very popular Datsun cousin. We will let Japanese Nostalgic Car give you the rundown, but rest assured the run on these will be quick.  We don't know when they are out, but you won't get one if you are not an RLC member and ready to reserve one the second they are made available.

E-sheet sneaks are up on the RLC site, but they ask for us not to show, and we will comply.  So we will use this fabulous custom by our friends at Madworks Kustom to give you an idea.  Just imagine spectraflame red with Neo wheels, same as on the 510:

First the 510, then the Toyota 2000GT, and now the 240Z.  It is definitely worth being an RLC member these days.  Who is excited?

Just Unveiled: North American variants of the Tomica Limited Vintage Nissan IDx Nismo & Freeflow coming later this year, plus more new TLV...

We look forward every few weeks to the unveiling of new models in the Tomica Limited Vintage line.  A few models are released each month, some new versions of existing castings, and others brand new.

Well yesterday the news got out of what TLV is producing for November and December of 2014, and there was a very interesting surprise.  It turns out that TLV is once again producing the Nissan IDx Nismo and Freeflow, but this time in their North American versions:

If you are not familiar with the North American versions, it is really just a change on the grill.  The IDx was unveiled at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Show, and then the concepts were shipped to the US to get car nuts here excited.  Before they arrived in the US, Nissan changed the front grill to align with the latest Nissan North America V-shaped design queue:

Tokyo:

North America:

Hopefully you can see the difference.  There might be other differences, but at this point the grill is all we know about.

So with such a small difference, will we be buying these two?  You bet we will.  If you are interested as well, just keep an eye out at Japan Booster.

As far as we know, both the Japan and North American IDx's will be produced in the same numbers, but if you don't have the current IDx's, now is the time.  They will be drying up very quickly.  You can still find them at Japan Booster, with free shipping.

Besides the IDx, there are more models coming, including a couple of fantastic Japanese vans.  Here are the sneaks provided by Tomica:

Toyota Town Ace Van:

Daihatsu Delta:

Seibu Keisatsu Super Z

We will try and get all of these over to Lamley once they are released.  In the meantime, head over to Japan Booster to check out the Tomica Limited Vintage available now...

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?

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels '71 Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt on the card...

Can the hype get any more frenzied?

Probably not, but it is bound to surge up a bit as the first image of the Datsun 510 Wagon Super has emerged.  And we thought we would pass it on:

Yep, she's a looker.  Just seeing it on the card makes me want to get all the sleep I need now just to be ready to hunt this one down when it is released in August/September.

And maybe doorwarming and whatever other techniques are used won't be necessary for some, as there is a VERY good chance this will be the Super at Kmart Days in September.  We don't know for sure, but we do know this is the last Super for 2015, and typically the last Super of the year is in Kday cases.  As soon as we know, we will be sure to pass it on.

So anyone excited?

Just Unveiled: Final Hot Wheels poster of 2014, with some nice news on upcoming models...

This just appeared on the HWC website, the final of 4 posters in 2014:

Yeah it is not very big, but it is clear enough to gather some interesting tidbits for the remainder of 2014.  Starting from the top:

• In the HW City segment, we can see the artwork for a few models we knew were coming, most notably the Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (Kenmeri), Porsche 934, and 2015 Mustang.  
• Also in HW City, we can see some recolors that we did not know were coming - the Mazda RX-7 in yellow, Lamborghini Veneno in orange, and what we think is the '71 Mustang Mach 1 in green.
• In the HW Race segment, it is all about the two BMW E36 M3's, one in red, and one in white.
• In HW Workshop, we see recolors for the Lamborghini Estoque, Corvette Stingray, and Nissan 370Z, plus two COPO Camaros, the Ford Transit from SEMA, BRG Morris Mini and yes, that little Datsun 510 Wagon that one or two of you are excited about.
• Lastly, the HW Off-Road segment has nothing that we are excited about, but the Skate Punk is back, if that floats your boat.

There still may be more news to come about 2014, including more recolors.  For now, this will do.  

Get out your glasses and have at it...

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels BMW E36 M3 Race in red...

That was fast.

No sooner did we ask the question about whether or not we would see the red version of the E36 that was previewed at Nationals, did we get our answer.

