A LITTLE INTRODUCTION TO HOT WHEELS 2014'S 3RD REGULAR TREASURE HUNT CAR - 17.NOVEMBER.2013

After witnessed the 3rd REGULAR TREASURE HUNT of HOT WHEELS 2014 mainline series which revealed on 15.November.2013 - MALAYSIA'S TIME - 11:35P.M. live at t-hunted.com (video by Rich 'Mushedroom' Kim), alot of criticism has been risen especially for HW collectors around the globe mostly in the diecast collectors forum for a couple of reasons why they are unhappy about this casting and the name for this casting is called FANGSTER, falls under the category of 2014 Hot Wheels HW CITY: sub series STREET BEAST #53.

Well, let's take a deep breath and calm down, alright. The world is not ending yet. Let's give a chance to this little monster and see if there is any special or uniqueness about this casting. One important thing about what i learned from collecting is that you need to know exactly why in the first place you put so much interest and effort in collecting especially in HOT WHEELS toy line. As we all know that we are only human and we tend to FORGET. That's one of the many human flaws. One thing that pop the question in my head is that who is the designer, who is the one that invent this casting / model. Surely there is a story in every invention in our human history. That is the one curiosity that strikes me to know more about this casting. They always say don't judge a book's cover until you really read the whole thing and understand it.

And so, i wanted to know more about this casting. I'm sure there are other people out there who also wants to know more. The moment i found out that this casting has been chosen by MATTEL, i stop and think, 'Why is this casting been selected in next year's REGULAR TREASURE HUNT series?'. I'm sure that there is a few reasons for it and i respect their decision (or might just be only one person's decision - who knows). I was sleepy at first but once i found out about it, my blood is boiling! I intend to write a little introduction to this little monster. And comes to think of it, next year its gonna be a monster year in movie industry - to name a few, Godzilla movie is gonna strike theaters near you in May, 16th 2014 and Transformers 4: Age of Extinction movie with Dinobots have been confirmed lately - premiere on June, 27th 2014. Extremely excited! hehe.. :D

An interesting drawing by one of the FANGSTER's fan found on the net. Check it out.

Let's begins with this little monster's story (my version). :)
It all started in 1985 ( But the official released date is in 1986 - In Chinese calendar, it is in TIGER'S YEAR! ). The casting base stamped with 1985. It also takes some times to get a copy right & license in order for MATTEL to launch this model to the world's market. Sorry for the pic which only reveal a part of its stamped date. I will update this pic once i have a clear view of it, ok. Check it out.

It first appear in Hot Wheels series SPEED DEMONS with 2 set of variants card edition.
According to southtexasdiecast.com web site, it has 2 variations on base as well, one is HONG KONG BASE & the other is MALAYSIA BASE under the same wheels type - UH (Ultra Hots) spoke wheels. Even the southtexasdiecast.com did mentioned the bases but with no luck on the pictures so far.

HOT WHEELS 1986 SPEED DEMONS #2057 FANGSTER (GREEN)

NOTE: If you look closely on the printed card, the INTERNATIONAL CARD HAS WHEELS VARIANT (BW's - BASIC WHEELS or BLACK WALLS).
Then it changes the style printing of the card with wheels variations & its blister / bubble in the year 1988. The left side carded has BW's (Basic Wheels or Black Walls) spoke wheels.

HOT WHEELS 1988 SPEED DEMONS #2057 FANGSTER (GREEN)

NOTE: If you notice the top left corner of the card, there are 2 variations of the printing.
The left side carded has printed yellow words 'DIE CAST METAL & PLASTIC' and bottom left side with NO NUMBER.
The right side carded has printed yellow words 'DIE CAST CHASSIS/PLASTIC BODY!' and bottom left side with printed number '2059'.

In the year 1989 / 1990, Hot Wheels comes up with a new invention with CRAYONS - COLOR WITH CRAYON CARS before COLOR SHIFTERS (color with water) & LIGHT SPEEDERS (color of light) was invented.

So far, i found only 3 different colors for Fangster - BLACK, GREEN & ORANGE. There might be other colors such has blue, yellow & red. Only a few HOT WHEELS models appeared in this series. The car alone doesn't have wheels which is roll-able and the sole purpose is to draw with colors.

