Notes:
I have to say, I'm pretty pumped about Hot Wheels getting in on the Formula 1 action. Up until this point, I wasn't impressed with their mainline casting. While this new premium casting has it's limitations, and does not show or display any of the intricate differences in design from one team to the next, it still captures the feel of the 2024 base specifications for the car from that season. Similarly, while the paint and print work is ok, it's not nearly as intricate or as detailed as something you would find on a Mini GT model. The real joy here is being able to walk into a brick and mortar store to find on the shelf in 1/64 scale the sleek and exotic looking race cars from the world's top racing series. 

This Mercedes AMG F1 car driven by George Russel is a great first car to add to my Hot Wheels F1 collection. The sleek black base coat and gray, teal and red details make for a great looking model. At $8.00 U.S., I can't complain for what you get. The plastic base is a nice inclusion, and the packaging feels special too. I forecast that this will be a very successful line for Mattel. Now if only they would put some work into making their printing more crisp...

​Ranking System:
Cars are given a score based on a 0-10 scale. A car can score as low as a 0 or as high as 10. Points are awarded across four different categories. Three points each are given for the following categories: Heritage and History, describes the pedigree of the car, it's role in automotive history, and the backstory of the 1/1 and or the 1/64. Production and Finishing, describes how well the car was produced and its overall execution on paint, printing, assembly, and quality. Cool Factor, describes how eye catching and unique the car is. Lastly, one final 'Price Point' is given if the car is worth the MSRP. *This does not take into account the second-hand market price.*

Production and Finishing (2/3)
Reviewing a Hot Wheels mainline car that retails for $2 USD is always a bit trivial, but hey, that's the fun of it. I noticed this little casting on a grocery store peg near the register, and while it is a fictitious paint scheme, with the 'HWRT' no doubt an acronym for 'Hot Wheels Racing Team,' the car is painted in a much more realistic, Solar Shift Orange. The car also is true to it's name. This isn't your standard GR86. This is a specially designed Cup edition that is meant to be utilized by amateur race car drivers and car collectors.  

This car has a base code of T47, meaning it's a 2024 model produced in December. It is 1/10 from the mainline series, 'Compact Kings.'

Proof of that is visualized. The customized roll cage has been molded into the internal plastic casting of the car's chassis. This internal molding has been done well, and is only mildly toy-like. The other production details are really good. The main body of the car is well cast, and that's what spurred me to collect the model in the first place. The car sits level on the table and rolls well with no wobbling. The plastic wheels are nicely detailed, and the rims were an appropriate choice for this model. 

The best features of this 1/64 Hot Wheels car is the sharp orange paint. A nice, even coat was generously applied, and the car has a variety of interesting printed graphics. The racing number is another nod to the car's intended use, and the 'Bridgestone' logo is another dash of realism. (3/3)

Cool Factor (2/3)
Personally, when I'm looking for Hot Wheels, I'm looking for cars that are as real to their 1/1 counterparts as possible. When you subtract the 'HWRT' logos, this car is nearly there. 

The GR86 is truly a driver's car. It's small and nimble stance makes it a competitor to cars like the Mazda MX-5. The GR86 stock version is many a young man's dream car, and the retro-fitted Cup version is that dream on steroids. But the modified version is essentially the same on the outside, so it maintains all the little features that make it appealing without being superfluous. 

The 1/64 version does have a few drawbacks. While there is some great detailing on the front of the car, the rear potion is void of any detail whatsoever. A quick print including tail light logos, a racing logo, or even some kind of license plate would put this little car over the top. (2/3).

Price Point (1/1)
​This was an easy point to give. In today's day of rising costs and inflation, value is paramount. There are few things worth two dollars in this life that give me as much joy as this little two door speedster. Cars like these make it more than worth it to hunt around for. You get a good casting, with nice paint work, good detailing, and a few extra easter eggs, and you can't ask for much more. Throw on top of that an interesting racing pedigree and you've got a good one. 

Collectors Notes:
Japan Historics 4, acquired in December 2024 at a local retailer. Both cars came in at $6.99.

