Matchbox Corvette ZR1

Even standing still this Matchbox looks dramatic and fast.  It was a sad day when I discovered that I couldn't fit comfortably in a real Chevrolet Corvette.  But, the Matchbox version is far less expensive and really cheap to insure!

Matchbox Corvette ZR1

Hess Truck - A 2007 Hess Monster Truck

Yesterday, I ran across this unusual collectible Hess truck at a local thrift store.  It's a Monster Truck with a flame job and a Hess logo.  I've known Hess truck collectors in the past and I always thought that the collection was limited to gas station fuel trucks and fire trucks.  This one was quite different.

2007 HESS Monster Truck

The 50 year tradition of Hess Truck collecting didn't die with the Hess service station chain.  Today it lives on as evidenced by this Hess Toy Truck Blog.  As it turns out, this Hess Monster truck was part of a set sold in 2007 with two toy motorcycles. 

Hot Wheels 1970 Chevy Camaro Road Race

This is the Hot Wheels '70 Camaro Road Race.  It's a beautiful red rendition of the 1970 Chevrolet Camaro.  According to the original review of the 1970 Camaro by Car and Driver, the 1970 Camaro offered high performance in a package that was a bit more refined than it's wilder predecessors. 

Hot Wheels 1970 Chevy Camaro Road Race

The 1970 Camaro Z/28 sported a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds with an automatic transmission and a 350 cubic inch V-8 engine.  However, hotter powerplants were available for the daring.

The original 1970 Camaro came in at $4,475.70.  Today's Z/28 is a dedicated track car that comes in with a base price of $75,000.  Mine cost about a dollar.  With a 0 to 60 time of 4.4 seconds and a 7.0 liter V-8, the modern Z/28 is a monster.

Hot Wheels Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento (or Sixth Element) is the newest addition to my Hot Wheels collection.  This Hot Wheels version looks like a stealth fighter done in white.

The real Lamborghini Sesto Elemento has an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber body and is powered by a 5.2 liter V-10 engine that produces 570 horsepower.  In a car that weighs less than a Honda Fit, this produces 0 to 60 times of around 2.5 seconds. 

Of course, I don't flog my Lamborghini like that.  Mine is strictly for static display and taking a slow roll across an end table or desk.  If you want to see road test, check out this video:

Hot Wheels Lotus M250 Concept Car

This tiny Lotus is one of the flowers of my Hot Wheels collection.  It's the famed Lotus M250 Concept Car. 

Hot Wheels Lotus M250

According to Diseno-Art.com, the Lotus M250 was a concept car created to fit into the Lotus line-up between the Lotus Elise and Lotus Esprit.  It had a top speed of 155 miles per hour with a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds.  While the M250 never made it into production, aspects of the design were implemented in other Lotus sports cars.

Hot Wheels Cadillac LMP Race Car

Between 2000 and 2002, Cadillac re-entered the world of racing with its Cadillac Northstar LMP race car.  It was raced in the American LeMans series and appeared in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring races.  The car was based on the famed Cadillac Northstar V-8 engine.

Hot Wheels Cadillac LMP Race Car

While the car was not triumphant, it did well for a fledgling effort.  Cadillac Northstar LMP cars had several Top 10 finishes and often recorded fastest laps.  However, GM pulled the plug on Cadillac racing efforts.

Hot Wheels Cadillac LMP Race Car

The Rarest Ferrari - Ferrari 250 GTO

The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of rarest cars to wear the prancing stallion logo.  According to Ferrari by Dennis Adler, only 39 Ferrari 250 GTO road/race cars were produced between 1962 and 1964. The car produced over 300 horsepower from a powerful V-12 engine.  The top speed was 280 kilometers per hour.

 Ferrari 250 GTO from the Ralph Lauren Collection, Photo by SFoskett Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons License)

These extremely rare cars are among the most expensive cars on the planet.  In recent years, the Ferrari 250 GTO has sold for as high as $52 million.  The most recent one to sell went for $38 million.  For those of use with more modest means,a die-cast 1/18 scale Ferrari 250 GTO like this one from Bburago is a great addition to any collection.