March 14, 2001

Trish,
I have avoided expressing my somewhat divergent opinion on the subject of scalpers based on what has been said before So at risk of offending someone here goes.

Scalping is a behavioral problem, both theirs AND that of their customers. The simple answer is economic. DON'T BUY FROM THEM. Scalpers are bottom feeders of the economic world, they do not have the capital nor the staying power to continue for long if no one buys from them. Their "treasure" will economically strangle them.

And here's where the hard part comes, many of the same folks that complain about scalpers admit to having "weaken" and bought that "just one" car from a "trader".

If you bought from someone who buys HW's to SELL, you bought from a SCALPER!!  YOU are part of the problem! Until we can ALL honestly say "I do not and will not buy from a scalper", there will be scalpers.

It's that simple.

The "ZELLER SOLUTION"  of defacing HW blister packs, is typical of the current politically popular, weak kneed, "blame the inanimate object" vs the real one (people and their BEHAVIOR) syndrome. (Perhaps the hunters out there will recognize the anti-gun movement similarities).

I know this is a pretty direct way of thinking. And that I am not in line with most publicly expressed thoughts but I know from over 20 years of leadership experience in the military that the "polite" way just does not work.
-------------------
To finish with a positive note I would suggest that each of you get a "collecting partner". Someone you are friends with that collects HW's for enjoyment and lives or shops in a different area than you do. Keep in touch by phone/e-mail and let the other guy know what you have found. When you know he doesn't have a car and you find two, buy them. Let him know about it that day and if he got the same thing your "mistake" is
less than a dollar (if you have another buddy then you now have an extra car for him)

Your imagination is the only limit to the ways around the scalping problem.

Please note: The use of the word "he" above is meant to be generic and apply equally to both male and female persons of the HW collector species (OK Trish? Was that politically correct enough or what?)
Good hunting,
Steve from the windy coast of Maine

Steve:
Not only is it politically correct it is factually correct.  We need a "Say No To Scalpers" graphic.  Anyone out there game to create one?  Maybe we can make it where it can be printed off, and with a pin glued to the back, worn to toy shows and such.  You are right in that the solution lies within each of us.  Trish

I am writing in regards to your review dated December 10, 2000. Since I really appreciate the work that is done on CB's site, I thought is would be appropriate for you to receive some feedback regarding said article.

Due to some inaccuracies in your article about the Rear Loading Beach Bomb I believe your credibility is at stake. Many collectors are reading your article and getting misled. In some cases, your article is driving sales of the piece and buyers are disappointed to find out that your article, and their new purchase, is not accurate.

I think there is a fair amount of conjecture in your article regarding the reasons that Mattel decided to change the design. Since many other '69 issue Hot Wheels could not negotiate the Super Charger (specifically the Indy cars), I don't think it mattered whether or not the rear loader did. The issue was strictly a center of gravity concern. If Mattel would have been in production and then called it off because of the design change, there would be more than 25 known to exist. These molds run at about 1.5 cars per minute. If someone thinks that production was running for say one shift (only 8 hours), there would be over 700 pieces produced. I submit that the normal test run of 100 was done for this car, and 25% have survived. By the way, no mold ever made it over to Asia before all the production issues were worked out stateside. While these points are relevant, they are not nearly as misleading as what follows.

To say that the "model is an incredibly accurate duplication" is quite a stretch. While it's true that the model does have the obvious transformation from side to rear loader, the details are what get lost in this particular translation. While I can make a list of over 50 missed cosmetic details, the real problem is stating that the model was "taken of the parts of an actual 1968 prototype." This is grossly inaccurate, and is quite unfortunate. The basis for this model was a conversion of a side loader to a rear loader. Original parts were nowhere near this project, only interpretations based on photographs of rear loaders, and a hand made conversion.

The wheels and axles are another problem. While re-chromed wheels are not a surprise, the fact that the axle systems are "straight line" systems from Sizzlers is. This important point relative to "accuracy" is not revealed anywhere. Furthermore, the speculation that "some of the original pilot models might have had" a black
steering wheel is irresponsible journalism. There is no documented evidence to back up that claim anywhere.

In closing, while I think it's appropriate to cover such an interesting project/story, I dispute the car's accuracy as a reproduction. I think your reputation as a journalist suffers each time someone reads the article and makes a decision to spend money on something that was misrepresented. I know this was not your intent with the
piece. I'm more than willing to discuss this further with you should you desire to do so.
Cordially,
Tony Young

------------------------------

Tony,
Thanks for taking the time to comment on the Rear Loading Beach Bomb review.  I will attempt to address the points of your correspondence.

In regard to the design history of the original vehicle, it has been stated on the record by a number of former Mattel employees that the original Beach Bomb was shelved due to its inability to perform with the Super Charger and on the curves.  As an example, former Mattel design engineer and Hot Wheels division manager Bob Rosas posts this information on his personal web site.  So immediately, upon reading your statements, I am suspect of your facts.  The cars initially were to be packaged in a Super Charger set.  For whatever reason, no one thought to test the ability of the vehicle to travel through the Super Charger.  Again, former employees will attest to the halting of production of the item while it was redesigned.  Since Mattel doesn't have production statistics from 1968, how did you arrive at your production numbers?  What documentation do you have to verify the pieces-per-hour rates on equipment that hasn't been in use for decades?

