Chase vs. Regular: Greenlight Summer Festival Diorama Part 1...

 
I don't know about you, but 'Chase vs. Regular' is probably my favorite series of blog posts. Comparing the differences between basic and chase versions of diecast is a rewarding exercise. You get to decide which piece looks better, determine how subtle the differences are between the 2 pieces and you get an instant dynamic duo that can be displayed together.

Today, we're comparing chase and regular versions of an entire diorama. The 2016 Greenlight Summer Festival diorama comes in a standard version and a 'raw chase' version where each vehicle is unpainted. Last time we did a 2-part series on the Greenlight Army diorama, we started out with the regular version first. This time, let's have our pudding before we've had our meat and get straight to the raw chase versions.

Summer Festival is one of the better dioramas Greenlight has released. It gets 3 vinyl figurines in 1/64 scale, a trio of air-cooled Volkswagens and a mad cool opening tear-drop trailer. The tear drop trailer was a new casting when this diorama dropped. Despite being a MotorWorld diorama, the Beetle is the only actual MotorWorld casting in the diorama. Both Type 2 vans are full fledged Greenlight castings despite being retrofitted with plastic bases.

The 1979 Type 2 Campmobile is possibly the most perfectly replicated Campmobile Greenlight has released to date. It gets the retro striping, a spare tire up front with a VW logo on it and the pop-top opens screen-forward, something we don't get too often when Greenlight does the campmobile from earlier years. The Type 2 bus is also fantastic, and looks even better raw.

While I definitely enjoy raw chase pieces, they're not the 'be all and end all' for me. Some collectors really go wild with the raw stuff. For me, it suits certain pieces and allows me to fully appreciate and compare castings without the distraction of gaudy colorways. If that's a good enough reason to hunt down raw chase sets, count me in.

Enjoy the photos and keep your eyes peeled for part 2 of our Greenlight Summer Festival diorama comparo!

Happy Collecting!!

From : thewesterndiecastreview.blogspot.com

The Inside Scoop on the Inspiration for the New Hot Wheels Mazda RX-3!

 
Every collector with a social media account has seen sneak peeks of the latest Hot Wheels Car Culture mix, 'Race Day'. Along with a brand new Porsche casting, the Mazda RX-3 makes just its 2nd appearance as a Hot Wheels car.

 

The Mazda RX-3 took collectors by storm in its magnificent Japan Historics debut, so it's only fitting that it's sophomore appearance is also in the Car Culture lineup. So where did the inspiration for the soon-to-arrive, green and yellow Mazda RX-3 come from?

To answer that question, you need to head over to the Speedhunters website. My good friend Riley, aka @preachermoose_diecast on Instagram tossed this story into my inbox the other day and I couldn't resist sharing it with you guys.

Turns out the folks at Mattel decided to pay homage to the flared-fender, Kato-san designed Liberty Walk rotary beast featured on Speed Hunters recently.  At least that's what the green and yellow deco on the Car Culture RX-3 has me thinking.

You can decide for yourself if this is where Mattel got their inspiration from. Check out the full Speed Hunters article right here. It even includes a YouTube video:

Speed Hunters Article

YouTube Video >>>>

* Note: All Liberty Walk RX-3 Photos are Courtesy of www.speedhunters.com and I claim no ownership of them. All diecast photos of the upcoming Hot Wheels RX-3 are courtesy of www.t-hunted.blogspot.com.

Happy Collecting!!

From : thewesterndiecastreview.blogspot.com

Is the K5 Blazer Worth the Price of Admission? Matchbox Jungle Mission 5 Pack.

It's time for another 5-pack review. Today, it's the new-for-2017 Matchbox Jungle Mission 5-Pack. The Jungle/military themed set was released alongside the recently reviewed fire/rescue themed Matchbox 5-pack. 

I'll be honest, I only bought this 5-pack for the Chevy K-5 Blazer. Was one basic Matchbox car worth the $5 price of admission? My answer is yes. Not because the K-5 is so nice it warrants spending $5 on it, but it will be tough to get down the road for $5. Shipping alone on a Matchbox car these days sets you back at least $5 on eBay.

So sure, the Blazer is a tough, mean casting, but what about the others in the set? The only other licensed model in the set is the International CXT. It's okay, but nothing about it particularly jumps out at me. The final 3 models in the set are fantasy models, but they're perfect for the kids. Collectors? Not so much. Matchbox does pack some value into this pack however, with moving parts featured on all 3 of the fantasy models! What is this, 1990?! The Rapids Rescue comes with a removable raft and is actually a model I'm keeping in my collection. It goes in the weird-but-cool pile. The Mauler Hauler is just ugly in my books but the cage on the back tilts open. The inner kid in me loves the Attack Track with a real shooting missile. I bet it's only a matter of time before the politically correct types ruin our fun with this model, but for now enjoy it along with the rest of the photos!

Happy Collecting!!

From : thewesterndiecastreview.blogspot.com