​Ranking System:
Cars are given a score based on a 0-10 scale. A car can score as low as a 0 or as high as 10. Points are awarded across four different categories. Three points each are given for the following categories: Heritage and History, describes the pedigree of the car, it's role in automotive history, and the backstory of the 1/1 and or the 1/64. Production and Finishing, describes how well the car was produced and its overall execution on paint, printing, assembly, and quality. Cool Factor, describes how eye catching and unique the car is. Lastly, one final 'Price Point' is given if the car is worth the MSRP. *This does not take into account the second-hand market price.*

Production and Finishing (2/3)
The casting for the car is pretty good. The standard for 1/64 scale cars like this are obviously set high from competitors like Pop Race and Mini GT. But for a fraction of the price, you can still find fairly good endurance racers like this one. This car comes in at around seven U.S. dollars, and right off the line, you're getting a fairly strong casting for your cash. 

The front of the replica is one of its stronger areas. The 'face' of the real life Corvette has received some warranted criticism for looking very similar to one of its Italian rivals...ahem. Still, at an arm's length, the front of the car looks great. The headlights do look a little bulbous. up close in the photos, but in person it's not an issue. 

One of the best things about Hot Wheels, despite their usual lack of sophisticated detail, is the deep catalog of license permissions. That really plays a role when replicating real on-track replicas that are brimming with real sponsors. Getting each of those corporate sponsors to agree to having their name printed on a small diecast car can be a tall task, but if you already have the agreements in place, it's no issue. It is an issue however, if the logos are hard to read.

The only other detractor I can think of, is the ride hight of the vehicle. This car should be situated barely above the ground, it's stance simply sits too high off of the ground, and so the front splitter is situated at an awkward height, and this takes away from the aerodynamic profile of the race car. Between that and a few paint and printing issues, as well as the thickness of the spoiler, a point for accuracy and production is deducted.

Cool Factor (2/3)
The Corvette C8.R. is undoubtably a fan favorite at several North American and international racing events such as the 24 hours of Daytona, and the 24 hour Le Mans race. It is frequently seen as the leader in American grand touring power, and Chevrolet loyalists would never dream of following another manufacturer. But that makes this model unique. It also means that it won't appeal to everyone. The car is absolutely sharp, and looks fast, but it's niche and therefore, the Cool Factor is slightly decreased. 

Still, Hot Wheels has put in the extra effort to increase the appeal of this car by considering other details. The 'illuminated' positioning number board, the casting including sideview mirrors that have been painted, and the presence of the fuel line injection site are all winning features. Nice job. 

Price Point (1/1)
I don't think you can really argue with the Hot Wheels Premium price point. At about 7 U.S.D., it's just barely worth the cash. But it is worth it. I do think that the price is still somewhat inflated due to the cost of Premium competitors. As is usually the case, the all metal body, and the rubber tire help to make the car feel premium and help to justify the expense.

Sources
1)“Chevrolet Introduces Special Edition 2022 Corvette Stingray.” Chevrolet.com, 2022, news.chevrolet.com/newsroom.detail.html/Pages/news/us/en/2021/jun/0609-corvette.html.
​2)“Official Website 24 Heures Du Mans | 12-13 June 2021.” 24h-Lemans.com, www.24h-lemans.com/en.

​Ranking System:
Cars are given a score based on a 0-10 scale. A car can score as low as a 0 or as high as 10. Points are awarded across four different categories. Three points each are given for the following categories: Heritage and History, describes the pedigree of the car, it's role in automotive history, and the backstory of the 1/1 and or the 1/64. Production and Finishing, describes how well the car was produced and its overall execution on paint, printing, assembly, and quality. Cool Factor, describes how eye catching and unique the car is. Lastly, one final 'Price Point' is given if the car is worth the MSRP. *This does not take into account the second-hand market price.*

History and Heritage: (3/3)
The Subaru Impreza is the final world in modern day rally car engineering. Subaru maintains excellence in the field both from abroad and here in the U.S. The Vermont Sports Car facility in Burlington, VT is a wonderful place to visit and illustrates Subaru's commitment to growth in a field they already own. Car enthusiasts around the world continue to buy tuned up Imprezas. This 2018 hatchback version sings with superb details that make this a relatively high quality 1/64 scale model.

The mould is honestly outstanding. For just over a dollar to the consumer, Mattel has captured the central features of the car. the hood scoop, quarter panels, doors, windows, mirror, and roof mounted spoiler are all fantastically crafter. If there's a main criticism it's that the window line should be perfectly straight. It should not taper off before rounding up in the back. 

