Is it possible that the most important question the human race has ever had to ask is which one was faster?
When I say one I mean between die-cast toy cars: either Hot Wheels, Whizzwheels, Superfast, Corgi Rockets, Sizzlers or Johnny Lightning?
What do you think readers and can you back up your choice with solid facts?
First-series HotWheels Redlines, Woodsy, without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteWhen my Bruv and self first got one (my Dad brought some back from a business trip to the US before they became available over here), they simply outclassed anything by Matchbox and Husky we had at that time. Literally by a tenfold of yards. They had superior wheels and the original suspension, both of which got simplified in the following years.
A generation later, one of my sons fished a (rather chipped) first-series Custom Cuda out of a junkbox under a table at the local swapmeat, and that venerable veteran again outclassed everything they had, meaning recent Matchbox, Majorette, Siku and yes, recent HotWheels. Not by a tenfold because the others aren't that bad per sé, but still by several yards. And on HotWheels track it was also the best, demonstrating beautifully that that was what it was made for!
(and-erm... Sizzlers don't count, surely? They're motorised..!)
Best -- Paul
That's interesting Paul and a true road testing! Looks like Hot Wheels win hands down! Its great that you have Hot Wheels track still around. I used to love handling it and clamping it to chairs!
DeleteAs for Sizzlers, I never had any so I'm not really sure how they worked. Motors are different for sure. I wonder of there were any other motorised die-casts around?
I do recall 'boosting' my Corgi Rockets with a long black booster pack, which had a sort of red ratchet at one end. I can't remember if any other doe=cast car ranges had a booster of some sort do you?
HotWheels are amongst my absolute favourite childhood toys, Woodsy. Though I've managed to curb the urge to collect them again later in life - save for a symbolic Custom Beetle mint-on-card. :)
DeleteThe track and accessories of my childhood were mostly lost over time. But thankfully it made a reappearance in the US a generation later (prolly prompted by all our contemporaries wanting to give it to their kids) and thankfully there were sufficient expats in my neighbourhood that I could pick up a nice quantity of new track at garage sales etc.
Sizzlers I think were unique at the time. Do recall seeing them in dept stores, never had any myself. Bit expensive, and I didn't see the attraction of just sitting next to a circuit and watch the cars go by...
As to boosters, most toy car ranges of that kind had one. HotWheels as you said was initially powered by gravity, but there were a 2-3 different boosters that would speed the cars along a circuit. Matchbox Superfast had one or two as well, while Faller Hit-Car had a long green catapult that I recall.
Best -- Paul
oops.
ReplyDelete"swapmeet" instead of "meat".
Sort of a Freudian slip after this carnivore got a mere fish for dinner... :)
Best -- Paul
I like the idea of swapping meat Paul!
DeleteHot Wheels Redlines hands down. For me probably one of the best and most reliable was Mighty Maverick, a charger type coupe with a big spoiler, chunky muscle car that stuck to the track like glue.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the Mighty Maverick Bill. You gotta photo?
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