BY: TOM FELICE
Welcome back to another year of T&C 2003! I wanted to get another toys and collectibles edition out to you as fast as I could because in the last issue I actually ran out of room. There were a few new cars that were just being released the same week I sent this off to Wayne. So I have listed the newest ones (at this time) in this newsletter, but first I’d like to take a moment to mention the two websites that TDC has. www.hemmings.com then keyword Charger registry, also www.dodgechargerregistry.com. The Hemmings page has this Toys & Collectibles page now added along with the 2003 show dates and more. The other website will include this information shortly to so go and take a look when you get a chance.
First on the list is a first generation car. It has been out for a while but needs to be mentioned so that all are made aware. The company is called Classic Metal Works. The release they offer is a 67 Charger 1:24th scale in two colors silver w/red int. and also a yellow version w/black. int. These cars are diecast with opening hood, doors, and even trunk. It has a 426 hemi under the hood and the detail is excellent. The company has just also released a “U build it” version.
Ertl released a 1:18th scale Daytona done up in the Caterpillar #22 Nascar motif. They have also released a 1:18th scale Amoco 68 Charger done in Dave Blaney #99 Nascar motif. Neat cars with the usual opening hood and doors along w/working steering. Get them both and make a great Mopar/Nascar diorama!
The latest Test Drive video game is out and has a great picture of a black 69 Charger on the front of the game. There is also another game out there with Daytona’s and a lot of vintage iron in it called Nascar Legends. We can thank member John Zorad, NJ. for that update. If anyone knows about any other games that include a Charger in the game or on the package let us know.
Route 66 (K-marts brand of Racing Champions-see T&C #15) released another Charger 1:64th scale. The car is a 1971. It’s black with chrome rims and black top. Act fast, as it seems as though the only location these models are available in are K-marts, good luck!
The “100% Hotwheels” line-up is a really detailed release. The cars come in acrylic cases and start out in stores priced a bit more, but rightfully so for the amount of detail. Well worth the money if you ask me. I mention this line-up because they have come out with two 1:64th scale Chargers as of this date. The first Charger is a 71 plumb crazy purple and packaged alone in the acrylic case. The second is also a 71 Charger but this one is in a two-car pack. (The second car is a Barracuda). These two cars are done as funny cars. They are on the ¼ mile at the Christmas tree, sort of diorama set-up. The Charger is called “Super Chief” and the car itself is red with driver’s name on door Nelson Carter. The box is titled “Funny Car Summer”. The Barracuda is pullin’ the wheels off the ground. Remember there are three 1:18th Hotwheel releases that were released last year and those cars are colored as follows. First one was blue with black top & white stripe the second red with white stripe & black top & interior and the third one was bronze with black stripe and interior. They have also released a “U build it” version in green with black top and black interior and stripe.
Last T&C we mentioned the 1:64th scale Fast & Furious 1970 Chargers from Racing Champions and Revell. I got the Revell F&F car all it is, is the 68 Bullit Charger with an engine out the hood, even has 68 tail lights!. No effort is being made here to resemble the 70 model at all. I did see a lot of the other cars being released from the same movie and they mention (on the back of the Racing Champions package) that they will be releasing two more 1970 Chargers models. The first version is built, and the other is a “U build it”. This time they will be 1:25th scale diecast versions. The first may include a Vin Diesel figurine. I say this because the other 1:25th scale rice burner now out has a driver next to that car, so we’ll see. This 1:25th scale release should be very exciting news to the 70 owners as I don’t believe that anyone has ever released a 1:25th scale diecast before! I would like to mention though it may just be the Bullit car again in F&F clothing. We’ll see.
I would like to take a moment to thank some people that helped me with information or comments in the past year. Some call, write, or e-mail just to say they liked the column. These people, in no particular order, are: Nick Fabrizio, Robert Miller, John Zorad, and a special thank you to Mark Matthews for all the work in building and maintaining our Hemmings site, Thank you all very much and keep in touch. Thanx again Tom. tomdroptop@aol.com