Freedom at last: iHWEP update.

So I finally DLM’d the other two MBX ‘33 Ford Coupes I was lucky enough to pick up in my latest trade with vdubyajohn. This was hard for me as one of them had been carded since last century (1997) and the other since 2001. I have kid relatives that were born when the oldest one was packaged, those kids are now adults and licenced to drive.

Lots of pictures, not much text.

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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DisCarded. Acetone method used to open the card. Such a nice cast, each variation I have is great. I feel so lucky to have them, thanks vdbubyajohn!

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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This one was even harder to DLM. I did it as the want to hold it was way too great in the end. It feels good.

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Amazing amount of effort went into packaging this beautiful cast.

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.

It’s the first MBX I have with rubber tyres. They are different to Real Riders, the inside of the tyre dosen’t finish at the rim but is a solid piece all the way to the hub of the rim. The axles on all of these casts they are close to twice the thickness of the type used on std HW/MBX casts but the wheels are still free spinning on the axle. It feels really solid and they roll so nicely.

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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.

The chrome on engine/grill/headlight part of this anniversary model seems deeper, more like nickel plate than bright chrome. It adds a nice quality look too the cast. The chrome on headers of this one seem slightly deeper than the other maroon coupe.

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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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I haven’t detailed this, the silver paint on the tail pipes was like that out of the pack.

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Some might wonder why it has both side exit and rear exit pipes. The rear are for street use as they go through mufflers prior to hitting your ear drums, the side pipes are the ones that hit you in the guts. I prefer the gut feel.

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Ok here’s some group shots with the two loose Hotrods from the trade. Tim the Tool man Taylor’s blue ‘33 Ford roadster and a ‘33 Ford Hiboy.

Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
Illustration for article titled Freedom at last: iHWEP update.
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Happy weekend!

Thanks for looking.