Stock #23310
 

CB's Die Cast Review:  October 11, 1999

A Toys R Us Exclusive
Racing American Style

It seems that everyone is getting into the collectibles Hot Wheels market these days.  Toys R Us actually has been one of the earliest participants, with promotional items dating back to the mid 1970s.  All of the previous offerings available to the general public were found in the stores.  This new set, Racing American Style, is the first TRU offering available exclusively through its website.

The set consists of four early 1999 First Editions castings decorated in schemes unique to this set.  While all of the decorations are well done, only the Aurora GTS scheme looks better than its First Editions counterpart.  The Chevelle SS is painted in red enamel with clear glass, black plastic interior and zinc-plated metal base.  The car has silver, black and white tampos and rides on chrome seven-spoke Good Year tires.  The aforementioned Aurora GTS is painted in black enamel with clear glass, white plastic interior, an orange plastic chassis and rides on chrome lace wheels.  Nifty black and silver graphics make you wish this version was the First Editions car.  The Monte Carlo Concept is painted "Hot Wheels Racing Blue" metallic with clear glass, gray plastic interior and a yellow enamel painted metal chassis, with multi-colored non-HW racing graphics and blacked-out seven-spoke Good Year tires.  The Mustang is painted in yellow enamel with clear glass, silver plastic interior, black plastic chassis, silver-painted headlights and chrome three-spoke wheels.  All of the cars were manufactured in Malaysia.

It's a surprise to see seven-spokes on the Chevelle and Monte Carlo, as these are the first Malaysian-made seven spokes to appear in three years.  I would have liked the set more if the Chevelle and Mustang were in metallic paint.  And, sometimes understated graphics are better.  With the exception of the Aurora and maybe the Monte Carlo, the First Editions releases are better looking.  That's not what I want in a collectible set with a cost of over $5 per car.  I do like the packaging, and that the cars are held in place with elastic bands -- instead of blisters, wire or tape -- so they can be removed without damaging the cardboard mount.