Lamley only hypes Gassers, so here is the Mercury Comet Cyclone from the RLC set

March 9, 2018

I’ve decided to move from only hyping JDM to only hyping Gassers. At least for this minute. Don’t expect anything but Gassers here on Lamley from here on out. Until the next post, but still. Lamley only hypes Gassers. They knock my socks off.

And since I do, you can imagine how excited I was to learn that the ’65 Mercury Comet Cyclone makes its triumphant return as part of the RLC Car Culture bundle. It was a supercool model in the Garage series, a little boring in Cool Classics, and gorgeous in the RLC, and then gone. But now it is back.

There was talk last year of Gasser hype. It’s not hype, it’s the models. They are fantastic, and the family of Gassers and A/FX cars coming from Hot Wheels is quality. The Candy Striper started it, and caused a whole bunch of collectors to start looking at these models a little differently. A pet peeve of mine is hearing collectors criticize others who “don’t understand” something. In other words, just because someone knew what a Laurel was before Hot Wheels made one doesn’t make them somehow entitled to the releases over those that didn’t. We all had to learn about the Laurel at some point, so it might as be with a Hot Wheels release. Someone who has never been to the dragstrip has every right to love Hot Wheels’ Gassers.

One of the greatest side effects of collecting is the increase in car curiosity we all acquire as we collect. That applies here. HW Designer Brendon Vetuskey, a true gearhead, lead the charge, and created the ’55, and here we are. Most of us can’t get enough of them. Same with Jun, Ryu and others with JDM. However it happened, it is awesome to see the excitement. It is fun to try and predict the next surge. I predict 80’s clunkers. (No I don’t, but let’s let that rumor run.)

Lamley only hypes Chrysler LeBarons!

Back to the Mercury. This will be the first look for many, and my guess is it will be a hit. I hope we see it again soon. I am guessing we will. With all the Lamley Hype and all.

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9 responses to “Lamley only hypes Gassers, so here is the Mercury Comet Cyclone from the RLC set”

mbx_hwc
March 9, 2018
Hype away !

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Don
March 9, 2018
Not sure the 55 Gasser started it. Hot Wheels by default has been part of the Hot Rodding Car Culture since its inception. The late 1960s was hot with custom cars that set boulavards on fire with illicit drag races to the sanctioned strips where massive big blocks thundered Chevys, Fords and MOPARs down the quarter mile. Custom cars were a major part of this and Hot Wheels manufactured their toys with this in mind. Spectra Flame ™ paint and chrome engines, little tires in front and massive ones in back.. The earliest actual nod to the strip was the Snake and Mongoose. Hot Wheels Historian Mike Zarnok campaigned a Altered Roadster that Mattel famously gave tribute to.
The gasser styled cars first saw light of day in the Drag Strip Demons series several years back. This series also held the top fuel funny cars and rail drag cars.
Sadly these didnt fair well as I nearly completed my collection of these expertly designed cars through the discount chain Big Lots where unsold product goes to die. I paid $1 each for these cars that had metal chassis and real rider tires. This gasser you hype was part of that series. I am glad to see its return as well.

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1. stew r
  March 9, 2018
  Nailed it.
  
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2. Glenn
  March 9, 2018
  Let’s not forget the Ed Shaver version Custom AMX from 1969, which pre-dated the Snake and Mongoose by about a year. But the latter two will always be remembered as the first and foremost drag racing Hot Wheels.
  
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3. Brendon V
  March 10, 2018
  The Cyclone wasn’t part of the Drag Strip Demons line. That line came out first and was designed by Rob Matthes. The Cyclone was introduced in the 2011 Garage series. I wish it could have been part of the DSD line…
  
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Sjors Trimbach
March 9, 2018
The “little boring Cool Classics” version is having a front row place in my display. Love the color, the stance, the wheels. Still, this is how it should look, not boring but outrageous.

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Ben Kiehn
March 9, 2018
“They knocked my socks off” – I see what you did there. And I love it.

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Ted
March 10, 2018
The stores in my area are very wary of stocking many of the premium Hot Wheel lines. That said, we do get a smattering of the good stuff. JDM is only starting to pick up, as most people in Wisconsin have little to no experience with these cars, having never seen them on the street. The state does have two drag strips and also Road America, so these styles of cars fare better. I have to compliment Mr. Vetuskey on the design of the 55 Chevy gasser. Historically Mattel has had a lot of difficulty with Tri-Five cars. The first 55’s and 57’s had huge proportional problems, the 55 Nomad lacks the distinctive B pillar, the 56 hardtop has a too short roof, the 2nd 57 was also a terrible casting; it had some great details, but again the roof looked like it was modeled after a sedan. Soooo……. The 55 is spot on!!! I would like to see it with a hood and stock front suspension at some point. Apparently Mattel can work that wonder. Thanks.

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Ted
March 10, 2018
In addition, a huge (yuge?) THANK YOU to John for giving all us die cast nerds an Excellent blog to enhance the enjoyment of our hobby. I have collected since the 80’s and have a bit of everything from red lines to real riders to items from the present. I have to admit to not understanding the current rage for JDM, but John has done a great job of educating me about a genre that is an exciting aspect of the current car scene. I generally don’t buy for value, but for what I like. From the aspect of the 50th Anniversary this year, despite losing metal bases and Tampo details in the mainline, collectors have gained a fantastic level of detail, wonderful paint quality, and sometimes great Tampo details. Has anyone noticed the high level of accurate detail on the bases? Compare any of the Original 16’s bases, to those made now and the difference is astounding! Exhaust cut-outs on the 64 Chevelle!!

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