Photos, Links, and Calendar hijinks — that’s what this January update is made of. We’ll get to the photos in due course, but first this Incredible Calendar Announcement:

The first K-mart Collectors’ Event of 2014 is here! Along with its  tag-along cousin, the first Mail-in Promo of 2014! So after viewing the new photos (or, you know, whenever you feel like it), please mouse on over to our Calendar for those oh so informative links.

Aaand speaking of links, we’re very happy to announce that our Links page is now up and running. Moreover, it’s been split into two groups: the 1/64-scale sites, and the not 1/64-scale sites. All for your convenience. Be sure to check out our new (yes, new!) Top Link for a site that will companionize the 1/64-scale nostalgia that Suncoast Diecasters brings you.

Now, onto the Janu — Oh, let me apologize for the “K’day, mate!” failed-humor attempt in the title. It was a jab at the “K-day” eventery. So, now onto the January photos!

January 2014

Ha! I told you 2014 was going to start out good! Got me three more Kenner Fast111s from Big Tractor Mike. Clockwise from top left: Emergency Van; Cruiser Bruiser; King Cobra.

When it was 2014, it was a very good year…

Licenses? We don’ need no steenkin’ licenses!

Doug picks up this Cat track-hopper. It actually has two hoppers, but the other one is gray and has smooth sides. This one, with its mechanical detail and yellow color, gives a more “whole machine” look (IMHO).

Mebbe Doug will film his own li’l version of “Tremors”…

Last month, Big Tractor Mike bought everything that Jim brought to the meeting. This month, he done did it again — and here’s the proof!

Your Honor, it’s clearly an open-and-shut case.

Krista bought this random assortment of cars from me, noting specifically that the “Rockabilly” Purple Passion was for her brother who, she tells me, lives the rockabilly lifestyle. I did not press her for details.

…Or maybe it’s an assortment of random cars.

New guy Dave brought with him a veritable lake of Lamborghinis and flood of Ferraris.

What? No Edsels? WHAT?!?

As soon as I can, I’ll add in Dave’s story about this rarity.

The decals don’t match! Send it back!

Bill, always on the lookout for variations, got double his money’s worth: color variations and card variations.

28/38 = 0.73684210526315789473684210526316

Speaking of variations: Bill found this ‘Stang with incorrectly sized front wheels. He couldn’t ID it as a known variation in any of the books, so he’s not certain whether this is in fact an unknown variation, or an error car. The fact that the front wheels are the correct type further clouds the issue.

Either way, it has a nicely aggressive rake to it.

Ken bought hisself some storage! (Thus lending further evidence to my contention that 2014 has started out nicely.) The all-important Jammers are from Big Tractor Mike (‘tho possibly late of Jim); the specifically-important Kar Keepers are from Dave.

So, basically, Kenny bought some boxed air.

Ken also nabbed this Speed Circus Hiway Hauler, Zylmex Mini Minor, and Tomica Porsche 928 with way cool super groovy opening doors. (Methinks calling it both “mini” and “minor” is just overkill.)

Opening doors. Because, you know, realism.

What more proof can there be than this, that 2014 has started out incredibly well? Kenny got more garbage trucks!

Ken collects these automatically. Thus, “colectomatic”.

Oh, wait — there is more proof! Ken acquired one of the coolest acquirements in Suncoast Diecasters‘ history: the Blade Runner police vehicle, by Ertl. This is one of several custom vehicles designed for the movie by futurist/artist Syd Mead (who also designed the Sentinel 400 Limo). What else can I say?; 2014 starts out with an awesome Find of the Month.(*)

Not the “Spinner” flying car. This is a ground vehicle.

You can watch it Ertl — er, *hurtle* through traffic.

As seen in the movie, “When Harry met Sally”. Oh, wait…

See you at the February meeting!

~WM