And MATTEL stop produced this model (after it has missed out for about 4 to 5 years period) until it has reappeared again in the year 1996, exclusively only available in McDonald's franchise. It appears with YELLOW plastic body with DARK GREEN CHINA METAL BASE. The wheels is in CHROME 5 SPOKES (5SP) WHEELS.

In the same year (1996), it has appeared in Hot Wheels mainline line series number #478 with Florescent Yellow body color, Metaflake Green CHINA Metal Base & CHROME 5 SPOKES (5SP) WHEELS. If i am not mistaken, these both version has all the same features. I leave it for you to judge and find out, ok. If you noticed the card, this model's name has been changed to DRAGON WAGON.

And again, it disappeared for another 4 to 5 years time. In 2010, Mattel has decided to rename it back to Fangster again in the category RACE WORLD - UNDERGROUND with #1 in the front list. This time it has METAFLAKE DARK ORANGE, TEAL MALAYSIA METAL BASE with CHROME 5 SPOKES WHEELS. This time, Fangster has appear it 4 different card editions. Check it out.

If you check on the first card on the very left side, the number '240' means there are 240 cars listed for U.S. card edition. For International card (both short & long card edition) has the number '214' which means only 214 cars available in the international region. The left out 26 cars was for the Mystery cars in carded form with black out blister / bubble which is invisible for our naked eyes(ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.). As for the U.S. KEYS TO SPEED EDITION, there are 2 variations. One only have the INSTANT WIN GAME PEEL TO PLAY, which was a piece of paper stick at bottom center of the card (beside the car). The other one has both INSTANT WIN GAME PEEL TO PLAY & special key chain (contains 1 car image & to collect a full set which contains of 4 different car images - BONE SHAKER (#1), DEORA II (#2), FAST FISH (#3) & TWIN MILL III (#4)).

INSTANT WIN GAME PEEL TO PLAY

KEYS TO SPEED: SPECIAL KEY CHAIN with 4 DIFFERENT individual IMAGES (FULL SET)

If you take a closer look at the front side (the eyes, the mouth & front teeth), there is abit of changes to its casting. A side line below the eyes is more BULKY / THICKER and the mouth's side line is thinner. The eyes also shrink to become slightly smaller. The front teeth also become shorter. Check it out.

In 2011, Fangster has the privilege to enter the list of 5 cars in 2011 HALLOWEEN 5 PACK (EXCLUSIVELY ONLY AVAILABLE AT TARGET). This time, the changes made for its body to TRANSPARENT / CLEAR GREEN, TRANSPARENT / CLEAR RED EYES, GOLD PAINTED METAL BASE with CHROME 5 SPOKES (5SP) WHEELS.

2011 HOT WHEELS HALLOWEEN 5 PACK

With the season coming up in the year 2012, Hot Wheels has special 9-PACK exclusively only available in U.S. for TOYS R US which has another FANGSTER included inside the gift pack consists of 9 cars. Check it out.

You can also check out the whole 9 pack here. If you look closely at the creature's head. An updated version indeed. One thing that i don't get it is most of the time this casting always appears in GREEN body color and with CHROME 5 SPOKES (5SP) WHEELS some more. Come on Mattel, let's have some fun with some other interesting colors for a change.

After skipping another 1 year, we finally seen the shine of FANGSTER in the list of 2014 REGULAR TREASURE HUNT. I must say that this model deserved to be recognized by all collectors & newbies alike. It has come a long way for it to have a very important role as a TREASURE HUNT MASTERPIECE. This very morning when i check up to see if anyone has the pleasure to upload a better view of this casting (FANGSTER), i finally saw it. Thanks to the persons who uploaded it. We all now have a clear pictures to have a closer look at it with both INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD & U.S. LONG CARD EDITION. :)

2014 HOT WHEELS HW CITY: sub series STREET BEAST #53 FANGSTER

U.S LONG CARD EDITION

INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD EDITION

With the latest version of FANGSTER, the mixture of both DARK BLUE & BRIGHT YELLOW body & base color looks really AWESOME! With the newly added ORANGE CHROME RIMS with BLACK OPEN HOLE 5 SPOKES (BLACK OH5SP) WHEELS, it is even better! :)

I hope that Mattel can continuously produce this unique casting just one pattern each year or 2 in Hot Wheels series, not asking for too much though. Just like when you eat one of your favourite food such as spaghetti for instant, you can't have one of the ingredient too much coz it will spoil the taste. So it is the same thing in Hot Wheels collections.

