Photo: Mattel
The world of diecast cars goes beyond just the two major brands everyone knows about. Hot Wheels and Matchbox have been on top of the game for many years, but many other companies are making excellent products. Naturally, Mattel wants a piece of the action, and introducing the Elite 64 series was no accident.
The problem is that most hardcore collectors aren't excited about this series of cars. Some say they'd buy Tarmac Works, MiniGT, and Tomica Limited Vintage instead. Others have argued that if Elite 64 cars had cost just $10 to $15, that would have made them feel different about the series. But this doesn't mean the series hasn't been successful with other target audiences.
And even if it may have been off to a rough start, Mattel won't just shut it down in the first 12 months—for instance, the iD series lasted between 2019 and 2022 before shutting down shop. Time will tell what will become of the Elite 64 lineup. Until then, the last but final model of the year is coming up. From my point of view, the best two cars this year were the 1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100 and the LBWK Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.
I've even seen the four-door VIP drift car listed for $180 on eBay, showing that scalpers will stop at nothing for maximum profit. But I'm not here to complain about that part of the hobby today; instead, I'd like to focus on the new Elite 64 Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup.
There are only so many Hot Wheels Land Rover castings out there: eight total! One is a Monster Truck, and one is an old Corgi casting no longer on active duty. So I'm sure fans of the British manufacturer will love this new design. Dmitriy Shakhmatov designed this Defender 90 Pickup and was also in charge of the mainline Defender 90 casting.
The first thing you'll notice about this new machine is its impressive stance, as it sits on Real Riders Off-road wheels. There's a spare wheel in the back attached to the roll cage. You can also appreciate the radiator and dual-fan setup. But is this all a cover-up to distract us from a missing element? It doesn't look like this casting features moving parts, which is a big no-no for most enthusiasts.
The body displays a green-cyan finish, which is visually exciting enough to make you want one. Mattel points out that the car has 35+ parts to capture this level of realism. But will it be enough to make people want to spend $20 for one? The Elite 64 Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup launches October 17, 2023, at 9 AM PT. And I'm not convinced this will sell out right away, so you can take your time with it.
And even if it may have been off to a rough start, Mattel won't just shut it down in the first 12 months—for instance, the iD series lasted between 2019 and 2022 before shutting down shop. Time will tell what will become of the Elite 64 lineup. Until then, the last but final model of the year is coming up. From my point of view, the best two cars this year were the 1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100 and the LBWK Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.
I've even seen the four-door VIP drift car listed for $180 on eBay, showing that scalpers will stop at nothing for maximum profit. But I'm not here to complain about that part of the hobby today; instead, I'd like to focus on the new Elite 64 Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup.
There are only so many Hot Wheels Land Rover castings out there: eight total! One is a Monster Truck, and one is an old Corgi casting no longer on active duty. So I'm sure fans of the British manufacturer will love this new design. Dmitriy Shakhmatov designed this Defender 90 Pickup and was also in charge of the mainline Defender 90 casting.
The first thing you'll notice about this new machine is its impressive stance, as it sits on Real Riders Off-road wheels. There's a spare wheel in the back attached to the roll cage. You can also appreciate the radiator and dual-fan setup. But is this all a cover-up to distract us from a missing element? It doesn't look like this casting features moving parts, which is a big no-no for most enthusiasts.
The body displays a green-cyan finish, which is visually exciting enough to make you want one. Mattel points out that the car has 35+ parts to capture this level of realism. But will it be enough to make people want to spend $20 for one? The Elite 64 Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup launches October 17, 2023, at 9 AM PT. And I'm not convinced this will sell out right away, so you can take your time with it.
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