CB's Die Cast Review: July 12, 1999
Hot Wheels Collectibles
Hard Rock Cafe Set
It is my opinion
that both the old and new generation of designers have made some exceptional additions
to the Hot Wheels line up and some real duds. As the design of full size cars
changes over the years and we get more aerodynamic and futuristic designs, it is also
reflected in the die cast car arena. I realize we see a lot of peg warmers, but
I think that is due to collectors finally finding what they want and only wanting one
or two we don't clear the pegs like scalpers. Peg warmers are not unwanted cars ...
they are just cars collectors have already acquired and are no longer looking for, which
proves that almost everything can end up being an easy to find car eventually. Patience.
All cars sport wide whitewall tires and chrome wheels. The hoods are up showing the
detailed engines. The headlights and taillights are detailed. There is even a molded
coffin in the rear of the hearse. I hope these are released in the Cool Collectibles series
as singles. The things one could do with that Hearse as far as customizing would be
amazing. In the past we have asked our visitors, "If you could only keep one car/set in your
collection what car would you choose?" The answer here is so easy - Hard Rock Cafe
would win hands down in the Limited Edition set category. Way to go designers.
This is absolutely the most beautiful set I have ever seen. I don't see how anyone can
design a set better than this one.
So, I guess the designers are pretty much equal as far as the regular line cars. But,
if you go for the cars in the new adult collectible segment of Hot Wheels its a whole other
story. And it is not fair to draw comparisons here since the adult collectible designers
have the leeway to create more detailed cars since they sell for more. Which brings
me to the best set of Hot Wheels I've ever seen ... the Hard Rock Cafe Set.
This set is incomparable. The `63 Hearse if my favorite (like the packaging says -
"To Die For") - and the detail is absolutely stunning. The black "vinyl" part of the
roof is actually textured (you bet I opened it). When I die I want to take my last ride
in a ride like this one. The only things I would change is to make the flames a bit
more subtle (like very light pearl platinum flames) and it would have a black or gray steering
wheel instead of blue.
Next is the `59 Woodie. Awesome. The surf boards in the back even have flames on
them. The "wood grain" detail is very well done and the shade of green makes the car as
close to perfect as it can be. The only thing I would change on this car is to make the
surf boards look like real wood versus the red and blue plastic.
Then we have the `57 El Dorado. The white plastic top gives the appearance of having an
actual frame under the top like Mark Maranta's Blown Blue Passion. The car design
is not my favorite but the pink is a great color for it and it is an excellent representative
of the "fins" era. The thing I would change about this one is the way to pink interior.