Not much of this casting being spotted at this time (17.November.2013). But the bidding is high at this point, 2 eBay sellers already posted with these auctions in bidding process. Check it out..

Its not that how much you bought to be consider with, its how much is your interest you want to invest in it. If it can't be found in local stores, search online where it is the best place to get your favorite Hot Wheels cars.

One more fun thing about collecting Hot Wheels cars is that when you found a damage or missing in any parts of the car / casting, different or misplace body tampos, wheels, base, windows, cards, blister/bubble are consider to be a much valuable piece for an ordinary models. But if these errors / variants falls under the category of SUPER or REGULAR treasure hunt or some other fully diecast / metal body and base features with rubber wheels, it is consider as much higher value for that one piece that you found. Just be sure not to damage the card or blister/bubble & keep it in a safe environment. The words imprinted in most of Hot Wheels card at the top side says 'GUARANTEED FOR LIFE' has make it clear to all collectors & newbies alike. If you are into Hot Wheels collection, gentleness is one thing you must never miss.

Alright then. I hope the information i provided here is helpful to you.
Expect more updates coming up soon, ok.
Thank you so much for your support & for your time.
See you all soon & take care! :D ~ HAPPY HUNTING!

2014 HOT WHEELS MAINLINE C CASE WITH 23 NEW & RECOLOR EDITION HAS BEEN SPOTTED! - 13.NOVEMBER.2013

Since the newly released 2014 MAINLINE C CASE series, we have spotted some new castings as well as recolor editions which i will be listed them by their series numbers accordingly. Most of these cars were found in the C Case Coded: 987C FR - U.S. CARD EDITION.

 UNBOXING 2014 HOT WHEELS C CASE BY mushedroom.

SPOTTED ON: 17.NOVEMBER.2013

UNBOXING 2014 HOT WHEELS C CASE 987C CL BY RaceGrooves.

SPOTTED ON: 17.NOVEMBER.2013

UNBOXING 2014 HOT WHEELS C CASE 987C FR BY Derek Twigg.

If you look through these videos, you might notice that during the unboxing C case by mushedroom & RaceGrooves, there is NO SUPER SECRET/HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT$ inside the boxes for their case code: 987C CCL & 987C FR. Only the regular treasure hunt found. But if you look through the video posted by Derek Twigg, he has found the SUPEER SECRET/HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT$ #202 2013 CHEVY CAMARO SPECIAL EDITION (SPECTRAFLAME DARK RED). I have looked through their videos over and over again during the opening of their boxes and notice nothing was marked on the outside of the boxes as well as the inside of the boxes. These is what i mean.
Unboxing from mushedroom.

Unboxing from RaceGrooves

Now, let's check out the unboxing from Derek Twigg.

As you can see, the marked green number looks like '69' or '96' was marked at the inside layer of the opening cover. For my experiences, these marking has been occurred since 2004 boxes and it is marked with all kinds of marking using blue pen, liquid paper and pencil. All marked with different numbers and not alphabet. So if you see any videos or friends saying that this case for example: 987C FR, has super secret/hidden treasure hunt$, doesn't mean all same code cases has the same contains, ok. I have been doing alot of research on these case code together with international cases and they have the same effect as we witnessed today. So this is still go back to the old days where we depends on luck to see if you can find a super treasure hunt$, ok. Be sure to check your cases when opening up any cases and who knows we might find a new discovery.

Oh and one more thing, if you see this chop sign on the boxes,

this is probably an inspection during the finishing production from the factory. No indication saying that this case has hidden TH$, alright.

One thing that i must say, Congrats to RaceGrooves for finding 2 ERRORs! in just one CASE!!
Yes, 2 ERRORS CARS! And also to Derek Twigg for finding the hardest to find SUPER TH$!.Check it out.. :D

2013 CHEVY CAMARO SPECIAL EDITION (DARK RED) ~ REGULAR EDITION

ERROR: MISSING WHITE TAMPOS ON TOP BONNET.

 2014 #222 TOYOTA AE-86 COROLLA (SILVER)

ERROR: WINDOWS NOT FITTED WELL.

But first, let's take a look at the 3RD SUPER SECRET/HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT$, shall we.