Yes, I said the model was incredibly accurate.  No, I didn't say it was an exact replica.  I clearly stated that the wheels were of the 1970 variety, which are obviously the two-part version with the straight axles.  Any collector remotely familiar with Redlines is aware of that fact.  Reality Replicas stated that the black steering wheel was accurate, which I could neither confirm nor dispute.  Given the fact that the earliest prototypes would have been created in 1968, when the black Hong Kong steering wheels were still in use, allowing for the possibility is certainly not irresponsible.  No, there isn't any documented evidence of such.  But there are many early prototypes that have surfaced in recent years with features that contradict what has been generally
accepted.  These were after all toys, made in the 1960s, before all the government regulations kicked in.  There wasn't any great effort by Mattel to keep accurate production records.

The model is a reproduction.  You may dispute how accurate it is juxtaposed to the original, but it is a reproduction nonetheless.  You feel that my description of the model is different than yours, and that the replica didn't live up to your initial expectations based on reading my column.  But I didn't mislead anyone with the review of the model.  I didn't mislead anyone on the cost of the model which, while not $15K, is still
more than a little pocket change.  In fact, your email is the first negative  correspondence we have received in regard to the review.

Obviously you have an authentic Rear Loader that you have compared the replica to, so I'd more than welcome your comparison of the two models.
 `65Skylark

---------------
 
 

Now is the winter of our discontent, for inventories are low and the flow of new cars is but a trickle.  It seems that all the fresh paint is on E-bay selling for unconscionable amounts and the pegs are overflowing with cars we would have killed for three months ago, but now are as familiar as last years tennis shoes.  Well who said only new cars are desirable?  I tend to spend more time these days hunting for old cars.  Again, there is E-Bay, but I don't particularly want to take out a second mortgage on my house just to support my hobby.  Rather, I keep an eye out for junk shops, thrift stores and yard sales.  Usually for 25 cents to a dollar each, you can find some neat old cars that you won't find clogging the pegs at Wally World or TRU; old cars, unique cars, even (gasp) non-hot wheel cars.  Sure these are usually in 'played with' condition, but what they lack in minty freshness, they more than make up in character.  After all, these are toys that were rolled across the kitchen floor, chased by the cat, and generated more fun
than any MOMC carefully stored in a plastic tub under the bed, never to see the light of day.  And if they are missing some paint they are prime candidates for restoration projects; toys brought back to life by your own creativity and imagination.  And when you are finished, you have a car that is more interesting than any treasure hunt.

First of my thrift shop treasures this month is a Matchbox Casting called Silver Streak.  Charley Mack's Matchbox book describes this as having been released with a Roman numeral rather than a 1-75 number.  It is a silver chrome car, with all metal base and body, and a black plastic windshield and exposed rear engine, black and red tampos on the side. Condition is about a 6, but being a chrome car, we'll see what a little
polish will do for it

Tomica is to Japan, what Matchbox is to Britain and Hot Wheels is to the U.S., the national brand.  I found a Tomica casting of a vintage Nissan, looking rather like a Ford Model T.  Silver body, burgundy fenders, Black plastic base, skinny tires, and black plastic top, re plastic interior, and spare tire mounted on the fender.  A few paint chips, otherwise a cool car that not many others will have in their collection, but it's in mine.

My next find is a corgi casting of a 57 Thunderbird.  This is a transitional piece for , although it has corgi wheels, it has the Hot Wheels flame cast into the base.  The hood opens by pushing a button on the bottom of the car. Red with black interior, black metal base, and chrome plastic fenders and continental kit.  Condition 9+.

Now for a couple Hot Wheels.  First is a King Kenny Funny Car from the Pro Circuit line.   A few paint chips here and there, but over all in excellent condition.  And the Aquafresh/Waterpic Thunderstreak originally sold as a toothpaste promotion.  Maybe 1 paint chip on a great turquoise paint job. It'll look fantastic with my other open wheel racers.

One final note;  I'm purposely not putting anything about the value of these cars.  If you really want to know, you can look them up.  All five of these cars cost me 25 cents each.  Their value to me is priceless.
Keep it in scale
The Southern Gent

Southern Gent:
Someone who understands that its the cars, not the newness we collect.  I love Tomicas and have more "previously owned" cars than any twelve kids have owned.  When we lived in an area where yard sales were all over the place I would go just to find kids toys.  And I would buy the entire box.  I'd find tons of fast food toys, which I love, and many unknown toys along with the cars.  Some of my favorite finds are just shells of cars that are adorable.  Some the kids have painted with Mom's fingernail polish.  Character, and the fact that these cars have a history, says it all.   Trish