Featured Car: Matchbox VW Beetle Taxi

The Matchbox Volkswagen Beetle Taxi somehow looks very similar to the Mexico City Taxi.

In Mexico, the little green and white beetle is called el vocho has been running in the city for over 50 years, but this will soon become the history.

The Mexican government wanted to replace them with more modern, fuel-efficient vehicles. The green-friendly government has been proactive in trying to cut down on smothering smog and high ozone levels with such plans as growing rooftop gardens and limiting the number of cars on the road.

The ministry's recent decision to rid the city of all cars older than 10 years by 2012 is a blow to the capital's 20 million inhabitants who rely on some 100,000 taxis, 75,000 of which are older than 10 years and 80 percent of which are Beetle, according to ministry records.

At the end of 2012, there will be no more Beetle Taxi in the country.

Picture of el vocho in Mexico

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Featured Collection: Hot Wheels Evolution X

This is the new casting from 2008, total 3 variant for 2008 First Edition / New Models, Metallic Deep Red, Metallic Gray and Slightly Metallic Dark Blue. Missing the Blue variant in these photos because it never been here in Malaysia yet.


The wave for the Lancers was very short, the 1st colour as Red was introduced, followed by the Gray, but the Blue haven't seen in the market yet.


The Red was once distributed widely on the Designers Challenge in August 2008, where the Gray was in Hot Wheels Pack of 3. We still hope will see the Blue variant in any time soon. YeoCP//



More Hot Wheels Stories are available in HWCMalaysia.com

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Featured Car: Hot Wheels Hummer H2 SUT

This Hummer H2 from Hot Wheels #15/40 2008 New Models a.k.a 2008 First Edition.

In the line-up, Hot Wheels has produced total of 3 colour, Gold, the one in the pictures, Blue and Orange.


The Hummer is the brand new casting based on the production SUV of the same name, designed by the famous Hot Wheels designer Phil Riehlman. Phil, who design for Hot Wheels since 1993, few notable design are Dairy Delivery, Volkswagen Drag Bus, Customized Volkswagen Drag Truck and Mini Cooper.


This Hummer is built in Malaysia, the base is plastic base and chrome Interior. The wheels are OR5 high profile setup.


In real, the SUT 6.2L V8 Engine produces 393 horse power and 415 lb-ft torque. The transmission in 6 speed automatic hydra-matic. The wheels in stock 17-inch rims with optional upgrade to 20-inch chrome rims wrap with 305/60R/20 tyres. All these numbers are huge to believe from Asian perspective.



Details:
Model: Hummer H2 SUT
Debut Series: 2008 New Models
Produced: 2008
Designer: Phil Riehlman
Number: 2008-015/40
Color/Tampo: Blue, Orange, Gold
Base Color: Black Plastic
Window Color: Clear
Interior Color: Chrome
Wheel Type: OR5
Toy #: L9930
Country: Malaysia

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Featured Car: HighSpeed VW Beetle

This little bug is from HighSpeed 1:72 scale, the other 2 Volkswagens in the background are from Welly 1:60 mentioned in the earlier post.

Despite it is small little car, it is built with superior finishing and with rubber wheels. Not to forget, the head lights are in plastic too.

For many Beetle collectors out there, have you collected this also? ☺YeoCP//

Related Post:
Featured Collection: Welly Diecast 1:60

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Featured Car: Hot Wheels 70' Mustang Mach I

I purchased this Mustang Mach I from Ebay Thailand with free shipment. It is released in 2008 for Since '68 series. The other colour variant for this release in green colour.

I like:
1. It is a Since'68 collection.
2. Zamac base, heavy.
3. Redline Wheels.
4. Got it cheap.

I Dislike:
1. Loosed, it will be better in carded : (

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Featured Car: Matchbox 68 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

This car was received by surprise, it did not cost me a cent, huh?.. Yes, It came free!!! The Ebay seller gave it to me together in the Redline shipment.

When I try to match this Mustang from Google, I couldn't find any information similar to it. Just need a little help from you, please share with us if you have the background information. Thanks in advanced. ☺YeoCP//

I Like:
1. Nice colour combination.
2. The classic wheels.

I Dislike:
1. Do you complain when people gave you thing?

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Featured Car: Tomica S Series 0005 Nissan Fair Lady Z 300ZX

Tomica S Series, got it from one of the LYN forumer. 1st time I see this in real, a collection ran parellal with Tomica Limited started in 2001 end 2002. Despite the model number allow thousands of models, but only 10 models released at the time.


From the box, the Nissan Fair Lady Z 300ZX was labeled with Litt Tak sticker. This means, we do have Series back to 2001, but it is impossible to see it today.


The S Series is bigger size than the Tomica, it generally at 1/43 scale. With this scale, it allows the diecast built with extra features and additional details.


Below the hood, the engine compartment is nicely done. Unlike regular Tomica, you need to press the red "dot" to pop up the cover.


Interior of the 300ZX was coloured, this including the back of the door panel. The diecast already 6 years, you can see the green plastic has turned yellowish a little.


Verdict:
S Series, a different class of quality by itself.

I Like:
- Too rare to see.
- Detailed all rounded

I Dislike:
- Can't find the rest :(

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Featured Car: Hot Wheels Maelstrom

This is 1st colour of Maelstrom in 2008 All Stars, 2nd colour in purple with the green glass. Did you know 1st Maelstrom had debut since 2001 and the First Edition series.


