HW 2008 Lancer Evolution (2015 Speed Hunters Maximum Attack)

I was looking forward to finding this Speed Hunters Lancer Evolution since I saw it! I'm sort of a fan of Japanese sports cars, and like the unconventional color scheme on this. It seems to be popular among Hot Wheelers across the country, who are all on the lookout for the Super Treasure Hunt version of this casting. A year into writing this blog and weekly runs around the county, and I have yet to run into a Super. Check out the video:

Hot Wheels 2008 Lancer Evolution with Tomica Malaysian Police Lancer Evolution X...

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Tomica Ranger Tanser, Hitachi Dump, Komatsu Excavator, & Mitsubishi Lancers

From the small Tomica haul Japan Post delivered on Wednesday...

Mitsubishi Lancers:

This Tomica Limited 2-pack features one Polis Lancer, and one Fire Chief deco. These are more detailed than the HED Tomica I've been posting on since my recent obsession took hold. They also have rubber tires. Other features include opening doors and "suspension", like the basic Tomica models... really nice set!

Dream Tomica Ranger Tanser:
Tomica make several larger Hyper Green Ranger Series vehicles with interchangeable parts, lights & sounds, and smaller diecast vehicles with mini action figures. This smaller Tanser has a swivel crane arm that can be pegged into one of two holes atop the 8-wheeled vehicle. Great presentation here ...

Hitachi Rigid Dump Truck EH3500AC II:
A nice & heavy, metal dump truck- pretty simple yet soled presentation, like the old Matchbox Faun. A notched peg under the bed holds it up when engaged. Duallies on back of this great little truck!

Komatsu Excavator PC200-10:
I love how this excavator has two points of articulation and swivel cab, but the rolling rubber tracks really make it great. Sure, it requires more force to roll, but real excavators move slower anyway. Great little piece!

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Tomica Isuzu, Mitsubishi, & Hino Buses

More TOMICA here on the Super Fun Hot Wheels Blog! I pay more for these imports, but Tomica cars are exotic and fun with their Japanese vehicle models. I'm a sucker for diecast buses- city, school or tourist- and love the treatment on these Tomica. The Mitsubishi has hinged cargo doors on one side, but the Isuzu and Hino have no working parts, sadly. They all have nice detail, particularly dainty due to the 1:159 sale these claim on the chassis.

Isuzu Gala JR Tohoku

Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Queen

Hino S'elega

Like Hot Wheels and Matchbox, Tomica can vary in scale from casting to casting. Pictured below for size comparison are some 1:64 scale Toyota Vitz subcompact, 1:59 scale Toyota Vellfire van, as well as the Isuzu Elf medium duty cargo truck with the 1:159 scale Isuzu Gala JR bus...

These these cheap little imported buses may be commonplace in Asia, but their slight differences are appealingly exotic to me. Like Matchbox and Hot Wheels, they have their own history, style and endearing features that make them singular.

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Tomica Mitsubishi Mirage & Toyota Vitz

The Super Fun Hot Wheels Blog has been taken over by my latest diecast fascination- Tomica! We'll continue with these wonderful subcompacts, which feature metalflake paint and opening hatchbacks! I love a diecast model in this class, and collect nearly any I can find. Check out the nice little badges on the grill. The slotted wheels on this car have "suspension", like the childhood Tomica I still have a few of, released as Pocket Cars here in the U.S. during the '70s & '80s.

I love the hatchbacks on these, even if they are slightly clunky- they do stay up when opened, unlike some of the hoods on Greenlight castings. One could quibble with the painted back window, but in order to keep the cost down, it was likely necessary because of the way the hatchback was engineered. A working feature like this is rare on a Matchbox or Hot Wheels car nowadays...

Like Hot Wheels and Matchbox, Tomica can vary in scale from casting to casting. Pictured below for size comparison are some 1:59 scale Tomica, the Mitsubishi Mirage & Toyota Vitz with the Toyota Vellfire van and Suzuki Wagon R...

These these cheap little imported vehicles may be commonplace in Asia, but their slight differences are appealingly exotic to my Western eyes. Like Matchbox and Hot Wheels, they have their own style and endearing features, but the working parts make them special.

Make It FAST- Make It FUN!

Tomica Isuzu Elf Sagawa Express & Mitsubishi Fuso Canter

Okay, now back to the TOMICA here on the Super Fun Hot Wheels Blog! If you are new to the Super Fun Hot Wheels Blog, let me first say that I feature several 1:64 scale diecast vehicles here, not only Hot Wheels. I pay more for these imports, but Tomica cars are exotic and fun with their Japanese vehicle models and moving parts. Fun!

Unlike the Hiway Hauler 2 by Hot Wheels, the cargo doors on the Elf & Fuso open- a feature I love. While these Tomica are basically the Matchbox of Japan, you'll rarely find a feature like this on a Mattel diecast vehicle anymore...

For scale comparisons, the Isuzu Elf & Mitsubishi Fuso with the Tomica Toyota Vellfire. Like Hot Wheels, scale can vary across Tomica's line of cars- the Vellfire claims 1:59 scale, and I assume that the unspecified scale on these medium duty cargo trucks is 1:64...

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HW Series 2 Mystery Models

My sudden fascination with the Hot Wheels Asphalt Assault fantasy model led me to these Mystery Model blind bags, which promised the casting in a deco exclusive to the series. I was thrilled to pick one up, and thought I'd take a chance on a few more. The  Asphalt Assault did not disappoint, and while I know it may not be everyone's cup of tea, the casting's obvious homage to Mitsubishi race cars really appeals to me...

While on the subject, the yellow Mitsubishi Double Shotz from this series has a great deal going for it, but falls short due to the color in my opinion. I like the casting, and love the vac metal pipes in back, but would prefer it in almost anything but yellow- perhaps one of my least favorite colors for diecast cars...

The Lotus Sports Elise is a good casting, and much better color than the aforementioned Double Shotz, but the racing stripes complicate the body's topography. I'm not always a fan of tamped headlights, but these look pretty good...

 The Steel Flame pickup has some pretty rough surface aberrations in the diecast body, and the black bed cover is ugly, but I like the unusually shaped wheel wells and red rims, and even the "spaghetti" graphics. Ultimately this truck falls short for me, but it could be the rather plain top side... needs a sticker on the bed cover maybe...

 Now the '63 T-Bird from this series is a solid casting, with a diecast undercarriage and body. The plastic interior on mine has a mildly wonky spot near the passenger door, but it's minor. The paint is also a little rough across the body on that side, but it's still a cool car. One could beg a better color scheme, but it's not terrible. I like castings with the undercarriage extended through the grill & headlights, and repeated through the tail lights in the rear...

They each came with a sticker featuring the enclosed mystery model, which I'm unsure what to do with... back in the day I'd slap this on my Trapper Keeper. Do kids still take those to school or am I showing my age ...?

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