The Lamley Awards: The Reader's Choice and Lamley Selection for Worst 2012 Hot Wheels New Model...

We like to dwell on the positive here at Lamley.  All the brands we feature here create plenty of fantastic models.  So many in fact that there is never really a reason to focus on the negative.  There will always be models we don't like, and that is fine as long as there are models we do like.

But let's be honest, it is fun sometimes to jump into the muck and play around a bit.  There are times you go to the pegs and have to take a step back because a model is just plain ugly.  Or maybe you are looking forward to a model, and once you have it, it just doesn't live up to your expectations.  Whatever the reason, we asked our Lamley readers to give us their votes for Worst New Model, and once again, we got a huge response.

Two days ago we featured the Reader's Best New Model, and yesterday profiled Lamley's choice.  Because we want to stay positive, we will reveal both the reader's and Lamley choices in this post.  And one other thing: I don't have photos of most of these models.  Like a lot of you, I was just not compelled enough to buy them.  So once again I will rely on our good friends at South Texas, who aren't afraid of photographing any models.

Alright, hide your eyes, and enter at your own risk.  Let's cautiously wander into the ewwwwwwww...

Reader's Choice:

First off, some fun facts about the votes that came in from our readers:

• There were three models that finished FAR ahead of any others.
• 23 of the 50 New Models in 2012 were mentioned at least once.
• Of those 23, only 5 were real licensed vehicles - The Mars Rover, '61 Impala, Harley Fat Boy, Bentley Continental, and '71 Roadrunner. 
• There were three licensed fantasy vehicles mentioned - The two Angry Birds cars, and The Bat.  The Mystery Machine and KITT escaped being on the list.

And now on with it.  We mentioned that three models finished far ahead of the the others.  There was an overwhelming theme with the votes.  Voters selected the models they thought were ugly.  Many times the votes would be accompanied with a comments how ugly or pointless the model seems to be.  And no model got more venom than the Reader's Choice for Worst New Model, the Troy Soldier:

#1 - Troy Soldier:

Of course I cannot speak for the readers, so I will let the image do the talking.  Yes, it is a Trojan helmet with wheels.  Maybe USC fans like it, but that is even saying a lot.

#2 - Mad Splash:

Keeping with the theme, it is a boat.  On water.  Over wheels.  I actually think it is a bit creative, but that was not the category now, was it?

#3 - Altered Ego:

Now hot rods are not my thing, so I pretty much ignored this one.  The collectors didn't.  They did not like it.  Would they change their mind if they knew Larry Wood designed this one?

There were two others that finished ahead of the rest.  Sense a theme?

#4 - Eagle Massa:

Psssst - don't let race car drivers design a Hot Wheels car.

#5 - Growler:

And finally a dog-looking car.  Grrrrrrrrrr...


Lamley's Choice:

Now I imagine that quite a few people will not agree with this choice, so I think I should explain.

Yesterday, I explained that the 2013 Dodge Viper SRT was one of the finalists for Best New Model because I ended up liking it A LOT more than I thought I would.  That is the same reasoning behind the Lamley Choice for Worst New Model.  While I agree that the five models above are pretty unappealing, I know that there will be that segment of models every year.  I just let someone else enjoy them. 

To me the worst new model is the model that disappoints me the most.  Like the Viper surprised me the most when I had to expectations, this one just wasn't what I hoped it would be once I had it in hand.  For that reason, the Porsche Boxster Spider is the Lamley choice for Worst Hot Wheels New Model in 2012:

Now yes, there is a lot to like about this model.  Look at it from the front, and it looks great.  In fact, I am still excited to collect all versions of this model.  But I had to pick something, and I picked the Porsche because something is just not right.  That sluggish rear just doesn't work.  Taillight tampos would help, but something about just doesn't capture the real car.  The front looks like the new Boxster.  The rear doesn't.  The Porsche Cayman casting has the same issue, but the two 911's released in the last couple of years don't.  And from the photos I have seen of the new 918, it looks great too.

But I love Porsches, and I am always excited for new Porsche castings.  This one just didn't live up to the bill.

The Lamley Awards: The votes are in, and the 2012 Hot Wheels Best New Model is...

Before we jump into the results, I must thank everyone who participated.  When we decided to do the Lamley Awards, there was some serious doubt as to whether we would actually get enough votes in to make it worth it.

Well, we got way more than anyone anticipated.  With many thanks to our good friend Derek Albert, aka doomus on HWC, we got a pretty thorough representation of collectors from all over the world.  It literally took hours to count all the votes.  We hope you enjoyed making your selections. 

Today we announce the Readers Choice for Hot Wheels Best New Model, and tomorrow we will profile the Lamley's choice in the same category.  And over the next few days, we will do the same with Worst New Model, Best and Worst Treasure Hunts, Best Premium and Collectible Models, and finally announce the Hot Wheels Model of the Year.  Keep coming back to see if your choices made it.

So without further ado, our 2012 Lamley Award for Hot Wheels Best New Model of the Year goes to...

K.I.T.T. Knight Industries Two Thousand:

I will refrain from a long write-up because KITT is our reader's choice.  I can't speak for them.  But I will say that the vote was very close between our #1 and #2 selections that it merited a recount.  It was about as close as Michael Knight is macho.  (see: "extremely")  This was one of the models I thought had a chance to win.  An iconic car, especially for Generation X, and a great model to boot.  A very worthy choice for New Model of the Year.  It will take its lofty place in the soon-to-be-built Lamley Hall of Fame.

Now you ask, which model barely lost?  Well, let us answer that.  In fact, why don't we give you the Top 5, with an additional five Honorable Mentions.  Again, these are ranked based on our readers votes:

#2 - Mazda RX-7:

#3 - Custom '71 El Camino:

#4 - '78 Dodge Li'l Red Express Pickup:

#5 - BMW 2002:

What I love about this Top 5 is how diverse it is.  We have JDM represented, a German classic, a pickup, and a muscle car.  And it doesn't stop there.  Look at the next group of five:

Honorable Mention:

#6 - Mystery Machine:

#7 - 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z:

#8 - '61 Impala:

#9 - '12 Camaro ZL1:

#10 - '12 Lamborghini Aventador:

It is very cool to see such different types of models make the Top 10.  Did your model make it?  Do you agree?  Disagree?  And if you want to know where your favorites ranked, just ask.  I would be happy to divulge...

Are there models you passed on before that now maybe you want to add to the collection?  It happens to me all the time.

If you missed some of these, ask around on our Facebook Page.  One of our friends might have extras.  Or head over to ebay, and see if you can snag what you want...