Photo: Mattel
I recently started watching the Shogun mini-series, which reminded me of my fascination with all things Japanese. It's just that my modern-day idols are a different type of Samurai.
They are pro-drifters and can "wield" a car like no one else can. D1GP is live at Okuibuki in Japan this weekend, and it's great seeing all those drivers still using S15s and other iconic drift cars. I was browsing through some old videos I helped create a decade ago and was looking at the vehicles drivers were using. As popular as they are, Nissan Skylines are almost nowhere to be seen in modern-day drifting.
I guess it all boils down to costs (buying and running), as RB engines don't come cheap at all. Most people see the GT-R as the ultimate JDM weapon, far superior to the Toyota Supra and the Mazda RX-7. And that feeling translates to the world of 1/64th-scale cars, too. That's why Hot Wheels collectors tend to lose their minds whenever Mattel launches a new R34.
Phil Riehlman's casting is pretty cool, as it offers a mix of both Mainline and Premium iterations. The most expensive one on eBay is the 2019 Super Treasure Hunt, which can sell for as much as $300. But there's also a more exclusive option if you can afford it: Brendon Vetuskey's RLC-exclusive design. This one debuted at the 2019 33rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, and Mattel only made 5,000 units. That explains why you might have to pay as much as $1,300 to buy one.
The Bayside Blue version came in 2019, and the diecast manufacturer bumped production figures up to 12,500 units. With such a high demand, those numbers grew to 30,000 for the 2022 Shadowchrome model. Now, numbered vehicles seem to be a thing of the past with the Red Line Club, which has led to mixed reactions inside the community.
I've seen many people straying away from the RLC series in recent years, but there are a few castings they can't ignore. And the Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR34 is one of them. The latest iteration goes live on May 14, 2024, at 9 AM PT, and it may look familiar to you. The purple and blue chameleon paint mix feels like a Midnight Purple finish, but this car is ultimately different from the 2020 release.
Both use the same Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag wheels, but at least Mattel used different paint jobs to separate the two variations. For $25, you'll still have to wait until August to take delivery of this new collectible. And I've seen hundreds of various reactions online. Some enthusiasts are mad about it looking too similar to the old model.
Others won't think twice about buying it. And then there's the pessimistic crowd, who believes this GT-R is sold out even before going live. Some people have again pointed out that other manufacturers offer better options on the market, but you might struggle to find a cheaper alternative.
I guess it all boils down to costs (buying and running), as RB engines don't come cheap at all. Most people see the GT-R as the ultimate JDM weapon, far superior to the Toyota Supra and the Mazda RX-7. And that feeling translates to the world of 1/64th-scale cars, too. That's why Hot Wheels collectors tend to lose their minds whenever Mattel launches a new R34.
Phil Riehlman's casting is pretty cool, as it offers a mix of both Mainline and Premium iterations. The most expensive one on eBay is the 2019 Super Treasure Hunt, which can sell for as much as $300. But there's also a more exclusive option if you can afford it: Brendon Vetuskey's RLC-exclusive design. This one debuted at the 2019 33rd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, and Mattel only made 5,000 units. That explains why you might have to pay as much as $1,300 to buy one.
The Bayside Blue version came in 2019, and the diecast manufacturer bumped production figures up to 12,500 units. With such a high demand, those numbers grew to 30,000 for the 2022 Shadowchrome model. Now, numbered vehicles seem to be a thing of the past with the Red Line Club, which has led to mixed reactions inside the community.
I've seen many people straying away from the RLC series in recent years, but there are a few castings they can't ignore. And the Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR34 is one of them. The latest iteration goes live on May 14, 2024, at 9 AM PT, and it may look familiar to you. The purple and blue chameleon paint mix feels like a Midnight Purple finish, but this car is ultimately different from the 2020 release.
Both use the same Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag wheels, but at least Mattel used different paint jobs to separate the two variations. For $25, you'll still have to wait until August to take delivery of this new collectible. And I've seen hundreds of various reactions online. Some enthusiasts are mad about it looking too similar to the old model.
Others won't think twice about buying it. And then there's the pessimistic crowd, who believes this GT-R is sold out even before going live. Some people have again pointed out that other manufacturers offer better options on the market, but you might struggle to find a cheaper alternative.
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