For the end of the Hot Wheels model year we’ve decided to hold our very first Best of the Year Awards. We’re naming the awards affectionately after the LaLD mascot, Wall-D. Each Live and Let Diecast Admin picked their favorite new model, treasure hunt, and super treasure hunt which will become the nominees for the Inaugural Wall-D’s.
The selections:
Best New Model of 2014
Datsun 620
This year I have began collecting these tiny addiction machines again after I basically rediscovered how wonderful they are! With my interests high and some great new models coming out I decided to go after the Japanese cult classics as I had been learning about them through the great website that is speedhunters. After a year of HAWLS I must say my favorite new casting is the ever simple Datsun 620 pickup in bright blue. Simple, detailed, and has character! -MYCARNEVERRUNS87
Porsche 934 RSR
As I’m sure I’ve said ad nauseam (sorry!), I’m a bit of a Porschephile, in any scale, really. And the only thing better than a Porsche is a wide-body Porsche. 2014 did not disappoint in that regard, with first the ever excellent 993 GT2, and then finally, in (for me) the most hotly anticipated release of 2014, the 934 RSR.
I went to the September Kday with the sole objective of finding it, and almost missed out because I was there at 9:05 and not at 9:00, but a nice collector gave me one after I threw a temper tantrum and started throwing Kmart exclusive baby blue Corvettes at everyone. Okay fine. I asked nicely and he obliged.
I have since bought pretty much every 934 I’ve seen, I just can’t seem to put them back on the pegs! The orange color is so classic, even without the Jagermeister decals, and honestly it looks even better in black. The BBS style multi-spokes work like a charm in both silver and gold, and though it’s a little bit disappointing that unlike a lot of other Porsche castings the headlights are not part of the plastic window piece, the tampos more than make up for it. Ryu Asada, you’ve done it again, my friend! -PHILIP
Man this was way too difficult, but after some thought, the 934 RSR. I owned a 1:1 e36 M3 and the casting was rad! But it was almost a bit too flash compared to most of them DD’ing around. The Alfa, especially in that awesome red, was a very close second for sure. I owned a Boulevard Cruisers GT2 and I honestly couldn’t stop admiring it. I got it at a close out price but I’ve always wanted the rest of the world to share that feeling. When first seeing that there was a 934 going to be released I got extra triple mega psyched. It just has a tol of qualities I enjoy. And the custom potentials....oh man we have shown some on LaLD but it’s infinite! As a huuuge motorsports fan, this is my Best New Casting pick :] -EL_ULY
So-Plowed
While this model wasn’t particularly popular with most collectors due to its fantasy vehicle-ness, there has been a distinct lack of snow plows in 1/64 scale. While I would’ve rather seen a Hot Wheels F150 get a snowplow attachment, I couldn’t pass up the blue So-Plowed from the L case when I found it in a dump bin. It was the truck that sparked my desire to collect more winter utility vehicles really. -FROSTED
BMW E36 M3
My favorite casting from 2014 was the BMW e36 M3. Sure it wasn’t the most detailed car and left a lot to be desired (headlight tampos, taillight tampos, etc.) but, my affinity for the casting goes deeper than just the car. Before 2010, Hot Wheels had three BMW castings: the 850i, the 325i, and the M Roadster. They also had the M1 based “Street Beast” so I suppose that counts. Since then they’ve churned out four M3’s, a 2002, and a Z4 gt3. The e36 takes us one more step further down the path of BMW’s illustrious heritage. Plus it reminds me of an LTW. Did I mention I love BMW’s? -SN210
‘63 Aston Martin DB5
My second favorite casting from 2014 was the Aston Martin DB5. When it was initially launched, the color was my favorite racing green: British Racing Green. The move was marketing genius. Obviously collectors would go nuts for this classic British motor in the greatest color ever. Then, of course they would have to pick up another once they released the James Bond version... -SN210
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizone
There is something to be said just for getting everything right with this diecast. The Italians designed a gorgeous vehicle (I know, shocking) and Hot Wheels managed to get it just perfect in 1:64. The design features headlight and taillight tampos and even a tiny Alfa emblem and some nice detailing in front. The only question for me was black or red? -JEFF
Best Regular Treasure Hunt of 2014
La Fasta
Growing up my dad always loved the DeTamaso Pantera cars with their big American Ford V8s and uber 70’s wedge bodywork. That love spread to me which is why my favorite 2014 regular Treasure Hunt is the La Fasta which is obviously shaped like the Pantera! I have one and may actually customize it to make it look more like the real car. -MYCARNEVERRUNS87
I agree with BJ and know what the LaFasta’s intentions were. We are all around the same age give or take and as kids, we just knew that a wedge shaped car equals fast! We have it implanted with many example but the similarities to the DeTomaso are conclusive. The fact that I saw one and didn’t have a single dime on me increases the WANT level to make it my Best Treasure Hunt. The Off Track that I actually own was a close second for obvious reasons lol :] A guy at work actually got it for me out of the blue without intention. -EL_ULY
Stockar
I’m not hugely into Treasure Hunts. They are not really special enough to hunt for in particular, I treat them pretty much like regular main lines. The first TH I ever found was the silver Subaru WRX, and I didn’t even know at the time that it was a TH. I promptly traded it to our good friend Frosted, who recently featured it in a photoshoot, jogging my memory.
