Twin Mill Showdown [Super Saturday]

Yesterday Frosted opened his Datsun 510 Wagon Super Treasure Hunt. Today let's open a Twin Mill Super.

The Twin Mill is one of Hot Wheels most recognizable fantasy models. It's been popular enough since its introduction in 1969 that it was re-cast in 1993. As well as being produced in virtually every color Hot Wheels has ever made, it has spawned several spin-offs, including the (forgettable) Twin Mill II and the current Twin Mill III, as well as a "Tooned" version known as the Hardnoze.

Here's a family photo of some recently released models:

2014 Super, Mainline, ToysRUS exclusive, 2012 Boulevard

It was part of the "Then and Now" series in 2014:

Twin Mill III in the foreground

Personally, I had no real attachment to the Twin Mill (in fact I kind of disliked it), until one day while going through a massive four sided display at Fred Meyer I came across this one:

My very first Super!

The Super Treasure Hunt version features Spectraflame Green as well as Real Riders and, if you look really close, the "TH" logo at the back of the black stripe that runs down the middle.

Since finding the Super I have become a bit enamored with the Twin Mill and, as you can see, collected multiple other editions.

The Twin Mill 25th Anniversary in the foreground, a red Twin Mill III in the background

Even though I am a collector I don't subscribe to keeping my diecasts "on the card" unless the card has some really great art. Since the Twin Mill Super clearly does not fall into that category let's set it free!

Somewhat oddly the card shows headlight tampos which are not actually on the diecast.

Despite my previous ambivalence about the Twin Mill, I think this looks great! For comparison, here's the Mainline version:

The card features one of the Hot Wheels' cartoon characters.

Attention Mattel quality control!

Since the Super Treasure Hunt version is almost always going to be superior to the Mainline let's take a look at the Boulevard Twin Mill released in 2012.

Beside "redline" Real Riders you can also see headlights and a taillight and the words "TWIN MILL" on both sides.

Neither the Super nor the Boulevard are in much demand. On eBay I find a bunch of listings with no bids and seemingly many collectors consider the Twin Mill the least desirable Super of 2014. I might too, honestly, if I hadn't found it. But I've certainly come to appreciate Ira Gilford's design and the various versions that have been released. Others have too, as (more than one!) full size Twin Mills have been produced.

If you decide you only need one modern Twin Mill in your collection which should you choose? While I think the Twin Mill III is a decent successor it really comes down to Super or Boulevard for me.

The faux-redlines are a great touch on the Boulevard, but the headlights/taillights and "Twin Mill" on the side don't add nearly as much as Spectraflame paint does on the Super. Both are great choices, but I have to go with the Twin Mill Super Treasure Hunt as my favorite and winner of this showdown.

Sources:

http://hotwheels.wikia.com/wiki/Twin_Mill,

http://twistedsifter.com/2012/11/twin-m…

(All photos by me, except Full Size Replica via Flickr)