Hotwheels, the Final Frontier.

I bet you didn't see this one coming - I sure didn't!

Look for the J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie reboot version of the Starship Enterprise on Hotwheels shelves now, for about a dollar.

Hotwheels is releasing the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 in their HW Imagination series (don't be fooled by the green stripe on the card, this is not a Treasure Hunt or chase or rare vehicle. Just a new model for 2013, available wherever Hotwheels are sold and in the same quantities as any new release.)

Okay Hotwheels, while I appreciate what you are doing here (and will buy one when I see it) and dig all the licenced movie vehicles you have been releasing lately, I am more than a little peeved that we're getting a freaking Starship Enterprise before we get Mad Max's Interceptor, which is by the way AN ACTUAL CAR and has...WHEELS that were in fact pretty hot if I remember my film history correctly.

Now do us a solid, Hotwheels, and get us some more movie and TV vehicles with, you know, wheels - starting with Mad Max's Interceptor - before you continue boldly going where no Hotwheels orange track can go anyways.

Pic unabashedly borrowed from eBay, where I do not suggest you go and pay more than a dollar for a dollar Hotwheel. But hey, it's your money.

Angry Hot Wheels Birds

As I mentioned on my K'Nex Blind Bagged Angry Birds post, I was expecting the Hot Wheels Angry Bird to hit soon.

Well, it didn't take long for me to find one!

This is the Hot Wheels Red Bird (not to be confused with the Redbird,) a 2012 New Model - #47/50.

Red Bird is a nice solid, heavy car. The red part is all die-cast. I just might have to use this guy in the next family Pinks race, which will probably take place around Thanksgiving.

A minion pig car is due out soon as well. Perfect for those crash-up derbys, Hot Wheels and Angry Birds style!

Don't call it a Batwing

Thanks to Brian of Cool and Collected, I finally have my hands on The Bat!

Brian graciously gave me this 2012 Hot Wheels New Models #27 of 50 since he isn't a Hot Wheel collector and I am ;) (Yes, he found himself one too!)

I have to admit, The Bat is an odd one. An ugly vehicle by any standard, it flies (pun intended) in the face of Hot Wheel conventionality by...not having any wheels at all. In fact, as I sit here I cannot think of another Hot Wheel that has been released completely sans wheels. Even Hot Wheels airplanes have a couple wheels!

Anyone?

It is, at least, die-cast (the top part, anyways.)

This thing reminds me of a rolly-polly.

Wheel-less and ugly-as-sin or not, The Bat is a must have for me and most Batman fans (and Hot Wheels fans too!)

 A Bat vehicle is a Bat vehicle no matter how you slice it!

From the cardback:

Born: 2012
Birthplace: Gotham City
Designer: Wayne Industries
Specialty: The first flying vehicle in the Dark Knight's crime-fighting arsenal, THE BAT features twin mounted cannons. It's maneuverability allows BATMAN to engage in low-altitude pursuits amid the skyscrapers of downtown GOTHAM CITY.

How we roll

I spent this past weekend visiting family, and at my nephew's request I brought my orange track along so we could "Race for Pinks." Here's how it goes down: everyone in the family gets a few Hot Wheels, we set up a bracket, and we have elimination rounds up to a final showdown. We flip a coin for lane choice, do a blind pull for bracket placement, the whole nine yards. And of course, since we're racing for pinks, the loser loses their car to the winner.

Yup, that's how three generations of my family has fun when they get together. And people wonder why I'm obsessed with toys.

Anyways, this post isn't about that (I need to bring a camera next time we race for pinks and actually make a post about it someday,) but it is related. See, if you are going to race for pinks, you need fresh wheels. So my dad, my nephew and myself jumped in the car and headed to K-Mart.

That's where I finally found this beauty!

The Brave and the Bold animated Batmobile by Hot Wheels! #42 of 44 2010 New Models.

Even the card is gorgeous. Let's gander at that Batmobile illustration a little longer, shall we?

*drooool.

Even the vehicle stats are character accurate. "Designer: Batman." I love it.

The car is a great Batmobile design. I love the Brave and the Bold cartoon, and this Hot Wheels version of Batman's ride does not disappoint.

The design of this Batmobile feels like the original Batmobile melded with the '89 movie version. Two great tastes that taste great together. I especially love the Bat face up front.

I would have preferred some cooler wheels, but I can't complain. Considering this cartoon only has one more season left in it (totaling a measly three seasons,) we're some lucky Bat-fans to be getting this vehicle in Hot Wheel form.


Oh, and about the race. Everyone who wanted one was able to get a Batmobile from K-Mart, (we lucked out big time and found four!) and none of us were willing to race it out of our collections, so it sat out during the race for pinks. But once the serious racing was over, we did get it on the track and it performed admirably.

Batman would be proud.