I am not a diecast reviewer. Never have been. Reviewing diecast would be freaking boring. I’m a collector, who is in this hobby because I enjoy it. And it probably doesn’t need to be said that I gravitate to what I enjoy.
I say this because many times I will hear comments about how I only like stuff so more companies will send me free stuff or whatever. Those are always amusing comments. There is no way Lamley has run this long to get a few free models, and there is no way it could run on boring reviews. Imagine getting excited to do a full photo feature or video on a model I don’t like?
I do this because I enjoy the hobby. I like photographing models, and I like writing and talking about them. I like sharing. I also get a tremendous amount of satisfaction running this blog and YouTube Channel, and sharing what I like and what I learn with you. The day is coming that I will shut this whole thing down, but for now I really enjoy doing it, because there is so much to like.
And I really like these two convention models.
The Hot Wheels Convention is this week, in Los Angeles. I will be there later in the week, and as always plan to share as much as I can. Model features are coming, and of course I will stream the Mattel Sneak Peek Presentation at the Finale on Saturday night.
But let’s get on with these two models. The Convention Models are available to ticket holders to purchase during the Convention, and I have a feeling most attendees will max out their allotment on these two. The Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR34 and Custom ’62 Chevy Pickup scratch a lot of collector itches.
Neither has been a convention model before, and until the R34 hits the RLC later this year, none has gone ultra-premium until now. In fact, the R34 is a brand new casting, with opening hood, more detailed spoiler, and other enhancements.
Obviously the goal with these models is for collectors to buy them, and buy them in multiples, so the castings chosen will always be among collector favorites of the day as well as icons. That is why the ’67 Camaro, Drag Bus, Datsun Wagon, ’55 Gasser and others have shown up more than once. The R34 and ’62 Chevy certainly qualify as collector faves, but it is especially nice to see two castings that haven’t been used before, and represent two very popular elements of collecting today: JDM and classic pickups.
And the same goes with the deco. Don’t dismiss that yellow on the R34. It was done to replicate Lightning Yellow, a rare stock color for the Skyline, and going without any other deco is a wink and nod to the JDM purists out there. It’s legit cool no matter where it would have been released.
Same with the 76-themed deco on the ’62 Chevy. It is proper vintage and understated, focusing more on pure good-looks than over-the-top attention-grabbing. These two were made for today’s collector, and are bound to be crazy popular.
And that is why I like them. Sure, there are times the Convention models don’t strike my fancy, but I can always appreciate the thought and effort that goes into them. I appreciate these, but like them way more. Two home runs to be sure.
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