The HW mould really replicates the shape and form of the WRX. The front the car features relatively proportionate features. The headlamps are well depicted but the fog lamps are not as well illustrated, and aren't printed in a different color (a lighter gray) as they should be. The red Subaru logo indicating a sport version of the Impreza is happily printed on the front of the car well.

Ultimately, this little 1/64 scale Subaru nearly perfectly captures all of the history and heritage of this Japanese rally car. It is most definitely what the packaging says it is. The best part over all is that this is a car that is commonly sold in a gray base coat, and Hot Wheels hasn't tried anything overly fancy with the colors. It looks great. 

​Cool Factor: (2/3)
The Impreza is a known 'cool car.' From the chassis, to the body work, the car has beckoned to automotive enthusiasts around the world. The opinion of the masses is however somewhat divided upon if the WRX maintains a level of cool once it becomes a hatchback. 

So how cool is this car? For starters, I love the deco work, and the gold rims. These are the main artistic features on this model. The deco work looks really nice. Hot Wheels went with a basic pink color to spot their logo on the car and it looks great placed at the end of the fading teal speed strip.

While I know it's a lot to ask for a mainline car to have tail light printing, if you've already gone and done the head lamps, why not do the tail lights too? The same applies to a license plate and the rear trunk Subaru logo. These are missed opportunities. Adding all of this up is enough to take a point. (-1)

Another detractor is that the front wheel base is too wide. Looking at the car head-on, one wheel consistency juts out too far from the wheel wells. This isn't quite enough to take a second point in the category, but further strengthens the argument to take at least one point. 

Price Point: (1/1)
​Coming in at less than a dollar and a half, this car is more than worth the money. It can certainly trick the eye of someone overseeing a car collection to think it cost more than it does. That gray metal flake paint is worth the asking price alone, and this is a perfect example of less, being more. 

Ranking System:
Cars are given a score based on a 0-10 scale. A car can score as low as a 0 or as high as 10. Points are awarded across four different categories. Three points each are given for the following categories: Heritage and History, describes the pedigree of the car, it's role in automotive history, and the backstory of the 1/1 and or the 1/64. Production and Finishing, describes how well the car was produced and its overall execution on paint, printing, assembly, and quality. Cool Factor, describes how eye catching and unique the car is. Lastly, one final 'Price Point' is given if the car is worth the MSRP. *This does not take into account the second-hand market price.*

History and Heritage: (3/3) 
​The Volkswagen SP2, was developed in the late 60's and hit the production line in 1972. It was designed to appeal to female drivers (input was solicited from designer, Rudolf Leiding's wife) and to compete with Puma. What they ended up with was a striking sports car that really wows. 

Production and Finishing: (3/3)
At first glance, I love the spectraflame paint. Hot Wheels today are primarily of a glossy or metal flake paint finish so this is a welcome offering. This unique paint style certainly goes back to the finishing style used on Hot Wheels from the early 80's and 90's. The manufacturing process involves a shiny vacuum-metalized finish covered in a semi-transparent, water-based lacquer.

The SP2 mould has been used by Hot Wheels nearly a dozen times, if not more. It's not a newer mould, but the casting is superb. When looking at the mould, all the important details such as door size, window size, bumper angles, and canopy lines are proportionate. I know that the wheel set is another classic Hot Wheels detail, but I do have to say it's not the best pairing for this mould, but that's just a personal preference. 

Cool Factor: (2/3)
It's always nice when non-premium Hot Wheels have added details like rear tail lights, and license plate details. Here we have nice little anagram in the namesake of this special line. The car also features dozens of 1/1 scale accuracies, wipers, door handles, transmission lines, tail pipes, a steering wheel, head lamps, and seats among many other details are all present. 

My main criticism in this category is really only the color Hot Wheels have gone with. They hit nearly the whole rainbow spectrum in this wave of Ultra Hots, but I don't think green was the best choice for this car. A sky blue, or a sunshine yellow would have been a better fit. (-1) The green would have been better served on the Civic SI, or the 67' Shelby GT.

Price 'Point': (1/1)
There has been significant conversation about if the three dollar price point is appropriate for these cars. I'd argue it's just the right amount. These are very specially designed and they are meant to appeal to anyone who was a kid in the 80's and 90's. (That's me). They do just that. I think for the mould, the paint, the old school wheels and the packaging, these are worth the money and I'd argue have a fairly good chance at appreciating over time.