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**guy64** · 05-28-2020, 04:23 PM

The Great Spotted Humvee is sighted...

... and we're not sure what the schtick is about.

This one's from the "Scrapheads" Series #3 of 2004. I looked at the other four castings in the series, and I can't figure out the central theme. One car has a Viking on it. Another has a hooded skull. Each of them carries a common insignia composed of battle axes and a spiky round thing.

So, there's that.

"And all this time I thought those leopard spots were about some jungle motif..."

That's what I thought too, Officer. Maybe they're not leopard spots. You just can't always tell these days.

**jt3** · 05-28-2020, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by guy64 View Post

I don't think so. The 1997 Police Force 5-Pack shown on HW Wiki has (besides the Humvee) a
Proper Chopper, an Olds Aurora, a SWAT Delivery Truck and a "School Bus" (prison bus, actually). They're in "the cases" but I do remember having all those castings.

"What? You got a SWAT truck? I haven't seen that!"

The requirements for vehicle viewing are known to you, Officer. Given how long it's been, I'm surprised you remember not seeing it.

"Well, that drug-sniffing dog pickup sounds interesting."

Indeed it does, Officer. I'd never heard of that. Maybe jt3 will tell us more.

This is a borrowed image that I edited. Kinda hard to see, but just behind the cab it says Drug Sniffing K9 I didn't recall it being in single blister, but apparently it was. I recall it being in a 5 pack, but I don't knock 'em out of the park every time at bat...

I do recall a bit of an uproar and this model was quietly discontinued.

**guy64** · 05-29-2020, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by jt3 View Post

I do recall a bit of an uproar and this model was quietly discontinued.

VERY interesting pic! Many thanx, jt3!

I see the "Drug Sniffing K9" tamp behind the cab (along with the HW logo). There's also some really tiny printing on the B pillar. I wonder what that says.

I don't see the problem with it. Bert's police Humvee has "ANTI-DRUG UNIT" tamped under the doors, and that didn't seem to bother anybody. Veeeeeerry interesting...

"Probly very collectable, too, kid."

Well, we are talking Hot Wheels here, Officer.

**guy64** · 05-29-2020, 04:06 PM

Bert has an affinity for Corvettes...

... especially when they're from the "Auto Affinity" series.

It's the wheels, I think. I also think it's because he gets to practice his "Just you watch it!" GLARE.

"I gotta keep these 2-seater guys in line somehow, kid."

Whatever works, Officer.

**guy64** · 05-30-2020, 01:48 PM

Another 2-seater at which Bert may direct his GLARE...

... and this one's made for racing!

This Callaway C7 from the 2003 "Hall of Fame Legends" series is pretty much like the 1998 FE. It does have much better wheels/tires, and there's a bit of extra black tamping on the rear roof vents and the retaining straps, but that's about it. (Interestingly, this edition lacks the hood tamps of the FE.) As I mentioned in the FE post of 3/18/20, Mattel's generic 5SP wheels look more like the real car's wheels than these mags.

"Well, I still like these mags better, kid."

As do I, Officer. Which is good, because I had to pay extra for them. But don't let those cool wheels distract you from your GLARE duties.

"No chance of that, kid. This guy's earned the high intensity setting."

Uh-oh, that's where Bert lowers his shades. Look out, everybody!

**guy64** · 06-01-2020, 02:17 PM

An old re-issue...

... of an even older oldie.

I was very curious about the Side Kick when I first heard about it, long after its first appearing in 1972. It was a surprise to see such an old casting reissued after so many years, especially one with its moving part still moving. The car's one and only seat (on its right side) pops out to the right. I guess that's safer than having it pop out to the left into traffic, but it's still kinda strange that this supposedly American car is decidedly right-hand drive only.

Otoh, since this 2001 mainline edition is a "Hot Wheels Postal Express" vehicle, I guess the curb-side access is very safe and convenient.

"Maybe 'safe and convenient', kid, but where is there room in this thing for any mail?"

It's from the HW World, Officer. We're not supposed to think of practical stuff like that.

**guy64** · 06-02-2020, 02:08 PM

Seen before (9/25/19) in yellow...

... the Isuzu VehiCROSS looks good in red as well.

This is the 2003 Mainline edition. The 2000 FE is silver. As nice as it is, this casting hasn't been used much; the last issue was the "Tiki Torchers" edition of 2004. That was the only one out of four versions with white fenders. The other three have black fenders as seen here. We do wonder why this casting hasn't been issued for such a long time.

"Who's 'we', kid? I've never lost sleep over this one."

What, you're not waiting for a B+W unit, Officer?

"You kiddin'? Who needs this when I've got a Humvee?"

I see what you mean, Officer, as long as you're not buying your own gas. But you've probably hurt Joe Isuzu's feelings.

"Wellllll... tell him if he doesn't cry, I'll give him a brand new house."

**guy64** · 06-03-2020, 02:27 PM

When Ford went full-on retro...

... with the 2004 Mustang GT Concept.

There is no shortage of Mustangs in the HW world. In fact, one has to be careful one has the correct Mustang when one addresses the subject in Mattel-ville. This 2004 Concept was--IINM--the basis for the production 2005 Mustang; a particularly favorite subject of Mattel it seems. At least two versions of the 2005 'Stang have been tooled, and there are two versions of the 2004 Concept as well.

