First Look: The Mr. Fusion Deloreans and the rest of Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Batch H...

Ok, I will admit it.  Those Back to the Future Deloreans are pretty damn cool.

I have probably made too big of a deal about how I am not that into movie cars, unless the movie cars represent a real car.  I love movies, but I am not really into movie replica cars.  Of course I can get behind a few, like Walter White's Aztek, or the tan Sierra stolen off of Jerry Lundegaard's car lot, but for the most part I like Retro Entertainment models if they represent real cars.

The BTTF Time Machine is not a real car.  The Delorean is, and Hot Wheels thankfully has done the Delorean.  But there is no denying to overall popularity of the BTTF Delorean, and it would be dumb for Hot Wheels NOT to make it.

So in the past I have just ignored the BTTF cars, but these two Mr. Fusion versions, one in Hover Mode and the other on wheels, are awesome.  In general, Zamacs are awesome, so by default these are two.  Or maybe these just photograph well, and once these get out of my photo light, they will be easier to toss to the side.  Ulimately, if you are a BTTF fan, and you like the replicas, you will love these.

Maybe as much as I love the Toyota 2000GT.  I have featured it before, so no need to write more (It's a beauty!).

That leaves two others.  The '67 Camaro is gorgeous, and is bound to be very popular in such a clean color and design.  The Fast & Furious Charger is still what it always was, with what appears to be a few more details.  It looks good, but considering another model could have taken its place, I don't know why it was done.

This is a really nice batch.  Nothing too cartoony, outside of that flying car...

(Find Retro Batch H at Wheel Collectors, and look at all the listings, as they have customized a few listings for those that just want the BTTF cars and nothing else...)

Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Batch H is now out at Wheel Collectors...

This batch should get a few of you excited.  It has my attention.

Our friends at Wheel Collectors have all models of Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Batch H available, and there is a lot to like.  You can see the whole batch here:

Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Batch H

Of course, for me it all starts with the Toyota 2000GT Roadster.  Not because it is a James Bond car, even though that is pretty cool, but because it is a new, and beautiful, Japanese car casting.  A must-have for me, and I am sure for many of you.

But this batch allows us to go full Hot Wheels classic as well, with the '67 Camaro making an appearance.  I am really digging this version.  Because the '67 gets used an awful lot, we rarely see a plain version like this one, and it looks fantastic.

Finally, not one, but TWO versions of the Back to the Future Delorean.  These are not my cup of tea, but I am in the massive minority here, considering how popular these are.

Of course, Fast & Furious fans must be happy to have another Charger.  I think.

Chevy get serious about weight savings in the 2016 models

Gm changed 70% of the parts for the 2016 Camaro

The above piece is the instrument panel cross beam, now made of aluminum, saving 9/7 pounds.

Using aluminum for the front and rear suspension assemblies has also cut the suspension's weight by 21 percent, about 26 pounds less than the 5th gen Camaro.

Fasteners are now light weight, and no longer than actually necessary.

Many things combined to shave 200 pounds off the v8, and 300 pounds off the v6 model Camaro

how Detroit Speed made a better looking 1969 Camaro

The cowl and header panels were eliminated and a custom hood was made from the grill to the glass

http://www.detroitspeed.com/Projects/angelo-vespis-1969-camaro/angelo-vespis-1969-camaro-pg-1.html

The Last Golden Age of Matchbox: The best Mattel Camaro is a Matchbox...

Just a minute ago that title did say "The best Mattel '69 Camaro is a Matchbox", but come one, that's easy.  The Hot Wheels '69 Camaro is...uh...okaaaayyyy, so the competition isn't that fierce.

Expand it out to all Mattel Camaros, and it is on.  That Hot Wheels '70 Camaro is really nice, and there is a '67 Camaro some people seem to like.  Even the '85 Iroc is pretty darn nice.

But our vote goes to the Matchbox '69 Camaro.  Not the dreadful convertible, but the awesome hardtop.  For a lot of reasons.  For one, it goes stock.  At least as stock as a standard Matchbox can go.  No large rear wheels, no lowered stance, and even an RS option (more on that later).  It is solid, it is big, and it looks really damn good.

And when you look at what castings Matchbox has chosen the last 10 years, you think more Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and Austin Mini Van than you do a '69 Camaro.  '69 Camaros are about as commonplace in diecast as anything else, and that is not what Matchbox seemed to be about.

But back in 2003, there was a sliver of time when the powers that be thought taking Matchbox in a premium direction was the way to go.  Matchbox had been producing the Premiere line for awhile, and there was thought continuing that direction with models like the '69 Camaro, or 1970 Plymouth Cuda, or Mercury Cougar, or other signature muscle cars.  Realism would be the goal, and the castings were made.

And all was set until the idea was killed.  So Mattel had all these fantastic castings and nothing to do with them.  Enter the New Superfast line in 2004.  It was an ambitious plan, and one that worked for a few years, where Matchbox would do a separate 1-75 line of realistic models with realistic decos, and those muscle cars would be the series' anchor.

The '69 Camaro was used twice in the first Superfast line.   There was an RS version with concealed headlights, and one with exposed headlights:

Yeah, the wheels on the first issue of Superfast left quite a bit to be desired, but we miss that line a ton now.  The model selection and execution was fantastic.  And the '69 Camaro was always part of it.  In fact, this casting has never been part of the standard mainline.  We have seen it in premium lines, 5-packs, and 10-packs, but nowhere else.

And that makes collecting the '69 Camaro somewhat difficult.  Actually you can find most models on eBay, but if you are a completist and want all versions, there are some variations to look for.  Variations like the wheel change on the Muscle Car 5-pack model:

Or the most difficult of all, the two headlight variations on the 2005 Burger Zone 5-pack in black:

(The RS version is the hardest of the two, but it is to the point now that finding either is difficult.  Unless of course there is a 5-pack for sale right now.  Which there is.)

Nonetheless, have a look at the photos.  You may still have your Mattel Camaro preference, but there is no denying this one is a looker...

Matchbox '69 Camaro:

2004 Superfast

2004 Superfast RS

2005 Burger Zone 5-pack

2005 Superfast US

2005 Superfast ROW

2006 Superfast 5-pack

2007 Superfast

2009 Superfast America

2010 5-pack

2013 9/10-pack