Semi Fast

This one is a blueprint for other futuristic rig models which have come out recently.

Semi Fast

Name: Semi Fast
Debut series: 1999 First Editions
Produced year: 1999-2004
Designed: Mark Jones

Huge rig coming through

The story behind:  Semi-Fast appeared in Micro Racers as a playable car and made a cameo in Hot Wheels Velocity X as an unplayable vehicle. This is another vehicle I got in the flea market which made me very excited about it, knowing that this model stopped being produced in 2004 I had to have it considering the odds.

The looks: Semi Fast resembles a hauler truck without the cargo box (which is the norm in this kind of vehicles). Usually bigger than your average hot wheel car, this hauler like truck features a huge cockpit with only a seat for the driver. The way it looks from the front it makes me think of the Battleforce 5 GearSlammer (probably is the fact that looks massive). The whole body is plastic with only the chassis being die cast metal and the cockpit features a very organic spoiler like end.

After having it and comparing it with my other hot wheels models I can safely say this one is a blueprint for other futuristic rig models which have come out recently. Speaking of which newer models might not be as clean as this one , especially if you put them to compete in the average hot wheels tracks!

Rating: ***

The old and the new models 

Oshkosh Cement Mixer

You can only realize which is the front and the back thanks to the hot wheels logo which is colored in white.

Oshkosh Cement Mixer 

Name:  Oshkosh Cement Mixer
Debut series: 1992 New Editions
Produced year: 1992-2002
Designed: Larry Woods

The logo makes all the difference

The story behind:  Oshkosh Corporation, formerly Oshkosh Truck, is an American industrial company that designs and builds specialty trucks, military vehicles, truck bodies and access equipment. Based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the company employs 12,300 people around the world.

The looks: Another of my hidden jewels! Oshkosh Cement Mixer was produced from 1992 till 2002, it was one of the most iconic hot wheels back in the day. I remember most of my childhood everybody had it, nowadays it is very rare and so it is quite expensive in the flea market, luckily I was able to got mine for a very cheap price. The design is very fair in line wih the Oshkosh company. The body and the cilinder are made of plastic and the chassis is metal based. The color scheme is simple, black for the wheels and the cilinder and everything else is yellow. You can only realize which is the front and the back thanks to the hot wheels logo which is colored in white.

Rating: ****

Beautiful designed model. Too bad they dont make it anymore!

Rex Rider

Albeit it aint very original, it is a nice representation of the Toy Story Tyrannosaurus, for that it earns it stars.

Rex Rider

Name: Rex Rider
Debut series: Toy Story 3 Toy Line
Produced year: 2010
Designed: TBA

Those teeth

The story behind: In 2010 Hot Wheels released 8 vehicles featuring characters, from the Disney/Pixar movie, Toy Story 3. Each character uniquely transformed into the actual vehicle. In early 2011 a second wave was released, the cars were distributed simply under the Toy Story name. This second wave also included a 9th car, "R.C. To Go" soon after a third wave hit featuring the 10th and 11th cars in the series. The latest 2 are called "Land Speed Lenny" and "Rocky Road" 

The looks: It is a Tyrannosaurus on wheels! The detain on this one is amazing, the body is covered with scale patterns and the motor (which as HW standards is a huge V8) are molded as T-Rex teeth. The front of it is as expected the teeth of the Tyrannosaurus while the back have a small tail. Albeit it aint very original (Hot wheels have done this Tyrannosaurus look before) it is a nice representation of the Toy Story Tyrannosaurus, for that it earns it stars.
  

Rating: ***

Not sure if he's vision is based on movement!

Cabbin' Fever

Cabbin' Fever is the definitive carrying truck that adapts itself to the needs of the cargo!

Cabbin' Fever

Name: Cabbin´Fever
Debut series: 2000 First Editions
Produced year: 2000
Designed: Mark Jones

Without being folded, this baby holds well

The story behind: I got this one in a flea market this week which makes me very excited about this mode. This car bears a resemblance to Larry Wood's truck. It is noted for having a fold-out ramp that cars can be put on. It also appeared in Hot Wheels: Velocity X as an Unplayable Car at Turbine Sands.

The looks: This little guy is amazing, I love the ramp which folds in or out depending on your need to ferry cars around, it even have a space for a bike! Like I said I got very excited the minute I saw it and it definitively adds to my already bulking collection. Cabbin' Fever is the definitive carrying truck that adapts itself to the needs of the cargo!

Rating: ****

Another example of the ramp down...

