DIECAST CONNECTIONS: July 2023

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Hot Wheels Sightings (14 July 2023)

Practically everyone have heard of Hot Wheels where diecast model cars are concerned.

To the uninitiated, Hot Wheels are associated with children's toys and adults who take a fancy to them. But, Mattel has so much more of Hot Wheels to offer than what is commonly found at the supermarkets and general toy stores.

If you were to visit collectors haunts, you would find more exclusive series such as Premium, Red Line Club (RLC), Treasure Hunt, Super Treasure Hunt, Convention's model and Gumball 3000.

Here are some recent sightings to whet your appetite.

Click here to for more of Mattel's Hot Wheels.

Click here for Million Dollar Hot Wheels Collection.

Car Pairing: Tesla Model 3

Tesla is now a more common sight in Singapore and their diecast counterpart is seeing a good take-up rate.

Here is a pairing of Tesla Model 3 for your viewing pleasure.

Hard to say though whether the first release of the diecast version of Tesla Model 3 would appreciate in value down the road. The cardinal rule would be to buy and own what you enjoy adding to your diecast collection based on your personal likings, unless you are a trader for profit gain and/or investor for future value appreciation with a view to monetise it when the price is right.

As of now, the HotWheel's first edition of Tesla Roadster manufactured by Mattel in 2012 is commanding a premium price such as this snipping from eBay:-

Car Spotting: SEAT Arona

Today I was thinking of SEAT as I had not seen one around for some time. Was thus pleasantly surprise to see this orange bright SEAT Arona parked in a multi-storey carpark along my path.

Click here for a review of the Arona by carwow.

Click here for a review of the new Seat Arona Xperience by Autogefuel.

Click here for SEAT's official website to view their range of cars.

Pop Race: Aston Martin Vantage GT3 (1:64)

This is my first diecast 1:64 scale model car from Pop Race.

As I did not check out the car beforehand from Pop Race's website or with Dr Google, it might not turn out as good as it looks on the box cover. The packaging would have been better if there is a see-through segment.

Thankfully, the actual car turns out very well with sterling high definition and full fledged liveries, including superfine letterings. Very good value indeed at current pricing.

Click here to view some more Pop Race cars as featured by Ministry of Diecast on YouTube.

Click here for more 1:64 scale model cars manufactured by PopRace Limited.

Saturday, July 8, 2023

New Hunts: Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DB12

One approach to diecast car collection would actually be to find out more about the real cars that are being replicated into scale model cars in either diecast metal or resin.

And, within this approach you could learn more about which model is highly prized and then narrow your search to these models and extrapolate that by the same token, your model cars would also retain their future value.

For me, my quick shortlist based on my limited knowledge of cars would be the new Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DB12.

Click here for Ferrari Purosangue Review | Pricey SUV or a proper Ferrari? (4K)

Image credit: Ferrari.com

Click here for FIRST DRIVE: Aston Martin DB12 - 671bhp Game Changer

Photo credit: Top Gear

Happy hunting for their diecast counterparts.

TPC: Mercedes-Benz SLS - Limited Edition 069/499 (1:64 scale)

In this hobby of diecast cars collection, showing up at the hunting ground can prove to be rewarding. Surely, you won't wanna sniff for a prized truffle online nor do you wanna travel to an overseas country merely in your armchair via social media.

In a recent outing, I found the following gem of a limited edition of Mercedes-Benz SLS in chrome blue at a reasonable price.

So take some time to visit your favourite haunts and you could well be surprised by what new treasures you might unearth.

And, if you have deep pockets, then take it to the next level and experience firsthand behind the wheels of a Mercedes-Benz SLS.

Click here for Doug DeMuro's Here's Why the Mercedes SLS AMG Is Worth $185,000. You will be blown away by the nifty features of this car as well as its speed and the sound of its engine.

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Car spotting: Range Rover Vogue

If you are keen on collecting the full range of diecast Range Rovers, happy hunting for this Vogue (if not already done so).

Majorette: Dodge Charger R/T and Jaguar F-Type R

The following two Majorette diecast cars make for a good pairing and illustration on how diecast collection can make us more observant.

First up is that there are different shades of orange and that orange goes well with black.

Both cars have pretty detailed and sleek liveries which show the painstaking production process.

Their front grilles and rear panels are surprisingly detailed, as well, for these two models which are not specified as premium.

And, when a collector finds good value for a diecast car at a decent price such as these, it keeps the hunt for diecast gems alluring.

Happy hunting, with sanity check so as not to go overboard, and remember to maintain a balance life for your own sake and that of your loved ones.

Toyota 2000GT and Toyota 2000GT Roadster

Chanced upon the following two great looking diecast Toyotas without any prior knowledge of their rich history and the true worth of their real counterparts.

Yes, I had to pay a premium price for these diecasts as the seller is well informed of their value.

Toyota 2000GT
By LCD Models

Photo credit: hotcars.com

Click here for How Toyota 2000GT Reclaimed Its Crown As The Most Expensive Japanese Car Ever Sold.

Toyota 2000GT Roadster
By Mattel's Hot Wheels

Photo credit: silodrome.com

Click here for The Toyota 2000GT Roadster From James Bond’s You Only Live Twice.

Mini Collection of Supercars

One of the benefit of collecting diecast cars is that you can obtain instant gratification of enjoying the eye-catching design of a car even before owning one.

And, on a smaller scale such as 1:64, you could actually add many of such miniature cars to your collections and boost your mental well-being as you get to view such beauties every day with ease and without any maintenance costs.

The following sample of 1:64 supercars are for your viewing pleasure.