Hot Wheels 1957 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago and put this Hot Wheels pickup truck back in a case full of cars.  But, I'm not sure which case.  In any case, this looks like a 1957 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup truck.  It has a metal bottom, great looking wheels, and a nice striping job.  It's a great truck for pine tree lined country road in north Georgia.

Hot Wheels 1957 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup Truck

Now for the big question:  Here's a real 1957 Chevy Pickup?  Do you think I picked the right one?

Photo By dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada (Classic pickup - 1957 Chevrolet) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Matchbox Blaze Blitzer Fire Truck

This is my new Matchbox Blaze Blitzer Fire Truck.  It's a very cool addition to my collection.  As I was looking to find a suitable place to photograph this one, I took a close look at it.  Initially, I thought it might be a airport fire truck due to it's self contained nature.  But, then I noticed the crown on the door and realized that this Matchbox Fire Engine is probably inspired by European fire trucks.  Here in the United States most fire trucks carry some of their heaviest hoses externally along the sides.

The angled windows and the headlights on this Matchbox model strongly resemble Scania fire trucks.
 

 Here is a similar cab in Hastings Fire Service.

Hastings 561 - Type 3 Scania Fire Appliance - photo By Derek Qiinn (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This Scania fire engine in Lausanne, Switzerland, shows the external doors and the roofline in more detail and again the same angle for the windows.

Fire Engine in Switzerland By Rama (Own work) [CeCILL (http://www.cecill.info/licences/Licence_CeCILL_V2-en.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

The presence of a fire nozzle on the roof of the Matchbox Blaze Blitzer brings me back to Scania Airport fire trucks.

You'll see more similarities in this Manchester airport fire engine.

Manchester Airport Fire Engine - By pit-yacker [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Ultimately, the inspiration truck doesn't matter as long as the Matchbox Blaze Blitzer makes it to the fire on time!

I have a few other fire vehicles in my collection.  For example, this Chevrolet Corvair Fire Chief's car is pretty cool as is this Johnny Lightning Fire Chief's car.

Hot Wheels Jaguar F-Type Project 7 and the Snowman

This is my new Hot Wheels 2015 Jaguar F-type, Project 7, on a tour of the neighborhood.  The local kids did a great job of making a snowman from the small amount of snow we got here this winter.

Pool Side with a Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

Johnny Lightning brand die-cast cars were some of the best.  I collected mine when they were owned by Playing Mantis.  They had plenty of traditional muscle cars in their mix.  This is their take on the 1969 Chevy Camaro.

Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

I like this car because of its all-metal construction and nice wheels.  The hood also opens to reveal the V-8 engine.

Johnny Lightning 1969 Chevy Camaro

Here's a real 1969 Chevy Camaro, but this one has a vented hood due to a massive 396-cubic inch V-8 powerplant!

1969 Chevy Camaro with 396-cubic inch V-8 photo by emilydickinsonridesabmx from Fort Hamilton Brooklyn, New York, USA (1967 Chevy Camaro 396 SS) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Hot Wheels 1962 Chevy II / Hot Wheels Chevy Nova

Here's my Hot Wheels 1962 Chevy Nova.  Unlike many of my diecast cars, this is a car that I actually have some exposure to in real life.  When I was a kid, my parents bought two basic Chevy II sedans over the years as restoration projects.  We always knew them as a Chevy II.  In fact, according to Steve's Nova site, Nova was just a high level trim package on the Chevy II up until 1968.  On one of our cars, my parents painted the exterior and re-upholstered the interior.  It actually looked pretty nice.  But, they sold it sometime before we moved to Florida.

Here's a brick-oven special Hot Wheels 1962 Chevy Nova

My folks bought a second 1962 Chevy Nova when we lived in Florida. When I was in late elementary school or early junior high, I spent lots of time taking parts off of the engine and cleaning them. It was great fun. But, we never did get the car running. I think someone made my dad and offer at some point and he sold it.  But, it was an interesting project car.  Sometimes I wish we would have had the funds for a crate motor just to get it rolling long.  Today, Chevy II and Chevy Nova cars sell for big bucks on eBay motors.  This Hot Wheels version sold for a buck at Dollar Tree.

A Hot Wheels 1962 Chevy Nova parked in a prime space!

I'm glad that my Chevy Nova from Hot Wheels is perfect.  Since it comes from the Hot Wheels Muscle Mania collection it is a first rate Nova trim level car.  It doesn't have rusted out floorboards. It doesn't have old rotten looking tires. It doesn't have an engine in bits and pieces. It's just perfect and it's easy to maintain!

Here's rear quarter shot of the Hot Wheels 1962 Chevy Nova

With this Chevy Nova, I don't need to do any maintenance.

Hot Wheels Nitro Doorslammer hits the Waffle House

This car was a bit of a mystery.  The label on the bottom was simply K6135.  But, once again the Hot Wheels Wikia came through.  I like this car because it has a long, aggressive, and slightly rednecky look.  In short, it was the perfect car to take with me to a local Atlanta Waffle House.  It's the kind of car that could mix  it up with Kid Rock and his entourage.

The Hot Wheels Nitro Doorslammer

If you are in the market for a cool looking Hot Wheels car, the Nitro Doorslammer might be a great addition to your menu.

The Nitro Doorslammer would be good scattered, smothered, covered, and capped!

Hot Wheels 1978 Pontiac Firebird

Nothing epitomized the late 1970s and early 1980s more than the Pontiac Trans Am.  It was the car of Smokey and the Bandit and of hairy-chested guys with medallions everywhere!  So, get your medallion and get ready to roll, 1970s style! Here's our ride.  It's my 1978 Pontiac Firebird from Hot Wheels just pulling out of the mechanic's garage.

Hot Wheels 1978 Pontiac Firebird

Hey man, is that Freedom Rock, well crank it up!

They must of details the car while it was in the shop, because it is looking fine.  You can almost hear the rumble of the big V-8!

Hot Wheels 1978 Firebird

Let's rumble by the photographer for another pass.  Does this side make us look good!  Let's peel out into traffic!

1978 Pontiac Firebird

Oh man! It's the law! What a bummer!

Pontiac Firebird Pulled Over