Stoked to find more than 36 pieces of Majorette first to market Toyota FJ Cruiser at Toy R Us yesterday. The finishing is well done consider that it's at a more economical price at close up.
It's a huge castingat 1/53 scale. Nevertheless it's a great addition to add to your Majorette Vintage collection.
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Finally I am able to compare my recent Tomica Limited Vintage (TLV) Nissan Bluebird 1600SSS Movie Rally car Vs a free Dydo coffee promotion car.
Both pack the same level of details. But when view on close up TLV do not disappoint. Every details including paint job and print are all above Dydo. They look perfect as a pair.
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Sharing the recent release of the Cars & Donuts Series. Another awesome release of the Car Culture Series with 2 first to market castings. The models featured are:
Mclaren P1
Custom Datsun 240Z
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
BMW M1 Procar
Subaru Impreza WRX
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A short video on one of my most fave Hot Wheels custom I did a while back. Free up the '65 Impala STH as well to join the Hudson and the Gasser. They look awesome together in Fiery flame and gold wheels. Please subscribe to my channel for more updates.
II have been following closely on the Tomica Premium series since its first release on the 01 Nismo R34 Z-tune back in 2015. Just recently I organise my Premium collection which are all over the place for my YouTube feature.
There are a total of 40 castings with the latest 05. Lamborghini Miura and 24. Subaru WRX STi. Just when I was ready for 2018 Tomica released the number 41 TakaraTomy Mall exclusive Lancia StratosRally. So this casting is a must have for my collection and I personally love Lancia as well.
Photo from shorey.net
In general the casting is exactly the same as its previous 2016 No.19 Lancia Stratos release. However this is the Lancia Stratos HF Alitalia N 11 Winner Rally Sanremo 1975 version. Hence its a cool casting to own. Being not a very popular castings as its Nissan or JDM counterpart in the mini car scene you can get it for quite a fair price online as well.
I have uploaded a video on Hot Kustoms Youtube Channel as well. Please subscribe to my channel for more updates.
A walk through of all my current Hot Wheels VW T1 Panel buses through Instagram Live on 28 Nov 2017 with the exception of the latest Scooby-Doo Panel Bus. The model ares:
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Reese Pieces
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Universal Monsters Wolfman
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Grateful Dead
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Muppets Kermit the frog
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Star Trek 50th Annivesary
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Super Mario Bros
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus DC Comics Superman
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Marvel The Wasp
• Pop culture VW T1 Panel Bus Fatlace illest.com
A quick review of my illest.com Hot Wheels Fatlace '64 VW panel bus. The bus comes with a clear case as well as a bonus surf board and a decal sheet. Thanks to my buddy from the North for helping me to get this beauty to add in to my panel bus collection.
It is such a shame that for the latest order from illest.com last week. Singapore and a few other countries are excluded from their shipping list.
I remember my very first few customs was a Hot Wheels Mazda RX-7. So I was very excited when Hot Wheels announced they are going to release the ’95 Mazda RX-7 for the upcoming 2017 P case.
That’s an awesome casting with twin turbo chargers and a powerful rotary engine. But being located in Singapore we are always far off than U.S.A and Malaysia markets when comes to the latest release. When the P case was released last month I was very happy to have the mainlines “Then & Now” pair especially the ’95 Mazda new new model.
Thankfully I was able to get the Kmart exclusive pair from Diecast Toyz Singapore & an extra set from my buddy from the North as well. I have also recently got a set of limited edition Garage64 wheelset from Diecast Toyz Singapore as well which I intended to use for this casting.
Hence when I picked up the latest 2018 A cast ’95 RX-7 from the news stand last week which is still not in our retail stores. I fitted them with Garage64 Wheelset and some simple add on carbon fibre decals with additional details. This is something interesting about Hot Wheels mainlines. I believe they have a certain quota to maintain the production cost.
For the P case and Kmart they printed front and rear light tampo but because of some designs on the 2018 “Initial D Redsuns” inspired RX-7 these lights tampo are missing. As I keep my customs simple for these RX-7 with just decals and markers I left it AS-IT-IS. After 2 gloss coats with fitting shoes they are ready to roll!
I have uploaded a video on Hot Kustoms Youtube Channel as well. Please subscribe to my channel for more updates. Enjoy the photos.
Sharing my recent Aoshima Grachan online exclusive variation purchase. I have shared my earlier unboxing video on the mainlines as well. The models featured are:
-Fairlady Z 1973 model (S30)
-110 Silvia 1979 model (S110)
-Mazda RX-3 Savanna (Similar casting to the Aoshima Grachan “BEST” series.)
