The Liquid Blue Trifecta is complete with the debut of the Hot Wheels '17 Ford GT...

Man, I love this.

A year-and-a-half ago, Ford debuted three cars in its new performance line at the Detroit Auto Show. Rolled out were the Ford Raptor, Shelby Mustang GT350R, and king itself, the 2017 Ford GT.  The cars all debuted in what Ford says its the designated color for its performance lineup, called Liquid Blue.  Its a show color, not a production color, which is a bummer, because holy shit that they look good.

Fast forward 18 months, and with the release of the '17 Ford GT in the N Case, Hot Wheels has completed a Liquid Blue trifecta of its own.  The same three cars that debuted in Detroit have debuted in the 2016 Hot Wheels lineup, all in the same color.  And they are a whole lot cheaper than the real thing.

And in what has been a stellar year for new Hot Wheels models, this trio stands out.  Each model is great on its own, but when you put them together it is even better.

Now of course the question pops up of why the Focus RS didn't debut in the same color, but it has an official blue of its own, and my guess is Hot Wheels and Ford wanted to duplicate the Detroit Trio.  So I am good with that.  Maybe soon we see the Focus in the same color.  I wouldn't complain.

So with the trio complete, let's talk the Ford GT.  There is no doubt this is a significant replica of a significant car.  The debut of the real thing was such an exciting surprise, especially with its amazing looks.  It has had a good run since, highlighted by its win at Le Mans.

The Hot Wheels is significant too.  It is the first official New Model to debut as a Super Treasure Hunt.  (And yes, I am aware the Toyota 2000GT debuted as a Super as well, but it was not an official New Model.  The casting was made for the Racing Premium line which was cancelled, so technically its mainline debut was to be its second version.  Technicality yes, but that makes the Ford the first New Model Super.)

I don't have the Super, but I sure hope to get it.  But even then, the mainline to me is the better model, because you know, Liquid Blue.  

The casting?  Yes, large-rear-wheel-itis, but that is a hard call.  The rear wheel on the real thing is slightly larger than the front, and Hot Wheels has the option of making both the same size or doing what they did based on the wheel sizes they have.  Matchbox had the same issue with their 2005 Ford GT casting, and went with the large rear.  I have never had a problem with theirs, in fact that casting is one of my all-time favorite Matchbox castings, so I sure as shit don't have a problem with the Hot Wheels.  The details on the casting are there as well.  And thankfully no up-sloped chin, even with a protruding nose.  

So yeah, I am all in the Ford GT.  Same with the Raptor and Shelby.  Future versions are obviously coming, some I will surely like more than others.  In fact we have already seen the Raptor recolor in stores and the Shelby recolor debuts in Batch N as well:

But no matter how good or how bad future versions look, we will always have the Liquid Blue Trio.  Happy happy...

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The 1966 Dodge A100 Pickup will be this year's Dealer Exclusive at the 2016 Matchbox Gathering of Friends...

This is a first for the Matchbox Gathering of Friends, at least during the time I have been attending.

The first Matchbox Gathering Exclusive has been unveiled!  And yeah, it is pretty awesome.

Jim Gallegos, who runs the annual event that Mattel has adopted as their official Matchbox Convention, has asked us to unveil one of the two Matchbox exclusives that will be released.  And with a model that looks like this, I am thrilled to do it.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the Gathering, which is held every year in Albuquerque, New Mexico in July, is the unveiling of the Convention Models.  There are always two - one for attendees at the Dinner, and the other for dealers who reserve a table at the Sunday toy show.  Both models are made by Matchbox exclusively for the event, and they go all out.  Full tampo on all sides, tons of detail, and premium packaging, usually in an acrylic case.  Along with the Toy Fair model, the Gathering models are always the most detailed models Matchbox releases each year.

And this year is no exception.  The models chosen are bound to make attendees very happy, and probably persuade a few of you not attending to book a flight to next years event.

And you should.  The Gathering is the diecast event I most look forward to every year.  Small, simple, low key, and more focused on friends instead of dealmaking.  There is plenty of wheeling and dealing to be sure, but it is a lot more relaxed and fun.  It is easy to tell how pleasant the Gathering is based on how many collectors return each year.  And a lot do.

And the dealers will go home very happy with this year's exclusive in tow.  It will be the ever-popular 1966 Dodge A100 in spectraflame red.  It comes with full 4-sided tampos, a simple stock-like deco, and a very cool homage to something from Jim's past.

That something is the Hindi Sheep & Cattle Co.  Jim explains:

My grandfather Alex Hindi immigrated from Lebanon to NM, in 1908, following his brother William and with other Lebanese families such as the Maloofs, Bellamahs and Budaghers. He began ranching in Duran (Torrance County) shortly after and the ranch remains in the family today covering parts of 3 counties in south eastern New Mexico. Sheep, Cattle and Arabian horses have been the main livestock throughout most of these years.

