Stock #56366
Collector #026

CB's Die Cast Review:  January 27, 2003

2003 First Editions™ #14
Whip Creamer® II

Another Hot Wheels favorite of a past era has been reinvented and released as a new casting.

Whip Creamer II is the fifth casting to be based on and named after an old Spectraflame model, following the reincarnations of Silhouette, Twin Mill, Splittin’ Image and Deora.  There is, however, an interesting twist regarding this new casting – it was designed by Alec Tam, the son of original Whip Creamer designer Paul Tam.  Out of the five "II" models, Whip Creamer II is the closest in resemblance to its Golden Era predecessor.  But the new model, while paying homage to what was before it, definitely has a look all to its own.

The design of Whip Creamer II is similar to the earlier blueprint.  The wedge-like appearance is still evident, but many of the harsh lines and boxy features of the early 1970s have been softened and rounded to assimilate into the smooth-flowing looks of the 21st century.  The diecast body is painted light purple metallic, and has angles and depth added to the original relief on the hood and sides.  The chassis is chrome-plated plastic and contains details from the earlier model that are rendered differently – the front grill features horizontal louvers instead of blacked-out panels; the nose now has two air intake slits under the hood; the rear has vertical taillight detail replacing the original blacked-out panels; and the side exhausts are less detailed yet more fluid.

The interior / turbine housing is combined into one chromed plastic part, as opposed to the two components on the original model.  Unlike most of the car, which is more abstract than its predecessor, the housing detail is intricate with strong relief.  The transparent yellow plastic canopy slides back to expose the passenger compartment.  The red plastic turbine sits loosely in the housing, and spins when air is blown through the rear passage.  The new model stands at a lower height and appears less imposing than the original, yet still maintains the look of speed and power.  Whip Creamer II rides on the new ten-spoke wheels and currently is manufactured in Malaysia.

It is an unfortunate concession to current times that the majority of this model is plastic.  Yet, in spite of this, Whip Creamer II is a successful and welcome release.  Whoever pushed this project forward should be commended, and the best designer for the job of creating this model was assigned it.  Someday, perhaps, Whip Creamer II will make an appearance in one of the HWC series – with a diecast chassis, Spectraflame paint and RSWs.  That truly would be something to see.