Thus additional 3 more online variations added to the usual 2 secret chases and 2 regular chases for the past series.
I have work on a number of Hot Wheels diecast customs and a couple of model kit in 1/35 as well as 1/12 scale. However been a mini car enthusiastic I have yet to work on a 1/24 scale model kit. In fact I have been admiring these 1/24 model cars through Model Cars Magazine by Neko publishing. I have a couple of 1/24 kits but has not work on them similar to many model cars collector reason being "Not enough time."
Hence while browsing through the July Issue I come across the feature of the Fujimi Yoroshiku Mecha Doc Series 3 Watanabe Super Z model. I decided to purchase it and left it aside while working on other stuffs before I start a month later.
Somehow I'm impressed by this Kit as it comes with the engine unlike Aoshima at the almost same price point. I am excited as well as it is the very first 1/24 I ever work on. Many things to try and experiment during the process. Of course I have look up on tutorials through Youtube and works shared by other collectors.
After washing away all the factory lubricant I was ready. First I do a mock up and sand the body with 3K Sanding Sponge from Tamiya especially those factory mould lines on the kit. There is nothing I can do for the clear part.
This is where I started to have a change of mind. I wanted to give this Fairlady a Devil Z theme from Wangan Midnight. Of course it is not 100% accurate as the Manga Version but its a theme I wanted. After priming I spray the body with Tamiya TS-51 Racing Blue. In fact I have not work with spray can for a while but I sort of like the midnight blue shade. The image above is without gloss coat.
I'm also toying with the idea should I change it to a 14" SSR mesh wheels which I painted from an Aoshima Wheelset kit a while back but eventually settle for the stock Watanabe Wheels.
Decals applied with a coupe of gloss coats. Set it aside for a few days before wet sand, polish and wax. Now need to work on the details, chrome trimmings and buck up on the interior. No modification is made for my first try I just purely follow the instruction kit to assemble.
Concurrently working on the 1/64 Hot Wheels scale Custom Datsun 240Z as well with the intent of a similar Devil Z theme. The one beside is my earlier work which I fitted with a Gas Monkey Engine and lowered it with cambered Star Wheels.
This is the reason why I love this kit. Unlike most of 1/24 Aoshima it comes with an engine although it may never see the light after body assembly. May do a opening hood after a few more go.
Interior mostly with matt black and chasis done. Added details for the stock Watanabe Wheelset as well.
Working on details such as light fittings, mirrors etc.
Due to work schedule I set it aside for 2 weeks plus before returning to complete it. The chrome trimming application is painstaking but definitely worth it. I apply another coat of wax before photo session. More photos of my finished work below.
Unlike 1/64 Hot Wheels customs. A 1/24 modelling required a lot of details even on the the most basic component. Overall I learn a lot from the process and hope to apply it to my 1/64 works. More photos below and be sure to follow me @hotkustoms in Instagram and Youtube channel for more updates.
Sharing my unboxing for my new Aoshoma Grachan arrival. I have shared my earlier video through Instagram Live on 6 Nov 2017 but forgotten to save my video hence the remake. No chases here and I'm happy to get my mainline Fairlady Z. The models featured are:
-Kenmeri 2Dr 1972 model (C110)
-Fairlady Z 1973 model (S30)
-Cosmo AP model (CO23C)
-330 Cedric 1977 model (330)
-110 Silvia 1979 model (S110)
-Carina HT 1980 model (RA45)
Total 6 car types, with 2 colour variation.
