Sunday, September 27, 2020

Hot Wheels Photo: HW Dream Mobile at the Atlantic Theater

 One interesting addition to the Hot Wheels line up for 2020 is the Hot Wheels Dream Mobile.  It is part of the 10 piece Hot Wheels Dream Garage collection.  It brings a retro futuristic look to the collection with the optimistic looks of the 1950s.  The 1960s vintage Atlantic Theater in Atlantic Beach, Florida, makes a great backdrop for this design.  It looks like this model car was made to visit this theater!

The Hot Wheels Dream Mobile at the Atlantic Theater

Amazingly this retro look comes from the very first Mattel toy car design.  According to the Hot Wheels Wiki, the design of the Dream Mobile is based on a 1953 Mattel design for a 1/24-scale friction powered toy car.
The Front Grill of the Hot Wheels Dream Mobile

I love the bubble top, the trunk portholes, and the toothy grin of this model.  It's a throwback to a forward looking time and, frankly, in these times, I love the optimism!

Collect this Hot Wheels Car

If you'd like to add a version of this desirable car to your collection, there are several to choose from Hot Wheels Ford GT40 on Amazon.



Sunday, September 20, 2020

Hot Wheels Convertible Corvette Out On The Town

If you are going to own a Chevy Corvette C7 Z06 Convertible, you can't keep it in the garage all the time.  You've got to cruise.  You've got to get out on the town to see and be seen.  It's no different with this Hot Wheels version.

Hot Wheel Corvette Convertible C7 Z06 (front view)

This shapely car just begs to be seen under the bright lights of the big city.  This one is taking in the scene at The Battery a development that includes the Atlanta Braves stadium.

Hot Wheels Corvette Convertible C7 C06 cruising the battery.

For a brighter view of this automobile, check out some of my other Hot Wheels Corvette C7 Convertible photos.

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Hot Wheels 1976 Greenwood Corvette

The mid-1970s were not good for muscle cars.  High gas prices, gas lines, and emissions standards all conspired to limit the horsepower of cars like the Chevrolet Corvette.  But, the race track was another matter.  John and Burt Greenwood took a specially designed wide-body Corvette to the racetrack and showed the world that the Corvette could still be world class.

Hot Wheels 1976 Greenwood Corvette
If you'd like to read more on the history of these fantastic racing Corvettes, check out this Road & Track article:  The Greenwood Corvettes were Star-Spangled Endurance Champions.

Hot Wheels 1976 Greenwood Corvette

Monday, September 7, 2020

Hot Wheels Tooned '69 Chevelle Goes to a Beach Town

The great thing about "Tooned" cars is that their exaggerated features make them very photogenic.  When I stuck my new 2020 Hot Wheels Tooned 1969 Chevelle in my pocket for a quick run down to the Jacksonville, Florida, beaches, I thought I'd might have a chance to take a couple of quick photos.

Here are a couple of photos from near the Jacksonville Beach city hall.






Sunday, September 6, 2020

Is the Hot Wheels Track Ripper inspired by the Dodge VIper?

I took these exclusive spy photos of the Hot Wheels Speed Blur series Track Ripper behind an old abandoned Pizza Hut location near my home.  With a dazzling camouflage scheme to break up its lines, I really had to look hard to identify the lines of this car.


Ever since I got the Hot Wheels Track Ripper a few months ago, I've wondered what inspired it.  At a glance, I think this heavily disguised car looks like some prototype Dodge Viper concept.  Of course, that's just my opinion.  Check out this photo of a Dodge Viper SRT10 GTS:

Dodge Viper SRT10 GTS - Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

The similarities between the cars are striking.  However, I can also see elements of my McLaren F1 GTR.  On the track, it could probably give the Corvette C7 Z06 a run for the money.


If you are on the Orange Hot Wheels track, I learned from this entry on Orange Track that the front bumper of this Hot Wheels pushes up for better aerodynamics and ground clearance.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Drugstore Diecast: Kinsmart Fiat 500 Pullback Car

The original Fiat 500 is an iconic European car. It was made in Italy from 1957 to 1975 and nearly 4 million were sold. In 2007, Fiat created a modern Fiat 500 that was just recently discontinued. The original and the new version are both European cars with quirks and idiosyncrasies.  They are also pretty tiny.  They aren't as tiny as this toy version from Kinsmart.

Kinsmart Fiat 500 Pullback Car

This version is based on the original designs for the Fiat 500 from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. It's a sharp looking little racer.

Rear View of the Kinsmart Fiat 500 Pullback Car

The original Fiat 500 is an iconic European car. It was made in Italy from 1957 to 1975 and nearly 4 million were sold. In 2007, Fiat created a modern Fiat 500 that was just recently discontinued. The original and the new version are both European cars with quirks and idiosyncrasies.  They are also pretty tiny.  They aren't as tiny as this toy version from Kinsmart.

Update 2025 --

The Charm of the Original Fiat 500: Small Size, Modest Power, Mighty Efficiency

The original Fiat 500, affectionately dubbed the "Cinquecento," is a timeless icon of compact design and frugal engineering. Launched in 1957, this pint-sized Italian marvel was crafted to navigate the narrow, bustling streets of post-war Europe. Measuring just under 3 meters long and weighing around 500 kg, the Fiat 500 was a master of minimalism, offering unparalleled maneuverability in crowded cities. Its tiny footprint and tight turning radius made parking a breeze, even in the tightest spots, earning it a devoted following among urban drivers.

Don’t expect thrilling performance, though. The Fiat 500’s two-cylinder, air-cooled engine—starting at 479 cc and later upgraded to 594 cc—produced a modest 13 to 23 horsepower. Acceleration was leisurely, with 0-60 km/h taking upwards of 30 seconds, and top speeds barely touched 100 km/h (62 mph). This anemic output was no match for highways or steep hills, but it wasn’t meant to be. The 500 was built for practicality, not speed, offering just enough power to zip through city traffic with a cheeky grin.

Where the Fiat 500 shone was its fuel efficiency. Sipping just 4.5-5.5 liters per 100 km (42-52 mpg US), it was a champion of economy in an era of rising fuel costs. This efficiency, paired with its low maintenance costs, made it a favorite for budget-conscious drivers. The Cinquecento’s blend of small size, modest performance, and stellar fuel economy cemented its legacy as a practical yet charming microcar, proving that less can indeed be more.

For those craving a nostalgic, no-frills ride, the original Fiat 500 remains an enduring symbol of simplicity and efficiency.