Surfin' School Bus

 A very swagger and cool look.

Surfin' School Bus

Name: Surfin' School Bus
Debut series: 2001 New Models
Produced year: 2001
Designed: Phil Riehlman

Ready to go to school

The story behind: What a cool way for going to school, better yet going to surfing school going in the Surfin' School Bus, a hot wheel original model coming to stores in 2001. The Surfin' School Bus was featured in the various levels in the Hot Wheels: Velocity X game. It was unlockable by finding the hidden key at glacier mountain, located on top of a skyscraper. It was the toughest car in the game.

The looks: As with any other hot wheels this one is a cartooned version of the real model bus. The main feature aside from the over-sized motor are 2 surfing boards located in the back of the bus. This gives it a very swagger and cool look.

Rating: ***/2

...of surfin

Cloud Cutter

With two burners in the back of the car , folded wings and a wide cockpit, this car is ready for the clouds and beyond!

Cloud Cutter

Name: Cloud Cutter
Debut series: 2013 New Models
Produced year: 2013
Designed:

F22 Raptor on wheels

The story behind: This new model introduced in 2013 it resembles a fighter aircraft on wheels. Actually to be accurate it looks like an F-22 Raptor fighter. Depending on which color you get is the cooler it looks. Would this fighter lives up to its expectation?

The looks: As I said, for this model the color is a very important feature, if you get the gray colored one for sure you will have an almost replica of the fighter I mentioned before. If you get the other one, well it just looks like a weird hot wheel. Whatever the case the model is very light given the lower body ratio. The body is diecast and the chassis is plastic. Track wise it is a very good model for loops and turns. With two burners in the back of the car , folded wings and a wide cockpit, this car is ready for the clouds and beyond!

 Rating:***/2

Thrusters ready to go!

Fangster

 It comes as a cross between a lizard and a crocodile in full speed steroids.

Fangster

Name: Fangster
Debut Series: Speed Demons
Produced Year: 1986
Designed: TBA

Look at that body, very detailed

The story behind: This model was released long time back along with the Speed Demon series which was introduced exactly in 1986. From 1986 to 1989 this line produced creatures themed cars.

The looks: It comes as a cross between a lizard and a crocodile in full speed steroids. It was a model that I had been looking for since 2011 (the year everything started). I got the chance to buy it today for a decent price (little more expensive than the usual but it is worth it). Now about the car, it is heavy , a characteristic that all the old models share, the quality is impressive, it is fully detailed and it have the perfect balance between plastic and metal.

There is something about hot wheels that they like big motors in their cars, this one have 2 sets of motors 4 pistons each, so my guess is that this baby consumes a LOT OF GASOLINE! Other than that my other guess is that the main cockpit is where the eyes of the creature are (quite not sure). Giving the fact that the model is almost 30 years old I must admit, I am very happy of having this one with me, it add quite a mileage in my hot wheels collection.

Rating:****

I....dunno what this is ...... detail perhaps?

RocketFire

With a nice set of colors , four wheels and a huge rocket this thing is ready to roll to Mars and beyond!

RocketFire

Name: RocketFire
Debut Series: 2008 New Models
Produced Year: 2008
Designed: Fraser Campbell

The Bomber, The Fighter and the Rocket

The story behind: The RocketFire is a Hot Wheels casting that debuted in the 2008 New Models series. It was designed by Fraser Campbell as a sports car of the Space Race. Built around a rocket booster, it is accurately portrait as such with its rocket booster this wild ride will blast across the Lunar surface with ease. Next stop Mars!!

Ready to go

The looks: As previously stated this car is a rocket. The most interesting aspect about this one is how cool it is without looking weird (yes Drift Rod, I am talking about you!). Anyway the car is plastic with a huge rocket on its back and a V8 engine on the front of it. Also on the front there are 2 strobes and the cockpit (giving the fact is a rocket, right?) is in form of a V. Finally there is a small antenna to receive transitions from Houston or Cape Canaveral!

This car is very solid and its good for HotWheels WallTracks! It is usually given as a gift car in some of the HotWheel sets but I got mine in the Road Rockets 5 package. With a nice set of colors , four wheels and a huge rocket this thing is ready to roll to Mars and beyond!

Rating: *****

Ready to liftoff!

Drift Rod

 I just wish there was more into it than only being branded as "New Model".

