Hot Wheels Camaro ZL1 Looks Perfect After a Few Upgrades

For several years, I have been contemplating the idea of getting into custom-made models. It feels right; I've spent so much time and energy modifying my real car. Why wouldn't I walk down the same path for 1/64th-scale vehicles? There are two ways of doing this. With so many custom diecast artists,you can always purchase and enjoy one of their finished projects right away.

But, if you're familiar with "Built, not bought,"you may want to take a different approach. My father always tried to shield me from physical labor, saying that I should focus on learning. While that made my life easier, it also complicated it in other ways. So, starting a custom diecast project almost feels like a daunting task to me. I may be overthinking it.

Watching Tolle Garage go at it gives me hope,making me believe it's not as bad as it looks. I interviewed Theofelus in 2022 but haven't taken up this new hobby yet. Anyway, I've been watching his projects ever since. He seems to be big on restoration these days. Still,he sometimes reveals more extensive modifications for tiny Hot Wheels cars.

And that's the case for this 2017 Camaro ZL1. Brendon Vetuskey designed this casting for its 2017 Camaro Fifty mini-series. By 2018, it already reached Super Treasure Hunt status. But unless you go for a custom model,that's the only one you'll see with Real Riders wheels on.

Taking the casting apart is the first step to taking things to the next level. Krypton Green wasn't an uninspired color, but it takes more than that to make a special diecast vehicle. One of the best parts about watching Theofelus at work is that he explains every step of the process,which should teach you the skills required to pull it off yourself.

Once the original paint is off,you're looking at a bare ZAMAC shell. That's an artist's canvas to start working with,although there's plenty of work to do before repainting it. Extended wheel arches are necessary to fit a "widebody kit" to your tiny Camaro. Fitting the side skirts is next, and adding some nicer side mirrors is a big improvement.

Mattel used "Pull Me Over" Red Hot for the First Edition of this vehicle, while Theo went for a slightly different variation instead. Anyway,I insist that having a tiny version of SEMA would be a great idea. And this Chevy would be on the A-List for the event if it ever happened. Does anyone else feel the same way about that idea?