Photo: Mattel
I have decided to stop renewing my Hot Wheels Red Line Club membership card. I used it once to buy last year's Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. And I already sold that car to fund a fueling system upgrade for my FC RX-7. That's not to say an RLC membership isn't worth it if you can get ahead of the crowd and buy the exclusive items you want. But any Hot Wheels collector will tell you that's easier said than done with all the hype and FOMO these days.
At this time last year, I learned about Mattel's plan to start the Elite 64 series of true 1/64th-scale Hot Wheels cars. People needed to figure out what to think of this new idea, but I've seen mainly positive feedback from the community regarding the first two castings. Given the appeal of drifting and JDM cars, the 1996 Toyota Chaser JZX100 was a hit, and I'm sorry I didn't buy one when it first came out.
The 300 SL was excellent, too, as it featured opening Gullwing doors, and there were already hints regarding the upcoming models. I have yet to see the Modified '69 Ford Mustang live, but there are photos of it online on dedicated diecast platforms. And I assume we'll get at least two more Elite 64 collectibles this year. One is the Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup, and the other is the '21 Audi RS 7 Sportback Custom.
But until I can give you a glimpse of those, let's focus on the main event for now: the LBWK Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is coming out on July 25 at 9 AM PT! You don't need an RLC membership to buy this tiny JDM-infused exotic, but you do have to pay $20 for it. A standard LP 700-4 casting has been around since 2012, and even a few Premium variations are going around. But the new Pearl Blue Elite 64 model is more complex and exciting.
Opening Lambo doors would have been great, but that's tricky to do correctly at this scale. Instead, Mattel has opted for a removable rear bumper, rear wing, and engine cover. This way, you get a glimpse of the miniature twin-turbo V12 setup, but fiddling with these parts too often might wear them out in time. The Real Riders fixed-axle wheels are made specifically for this new casting, providing the perfect stance to a car that has already attracted international attention.
I feel that Mattel is just testing the waters with these new premium models, as the competition is pretty stiff in this segment. Most collectors have already experimented with Ignition Model or Tarmac Works, to name only a few manufacturers. So only time will tell if the Hot Wheels Elite 64 series will grow exponentially or play a tiny role in Mattel's business plan.
The 300 SL was excellent, too, as it featured opening Gullwing doors, and there were already hints regarding the upcoming models. I have yet to see the Modified '69 Ford Mustang live, but there are photos of it online on dedicated diecast platforms. And I assume we'll get at least two more Elite 64 collectibles this year. One is the Land Rover Defender 90 Pickup, and the other is the '21 Audi RS 7 Sportback Custom.
But until I can give you a glimpse of those, let's focus on the main event for now: the LBWK Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is coming out on July 25 at 9 AM PT! You don't need an RLC membership to buy this tiny JDM-infused exotic, but you do have to pay $20 for it. A standard LP 700-4 casting has been around since 2012, and even a few Premium variations are going around. But the new Pearl Blue Elite 64 model is more complex and exciting.
Opening Lambo doors would have been great, but that's tricky to do correctly at this scale. Instead, Mattel has opted for a removable rear bumper, rear wing, and engine cover. This way, you get a glimpse of the miniature twin-turbo V12 setup, but fiddling with these parts too often might wear them out in time. The Real Riders fixed-axle wheels are made specifically for this new casting, providing the perfect stance to a car that has already attracted international attention.
I feel that Mattel is just testing the waters with these new premium models, as the competition is pretty stiff in this segment. Most collectors have already experimented with Ignition Model or Tarmac Works, to name only a few manufacturers. So only time will tell if the Hot Wheels Elite 64 series will grow exponentially or play a tiny role in Mattel's business plan.
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