2014 HW WORKSHOP: sub-series HW GARAGE - #202

2013 CHEVY CAMARO SPECIAL EDITION (SPECTRAFLAME DARK RED)

U.S. LONG CARD EDITION

For the 3rd REGULAR TREASURE HUNT, I have already mentioned in my previous post HERE, but i will still put it here as a guideline, ok.

2014 HW CITY: sub series STREET BEAST

#53 FANGSTER (DARK BLUE) U.S. LONG CARD + INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD EDITION

One thing that seems weird to me is that some of the short card for both EUROPE & INTERNATIONAL edition (for 2014 MAINLINE C CASEs) were spotted in a very few models so far (on this day - 16.November.2013). So for the mean time, i will have to list ONLY the U.S. long carded edition (and a few models with INTERNATIONAL short card editions).

HW CITY: sub series CITY WORKS
#10 THE VANSTER (WHITE) ~ 1ST COLOR (NEW CASTING OF 2014)
HW CITY: sub series NIGHTBURNERZ (U.S. LONG CARD + INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD)
#29 ALFA ROMEO 8C COMPETIZIONE (BLACK) ~ 1ST COLOR (NEW CASTING OF 2014)

HW CITY: sub series NIGHTBURNERZ
#30 1990 HONDA CIVIC EF (BRIGHT RED) ~ 1ST COLOR (NEW CASTING OF 2014)
HW CITY: sub series SPEED TEAM (U.S. LONG CARD + INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD)
#40 PORSCHE PANAMERA (BLUE) ~ 1ST COLOR (NEW CASTING OF 2014)

HW CITY: sub series BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY
#64 BAT-POD (SILVER) ~ 1ST COLOR (FIRST TIME APPEARED IN HW MAINLINE SERIES)
(U.S. LONG CARD + INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD)

HW CITY: sub series MEDIEVAL RIDES
#69 DRAGON BLASTER (DARK GREEN W/ CLEAR YELLOW WINGS) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW CITY: sub series TOONED I
#81 ANGRY BIRDS MINION PIG (GREEN W/ OH5SP WHEELS) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
#82 ANGRY BIRDS RED (RED W/ OH5SP WHEELS) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.

HW OFF-ROAD: sub series ROAD RALLY
#109 HOLLOWBACK (BLACK) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW OFF-ROAD: sub series HW MOTO
#128 BLASTOUS (RED) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
#130 STREET NOZ (PURPLE) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW OFF-ROAD: sub series HOT TRUCKS
#131 '10 TOYOTA TUNDRA (BLUE) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
#132 CHEVY SILVERADO (LITE BLUE) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.

HW RACE: sub series HW RACE TEAM
#144 CIRCLE TRACKER (BLUE) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW RACE: sub series THRILL RACERS
#153 FORMUL8R (RED) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
#154 DIESELBOY (ORANGE) ~1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW RACE: sub series TRACK ACES
#162 ARROW DYNAMIC (CLEAR / TRANSPARENT GREEN) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.

HW WORKSHOP: sub series HW ALL-STARS
#197 LAMBORGHINI ESTOQUE (METAFLAKE DARK RED) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW WORKSHOP: sub series HW GARAGE
#201 VOLKSWAGEN KOOL KOMBI (BRIGHT RED) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
#202 2013 CHEVY CAMARO SPECIAL EDITION (METAFLAKE RED, REGULAR EDITION)
~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW WORKSHOP: sub series THEN AND NOW
#222 TOYOTA AE-86 COROLLA (SILVER) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.
HW WORKSHOP: sub series HW PERMANCE
#245 '70 CHEVELLE SS WAGON (WHITE) ~ 1ST COLOR OF 2014.

Well, that's much about it, folks. These cars can be bought/view online mainly in eBay & amazon sites. Feel free to check it out and let the hunt begins.
Hope these information will help you to build your own collection, alright. :)
Thanks for visiting my blog & for all your supports.
More updates will be coming up soon.
Alright. See you all soon. Take care! :D

2014 HOT WHEELS 5TH SUPER TREASURE HUNT$ '07 FORD MUSTANG (BURNT ORANGE) INTERNATIONAL LONG CARD EDITION HAS BEEN SPOTTED! - 15.NOVEMBER.2013

A quick view of the 5TH SUPER SECRET/HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT$ '07 FORD MUSTANG (BURNT ORANGE) INTERNATIONAL LONG CARD EDITION has been spotted! Check it out.