The second one I found was at a ridiculously overpriced ($1.99 for a main line) toy store called Doodle Hopper, but it was a great haul, as I also got the George Barris Batmobile and a red Mini Cooper. The TH I found there I picked up before knowing it was a TH as well, I just thought the see-through body on the Stockar was rad. When I got home I noticed the TH logo. So that’s my pick, mostly to commemorate that haul as one of the best (and priciest) of the year.
Coincidentally (and perhaps unsurprisingly) my best haul involves my pick for best $uper TH of 2014. Dun dun duuuun. -PHILIP
This one could have been an easy win for the Subaru, but due to the wheels used, I have to give it to the only other 2014 Treasure Hunt that I own, the Stockcar. It helps that the X-Raycers theme works really well and genuinely looks cool. -FROSTED
Maximum Leeway
Despite the usual, over-the-top kid-friendly fantasy models that typically make up the regular Treasure Hunts, a few very obvious collector favorites made their way into the 15 releases this year. The Subaru WRX STI, Ford Fiesta, and La Fasta all have broad adult collector appeal, yet I decided on the Maximum Leeway as the best for the reason that it is neither as ridiculously cartoon-ish as, say, the Nightburner or as straight-forward as a Fiesta. The Maximum Leeway manages to be both fun and not impossible to find. A great entry point for new collectors and yet not an eye sore for seasoned collectors to display. -JEFF
Best Super Treasure Hunt of 2014
‘55 Bel Air Gasser
I have love for Hot Rods from a very young age and have C16 race fuel running through my veins! That is why I love old Gassers’ and everything they stand for. ‘MURICA BABY!! My favorite and still elusive 2014 Super Treasure Hunt is easily the 1955 Chevy Gasser with the Isky Racing Cams livery. This car is perfect to me which is why I did a custom version of it using a mainline version. -MYCARNEVERRUNS87
‘71 Datsun 510 Bluebird Wagon
I have to give the nod to the only $uper I’ve actually physically held in my hand and found. It’s also a great looking little car! The dark red makes it look much more sinister than the main line cousin, the wheels look awesome on it, plus it’s mine! Despite this fact, though, I almost went for the Greenwood Corvette. I’m clearly a sucker for headlights that are part of the window piece. -PHILIP
It’s the only Super I have. It may be the only super I ever own, and I’d be ok with that. The tampos give the 510 a wonderful vintage JDM racecar style, although some extra details would’ve been nice in a Super. I can totally see why this model is so sought after and valuable. It’s a must have for Japanese car enthusiast and JDM collectors. -FROSTED
‘83 Silverado
This was the most difficult choice, as you dudes know. Like for reallyfiedz! They all rule sooo much. That glorious Summit Chevelle SS! The ultra rad Nova Wagon. Also, the LaLD legend that is the Bluebird 510 Wagon!!!! After the debate though, I choose the 83 Silverado. Dudes, my dad had one like this as a work truck while we lived in a Ford LTD....yes, me and my brother, sister, mom, and dad live in a 1979 Ford LTD sedan. According to my mom, we would park it at different parks around the city near the school or near were my dad found work until I was about 1 and a half when they rented a room/garage behind another home. I need to get one asap and paint it white (with a rusty and work bed) and show my dad. -EL_ULY
‘70 Chevelle SS
Ah, the first year I found a Super. Actually I managed to snag two: the Twin Mill and the ‘55 Bel Air Gasser. I know a lot of people like the Chevy, but gassers simply aren’t my thing. The Twin Mill is much more inline with my tastes, being a vintage design that looks awesome in Spectraflame. Still, even I must admit it leaves a bit to be desired, and that it could possibly even be considered boring. I’ll keep mine happily, but I can understand why others weren’t excited. After a lot of internal debate between the Datsun and this model, I finally have to concede that the ‘70 Chevelle SS is the best Super of 2014. Hot Wheels has gotten a lot of mileage out of this casting already, with 8 versions released since it’s introduction in 2013. (And each of the editions I have felt the need to purchase despite not being an American muscle car guy.) The Super was simply the best version to date, in Spectraflame purple and featuring a giant lightning bolt on the roof. I mean, how many lightning bolts did the Datsun have? -JEFF
The 2014 Wall-D Awards will be posted on December 1, 2014
List of Nominees
Best New Model
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizone
Aston Martin DB5
BMW e46 M3
Datsun 620
Porsche 934 RSR
So-Plowed
Best Regular Treasure Hunt
La Fasta
Maximum Leeway
Stockar
Best Super Treasure Hunt
Bel-Air Gasser
Chevelle SS
Datsun 510 Wagon
Silverado
Photo Credits: All photos generously provided by The Lamley Group, except the Maximum Leeway by Diecast Photography. The Stockar is courtesy PHILIP. The So-Plowed image copyright Mattel.