June, 23, 2020
#392
Gentle reader,
We, my wife and I, grew up playing with toy cars. Our six kids did too and our six grandkids do as well.
The MOST popular by far are what are called "1:64" scale, I put that in quotes because many cars are way larger and some are way smaller than 1:64th scale.
Most are made to fit Hot Wheels and other brands of tracks. Since we have discovered 3dBotmaker Diecast Racing:
(11) 3Dbotmaker - YouTube
and the alternate Diecast Rally Championship channel: DRC Racing - YouTube which is not as professional but equally as entertaining, we have been on a buying spree and enjoying playing with the cars.
These are all of the play cars. Most were bought in bags of several at thrift stores, but many were purchased new. This photo is of JUST the cars and light trucks and this is how I arranged them after individual group photos were shot, edited and captioned. We have two dozen large trucks/buses as well.
I wrote them all up in a word processing program with Group Type: Sub-type: Brand: and the numbers (0000) are the year, if any, stamped on the bottom to indicate year first made. If there is a second abbreviated number that is the year it was reintroduced. Words in quotes are original design's car name. OCD can be a good thing sometimes.
I captioned the photos based upon types of cars. These two are cheap Chinese cars.
I drive and love a Volvo wagon, so this was a keeper. It appears to be Volvo V70 wagon and 1980's Toyota Supra. "FLYING ENGINE"? Well, their English is far better than my Mandarin.
Real Cars: Racing: Hot Wheels: 1950's Cunningham C4R (2001) Le Mans Racer, Ford GT40 (1999) Mark I Le Mans Racer, Chevrolet Corvette C6-R (0000) Le Mans Racer and Generic Open Wheel Racer (2011).
Real Cars: Racing: Drag: Hot Wheels: ‘64 Chevy Nova (2018) Gasser, Ford Mustang (2003) Funny Car, opens, Pontiac Trans Am (0000) Funny Car, opens, Generic car, Funny Car (1993) Made for McDonald’s.
"Funny Cars" originated in the late 1960's or early 1970's. The looked like real cars, but had shortened Top Fuel Dragster chassis' and fiberglass bodies which hinged at the rear and were lifted up to get into the car and work on it.
Over time, the bodies got much longer and ridiculous and like NASCAR racers don't resemble the real cars at all.
Real Cars: Emergency Vehicles: Not Shown: Golden Wheels (0000) Florida State Trooper SUV, Hot Wheels: Chevrolet Camaro #02 (1993) CHP-like Pursuit Interceptor, Dodge Intrepid #54 (1993) Police K-9 Unit, Hummer Humvee (1991) Police Anti-Drug Unit. Matchbox: 2006 Ford Crown Victoria (2005) El Segundo Police, Sport SUV (2002) Police #002, Hummer H2 (2002) Sheriff #526 and Ford Expedition SUV (1998) Fire Chief #3458. I found a small bus later that is a Sheriff's Prisoner Transport Van. Seen in large trucks below.
Real Cars: Hot Wheels: Front Row: Chrysler 300C Hemi (2006) (JADA-like), "Swoop Coupe" (2002) Original design, but looks real, 1933 Ford Coupe (Matchbox-1997) D.A.R.E., 1932 Ford Coupe (1997, ‘16), "Midnight Otto" (2001) 2 Each. Back Row: 1967 Pontiac GTO (way too long, 2007) Convertible, (1941 Lincoln) "Tail Dragger" ( 1997) 2 Each and 1966 Pontiac (2002) Bonneville.
Real Cars: JADA-like: 2005 Mitsubishi Evolution VIII (F&F?), JADA: 1969 Chevy Camaro (0000-smashed roof and A pillar), Hot Wheels: Cadillac Escalade (2002) and Mattel: 1999 Nissan Skyline (2002).
Note: JADA diecast cars, while usually very detailed have ridiculously large wheels and extremely narrow tire sidewalls. The realist in me does not like that.
Real Cars: Matchbox: 1972 Ford Bronco with matching trailer & boat (2006) + Majorette (France) Caravane (0000) Travel Trailer.
Real Cars: Land Rover Pickup (GB-0000) and Matchbox: Land Rover (1987) Ninety.
My first job in 1973 was as a pump jockey and apprentice auto mechanic at a Mobil station in Denver, Colorado. The owner specialized in foreign cars and came from working at a Rover/Land Rover dealer. So, they have a special place in my heart.
I wonder if either of these can tow that Caravane?
