Overview: 2020 saw fittingly 20 different 1/64 Haulers made for the Lionel Authentics line. A total of 5 waves were split up over 12 months featuring 4 different haulers in each release.
Taking a look back at the first transporters ever released in the Lionel Authentics line along side the first ever wave of Authentics shows how much ha changed in the sport since wave 1 in 2016.
I don't make a point of collecting haulers. I believe I have 3 or 4 that I've added to the collection here and there. Usually these additions have been prompted by curiosity. So I'm not an avid hauler collector and don't claim to be an expert on them which I felt needed to be stated. Transporter #1: Chase Elliot "Give a Hoot" As is the case with almost all of the haulers Lionel makes, this one is fictitious. There has never been a transporter with a full on Chase Elliot Hooters livery. But in this instance, the livery itself celebrates the single race livery #9 Hooters Chevy Camaro Chase Elliot raced at Texas in the fall. Chase Elliot would not perform well in this race after starting in 4th place, he would fall off the lead lap and finish 20th. The most interesting thing here is that the car that won that race, was the Kyle Busch "Zombie Skittles" car the is featured on one side of the Kyle Busch hauler this wave. The hauler itself is a black base. The cab and trailer both sport matching black and pink decals. While this isn't a real hauler, this is one of the more convincing fantasy designs that looks like it could be something from the 90's.  Transporter #2: William Byron "Daytona Win." Fans of William Byron truly put in their fair share of waiting for that elusive first win. Byron earned it in stunning fashion at the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Byron would lead 24 laps including the last one, 164, to lock up his first win. Byron also handed Liberty University the top return on their investment. Liberty has been a partner with Byron who has been enrolled in the school, since before his Nascar career began in the NCWTS. Collectors now have the chance to hunt down this hauler to complement any other memorabilia dedicated to celebrating Byron's first win. The hauler features largely, real life photo rederings of the race winning car, and a celebratory picture of Byron capturing the race trophy in victory lane.  Transporter # 3: Kyle Busch "Fan Favorites" It's hard to argue that the most polarizing driver in Nascar doesn't have some of the best liveries. Even still, that doesn't always mean Kyle Busch is competitive every week. 2019 saw him win the season championship only to flounder through the 2020 season nearly without a win. You either love him or hate him, and those that choose to back "Rowdy" will be happy to commemorate the last second win at Texas in the fall of 2020. But interestingly, Lionel has decided to make this hauler a double sided hauler. To my knowledge, this is the fist two sided hauler done in the Authentics line.  The other side features appropriately, the M&M's special Halloween scheme which Kyle Busch ran at Kansas a week before the Zombie Skittles Camry. This livery was also run in 2019. Kyle Busch drive his "Halloween Treat Town" M&Ms car to a 5th place finish. This hauler is a black base with colorful detailed stickers on each side. Conclusion:
This is a nice way to start the year for the Authentics Haulers. Each of these haulers offer something very specific and unique. While I don't have nay plans to buy any of these, I'm sure they will sell well. These can be picked up presently at the Lionel store in Concord Mills and will be available nationwide at retailers soon.
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Model ReviewsHere, I will investigate 1/64 scale diecast race cars and the on track impact of each car. Archives
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