Stock #85518
Collector #013

CB's Die Cast Review:  November 11, 2002

HotWheelsCollectors.com - Series One
`67 Dodge® Charger

While waiting patiently for an orange window I Candy to arrive in the mail so I can finish the end-of-year critique of this year's First Editions, I have been reviewing the retro-look limited editions from HotWheelsCollectors.com.  Since the last review, the last two Spoilers re-do's have appeared.  While they are well done, they are similar to the first two I reviewed earlier, so I will wait until January and the end-of-year HWC review to offer my thoughts on Heavy Chevy and Nitty Gritty Kitty.  Therefore, I turn my attention to the latest HWC release, the `67 Dodge Charger - the first retro Spectraflame not to be based on a Hot Wheels model from the early years.

Upon removing the car from the blister card and examining it thoroughly, I have to say that I am very impressed with the finished product.  Not simply a "repaint" of the First Editions casting, this version has had tooling modifications done to just about every component.  The car stands a couple of centimeters higher off the ground, eliminating the "lowrider" look entirely.  The chassis is zinc plated metal instead of chrome plated plastic.  It has been modified between the axles, not only to hold the "torsion bar suspension," but also to hold the body slightly higher.  In addition, the bumpers are straight on this version without any warp.  The interior has an extra shim molded underneath to raise it up to the proper visual height inside the body cavity.  The height differential between the HWC and First Editions versions is evident in the comparison photographs here.

The "lowrider" Hot Wheels models of recent years tend to have a thicker chassis than other models, which I suspect is necessary to hold the wheels and axles on place properly.  As a result, with a metal chassis this baby is a hefty Dodge, weighing in at two ounces!  This is a full ½ ounce more than the First Editions version. Although the body sits higher, it still has a low center of gravity due to the clearance under the middle of the chassis remaining the same.  Plus, the wheels are inset more than usual, which cuts down slightly on the suspension flexibility.  The end result is a well-performing car with a slightly stiffer suspension than the earlier HWC Spectraflame / RSWs.  It has the weight of a Heavyweights model, and rolls smoothly and forever.  The stiffer suspension also supports the extra weight of the model, which might not be the case if the axles were at normal length.

The body detail has been made crisper as well – although interestingly, the trunk medallion is almost non-existent, a major detail change from the original model.  This must have been deliberate for some reason, as the gas cap and side vent detail is as crisp as it has ever been.  The beautiful mirror-finish Spectraflame aqua paint matches the original shades from 35 years ago exactly.  The taillight is masked in red on the body, unlike the red tampo version on the First Editions model.  Thankfully, the "CHARGER" lettering is tamped in silver over the red instead of a punch-out.  The front grill is masked in flat black, as was the standard for the original California Custons.  The "TRACY" California vanity plates are tamped on the front and back bumpers, although due to the smaller than 1/64th scale of the car, the more intricate details of the plates were omitted.  The car has white accents tamped on the hood and sides.  While the Spoilers-inspired "02" targets on the doors are a detraction, they are not that much of an annoyance.  Some people have reported that the body metal on their examples has some rough edges on the fender tops and roofline, but my version is perfect in those areas.

I'm already on record of disliking the regular version of this casting and was not pleased to see it listed in this series.  But I have to admit, the HWC version is an excellent model, a VAST improvement over the standard version.  The car is a "9" and performs as a "10."  The only thing preventing it from receiving perfect marks are the use of tampos (especially the door targets) and some reports of rough body metal, as well as the lack of a detailed steering wheel and functioning hood.  It's amazing to me that this version looks so good when the regular version looks so bad.  I never would have believed it before its release, but the `67 Dodge Charger actually might end up as one of the best in the series.