Happy New Year 2017!
And yes, we’re late. A busier-than-expected (and unexpectedly modified) work schedule, a frustratingly difficult home improvement project, and various other things all added up to a pushed-back January 2017 update.
Also, not a lot of activity in this update, as the post-holiday meeting is usually slow for us.
On the other hand, good news: The February 2017 K-mart in-store event and mail-in promo are now on our Calendar!
Oh, and I finally activated the “Tag Cloud” widget on the left over thar.
Enough delays already! Let’s get to the photos!
January 2017
Hello; I’m a truck.
-:-:-:-
Heh. You older readers may very well recognize that as the opening lyric of Red Simpson’s country-western novelty tune, I’m a Truck. And to you younger readers, yes, there really is a song sung from the point of view of a truck. For context, just think of it as Optimus Prime sings There’s a Gear in my Beer.
Bill bought this model from Big Tractor Mike. By the way, “truck” actually has a name.
”Hello; I’m Back Biter.”
Back Biter is from Hot Wheels’ interesting concept series, Crack-Ups. Each model in this series is gimmicked with a spring-loaded panel which upon impact would unlatch and spin around to reveal simulated damage. This addressed (or attempted to) the playtime conflict of wanting to crash one’s toys without actually causing damage. When done playing, the child (or Bill) could just rotate the panel back.
If only real vehicle damage were so easy to repair.
Crack-Ups models would have the gimmick panel on the rear, front, side or even on top. A “bonus feature”, as it were, of ol’ Back Biter here is that the camper top would also fly off, enhancing the “damage” effect.
See that plastic tab? That’s actually the spring which launches the camper top.
I’ll be honest: When I first saw that tab, I thought it was one of those battery separators … until I remembered that Crack-Ups came out decades before pre-installed batteries in toys were commonplace.
Bill also bought this snazzy boat-&-trailer combo known as Seafire. Well, the boat is Seafire; the trailer has no name.
How ’bout Bottom Biter?
In case you’re wondering whether the boat separat– Uh….
Hello, ladies. I’m Dash Handsomely.
For goodness’ sake. Anyway, in case you’re wondering whether the boat separates from the trailer, yes it does. Yet Seafire remains mobile, as it has rollers underneath, which I’d be happy to show you except I forgot to photograph the bottom of the thing.
Ironically, Seafire is roadworthy but not seaworthy.
What you’re seeing … is an optical illusion.
The trailer is *not* actually attached to the truck!
Along with loose cars and boxed sets, BTM has several very nice glass-topped display cases. Here, Jason provides some friendly competition with just such a display case of his own.
Classy.
Some of its contents are particularly interesting…
A rat rod from the mouse house!
…Particularly interesting, indeed.
(Sigh) If only I didn’t have bills to pay.
And now, a brief word from our Sponsor:
(Our ads are in color now, by the way.)
Okay, that’s not an ad but the back of this front, another of Hot Wheels’ concept series, California Customs. This series featured mainline models done up in very bright colors, and included a plastic medallion as well as a sticker sheet fo further customize the model. Emergency Back-up Ken bought this from Ed.
AKA 3-Window ’34.
This model’s sheet features licensed automotive supplier brands.
And yes, I’ll go ahead and say it:
(Ahem) Branding!
While the blister has yellowed a bit with age, and there are a few minor crumples along the card’s edge, this model is otherwise in very good condition, and in that most rare of states, complete on its card. Ergo, I readily declare the Cal Customs-series ’34 Ford to be Suncoast Diecasters‘ Find of the Month(*) for January 2017!
Again, AKA 3-Window ’34.
And now a special treat for you, here is Red Simpson’s I’m a Truck:
See you at the February meeting!
~WM
Suncoast Diecasters 