Hot Wheels: 2022 Collection - Porsche 911 GT3 (Factory Fresh #5)

Porsche 911 GT3 (Factory Fresh #5)

Of all of the Porsche models released under the Hot Wheels banner, this has to be one of my favorites, if not my favorite. The flat matte black looks great with the gray wheels. This is just a banger of a vehicle and one that I will gladly buy in any color scheme!

Transformers Legacy Evolution: Dinobot Sludge (Core Class)

   

I've been sitting on this figure since February where I picked it up from a comic shop while I was in Wilmington, NC for a wedding. I'm glad I went ahead and grabbed it because the initial distribution of this wave of Core Class figures in my area was horrible. 

The draw here is that the Dinobots combine. I've never been a fan of this idea (and won't be displaying them this way), but with this combining feature in mind, I do believe we may see these toys released as the Japanese exclusive Dinoforce team. Afterall, those toys did combine (well, the inner Pretender robots did) to form the combiner Dinoking.

I'll start off with saying for a Core Class figure, this isn't a bad representation of the Dinobot, Sludge. It doesn't faithfully re-create the G1 toy on a smaller scale, but you can tell who he's meant to be. Sure, he has dinosaur kibble hanging off his hips and the "wings" he normally has in robot mode aren't attached to his back (they are on the back of his arms), but the sculpt isn't bad. I quite like the head as it looks like the classic character.

Articulation wise the arms do move at the shoulders a full 360 degrees. The legs are attached to the hips with a disc shape joint and allow the legs to move freely, however the dino kibble on his waist will hinder some of the overall leg movement.

Sludge's dinosaur mode (Apatosaurus?) has all sort of issues...where do we start. First of all the tail is almost non-existent. It's more of a stub than a tail. The back legs are also way out of proportion that it throws off the look of the dino. Most of the toy features gray, non-painted plastic. He does feature some silver paint on the upper portion of his back and of course the gold highlights on the back and head. The legs do move, but you're limited in your posting due to short, squatty legs.

If you so choose to combine Sludge with his fellow Dinobots, he does form the lower upper body/waist of the combiner. Getting him combiner ready is fairly easy as you just rotate his arms straight up, fold up the legs and position them on each side of his waist. Doesn't look like much, but once you start attaching some of the other Dinobots it's not a bad design...I just don't like combining Dinobots in my world of Transformers.

Overall I find Sludge to be a charming Core Class figure, but it's not without it's faults. Usually I like to display my Dinobot figures in dinosaur mode, but this is one of those rare cases where I feel like the robot mode is the strongest of the two forms. I think you can pass on this figure (and the rest of the Core Class Dinobots) unless you are a major Dinobot fan or a completionist. There are far better figures in of this price point in the Legacy series.

Tomica: #49 Toyota Coaster Kindergarten Bus

Part of the Walmart exclusive Tomica series comes an interesting vehicle and showcases just how Japanese and authentic this line can be, Toyota Coaster Kindergarten Bus. I don't really have any commentary for this release other than it's a rather cool looking yellow Japanese school bus.

Maisto Adventure Force: Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

Adventure Force is a line of budget friendly die-cast vehicles sold exclusively in Walmart stores. Many of these same vehicles can also be found under different Maisto labels found in other discount type stores. All of the vehicles are fully licensed, but don't expect Mattel level quality. The die-cast metal used in the vehicles is usually thin and the quality of paint and the applications are a notch lower than what you'd see on a Hot Wheels or Matchbox vehicle. All that said, these Maisto vehicles are still pretty good and a fun and inexpensive way to bolster your die-cast collection.

Maisto Adventure Force: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Adventure Force is a line of budget friendly die-cast vehicles sold exclusively in Walmart stores. Many of these same vehicles can also be found under different Maisto labels found in other discount type stores. All of the vehicles are fully licensed, but don't expect Mattel level quality. The die-cast metal used in the vehicles is usually thin and the quality of paint and the applications are a notch lower than what you'd see on a Hot Wheels or Matchbox vehicle. All that said, these Maisto vehicles are still pretty good and a fun and inexpensive way to bolster your die-cast collection.

Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos - Machine Build Rod Drill #01 (Megahouse)

In late 2022, a new series of Machine Robo toys were released overseas. Based on the Revenge of Cronos anime, this new line of figures by Megahouse is more than just another line of transformable robots. With their new Build Series, you get to build the figure...or partially build the figure.

        

   

The packaging is done really nice and even captures the look of the original 80's Machine Robo series. One side of the box shows the included contents, but more on that in a bit.

Upon opening the box and removing the inner tray you are greeted with the body of the figure as well as the additional pieces and parts. All of these pieces have to be removed from their plastic frames, which was easy enough to do without having to resort to having to use any type of knife or scissors.

   

The body of the figure was "built" more than I anticipated, however as you can see the head and hands are missing, along with a few other small parts. Assembling the final pieces (head, hands, forearms and knee/shins) was easy and the included instructions were easy to follow. The end results once fully assembled was very satisfying.

For a model kit, I was surprised at the level of articulation. Both the arms and legs are attached to the body via ball joints so this allows a wide range of motion for the limbs. Since the head is interchangeable and also attaches using a ball joint, you can move the head a full 360 degrees. You don't get much movement up or down however.

Transformation from robot to vehicle is rather simple and straightforward, not all that different from the original toy. Turn the head 180 degrees, the arms fold over onto the chest, fold the legs up in half and onto the back, finally folding down the toes.

One of the included accessories is this longer, more slender drill bit. Switching out he drill bits is the same as switching out the head, simply give it a slight tug and it pops off the body. The tip of this bit can be a little sharp so be careful!

I was immediately curious to see how this Megahouse Rod Drill figure looked side by the side the previous Machine Robo Revenge of Cronos series of toys by Action Toys. I didn't buy near as many toys from that series as I wanted, but I did have Rod Drill so let's take a look at how these two versions of the character stack up against each other.

Both are great toys, however I think I like the slightly larger size of the Megahouse version. It retains a little more look of the vintage toy while the Action Toys version has a little more modern look. Overall you can't go wrong with either version.

Priced at around $45 USD (at the time of this post) is a generous price. There isn't much Machine Robo merchandise on the market so I would imagine if you are a fan then you may have already purchased this, if not, what are you waiting for? Megahouse has a good product on their hands and I eagerly look forward to their next release, Bike Robo (aka Gobots Cy-Kill).

Auto World: 1970 Chevy Impala Custom Coupe - Release 4, Version A

Luxury Cruisers series

1970 Chevy Impala Custom Coupe

Release 4, Version A

Limited Edition

Premium Facts...

* The rear overhang of the 1970 Chevy

Impala was five feet, allowing for 

huge trunk space

* Weighing around 4200 lbs., the 1970 Impala

could still stop at 60 mph in 138 ft.

50700

Black Cherry Polly