Chevloret Corvette Z06 - Hotwheels

Everyone calls it 'Vette'... when you know it's a Vette, it's gotta be American, fast and loud. This is the Vette Z06...



Started my American car collection when I purchased this Corvette Z06... The Z06 is available through Autoart and Hotwheels diecast makers. Chose the Hotwheels version and it does look cool in yellow!

Honda Integra DC5 Type R - Autoart

Whenever a Honda is badged with a Type R, it's gonna be white, high spoiler and fast. The Integra DC5 looks just the same as it's turned into a Type R. Autoart released 3 colors (white, black & blue) for the Integra Type R and of coz, I will definitely prefer the white one!

Ferrari F430 - Hotwheels

Hotwheels carries the license in manufacturing a huge range of Ferrari cars. Some of the great Ferrari masterpieces include the Enzo (which was posted earlier), 599 GTB, 360 Modena, FXX, Superamerica etc. The model being posted here is the F430... The scarlet coupe is known best for its aggressive look and magnificent handling capability.



'The Ferrari F430 derives its power from a mid-mounted, 4.3-liter V8 engine. Its 483 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque is sent to the rear wheels through either a traditional six-speed manual or Ferrari's electrohydraulic F1-style transmission controlled by paddle shifters. The F430 also has an electronically controlled "E-diff" rear differential that helps to improve acceleration and vehicle balance. At full gallop, the F430 can hit 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds and tops out just shy of 200 mph. Reining all this in are antilock brakes and driver-adjustable traction and stability controls (Edmunds.com).'

Reference: http://www.edmunds.com/ferrari/f430/review.html

F1 - Ferrari F2007 - Kimi Raikkonen - Hotwheels Racing

2007 was a great year for Kimi. First of all, the "Iceman" turned red when he shifted from McLaren Mercedes to Scuderia Ferrari, which most F1 drivers wish to join. Secondly, he became the 2007 Formula One world champion after joining Ferrari, which took him 9 seasons to earn a championship title. He is a cool guy for sure (that's why he is called Iceman)... just that whenever he tries to speak, there is never a comma or full stop...

The F2007 has a different look compared to the previous models due to the departure of Vodafone sponsorship to McLaren Mercedes. Therefore the whole car is very very very RED... During the season, the car changed body color from solid red to metallic red. As a result, the metallic red F2007 became a much stunning looker! Hotwheels does produce that version but due to my impatience, I got the solid red version...

F1 - All Time Pole Positions - Michael Schumacher - Hotwheels Racing Limited Edition

F1 fans will definitely relate Michael Schumacher to Ferrari since he had contributed a lot to the team during his previous career as a professional Formula One driver. The 7 times F1 world champion has been nicknamed the King of Rain due to his magnificient driving skills in wet conditions.



As an F1 collector (not a Schumi fan though), at least ONE Schumi's limited edition model is compulsory! Therefore I got myself this All Time Pole Positions of Michael Schumacher, commemorating his 66 pole positions from different Grand Prix around the world. This model is limited to 6666 pieces worldwide. Hotwheels has mounted the car on a brushed aluminium base which records his pole position information such as countries and dates. Some interesting features include the no.1 finger posing from Schumi figure and debri effects around the car model.

Those were the glory days when Michael was The Red Baron before he retired after 2006 season. And now, he makes a comeback and is ready for the 2010 season... in a different team - Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team.

No more Red Baron... White Knight perhaps?

F1 - Ferrari 248F1 - Felipe Massa - Hotwheels Racing

Let's go RED again! This is the Ferrari 248F1 model driven by Felipe Massa in 2006. I guess the 248 stands for 2.4 litre V8 engine capacity on the car. This is Massa's first season with Ferrari after driving for Sauber Petronas previously. He must have undergone some great challenges and stress coz his team mate is the one and only... Michael Schumacher! So who's gonna beat who now? You know the drill...



Anyway, as for the car model itself, it looks great! Hotwheels did a decent job on the Ferrari F1 car... However, certain decals such as the alcohol and cigarettes sponsors are not allowed to attach as liveries. So certain parts of the car are white, where the Marlboro/barcode liveries are supposed to be at... thus making the car look kinda plain... The 248F1 is a pretty unique looking car especially on the side mirrors. From a certain angle you might feel that Massa is holding his hand up but actually it's the side mirror doing the trick!

F1 - Ferrari F2005 - Michael Schumacher - Hotwheels Racing

More reds coming up...! Here's the Ferrari F2005 driven by Michael Schumacher in the year 2005. Perhaps the worst year Michael had while driving for Ferrari... 'Michael won only one race – at Indianapolis, where the Michelin shod runners, fearing that their tyres would not stand up to the demands of the circuit, pulled into the pits after the warm up lap. (Chacko 2006)'




Reference: Chacko, T. 2006, Ferrari 1 - Schumacher: The Legend, http://www.f1network.net/main/s85/st99440.htm

Wishing all diecasters a prosperous Chinese New Year in the year of the Tiger!

F1 - Ferrari F2004 - Rubens Barrichello - Hotwheels Racing

Another red from my collection is the Ferrari F2004 driven by Rubens Barrichello.



Hotwheels is the only diecast maker which produces Ferrari Formula One models in 1/18 scale. Rubens' diecast model is not as popular as Schumacher's during that time... but I'm not too sure if the value will go up in times to come for this Ferrari though... *hmmm*