If this were to be the 5TH SUPER SECRET/HIDDEN THUNT$, we will be expecting this in 2014 MAINLINE E CASE SERIES. The actual cars which most of you already seen it but i will still published here for those who haven't seen it yet, ok. Here it is.

UPDATED ON: 24.NOVEMBER.2013
2014 HOT WHEELS - HW CITY: sub series MUSTANG 50TH
5TH SUPER SECRET/ HIDDEN TREASURE HUNT$
#95 '07 FORD MUSTANG (SPECTRAFLAME BURNT ORANGE)
INTERNATIONAL LONG CARD EDITION 

IMPORTANT NOTE!
If you check on the card, whether this is a mistake in printed card or a new printing has emerged for international card edition. The one thing that missing in this picture is the TEAM HOT WHEELS 4 MEMBERS which supposed to be in it. For INTERNATIONAL CARD EDITION, it will look like this.

And for U.S. CARD EDITION, it will have the yellow words 'GUARANTEED FOR LIFE' printed on top center of the card. Check it out.

2013 / 2014 U.S. MAINLINE SERIES
CATEGORY: HW CITY

If the model is a NEW CASTING (FIRST TIME PRODUCED IN HOT WHEELS MAINLINE), it will have a round yellow circle with red wording, whether it is in 2013 or 2014 mainline series.

2013 U.S. MAINLINE SERIES
CATEGORY: HW CITY

2014 U.S. MAINLINE SERIES
CATEGORY: HW CITY

'07 FORD MUSTANG (SPECTRAFLAME BURNT ORANGE)

A very nice model & is expected to be one of the hottest SUPER TH$ in the 2014 mainline series indeed! :) We should be expecting this model somewhere in mid to late December 2013.

Thanks for visiting my blog & more updates will be coming up soon.
See you all soon. :D

2014 HOT WHEELS MAINLINE C CASE WITH 3RD REGULAR TREASURE HUNT FINALLY BEEN SPOTTED! - 15.NOVEMBER.2013

When i was compiling all the cars found in 2014 Hot Wheels Mainline C Case series, normally 1 Hot Wheels case (full case consist of 72 cars) contains 25 new recolors as well as new castings, i found out that i missed out one car which can't be found on net or any other web sites which can have a full view of the carded version called FANGSTER. First, I sourced out this car model at hotwheels.com which only have this picture (Sunday - 3rd of November 2013):

And after seeing the video post by Rich 'Mushedroom' Kim (today - 15.November.2013), i finally have a full view of this casting. Check it out.

NOTE: One thing i found it very funny about the video is that when Kim finally have this casting to be first briefly review, he don't sound much happy to see this car and of course, he quickly just throw it far away (not as far as the yellow car called Quicksand)! :D But i do enjoy his video (and other videos on opening hot wheels cases).

This pic was actually screen captured from his video and anyone who has already seen his video, which the video itself also stated that there is no treasure hunt being found during the filming of his video. No one will ever suspect that this casting will be the next year's 3rd REGULAR TREASURE HUNT! Haha.. This information was finally confirmed by t-hunted web site that the very first pic to confirm this casting was the regular treasure hunt of the INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARDED 2014 #53 FANGSTER (BLUE). The 'FIRE' regular treasure hunt symbol was found at the rear of this casting. Check it out..

Very very unexpected that we will have this casting to be the 3rd regular treasure hunt next year Hot Wheels mainline series. Whether you like it or not, it is still part of the treasure hunt series which need to be added to ones collection in order to have a full complete collection of the regular treasure hunt series.

I have been waited for few days now just to find out which one is the 3rd treasure hunt of 2014 mainline series. Now we finally have our answered. :D

One thing that i found weird is that no one has ever posted this casting in eBay web site nor any other web sites since the first released of 2014 C Case spotted on 13th of November 2013. And there are only a few of 2014 INTERNATIONAL SHORT CARD found in eBay and some other web sites. 


Anyway, i will have a full list of the 2014 C Case new released coming up soon.
Stay tune for more updates, ok.
Thanks for visiting my blog & wish you all happy hunting. :)
See you all soon. :D