HW Then & Now | Deora II

The Hot Wheels original Deora II has been significantly and contrasting from the original version. It’s consistently been released in multiple variations for the last twenty-five years, and it is still being produced and sold in the mainline range. Just like the original, there was an actual, real-life car version of this popular vehicle made from custom-made parts that resemble the actual toy. It’s the DNA of the original concept vehicle, and how Hot Wheels make their die-cast cars stands out among the other brands that keep them ahead of the pack. Of course, over the years, there will be significant changes to the casting due to cost-cutting and other changes to keep its production costs just like this 2024 edition of the Deora II, which is considered a fan-favourite despite the changes in the last five years!

HW Hot Trucks | Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck

There have been some interesting licensed pick-up trucks from Hot Wheels, but none of them had a unique look like the 1978 Dodge Li’l Red Express Truck. It is still being produced with a brand new deco/livery since its retool in 2019. The new look may not be noticeable, but the changes are there if you are into intricate details and do not leave the toy in its blister carded packaging. The most recent release in 2024 was part of the HW Celebration Racers, representing Valentine’s Day as that year’s vehicle, and as part of the MOPAR 5-pack in yellow with stripes. It’s probably the most decent colour to be released in the last 2-3 years, but in a multipack. For the 2025, the latest one this not disappoint either.

HW Metro | 5 Alarm

Fire Trucks or Fire Engines have been around going back to the sixteenth century. It evolved from men moving a device that has a pressured tank to horse-drawn engines that have steamed powered pistons to spray water. Of course, the advancement of technology has changed the way how to put fire out with the development of these machines that are modified trucks. Specially-designed trucks that have firefighting apparatus that also transports personnel and carry an amount of water, which also carry special equipment for rescue and other emergency use. I’ve been fascinated by fire trucks at a young age and seeing one in person sparked my curiosity about these firefighting machines.

HW Metro | Propper Chopper

Hot Wheels is not just about cars, but also produces otherworldly and weird vehicles that some might not comprehend the concept that only kids would understand. In those early days of the brand’s life, they were popular with bright colours that broke the traditional way diecast cars were made similar to their real-life counterparts. To expand and continue to be on top in keeping their relevance in the toy aisle they also have to make other types of vehicles, and in the early days, one of them was not even in four wheels, but has given kids the imagination to fly. In 1990 Hot Wheels introduced the Propper Chopper, a play on words designed by the great Larry Wood. It might not have the same popularity as a Corvette or a Mustang but it took flight and had a follwoing for longtime collectors.

HW Celebration Racers | Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck

Valentine’s Day is always in the calendar as part of special day for most people, like couples and married people. It’s about love that is observed on the fourteenth of February. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. In the world of Hot Wheels, it is celebrated yearly along with important dates, culminating with a special car with a Valentine’s Day-themed deco or livery. There was even a mini collection of Valentine’s Day cars in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014. But the mainline car started appearing in 2017, 2018, 2021, and now, 2024 as part of the Holiday Racers and presently as HW Celebration Racers.

Where is Majorette | Photo Contest Winner

The past weekend was just the usual idle from what’s currently happening at the start of March 2020. It has been months since things starting to ease restrictions for everyone to go out and buy their essentials. It’s been also a long time to getting around the city, and find something to do like taking street photos in the area. Last Friday a surprising mail was delivered by the courier, and it was announced earlier this month that I was one of the three people chosen by Majorette Philippines as the winner for their “Where is Majorette” campaign that was announced a few weeks back, and it has been a while since I won something again. Well. It was actually been years since I did won something and this was good.

HW Experimotors | Emoticar

07.17.2018 – Just in time for ‘World Emoji Day,” here’s is Hot Wheels version of that expressive character that you use on your mobile phones or when you’re chatting with someone. Mattel’s iconic brand in Hot Wheels has been producing obscure and sometimes interesting cars to keep up with the times. There have probably thousands or even millions of variations of diecast cars that they produced. For 2017, Hot Wheels has introduced the Emoticar similar to the Emoji, which is an expressive at the same time interesting diecast car. Just like its expressive Emoji, the Emoticar has expression on its own. But you’ll be surprised further why this car needs your affection for anyone who casually find this car interesting. You’ll probably get an idea this is why its named the Emoticar.

HW City: Rescue | Propper Chopper

05.14.2018 – Hot Wheels brand has been around for sixty-five years and is still going strong for Mattel. It's one of the two iconic brands from which they’ve built their name as a diecast brand. The other, of course, was Barbie, which continues to evolve through modern times. With Hot Wheels, it's all about die-cast cars, but over the years, we've seen aircraft vehicles incorporated into their mainline to expand the variety for collectors to choose from. So far, there are selected fictionalized aircraft to make it to the mainline that have been around for decades, and one of them is the Propper Chopper.

HW Tooned | Volkswagen Beetle

03.06.2018 – The Volkswagen Beetle has been one of the iconic and most familiar-looking cars of the 20th century. It has been interpreted in various forms of media, and someone out there keeps making good art or customizing an actual car into something that has never been done before. The car never runs out of style, and it continues to be relevant despite it has been replaced by a modern version that is entirely different. This also translates to how Hot Wheels manage to continue churning out a die-cast version of the car, and with every release, there’s a new colour or deco that might catch your attention. Of course, that doesn’t stop Mattel from coming out version that the Volkswagen brand is on-board like the Käfer Racer to a Tooned version!

HW Speed Graphics | Volkswagen Käfer Racer

02.02.2018 – Volkswagen is an iconic automotive brand that was spun off from an idea by a Nazi wanting a “People’s Car” that eventually would change its country origin and the world giving us the Volkswagen Beetle or originally known as the Volkswagen Type 1, which would continue to evolve throughout the years. There would inspire and cultivate a huge following from those who owned a beetle to those who would collect their miniature versions from toy brands. The Beetle would become part of popular culture and with that some toy brands would adopt the iconic image of the vehicle in miniature or most known in diecast form. Hot Wheels is one such brand under Mattel and they would introduce the VW Kafer Racer!