Happy 2017! Although in diecast time it is more like March 2017, Happy New Year nonetheless.
I guess it really doesn’t matter when I post these results considering we are well into 2017, so now is as good as any. And we can finally put 2016 to rest. Finally.
So here are the results of the 2016 Lamley Award Polls. If you remember, at the end of the year I asked you to pick your Best and Worst Hot Wheels Super TH, Best and Most Disappointing Hot Wheels New Model, Hot Wheels Model of the Year, and Best Matchbox New Model.
Yeah, it’s a little Hot Wheels and Mattel-centric, isn’t it? My promise next year is to incorporate more brands into the Lamley Awards, and at least I have the year to figure out how. For now, we will run with what we voted on, knowing in the back of our heads that some of what we voted on doesn’t compare to the awesomeness that was the Majorette Dubai Police set, or the TLV Skylines, Auto World Galaxie, or M2 VW Double Cabs.
Let’s get to it. I will list the Top 3 in every Lamley Award Poll, and then give my choices. This is wonderfully unscientific, and not official in any way. We put up a poll, you voted, and here are the results. Take them for what they are worth.
Best 2016 Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt:
Readers:
1. ’17 Ford GT
2. Porsche 993 GT2
3. TV Series Batmobile
Lamley:
1. Drifsta
2. TV Series Batmobile
As subjective as it gets. Is it the casting choice that makes a Super great, or the execution?
The Readers loved the Ford GT. It looked a lot like its basic counterpart, but there is no doubt it is a cool casting, and unique in that it was a New Model debuting as a Super.
For me the Drifsta was the best. I can’t say I am a huge fan of the casting, but I love the execution. The spectraflame pink on 4-spoke real riders with extra deco is just awesome. It contains the biggest upgrade from its mainline counterpart among all the 2016 Supers. Supers have to look the part, and the Drifsta truly does. So does the Batmobile. It could be argued that it is essentially the same as the basic release, but the overall look with the ghost flames and real riders just makes this an epic Super.
Worst 2016 Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt:
Readers:
1. Boom Box
2. Carbonic
3. Bad Mudder 2
Of course the generic castings. There were some duds this year when it came to Supers, but I will say I liked the deco on the Boom Box. I’d put the Bad Mudder up top.
Best 2016 Hot Wheels Licensed New Model:
Readers:
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
2. ’73 BMW 3.0 CSL Race Car
3. ’17 Ford GT
Lamley:
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
2. ’73 BMW 3.0 CSL Race Car
No argument here between me and the readers. The BMW was easily my favorite until the Alfa came along in Entertainment Forza. Both models are a combinations of great model choices and stop-on execution. Little details like the appropriate stance on the BMW and sloping trunk on the Alfa make these models instant collector faves.
Most Disappointing 2016 Hot Wheels New Model:
Readers:
1. Custom ’72 Chevy Luv
2. 2005 Ford Mustang
3. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Lamley:
1. Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Ok I don’t agree with myself anymore. I had a problem with the wing of the Porsche, but now seeing the new green version for 2017 I have to say it is pretty awesome. As for the Readers, I am not in any of those camps. I liked all three of them. I may not collect some of them, but they work. Then again most of us here in the Lamley world like realism. The after-market looks of all three obviously didn’t work for a lot of you.
2016 Hot Wheels Model of the Year:
(Coming in a separate post.)
Best 2016 Matchbox Licensed New Model:
Readers:
1. 2015 Volvo V60 Wagon
2. 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X
Lamley:
1. 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X
2. 2015 Volvo V60 Wagon
So we agreed, only we flip flopped the choices. Both the Volvo and Skyline represent a return to what we hope and expect from Matchbox: creative licensed model choices executed in the most realistic manner possible. One was a wagon (awesome) and the other a classic, stock take on a very popular classic Japanese car.
You have seen it in the comments many times. Hot Wheels does a model, usually in a racing or aftermarket style, and someone will say “I wish Matchbox would do this one so we can have a more stock version.” I say the same thing, and for so long that is what I loved about Matchbox. But while there were some great models released the last few years (BMW 1M, Dodge A100) that represented that, there weren’t enough. We finally seem to be moving out of the muck a little. It isn’t perfect, but it is a lot better. These two models definitely represent that.
To me, the Skyline is the more significant of the two. It has been awhile since Hot Wheels collectors made their way down the aisle to check the Matchbox pegs, but the Skyline caused them to do it. It got a lot of attention, and it deserved it. Popular or not, it is beautiful, especially, from my point of view, with that beautiful intact surfline above the rear wheel.
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