Sharing my recent Greenlight purchase through Instagram Live on 30 Oct 2017. Thanks to my buddy and followers for tuning in to my Instagram Video as well. The models featured are
• 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS Gulf Oil 1/24 (Green Machine)
• 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS Gulf Oil (Green Machine)
• 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS Gulf Oil
• 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS Gulf Oil (Green Machine)
• 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit (Green Machine)
• 1967 Chevrolet Impala (Green Machine)
• 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV from Breaking Bad (Green Machine)
• 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV from Breaking Bad
• 1976 VW Type 2 Double Cap Ladder Pickup (Green Machine)
A walk through of all my Tomica Premium collection released in 2015. Please note that the Tomica TakaraTomy Mall Exclusives and Event Models are released in different dates. The models are:
21 Honda NSX type R
09 Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX Twin Turbo
13 Nissan Skyline GT-R
14 Toyota Supra
12 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
22 JASDF T-4 Blue Impulse 23 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Evo III
A walk through of all my Tomica Premium collection released in 2015. Please note that the Tomica TakaraTomy Mall Exclusives and Event Models are released in different dates. The models are:
11 Nissan Skyline GT-R Spec II Nur
* 11 Nissan Skyline GT-R Spec II Nur (TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive)
12 Toyota Celica GT-Four
13 Nissan IDS Concept
* Nissan IDS Concept (2015 Tokyo Motor Show)
14 Toyota S-FR
* Toyota S-FR (2015 Tokyo Motor Show)
15 Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version
* Subaru Impreza 22B-STi Version (TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive)
A walk through of all my Tomica Premium collection released in 2015. Please note that the Tomica TakaraTomy Mall Exclusives and Event Models are released in different dates. The models are:
01 Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune
*Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune Proto (2016 Tokyo Auto Salon)
02 Morita Wildfire Truck
03 JSDF Type 90 Tank
* JSDF Type 90 Tank with dozer (TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive)
04 Mazda RX-7 FD3S
* Mazda RX-7 FD3S (TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive)
05 Lotus Europa Special
06 Jaxa Hayabusa 2
07 Volkswagen Type II
08 Lexus RC GT500
09 Volkswagen Type II Pickup
* 09 Volkswagen Type II Pickup (TakaraTomy Mall Exclusive)
Sharing my recent Tomica Limited Vintage (TLV) purchase. The '17 GT-R pair in red and white which is a variation of the previous release as well as some upcoming items for my channel.
Happy that Mattel extend these Kmart Mail in cars to other Asian region such as Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and finally Singapore!
They include:
• Datsun Bluebird 510
• '87 Toyota Pickup Truck
• Long Gone
• '76 Ford Gran Torino
• '57 Chevy Convertible
A full review of the latest Tarmac Greenlight collaboration R34 patrol car. Do subscribe to my channel and follow me @hotkustoms for more mini cars updates.
I still remember how impressed I am when I got my first Tarmac Works (TW) Bathing Ape Audi R8. The attention to details is similar to my favourite Tomica Limited Vintage (TLV) in 1/64. This alone is pretty awesome for a Hong Kong brand whose forte lies in 1/43 and 1/18.
Presentation itself is awesome. Each of them come with a sleeve in TW trademark container design along with a jewel case. They are considered as model cars category with limited runs for each release. Since then, I guess I have more than a dozen of 1/64 TW castings. Thanks to my buddy who distribute them.
TW business is based on local distributorships and not available in retail. Just last month TW announce that they will release 3 castings for the 2017 Hong Kong Toy Festival edition limited to1248 pieces. They are 2016 Civic FK2 , Evolution Lancer X and the Audi R8 LMS which are instantly gobble up at the event. For the rest of the international buyers, TW announced a small quantity will be available at TW.com.
Hence I join the rest to give a go to purchase them online. Unlike Hotwheels collectors.com (HWC) the experience is terrible. The cars are released at 10.40am instead of the promised 10am and there is no waiting room. Once I purchase and check out my cart which takes all in 3 minutes the Civics are sold out. Hence I cancel my entire order.
Thankfully here are the 3 models which I got from my local dealer which are all I need. :) My favourite will be the Audi R8.
The inner voice of me constantly ring. “Grab the Hot Wheels Datsun Bluebird! “ “Get all the Tomica Civic Type R!” whenever I go diecast hunting. Unlike the Hot Wheels Datsun Bluebird 510 which are pegwarmers in those days, the Tomica Honda Civic Type R are the hotcakes many collectors chase for. Back in 2007 the No. 54 mainline FD2 model was instantly gobbled up with none left behind on retail shortly after it release.
I can’t recall how much I paid for the No. 54 3rd Gen FD2 mainline which now command a high price in the secondary market. And even more expensive for the code 3 custom cars which I will write about in my coming posts. Early this year after the release of the sold out mainline Type R FK2 in 2016. Tomica announce it will release a similar FK2 for their upcoming Osaka Tomica Event Model (TEM) in April.
Hype and speculation stir up the diecast community and everyone including me hope to get at least just one for their collection which run in very limited numbers for the event. “I can forgo all the models. But I must get the Civic Type R!” which I jokingly tell my friends.
Similar to the outstanding review of the 1:1 limited run 4th Gen Type R. The toy car version is awesome as well. It sport the similar Milano red body colour as the 2009 Tomica Toy’s Dream Project Mugen RR holy grail with the usual TEM logo on the body. Personally I will dismiss the racing graphic on the tampo and keep it clean, but been a sucker for Type R it sure looks great as a set together with my mainline collection.
Meanwhile I’m looking forward to the Hot Wheels Type R release this year. Given the recent JDM Hype I’m positive they will be gobbled up on pegs by both die hard Tomica collectors who say nay “I don’t fancy Hot Wheels” and hybrid collector like me. And yes I want them all.