Real Cars: NASCAR: Front Row: Hot Wheels: Dodge (2012,‘18) Intrepid #6 MOPAR, ACTION: Chevrolet (0000) Lumina(?) #03, Unknown: Dodge (0000) Intrepid #43, ACTION: 2001 Chevrolet (2001?) Monte Carlo #24, HASBRO: 2000 Chevrolet (2000) Monte Carlo #24, Unknown: 200? Chevrolet (0000) Monte Carlo #33. Back Row: Racing Champions: Chevrolet (1993) Monte Carlo #5, Hot Wheels: 1984 Pontiac (1998) Grand Prix #04, Maisto Chevrolet (0000) Monte Carlo #8, Hot Wheels: 19?? Chevrolet (1988) Monte Carlo #3, Hot Wheels: 1974 Dodge (Salute to Petty-0000) Charger #43, Hot Wheels: 1957 Chevrolet (2003) Bel-Air #23 and Racing Champions: 1949 Mercury (1998) #17.
A number of these have either no brand or ones I have not seen before. I once had a lot of Dodge NASCAR cars in my collection.
Note: My collection has cars that are off limits to the grandkids.
They are grouped like the photo, but I had ones that existed after the photo or there are ones in the photo I did not have.
Real Cars: Matchbox: 192? Ford (1979) Model A Delivery Truck 2 Each.
Original Designs: Hot Wheels: Drag Cars: Front Row: CFH25 (no name-2014), "Way 2 Fast" (1998), 11849 (no name-1994). Back Row: "Bone Shaker" (2005,’14), "Burl-Esque" (0000), Radio Flyer (1998), "Sweet 16 II" (1997) and "Rat-ified" (0000).
Original Designs: Hot Wheels: Engine-dominant: Front Row: "Overbored 454" (2001) "Deora II" (1999), Mitsubishi "Double Shotz" (0000). Middle Row: "Hollowback" (2004), "Speed Spider" (2015), "Buick Wildcat" (1993). Back Row: "Rig Heat" (2016), "Sharkruiser" (1998,’11) and "Maelstrom" (2000).
Original Designs: Hot Wheels: Offroad: "Rockster" (2003), "Spiderman" (0000) and No name Bizarre clear bodied vehicle. Turn orange tire, and the body rises and falls.
One can always tell a car that has been stepped on, probably by a then-cursing barefoot parent. The wheels are tilted inward at the top.
Original Designs: Hot Wheels: Front Row: No Name For McDonald’s (2005), "Ultra Rage" (0000), "Futurismo" (2015), Rd-03 (2104), No name (1988). Middle Row: "16 Angels" (2003), "Howlin’ Heat" (2010), "Flight ‘03" (2002), "Drift Tech" (0000), "Rocket Box" (0000). Back Row: "RD ‘05" (0000), "Bassline" (0000), "16 Angels" (2003, ‘13), No name for McDonald’s (2102) and same info.
Original Designs: Hot Wheels: Front Row: "Exotique" (2017) 2 each, "The Gov’ner" (2003), "Second Wind" (thought it was Speed Racer's Mach 5) (1976). Middle Row: "Octainium" (2004), "Torque Twister" (0000) 2 each, Same in Red. Back Row: "Phantom Racer" (2004), No name TM GM? (2012) and "Sweet 16" (again 2003, ‘13). Not Photographed ("I’m a lost toy!") Silver/Purple Has switch on the bottom to turn on red LED inside. Made for McDonald’s
Original & Real Designs: Racers: Hot Wheels: Front Row: Matchbox "4x4 Buggy" (2002), Matchbox: "Dune Buggy" (Actually a Sand Rail-1998), 1968 Ford Mustang (Monster-2015). Middle Row: Hot Wheels: T9680 (2010), "Super Blitzen" (2010), Callaway C7, (1997), Pony Up, (2001). Back Row: Hot Wheels: "Tire Fryer" (2002), "Circle Tracker" (0000), Ford Thunderbird (1989) and 1966 Chevy Nova (0000).
I called the Mustang a "Monster" because it is set up like a monster truck. Something else I find silly, like professional wrestling.
Original Designs: Racers: Hot Wheels: Front Row: "MX48 Turbo" (2000), ditto, "BDD04" (2013), "Rivited" (1969 Ford Mustang Custom-0000). Back Row: "F-Racer" (2003), "Rocket Oil Special" (2001), "Nitro Scorcher" (0000), Made For McDonald’s (2012) "Roborace" (2018) "Robocar" and "Krazy BS" (2000).
Real Cars: Racers: Hot Wheels: 2016 Cadillac AST-V R (2017) and 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (2017).
Real Cars: Hot Wheels: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ("Bumblebee" 2012), Mitsubishi Evolution (2003), No brand 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible and Hot Wheels: 1999 Ford Mustang Coupe (1998).
Real Cars: Hot Wheels: Luxury: Matchbox: 1986 Jaguar XJ6 (1986) Sedan, 2006 Lexus GS430 (2006) Sedan, Hot Wheels: 2003 Maserati Quatroporte (2003) Sedan, Realtoy: Mercedes Benz (0000) CLK Coupe, Matchbox: 2003 Mercedes Benz (2003) SL55 Convertible and 2005 Mercedes Benz (2005) CLS500 Sedan.