One thing that stands out with this casting is the roof. Except for the sides, the whole roof is one plastic piece. That must have made it simpler when Mattel retooled the roof to include a light bar.

"Light bar? Kid, you mean there's a police version of this?"

Several, Officer. Police, sheriff, state trooper, fire department, seems like everything but dog catcher.

"Well then, I want one!"

In that case, I hope you like colored glass. Once Mattel tooled a light bar into the roof, the windshields got... um... colorful.

"Oh. Well, never mind then."

It's just as well, Officer. You wouldn't want to compromise your "Chevy guy" status, anyway.

**guy64** · 06-04-2020, 03:16 PM

And now for something completely...

... generic.

"Nitrium" is a variation of "natrium", which was the original name for sodium, the chemical element.

"Nitrium" is also a name for a certain potash compound.

"Nitrium" was also a material named in the Star Trek TNG episode Cost of Living.

And in 2005, "Nitrium" became a HW car; one of the "AcceleRacers". Versatile stuff, this nitrium.

This is one of HW's double-duty generic concepts, being rendered as both a regular HW (as seen above) and as a Happy Meal toy (to be seen later). The HM toy lights up, but this version has much better wheels. These wheels were first used on the AcceleRacers series.

"If this thing doesn't light up, what's that weird purple glow near my feet?"

Mmm, I think that's some light getting through the right front tire, Officer.

"Through the... tire? Light gets through the tires? They're that thin?"

Not thin, Officer, just translucent. With the AcceleRacers, Mattel introduced us to clear tires. In various colors. These happen to be purple. To match the glass, I suppose. Or maybe the glass color was chosen to match the tires. What, you don't like purple tires?

"I haven't made up my mind on that issue, kid. But the wheels look like they're tryin' to claw their way out of those purple tires. Jus' sayin'."

That's the CM6 look, Officer. It's a... look. Ya like it or ya don't. I do! I've got several wheel donors ready to give these up (though the tires aren't purple).

**Mark F.** · 06-05-2020, 08:59 AM

Purple tires are good if you want purple smoke.

**guy64** · 06-05-2020, 12:50 PM

Is that a Holden Ute peeking out of that purple smoke?

**guy64** · 06-05-2020, 01:00 PM

We seem to have encountered another favorite...

... and the Boom Box is definitely a favorite. A personal favorite, that is. In 1/64 diecast form, anyway.

This one's from the 2004 "Tag Rides" series. We like this color combination better than the FE seen a while ago (post #222). The uncolored chrome of the lower grill goes much better with chrome wheels than the "sorta-brass" that the FE carries, and the body... well, is it blue, or purple?

"Kid, whatever it is, it's better than maroon or burgundy or whatever that other color was. No contest."

I knew you'd prefer this one, Officer. Besides, there's no doubt about the tampo color.

"Definitely some blue in that alright, but what's with those arrows? What're they sayin' with those?"

Officer, I think it's a comment on what it feels like to explore the Four-Level. Anyway, the "Tag Rides" edition came with other wheels...

... so, we gots choices here.

"Yeah, kid. The Four Level offers lots of choices too. Trouble is; most of them are not the right one."

Sounds like a good place to play "Tag" with one's "Ride", Officer.

**Mark F.** · 06-05-2020, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by guy64 View Post

Is that a Holden Ute peeking out of that purple smoke?

Yeah. You might have one in your Matchbox collection.

**guy64** · 06-06-2020, 04:51 PM

The wheels get us again...

Somebody must've told Mattel what gets us; cool wheels.

A 2003 FE, the HW Cadillac Cien was renamed "Cadillac Cien Concept" in 2004. The one Bert stands next to is not the FE (which featured red glass), but the Auto Affinity "Got Speed" edition. HW Wiki lists it, but has no pic.

"Not my fault, kid."

That's okay, Officer. I just thought--y'know--what with your desire to be informative and all, you'd want to help out a HW reference site.

"Kid, yer lookin' at the only 'reference' to this car I can do."

**guy64** · 06-08-2020, 03:27 PM

Once again, Mattel gets serious...

... with the Maserati Quattroporte!

This 2004 FE is done so nicely (by Mark Jones), it's hard to remember it's just a $1 HW. Only the generic (but still very appropriate) wheels give it away. The colors--body, glass, interior--are straight-down-the-road realistic. Mattel even made it part of their "Realistix" line of castings (which were not always so realistic). Sadly, 2004 is the only year the casting has been issued (a/o 6/8/20).

This Quattroporte is the 5th of six generations of Maserati's "four door" (the English meaning of "quattroporte"). This generation ran from 2003 to 2008, with a face-lifted version made through 2012. Some 5000 were built in 2006 alone.

There aren't many Maseratis in our collection. Off-hand, the only other example I can think of is a Merak; a mid-engine 2+2 by Tomica.

"Such a nice car, and you didn't even measure it for scale?"

Officer, if you'd care to step out onto the back lot of your department's headquarters, and stand in a certain spot for a couple hours, I'd be glad to dig the car out of the cases for a good going-over, dimensionally speaking.

"Kid, that sounds like way too much work, motivationally speaking."

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Bert's Torrid Tyres

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