As collectors, coming across a chase car in the wild remains the ultimate HAWL. Ask any collector methodically combing through the pegs at Target, or elbows deep in a dump bin at Wal-Mart what they are searching for and - inevitably - the chase car will come up. There are entire websites devoted to cataloging the most up-to-date chase offerings. Many companies have found chase cars so wildly popular they have split into common and rare varieties (think Super Treasure Hunts and Super Chases). Frankly, some companies whose distribution of regular models is sketchy enough or who really should focus on quality control issues, have found producing a chase variety makes for an easy sell.
Off the top of my head, the current Chase car indicators from the diecast world looks something like this:
Hot Wheels - Spectraflame and Real Riders ($TH)
Matchbox - Sapphire Gems
Greenlight - Green Machine
Johnny Lightning - White Lightning
Autoworld - Ultra Red
Which brings us to M2. Traditionally featuring gold wheels and a gold bumper, if the “Limited Production” sticker reads less than a 1000, you’ve found an M2 Chase (or possibly Super Chase) Car.
M2 Datsun Bluebird 1600SSS Chase
Along with gold wheels and trim, the chase version also gets a Japanese character on the rear door and window.
Starting with Release 42 of the ever popular Detroit - Muscle line, however, M2 is moving to a black & white scheme for chase vehicles. The inaugural offering being the 1968 Mustang Fastback 2+2
Limited to a total production of 750, the subtle black and white will be a significant departure from garish gold chrome of previous chase cars. For comparison, here’s the Mustang Fastback 2+2 chase from Release 37:
Note: even the engine goes monochrome in the Chase version.
What’s your take? Is the Black & White an elegant departure from the gold? Or too drab for your tastes?