Well, here it is, year 2000 & my life has begun anew.  :-)   I had promised to make my next Quarry installment a little more upbeat compared to the last. I try to be a man of my word, so here goes! How bout' those HW 99' 1st editions & the 1st batch of 2000 FE's?!? Call me a suckup, but I'm impressed; I think Mattel has been doing a pretty good job lately. Personally, I think the WHOLE industry has done a good job lately! Racing Champions has been putting out some gorgeous stuff & Playing Mantis' Johnny Lightning has been making a good showing, too! I just hate that I wasn't in a position to keep up with all the new stuff that's out there; I know I missed out on some really great pieces. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a few here & there.
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After the holidays, I had some stuff to return. You know, the "useful stuff",
like ties & cardigan sweaters & expresso makers! Naturally, the stores
just issue store credit, when you don't have a receipt. This can be a real
boost for someone who hasn't had the extra cash for diecast hunting! In
my case, it also served as a stimulus to get me started again in something I loved & was really missing.  Funny thing is, most of what I've
picked up isn't even Hot Wheels, but rather Johnny Lightning & Racing
Champions. Just two weeks ago, my prayers were answered when I
discovered that RC had finally put out a Ted Nugent vehicle in the
 Signature Superstars series. Imagine my excitement when I also found a
 Lynyrd Skynyrd car from the same series hidden 6 feet down the aisle on
the bottom shelf behind some other "junk"!  Then I saw the new  "Classified Classics" & the "Shock Racers".  Had to score on a couple of
those, also!  Today, while at TRU, I discovered a RC "Lowriders" 60's
Impala I just had to have, along with a JL Classic Gold Cougar convertible &
a Nomad & 50's(?) Corvette in the Thunder Jets series of cars. These are the pull back action motorized vehicles designed for,.....gasp......actual PLAY!!  They're actually fairly neat looking, even with their short squatty
appearance. The bodies are designed to be interchangeable with certain
slot cars.  (As you can tell by now, this edition of the "Quarry" was started
some time ago)   Since then, I have made a few more discoveries, but
nothing I consider news worthy, so give me a break, ok?  :-(
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While I'm at it, I'd like to give David Conley & the guys with Blues City Hot
Wheels Club, here in Memphis, a hearty pat on the back & well deserved
"Thanks".  With all the cars the guys & girls collected and/or donated, they
carried 400 cars to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital right before
Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't contribute to that cause, because I feel
somewhat committed to my annual contribution to Boys Town.  This was
either my 3rd or 4th year & I delivered 56 or 60 cars this year. Not a whole
lot, but very appreciated just the same.
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And one more item before I sign off this time.  I still have quite a few of the CB's 2nd Annual Convention cars & T-shirts left for sale. The cars are
now $15 INCLUDING Priority shipping (2 for $27) & the T's are $10 each
plus shipping. I'll even throw in a little extra surprise with each order! I will
also still consider quantity discounts. I HAVE to get this stuff out of this
small apartment.  :-(     Hopefully, Trish will be able to find the lost convention items page & get it reposted sometime in the near future.  For
now, to order, please email me direct at the address at the bottom of my
page.
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Thanks, and as always,  HAPPY HUNTING!  Stoneman