Yesterday we previewed the brand new Hot Wheels BMW E36 M3 in Alpine White, and expectedly many of you were very excited to see it is on its way.  Now we have images of the same model in red:

Same M3 Lightweight-type design, but in bright red.  Hard to say which one we like better.  We will make it easy and take both once they are out.

We also get a better idea of the model's stance, which a few of you have mentioned is a bit concerning.  It does seem a bit high, but we will withhold judgement until we have it in hand.

In the meantime, we will create some space in the collection for this model in both red and white, whichever comes first...

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels BMW E36 M3 Race...

Oh boy...

At the Hot Wheels Nationals Convention a few months ago, the Mattel team dropped a couple of new model bombs, announcing that two additions to the 2014 Mainline would be the Porsche 934 Turbo and BMW E36 M3.

Both came as a surprise, and a very happy surprise at that.  Hot Wheels continues to expand the variety of the models it is releasing, and some from very recent eras.  The 934 and E36 follow in the footsteps of the BMW 2002 and E30, as well as the Porsche 993 GT2, among many others.  To say we are excited about both of these is an understatement.

That is why the first images of the BMW E36 M3 make us very happy.  Check them out:

This model is different than the one previewed in the e-sheet image at Nationals:

Instead of red, it appears it will make its debut in classic BMW Alpine White with signature red and blue checkered racing trim, clearly evoking the style of the M3 Lightweight deco.  With that trim and spoiler, it looks very familiar:

We can't wait for this one to hit, and it looks to be soon.  Now to see that 934...

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R...

We previewed this a few days ago, but the model was incomplete.  Now, images have finally surfaced showing the soon-to-be-released C110 Skyline GT-R, complete in its tribute livery to the 72 Tokyo Auto Show edition, along with gold MC5 wheels.

We figured these would be the wheels used, as they made the most sense for a basic model, and it looks great.  Of course, this casting could sport flames and any wheel and I would still buy a few.  The Kenmeri is my favorite Hot Wheels model.  Not one of my favorites, but my favorite.  If you need any evidence, I took this photo on Sunday while going through the collection:

Yeah, I am a tad excited for this one...

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Zamac Exclusives for 2014 Batch N...

Wait, aren't we waiting for the Batch L Zamacs to arrive?

We are, and they should arrive very soon.  The Chevelle Wagon, Lincoln Continental, and '69 Chevy Pickup should be in stores in the next couple of weeks.  But in the world of Hot Wheels they are already old news.

Some interesting eBay listings popped up from Texas this weekend, showcasing what the specific three Zamacs would be for Batch N, and they do not disappoint.  We knew these were coming eventually, we just didn't know when.  A little Ford, a little Chevy, and a little JDM never hurt anyone:

Nice trio, eh?  Mustang fans will love the '67 Custom, but we here at Lamley can't wait to get our hands on the Hakosuka Skyline and Chevelle SS.  In fact, we might have to get an extra, or 10.

Nonetheless, the Zamacs continue to be a very strong line in 2014, with three more to be unveiled.  At the pace we are going, we might know what they are tomorrow...

Has the last Super of 2014 been unveiled, or the first of 2015?

This VERY interesting photo just started circulating, and it definitely piques our curiosity:

So what are we looking at?  A strange, but fantastic-looking, recolor of the 2014 Kool Kombi?  Or the first Super of 2015?  

Either way, we want it.  Your thoughts?

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt and Mainline...

Thanks to our friends at Speedhunters and Mattel Designer Jun Imai, the biggest news for Hot Wheels JDM fans is finally out of the bag.

Rumors have been swirling about a Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt, and now we can finally confirm it is coming.  Speedhunters asked Jun to give a retrospective of his first 10 years at Mattel, and he delivered a doozy.  No need for us to rehash.  Just read the article and drool over the pics:

A Decade of Design: Jun Imai's Hot Wheels Favorites

The Datsun as a mainline will already be a very hot model, so we here at Lamley figure the Super TH will be white hot.  The model is based on Jun's own 510 Wagon, only in red.  (The Boulevard is closer to the green he used.)

And on top of that, Jun gives a shoutout to some of his (and our) favorite Japanese car enthusiasts, namely Japanese Nostalgic Car, Speedhunters, JCCS, and our Utah compatriots JDM Legends.  This, friends, is an epic model.

Anyone excited?