Real Cars: Hot Wheels: Volkswagen (2010) Brasilla, Toyota (0000) AE-86, 1982 Chevrolet Camaro (1982) Z28. Second Row: Matchbox: 1985 Chevrolet Camaro (1985) Z28, Hot Wheels: 1970 Ford Mustang (1997) Drag Car, 1977 Pontiac (1977) “Hot Bird” Firebird, 1974 Chevrolet (1983) “Blown Camaro” Z28. Third Row: Racing Champions: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro (1997) Drag Car, Hot Wheels: 1969 Pontiac (0000) Trans Am, 1981 Thunder Burner* (Ford Thunderbird-1983), 1970 Buick GSX (0000). Forth Row: Hot Wheels: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro (2006) Convertible, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro (0000) Convertible, 1964 Chevrolet (2012) Nova Wagon, 1955 Chevrolet (1969,’17) Nomad. Back Row: Hot Wheels: 1950's VW (0000) Beetle, Matchbox: London (2004) Taxi, Hot Wheels: 1940's Woody (1979) Wagon, 1970's Chevrolet (2001) Monte Carlo Low Rider: Montezooma.
*Mattel did not have the right then to use the Thunderbird name.
Real Cars: Hot Wheels: Light Trucks: Matchbox: 1955 Ford (2007) F-100 Panel Delivery, Hot Wheels: 1956 Ford (0000) F-100 Panel Delivery Hot Rod, (police vehicle, see above), Not Photographed: Golden Wheels: 2000's Ford (0000) F-150 4X4 Pickup, H.W. O.D.: "Mega Duty" (0000) Pickup Truck, Matchbox: 1966 Dodge (0000) A100 Pickup Truck, 1970's Ford (0000) F-150 4X4 Pickup Truck and ERTL: Made for Hardees 1970's Chevrolet C10 Pickup Truck.
Real Cars: Sports Cars: Hot Wheels: Front Row: Matchbox: 1998 Porsche (1998) Boxster, Hot Wheels: 1991 Mazda (2018) MX5 Miata Racer. Second Row: Matchbox: 1999 Audi (1999) TT Roadster “The Flash”, Hot Wheels: Chevrolet (0000) C7 Corvette Z06 Convertible, Lotus (0000) Exige, 20?? Aston Martin (0000) Coupe, 2013 Scion (2013) FR-S Coupe. Third Row: 1963 Chevrolet (1979) Corvette Split Window Coupe, 1975 Chevrolet (1975) Corvette Coupe, 1992 Jaguar (1992) XK-220 Coupe, 1982 Ferrari “Race Bait 308” (1982) 308 Coupe, 20?? Lamborghini Model? (0000) Coupe, 1990 Lamborghini (1990) Diablo Coupe. Back Row: Matchbox: 1985 Pontiac (1985) Fiero, 1982 Mazda (1982) RX7 Racer, 1985 Maserati (?) (1985) Bora?, 1973 Lamborghini (1973) Countach SuperFast, Majorette (France) Morgan Roadster and Hot Wheels: 1982 BMW (1982) M1 Supercar.
Real Cars: Sports Themed: Fleer Collectibles: 2005 Ford (2005) Mustang GT Eagles Football and Press Pass: 2011 Dodge (2011) Charger SRT8 Orioles Baseball.
There are a few things we disagree on, but neither of us like professional sports.
Real Cars: Large Trucks & Buses: Front Row: 2 White Hummers (see emergency vehicles above), Matchbox Hummer (1994, ‘14) Humvee Military Vehicle, (actually very quick on the track), Matchbox (2001) Tanker Truck, Unbranded all-plastic Water Truck, Unbranded Diecast/plastic Fixed Box Truck, Hot Wheels: “Quick Bite” (2017, ‘18) Food Truck, 1988 School (1998) Bus, Realtoy: Double-Deck Travel Bus, Hot Wheels: “Bred Box” HWPS, 2 Each. Back Row: Matchbox: Transporter (1985) Vehicle, 1998 Chevrolet (1998) Transport Bus, 1989 Utility (1989) Truck, 2001 Trash (2001) Truck, 1976 Dodge (1976) Cattle Truck, Hot Wheels: 1979 Dump (1979) Truck, 1981 Peterbilt (1981) Semi-Tractor, Hasbro: Semi-Tractor Transformers Optimus Prime, Matchbox: Scraper (0000), 2007 Quarry (2007) King and Unbranded: Pull-Back motor Tractor.
So, that's it for the almost 200 cars and trucks we aging adults play with.
I hope you enjoyed this look at our new hobby. Perhaps it has inspired you to buy some track and see what some of your cars can do "on the track."
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read this rather long article. It is a labor of love. Please go ahead and click the FOLLOW button (next to old-time trucks with cereal names on them) and leave a comment below or on Facebook.
Scott
June 23, 2020
#392