Maelstrom was designed by Fraser Campbell, a design brief to create the ultimate vehicle for the European Hot Wheels market. Hailing from the UK, this was Fraser's first vehicle attempt for the Hot Wheels basic 1/64 scale car line.


His first concept was to have the engines up front and the cockpit over the rear wheels. There was a concern however that it resembled the existing Twin Mill and Twin Mill II castings so a change was needed. Wanting to keeping elements of "big engines, big power, and big attitude"


Fraser continued to swirl the layout of his design around. His forward cockpit and mid-engine design made it into production as 2001 First Edition number 12 called Maelstrom. It also has some slight, tiny resemblance to the Vulture.


Details
Model: Maelstrom
Debut Series: 2001 First Editions
Produced: 2001 - Present
Designer: Fraser Campbell
Number: 28754
Series: 2008 All Stars 2008 18/24
Color/Tampo: Red/Orange, Yellow/Blue Tampos
Base Color: Black
Window Color: Blue
Interior Color: Silver
Wheel Type: PR5
Country: Malaysia

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Featured Car: Custom Bosch Service MB VW Caddy

This custom was initially made to my friend who work for Bosch Service, who is the certified trainer for Bosch diagnostic tools.


In real, they do have one company vehicle looked very similar to what I did. The Renault Kangoo is painted in Bosch blue and square Bosch Service logos on both side. I would say the VW Caddy simply the replica of the real one.

I wonder how he react when he see the miniature Bosch Service car. ☺YeoCP//

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Featured Car: Custom Tomica Mini Cooper

My simple modification work on this Mini Cooper. The Tomica regular has very plain, or rather boring light metallic blue colour on both body and top.

With the added British flag on top, it looks just classy. I remember there is one Mini Cooper in the Lottery series with the British flag.

But I don't think it as good as mine with the wave effect flag. I will try out more options, but need to search more Mini Cooper which it quite rare in sight. Did you see any at your territory?


My all time favorite Vintage Mini Cooper from Maisto. I would say it worth more than the price I bought it at RM11.90 after 20% discount.

Although it may not have resale value, but it helps to compensate my Tomica #88 Mini Cooper. In short, it simply lovely. ☺YeoCP//

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Featured Car: Hot Wheels Ferrari FXX Yellow detailed edition

I'm just playing with my new marker bought from Litt Tak from Gundam modelling.

The pen head is very fine (I think is 1mm) allows me to fill up both front and back grill for extra detailing, and It has no problem to draw lines on the body work.


I also filled up the the chrome PR5 rims with the red rings and darken the spokes to make it looked like the Ferrari Racer FXX. My friend who also Hot Wheels collector think I have just changed the wheels again.


With the minor upgrades, the yellow car raised its quality near to Ferrari Racer. In actual, the 2008 FE is less than haft price of the Ferrari Racer, but you can't actually tells the differences. New collectors may think it is new colour variant if I insert it into Ferrari Racer's card.


For those have Yellow FXX, you should try out yours and experience the fun on it. I'm still looking for the silver colour pen to draw the Ferrari logo at the back. Scaled modelling collectors, any ideas where to get? ☺YeoCP//

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Featured Car: Custom Mini Cooper by Gee's Garage

I outsourced this custom work to Elgee from Gee's Garage, a upgrade version of the Regular Mini Cooper from #43.

I passed him my expectation of this modification, below are the requirements from me,
1. It has to be Tomica after the modification.
2. All rounded upgrade of the diecast detailing.
3. Absolute decision on what he wanted to do.

He requested me to pre-drill the car before pass to him. The drilling part was painful, due to the based is metal, it took me quite awhile to has it opened.

After that, there were few rounds communication on what he plan to do, and the 1st draft charges amount. He proceed the job after my confirmation.


Between the progress, he sent me pictures update. I can see the car details were building up bit by bit.

He rang me up for the pickup, the Mini was completed in no time! After saw the result, I didn't pay him for his work done.....Ops!

I actually exchanged with something he was looking forward, I appreciate his on the quality work done.

I request him to publish the work progress, please refer to his blog if you interested to know the details.

Verdicts:
We have JDMike, the master Custom Sifu from Philippines, but we do have Elgee, the Custom King from Malaysia.

This is best so far I can recommend if you looking forward to upgrade your diecast to next level. He is best in Subang and PJ, and some even said KL.

☺YeoCP//

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Featured Car: Cost Cutting Skyline Production?

I found out this accidentally when I did my wheels swap for No.20 Skyline R34 and R32 30th Anniversary, both models have same base which interchangeable.

I thought this is only for these 2 models, but when check my UJ R33 and R34, they possess same base too. I wondering was Tomica on cost cutting when they design Skyline, or it is special arrangement with Nissan.

The first Skyline GT-R casting on this shared base is R32 in 1989 scale 1/59. 6 Years later, year 1005 R33 in scale 1/60 and the last one 2001 R34 scale 1/61. The base are identical except the engrave wording at the center part. You can tell the square line is where Tomica change their description.

In same year 2001, new No. 8 Nissan Skyline non GT-R model released on new casting and base, and this had ended the shared common base across 3 skyline generation. Until now, the latest Tomica Limited GT-R released in 2008 is on brand new casting and base. Non of these based on their predecessor R34 base. Any ideas? ☺YeoCP//

Nissan Skyline R32, 30th Anniversary

Nissan Skyline UJ R33

Nissan Skyline UJ R34

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