Hi Woodsy
Back in 2021 and 2022 Hot Wheels released a model in their Super Rigs series called Red Planet Transport.
This series comprises a large transport vehicle, and a smaller vehicle as the load.
In this case it was a space exploration vehicle, which closely resembles the Matchbox S.E.V./Chariot.
The main differences being the Hot Wheels tractor unit has a longer cab, and only four wheels instead of six.
It is towing a large, two-wheeled trailer, with a lift-up rear end. There is therefore no loading ramp for the smaller vehicle to drive up.
The load is a regular Hot Wheels Mainline model called Da’Kar, which came out in 2003, and was modified in 2014. It is described as a futuristic Paris to Dakar rally car.
The original Red Planet Transport models were mainly white, with orange and black trim, and orange tinted windows. The base of the tractor unit was chromed, the base of the trailer was black plastic, and the Da’Kar was orange.
In 2021 there was also a darker version, which appears to have been mainly gold (?) and black. This had red and black trim, with red tinted windows.
As these models came out during all the lock-downs, I never saw them in the shops, since most shops were closed at the time. However the set has been re-issued as part of the 2025 Super Rigs line.
There are some differences in the card; and the name Red Planet Transport is now in the lower left hand corner, rather than the lower right hand corner. The finish of the actual models seems to be the same, and I do not know how to tell the re-issues from the originals.
This makes a great companion piece for the Matchbox S.E.V./Chariot models. But all these Matchbox and Hot Wheels space models tend to be short-lived and hard to find – so grab them when you see them, or miss out.
Here are the regular and Matchbox Collectors editions of the NASA S.E.V./Chariot six-wheel model.
https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-nasa-moon-chariot.html
https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-nasa-sev-chariot.html
Four photos of my 2025 Transport set; with two photos of the original versions from Worthpoint.
Anyone got any?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
I have the white version that I snagged the one time I saw it in stock at a local Walmart. Never seen it again nor knew it was available in tacky black and gold. I was a bit disappointed that the rear hatch was yellow and stands out horribly. I was also shocked that the rear hatch lifts upwards instead ot forming a ramp so good luck backing your lunar buggy out of it and jumping it back into the trailer.
ReplyDeleteMine sits on one of my desks by the models of the SEV and the Perseverance. Bonus fun fact: The SEV in real life takes up two lanes of a road as the wheels are that extended from the body. I got stuck behind it one day years ago when they drove it from NASA to Ellington AFB for transport to California.
Yes, with all of these space and SF models, you either grab them when you see them, or you are going to miss out. The lack of a loading ramp is certainly odd.
ReplyDelete