Drift Rod

Name: Drift Rod
Debut Series: 2013 New Models
Produced Year: 2013
Designed: Jun Imai

No comments

The story behind: Drift rod is a 2013 new model from the Drift race segment. It resembles a heavily-modified Fast Fish. In a muscle car fashion the Drift Rod tries to impress but fails miserably in this department.

The looks: I really dont have much to say about this model, albeit I appreciate the detail put in the model for me its just looks generic. The body is plastic and while it features side mirrors and a spoiler it just dont work for me. It looks like a muscle car in steroids. Lastly the colors are just horrible! Green and silver CMON! With all this complains it is very difficult for me to recommend something about this particular model, I just wish there was more into it than only being branded as "New Model".

Rating:**

Could be the car of Ben10?

Drift King

 While it doesn't add anything new , appearing in special hot wheels toy lines might help pick up some popularity.

Drift King

Name: Drift King
Debut Series: 2007 New Models
Produced Year: 2007
Designed: Mark Jones

Looks plain and fast

The story behind: The Drift King is an original model created by Hot Wheels. Last time I saw this one was in the special 20th Anniversary of the Power Rangers. For one reason or another I never bought it, lastly this year I got the chance to buy it from the Team Hot Wheels line. The main reason for me hesitating was it actually looks like a futuristic racing car (and like that, in Hot Wheels line there are quite a few) but, would its name live to the expectations? 

The looks: As I said before, it looks like a racing car featuring a low height with a solid metal die cast body. The windshield is huge in comparison with other hot wheels finalizing the car with a huge spoiler which might be good for sorting out huge wind drafts when racing at full throttle. The motor seems to be a V12 and its out in the open with no hood. While it doesn't add anything new , appearing in special hot wheels toy lines might help pick up some popularity.

Rating: ***

Can it really live up to its name? 

RD-09

Its futuristic look along with the bodywork makes it one of a kind and of course a very engaging.

RD-09

Name: RD-09
Debut Series: Accele-Racers
Produced Year: 2005
Designed: Dwayne Vance

The story behind: RD-09 was created along with the show Hot Wheels AcceleRacers which was an animated series of movies by Mattel. It is computer-animated, produced by Mainframe Entertainment out of Vancouver. The series spanned over the course of 5 dvds spanned different racing teams pit against each other racing in different realms for something called Accelechargers, awarded to the winner of the realm which in turn gives special features to the owner of that artifact. As you might see it was just a vehicle for hot wheels to sell more cars in a year where sales where declining. 

I can definitively can see it drifting!

The looks: Albeit the AcceleRacers featured a lot of hot wheels cars there was never really a specialized line for the show which in turn gave some cool and some not so cool cars, giving the show quite an anonymous feel (comparing with for example Battleforce 5 which did featured its own toyline). RD-09 it is one of the most engaging cars from this particular show, its futuristic look along with the bodywork makes it one of a kind and of course a very engaging. Talking about performance especially in hot wheels track where its low gravity point and hollow body makes it perfect for drifting and engaging high speeds. The one I owe came in the Road Rockets 5 pack and I couldn't be more happy with it. A nice addition from AcceleRacers to the world!

Rating: ****

Hail the DK!

SkyKnife

A fan favorite, mostly because the edgy and potent look.

SkyKnife (2014 Edition)

Name: SkyKnife
Debut Series: 2007 New Models
Produced Year: 2007
Designed: Steve Moran

The Edge like a Knife

The story behind: SkyKnife is an original hot wheels helicopter design. The name is implied by the radical edgy look of the model. With 2 power busters on top of the copter below the rotor it cruises the sky at a tremendous speed. Also the name might make reference to you to the Battleforce5 Fusion between the Saber and the Chopper (which this one doesn't have to do anything with it.)

The looks: Going to the looks, this model have been around for a couple of years now and its become a fan favorite, mostly because the edgy and potent look. Sadly the new release featured this year and the year before its done in a cheap way. The power busters have been modeled in the same metal body (not like before that they were apart in  plastic and chrome materials), this makes this model kind of cheap looking especially if you have the SkyKnife from previous releases. Aside from this production complain the model is solid enough to guarantee a 4 star rating.

Rating: **** (2007 till 2012)
Rating: *** (2013- onwards)

Sneak Peak

32 Ford

It is a solid piece of work that might appeal to all the hot wheels fans.

32 Ford

Name: 32 Ford
Debut Series: 1998 New Editions
Produced Year: 1998
Designed: Gary Saffer

The story behind: In 1932 Ford introduced the B model which was an upgrade from the A version they had made back in 1927. Although sharing a common platform, Model Bs and Model 18s came not only in Standard and Deluxe trim, they were available in a large variety of body styles.

