No tampo errors are always the best kind of errors...

If you have collected for awhile, it has happened a few times.

You head to the pegs, and as you are searching, a model stands out, but you can't figure out why.  Something is off.  You quickly look for another example to compare.  Sure enough, that first one you found is blank.  Naked.  No tampo.

There are other times where the no tampo error just stands out completely.  Maybe a black model that looks extra sinister.  Or a model that normally is covered in tampos looks strikingly clean.

To me, the no tampo error is the best kind of error.  It stands out, it is unique, and always fun to find.  I haven't pulled back on my hunting lately, so I haven't found many no tampos recently.  But I still have that trained eye, and just the other day I found two at the same store:

The truck is obvious.  Just look at the art.  The RX-7 required a double take.  Clean, that RX-7.

But my finds don't compare to the two reported to me yesterday.  The first comes from a good friend, Shawn Hill in Canada, who found a pretty obvious Matchbox no tampo at a local Walmart.

That Suburban is fantastic, especially with the dark wheels.  Of course the NYPD livery looks fantastic, so I wouldn't call it an improvement, but it definitely unique.  Plus, finding a Matchbox no tampo is a very rare occurrence.  It doesn't happen that often.

Of course the main reason you are reading this article is that sinister 510 Wagon pictured up above.  A 510 Wagon no tampo is a splendid find.  A Japan Historics 510 Wagon no tampo is an amazing find.  Jimmy Pawlak (@hwc_redlines on IG) reported this model that he traded for a couple of days ago.  The person who found it came across it at a Safeway grocery store, and Jimmy is the lucky bastard who was able to make a trade for it.

Jimmy can't totally tell, but he thinks it is blank on both sides, but it does have the tampo on the hood.  The JH Wagon is a good-looking model, but in straight black it is a gem.

So keep those eyes peeled.  Train those eyes too.  You will be surprised how much you can find.

And if you have some no tampos, share them with us.  I would love to see them...

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Time to get Japan Historics crazy at Walmart...

Normally I don't report on what's new at Walmart.  This is an exception.

Maybe the most popular Hot Wheels premium set in years is now at Walmart.  If you have braved through the great Historic Japanese Minicar Migration from Canada and the Greatest Movement of 10-car Cases from Hobby Dealers without a set, now is your moment.

Lamley friend Ace Rider (@1colectr236 on Instagram) sent over these pics, and I have seen it reported several times elsewhere.  So go to that funny speed walk some of you have perfected to the back of the store.  And if another collector is there, act like you aren't there for the Hot Wheels and act like you are interested in the Johnny Lightning like you do, hoping they don't see the Historics.  Whatever your thing is at Walmart, it's time to head over...

Good luck...

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Should I worry about a retaped Japan Historics case?

Has there ever been a more talked-about series than the Japan Historics?

Whether it is how nice the models are, or how cool the new stretched-tire Real Rider wheel is, or how beautiful the card art is, or how jealous everyone was of our Canadian friends getting them first, you can't get through a day on social media without the Historics getting mentioned.

And they most certainly deserve the attention.  Car Culture has started where Boulevard ended in 2013.  Just as that series started showing a ton of promise, it was killed.  Car Culture is fulfilling that, but even more so.

But there has been another topic surrounding the Historics as well.  For many collectors, in order to guarantee they acquired the models, this has been the first time they have purchased cases, whether from dealers like A&J Toys or elsewhere.  And it has been a learning experience for many.

Reports started surfacing that some of the 10-car assortments were not what they had hoped or expected.  It is logical to think that with a 5-car set, a 10-count case would contain two of each model.  Fortunately that was the case with most.  But not all.  Many reported getting zero of the Kenmeri Skyline and 1 or 2 extra of others.

Others reported getting cases that appeared to be resealed.  The original Hot Wheels sticker over the tape was cut, the case retaped, and another Hot Wheels sticker placed over that.  That of course made some nervous that some foul-play was involved.

We can start there.  I can't speak for Mattel, but in case there is anyone wondering, cases aren't opened and resealed by hobby dealers.  That just doesn't happen.  If A&J or any other case seller were to do that, it would kill their business in seconds.  No need to worry about that.

But clearly some cases were resealed at the factory.  So what does that mean?  I have no idea.  And what about the different assortments?  Mattel doesn't guarantee specific assortments, because they be modified, and we as collectors have to accept it, as frustrating as it is.  Hopefully it doesn't happen that often.

But to dig in a little more, I ordered a Japan Historics case from A&J, and I asked them to send one of the resealed cases, just to see if anything was different.  Here is how it went:



There you go.  All I can say is it just happens.

A couple more things about the Historics, more on the fun side.  It appears there are two variations being reported.  The Hakosuka Skyline is coming with and without a roll cage, while the Datsun 510 Wagon is coming with a smooth and textured grill.

It would be interesting to get a sense of which of the variations is more common.  So let us know what you found in your cases or on the pegs.

Roll cage or no?

Smooth or textured grill?

I am sure this isn't the last we talk about the Historics, but on to the next batch...

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