In 1950, my grandfather returned to Lebanon. His brother, Subhi Hindi, was a breeder and trainer of Arabian horses who raced successfully at the famed Beirut track. My grandfather bought a champion stallion, Daham, and a pair of mares, Dalal and Bint Attebe, bringing them home in specially-made crates via ship to New York City, rail to Las Vegas, NM, then by truck to Duran, accompanied by Subhi all the way.

This was the inspiration for the 2016 Matchbox Gathering Dodge A100 decoration. 

Pictured is an early ad from the early 1950's picturing my uncle Brahaim with Daham who was one of the first horses brought to this country by my family.

I have always loved some the references in Matchbox and Hot Wheels decos, and this one is great, especially considering the history and Jim's connection with New Mexico.

And how cool is it that it is the A100?  It has been popular since the day it was released, and it doesn't stay on the pegs long.  I personally love when Matchbox does classic vehicles as the exclusives, and seeing this one with a vintage and very appropriate livery makes this release an instant fave.

So, how can you get one?

Dealer tables for the Sunday Toy Show are sold out, so if you don't have one, or are not attending, it will be hard.  There is always eBay of course, or friends you might be able to pry one from as well.  But my best suggestion is to plan on coming next year.  The event always happens in mid to late July, in New Mexico, so block out some time and plan on heading to the Southwest.  The exclusives will lure you in, but you will enjoy the company and event far more.

The models never disappoint, but it is the people that will keep you coming back.  It would take a lot for me to miss the Gathering...

Incidentally, the tradition is to unveil the Dinner Model at the actual dinner, and that will continue.  I will just say the Dinner model is a doozy, and Lamley will be sure to have a feature ready to post here on the blog as soon as it is unveiled that Saturday night on July 16th.  And the dinner will be streamed as well, so stick around to learn who the 10 Skyline Custom Contest winners are, as well as a preview of the 2017 lineup.  Jim will also unveil the ONE winner who guessed both exclusives right a few weeks ago.  That person will get one of these Dodges.  Pretty cool, eh?

Something tells me these two Gathering exclusives look really nice together:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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Yes, this is the inevitable Hot Wheels v. Matchbox Mazda MX-5 Miata comparison post...

Find the Hot Wheels Mazda MX-5 Miata at Wheel Collectors...

It had to happen, right?  I had to put these together.

Hot Wheels Batch M marks the debut of their 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, just a few weeks after the debut of Matchbox's MX-5 Miata.  Both are red, both reek of their respective styles, and to me, both are wonderfully done.

I will keep my take very simple.  You can only compare them on style, because execution is spot on with both.  And even then, style becomes a matter of personal preference.  If you are really into drift, or like your cars modified, you would lean towards the Hot Wheels.  If stock is your game, the Matchbox would be your choice.

But you can't say the Hot Wheels sucks because they didn't do a nice job.  Because they did a really nice job.  If your goal is a drift-inspired MX-5, then you would create the Hot Wheels.  If your goal is stock, you cannot do better than the Matchbox.  (And yes, I know you Tomica fans are in the back raising your hands high, ready to remind me of their MX-5.  I will let Lamley's RTE jump in on that comparison.  It is a nice model indeed.)

I never have a problem with Hot Wheels and Matchbox doing replicas of the same car.  Of course, since I collect both brands, them producing different cars is probably better, but occasionally I like pairs like this.  Especially when they are this different.  The same applies for the Hakosuka Skyline that Hot Wheels released in 2011, and what is coming from Matchbox later this year.  The cars are the same, but the take is very different, and they pair perfectly together.  I even wonder if they used the same windshield.  They look very similar.

(Of course the most interesting example of a pair like this is the Hot Wheels and Matchbox Tesla Models S models.  Matchbox stock, Hot Wheels modded in a race style.  Some were really critical of the Hot Wheels - I didn't like the chin - and some went as far to say Hot Wheels didn't know how to design cars.  The funny thing?  Both Teslas were designed by the SAME person - Ryu Asada.  Ryu went "Hot Wheels" for one and "Matchbox" for the other.  How cool is that?  Incidentally Ryu is the main designer behind the HW MX-5.)

So is there one I like better?  Yeah, the Matchbox, but only because I am more of a stock guy.  But the Hot Wheels joins the collection too, because it is a great replica done in a very cool style, and I LOVE the deco on this one, especially since they were able to add front tampos.  And on another note, no upsloped chin spoiler - on a race car.  Hmmmm, maybe we are moving away from that?

So yeah, I am in on both.  You?

(Find the Hot Wheels Mazda MX-5 Miata at Wheel Collectors...)

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