A hybrid between a classic
and a hot rod

Prices ranged from US$495 for the roadster, $490 for the coupés, and $650 for the convertible sedan. Production totals numbered from 12,597 for the roadster to 124,101 for the two-door sedan. Ford sold 298,647 V8-powered 18s in 1932.Today, the 1932 Model B, although always a little bit in the shadow of the V-8, is a highly collectible car and people will pay thousands of dollars to restore one to original specification.

The looks: The looks are updated in this one making it a hybrid between a classic model and a hot rod type of vehicle. The grill and the V8 motor are there exposed which gives it a more "dirty" look. The hot wheels is die cast mostly, only the front parts are plastic. Luckily for me I got the 98 edition in my collection thanks to a good colleague of mine (kudos Christian!) at office so it is a nice addition to my growing collection. About it , there isnt much I dislike about this one, it is a solid piece of work that might appeal to all the hot wheels fans.

Rating: ****

F32 and 34 Ford Models

34 Ford

 As mighty engines roar, turbo charged for more, drive four to the floor!

34 Ford

Name: 34 Ford

Debut Series: Hi-Rakers

Produced Year: 1980/2004/2012

Designed: Larry Wood

Classic!

The story behind: For this particular hot wheel there are 2 models with the same name, albeit different look, the first one released in 1980 (which will be reviewing here) it has a coupe body type. The second one released in 2004 was designed to be a delivery vehicle. About the real model life car, it included a flat grille with a wider surround and fewer bars, the idea was to make it look more like a hot rod. Also the V8 output was changed giving it an increase 85hp.

The looks: This baby screams classy, everything about it looks great and I just love it from the first minute I saw it! It is a very classical car compare to my recent reviews and yet still, its fashion and style retains this model as mighty engines roar, turbo charged for more, drive four to the floor! Its hot rod looks make it very sporty (yes even for 1934). It is a solid piece of made up mostly of metal. I bet my 2 dollar bill that in the future it might gain some real collector item value. 

Rating: *****

Its a kinda of magic 

Speed Dozer

They went as far as putting a 12 engine just to showcase the muscle, push and power of this one.

Speed Dozer

Name: Speed Dozer
Debut Series: 2013 New Models
Produced Year: 2013
Designed: TBA

Thats a lot of POWER!

The story behind: This one is basically a speedy bulldozer. It brings the power of a dozer and the speed and potency of a 12 engine car.

The looks: This is a solid new model , featuring a speedy cartoonish bulldozer, of course being hot wheels they don't take the model real serious so they went as far as putting a 12 engine just to showcase the muscle, push and power of this one. I like the idea of it but it doesn't really mash well with my other construction vehicles made by the more accurate Matchbox.

Rating: ***/2

Definitively it sticks out like a sore thumb!

Impavido

Aside from the flashy looks and aerodynamics this car is not a stand out.

Impavido

Name: Impavido
Debut Series: 2008 New Models
Produced Year: 2008
Designed: Phil Rielhman

Not sure what it wants to be

The story behind: The model takes some resemblance to a Murcielago Roadster, the Reventón, and the 1st generation Gallardo Spyder. It comes on the Road Rockets 5 pack collection.

The looks: It is a very nice car and it does indeed looks like a Lamborghini. The car indeed is very detailed and its looks make it almost a natural progression to the mentioned models. As usual the chassis is plastic while the car body is die cast metal. One of my biggest complains with this one is that it is not defined what it wants to be, too much substance and very little style. Aside from the flashy looks and aerodynamics this car is not a stand out.

Rating: ***

Definitively its the flashier of em all!

Turbo Hauler

 Definitively a must buy just for the hauling capacity and hours of sheer fun.

Turbo Hauler

Name: Turbo Hauler

Debut Series: 2013

Produced Year: 2013

Designed: TBA

The wheeled collection

The story behind: So Christmas season has begun and hot wheels have brought to us the new Turbo Hauler, this big bad boy it have enough space to take 40+ die cast hot wheels around. Hours with fun guaranteed.

The looks: Turbo Hauler is blue colored all plastic toy with 5 decks for storage die cast cars. This mammoth hauler brings the word collection into my mind with the capacity to haul a collection of 40+ cars around. Its great design makes it look like a cousin of Optimus Prime. Definitively a must buy just for the hauling capacity and hours of sheer fun. Highly recommended!

Rating: ****/2

Its so massive that it dwarves everything else.