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.

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.

Hot Wheels Corvette C7 Z06 Convertible

If you want a Corvette C7 Z06 Convertible, it helps to have $60,000 to $80,000 available.  If your budget can't accommodate it, you can downsize your Corvette dream to a more manageable $1 or so for this Hot Wheels version.

Since this pocket-sized version doesn't have a 6.2 liter V-8 pumping out 650 horsepower, it sits easily atop the gas pump.  The full-sized version would get about 13 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway.

No matter what size your Corvette comes in, it always looks fast!

My Hot Wheels Volkswagen Käfer Racer

This is my Hot Wheels Volkswagen Käfer Racer.  In yellow, it's a fantastic little car that really stands out in any Hot Wheels collection.

Hot Wheels Volkswagen Käfer Racer.

Amazingly, according to the Hot Wheels Fandom site, this car was inspired by real life race cars that competed in the Fun Cup, custom V-8 Volkswagens, and a Porsche race car.

In my night time photographs, I like the way this Hot Wheels combines whimsy and menace in one little package.

Hot Wheels Volkswagen Käfer Racer.

Hot Wheels Photography Tip: 

If you want your car to look like it would in a well-lit parking lot, take your photo in a well-lit parking lot.  Streetlights provide awesome lighting for Hot Wheels photography.

My Matchbox 1935 Ford Pickup Hot Rod Visits The Tire Shop

I took my latest Matchbox car to the tire store recently.  It's a Matchbox 1935 Ford Pickup Hot Rod.  I took a few photos while getting a tire on my car patched.  As the sun was climbing in the early morning sky, it provided some nice lighting for a couple of quick photos.

Matchbox 1936 Ford Pickup (profile)

While the silhouette in the rising sun conveys a feeling about this model, a photo from home does a little more justice to the details of this miniature masterpiece.  This car model is number 5 out of the 20 cars in the MBX Construction series and number 21 out of 100 for 2019.

At the garage, the tires on display provide an interesting background and automotive theme for photographs.

Of course, with a Matchbox car, it's easier to throw the truck on the back of a tire than to throw a tire in the back of the truck.  What an amazing level of detail!

While this little Matchbox model isn't made to run on any kind of plastic track sets, it does have a mean face to show the world.

This morning sun photo provides enough light and shadow to show even more detail on the cars front end.  I love the drab rat rod style paint color.  I can imagine this car starting out as a barnfind for sure!  This is a well-done Matchbox car!

From any angle, the Matchbox 1935 Ford Pickup is a winning model!

Matchbox 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood: The Cadillac of Summer

The Matchbox 2019  MBX Roadtrip '55 Cadillac Fleetwood has to be the official Cadillac of Summer.  It's a pink dream parked alongside a tasty treat from Baskin-Robbins.  It is the perfect pink Cadillac to conjure up the Ghost of Elvis and the good times we've been missing this Covid kaboshed summer.

This car is very nicely detailed for a Matchbox car with hot pink colors set off with serious tires and rims.  It's number 15 out of the 20 car MBX Road Trip series and car 11 out of 100 for 2019.  This Cadillac may be pink, but it is perfect for any collection of little die-cast cars.

If you like this pink Cadillac, you should see the other Pink Cadillac in my collection! 

Hot Wheels Chevy Corvette C7 Z06

Here's my mid-life crisis car--a Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06.  Against the backdrop of brilliant red, it looks like it's out on the town and racing towards excitement.  With a 650 horsepower V-8, this 'vette should get there plenty fast.

Of course, this Hot Wheels Corvette is a tad small to serve as a mid-life crisis car, but then I've always found real Corvettes to be a tight squeeze so it works out.

So where was this Corvette off too? What was its exciting destination? I'll reveal a Hot Wheels photography secret.  There was no fancy backdrop.


This little Corvette was headed to the drive thru window at my local Wendy's one evening when I took these shots.  The walls that serve as a backdrop are merely the exterior walls of a newly remodeled Wendy's fast food restaurant.  The lighting was from streetlights nearby.  When you hit a fast food joint with a $1 Hot Wheels car in your pocket, you don't have to worry about burger or fry grease.