Stock# 20795
CB's Die Cast Review: March 31, 1999
30th Anniversary of `69 Muscle Cars
Set 1 of 2
In 1969, the quest for
maximum horsepower was reaching its peak. Size mattered and the biggest engine
was the best ... So drop the flag, stand back and admire ...
The preceding excerpt is from the text on the outer package containing the first of two
30th Anniversary of the `69 Muscal Cars sets. This set contains nifty-looking models
of a Cheverolet Chevelle Super Sport and an Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst-442, both from the 1969 model year.
As with the previous Hot Wheels Collectibles two-packs, the models are extremely
accurate representations of their prototypes, and the craftsmanship is well done. The construction
design is the same as earlier models, with the die-cast body riveted to a black die-cast chassis,
and the display-mounting screw holes tapped through the rivets.
The chassis of both cars are painted flat black, with the exhaust systems painted silver and the oil pans
painted red. The hoods open to reveal a detailed compartment, mostly painted flat black.
The motor, part of the compartment castings, are painted red and silver, and have chrome plastic air
filters on top. The hoods are riveted to a center hinge piece that retracts into the firewall.
This is one area I am not happy with, as there is too much freedom of movement between the hood and body.
(The Chevelle hood stays in place, due to it dropping into the body when closed. The Olds hood however,
which rolls over the top of the nose, slides forward about 1/8 of an inch since there is no impediment to
stop it.) It is also more difficult to get the hood aligned during assembly. This is evident
on my Oldsmobile sample, as the rear passenger-side corner is slightly raised. I would have preferred
the pins in the sides of the hood's rear corners, as on the early Spectraflame Customs, which would keep the
hood in place when closed. This is a more delicate system, but these cars are in the high-end
collectibles line, so that shouldn't be an issue. An additional nitpick would be the front fender
running lights. With all the other detail put into the cars, it would have been nice to see these
tamped in the proper amber color.
The overall effort on these cars is excellent. They are packaged in the standard two-car collectible
hard plastic case with printed cardstock insert. Look for these two to show up as collectible singles
eventually, in a variety of paint schemes.
The Chevelle (stock# 20799) is painted in a beautiful golden tan metallic representing the 1969
color Autumn Gold. The window trim and door handles are painted in silver. The "SS"
emblems are tamped behind the front fenders in silver, with black shadow highlights, while the
script Chevelle nameplates are printed on the hood and trunk in the reverse - black with silver
shadow highlights. The side accent stripes are tamped in black. The fender running lights are
highlighted in red and silver. The simulated hood vents are tamped in black.
The front grill with bumper, and rear bumper, are chromed plastic, with the parking lights and
taillights painted in orange and red respectively. The center of the exhaust pipe openings
are painted black, simulating depth.
The 442 (stock# 20798) is a beefed-up more-accurate version of the Olds 442 from 1971.
In fact, seeing this model makes you realize how great an effort the 1971 casting was.
The body is painted in gloss white enamel, and exquisitely highlighted with metallic gold and black
accents. A wide gold stripe outlined in black runs down the roof and trunk, with a thinner
stripe on the nose and hood. A beautiful gold and black then stripe runs down the upper sides,
while the lower rocker panels and tamped in gold with black edging. The window trim and door
handles are painted silver. The Rocket88-herald rear running lights are tamped in red and silver,
while the front lights are tamped in gold and silver. The Hurst logo is in silver, red and black
on the front fenders and trunk. The horsepower rating is tamped on the hood in black and outlined in
silver, and the simulated hood vents are tamped in black. As with the Chevelle, the grill and
bumpers are chromed plastic with the lights painted accordingly. The rear spoiler is white plastic.
Both cars have clear glass and very detailed interiors. The Chevelle has dashboard details and floor
pedals. The Olds dashboard is even more detailed, with gauge clusters, radio controls and climate
controls clearly visible, some highlighted with silver paint. Both cars have detailed inner side door walls, with armrests.
The Olds even has rear window cranks! Both cars also have detailed shift consoles and steering wheels.
As with the four 45th Anniversary Corvette castings from last year, both Muscle cars ride on Pro
Circuit wheels with new wheel inserts that replicate the prototypes. Some of the current
Treasure Hunt cars could benefit from the assortment of Pro Circuit wheels Mattel currently
has available. The set is manufactured in China.
