GARAGE SALE
Mattel Hot Wheels
Larrys Garage Series
$3
Over the past few years, it has been good to see Mattel return to its Hot Wheels roots. Aside from the standard dollar-car line, the new-old way of thinking has produced the upscale Larrys Garage series in honor of the most famous designer in diecast history, Larry Wood. The first 20 cars in the series have been on the pegs for several months, and selected models have found homes as fast as the clerks can fill store displays. The collectors favorites are in the traditional rod and custom styles. The Purple Passion and 33 Ford Roadster stand out as prime examples of what Mattel can do when it elects to look backwards in order to move forward. All the Larrys Garage selections feature metal bodies and Real Rider tires. Other must-haves from this line are the 56 Chevy and 69 Camaro. hotwheelscollectors.com
TINY DANCER
Schuco
Porsche 935 Jägermeister
$23.99
The word limited is an often overused and misunderstood description within the automotive world. Many cars labeled limited are anything but (take the late PT Cruiser, for example). In the diecast world, limited is a 50/50 proposition. One company that seems to mean what it says when it comes to Limited Editions is Schuco. The HO gauge (1:87) version of the famed Jägermeister Porsche 935 is indeed limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. The tiny speed demon is heavier than some 1:43 scale diecasts and offers accurate dimensions and features in a tiny package. Schuco packs the racer in a jewelry-quality box and includes a retro version of its famous matching retail box as well. Distributed by Silvergate (858) 444-8216; silvergatedistributers.com; schuco.com
BACK TO THE FUTURLINER
Norev
General Motors 1953 Futurliner
$40
From 1933 to 1958, General Motors staged special auto shows to showcase its line of cars and trucks. Beginning in 1941, it developed the first of its Futurlinerswild, functional concept vehicles that were the direct descendents of the Streamliners first shown in 1936. In all, 12 of these vehicles were constructed for GMs Parade of Progress events. Nine of the 12 are still on the road. One sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in 2006 for an amazing $4 million. Norev took as bold a move to re-create this cultural icon as GM did to create the originals. The size of this model is enough to steal attention from anything else in your 1:64-scale display. The shape and colors are dead-on the 53 version. You gotta love the ribbed-aluminum wraparound lower body panels and those monstrous whitewall tires. Speaking of wraparound, peering through the windshield yields a view of the single-seat drivers area with its huge steering wheel. If youre a fan of the 50s, your land yacht has just come in. norev.com
ROCKIN TRANSPORTS
Maisto All Star Elite
COE Flatbeds
$12.99
Coming to a retailer near you are the latest editions to Maistos line of All Star Elite Transport truck sets. The COE midsize rigs are customized cab-over haulers with low-down street attitude and altitude. Like the other trick trucks in the Elite Transport series, the flatbed slides back and drops down for easy loading of a Maisto 1:64 scale rod, custom, or street machine. The two haulers featured here are giving a lift to a blown 57 Bel Air and flamed 50 Merc. Combinations will likely vary, as shown are preproduction samples. Exterior details are moderate, but the paint schemes and overall presentation is pure custom. maisto.com