It’s sleak and silver and looking fast while standing still! This week’s Up Close segment continues with the another great drag bus from Wave 4 of Jada’s V-Dubs line. This submarine-themed drag bus has metallic silver paint, portal-style windows, fantastic tampos and a really cool stance. What really sets it off is the blue striping around the wheels and the red accent around the headlights! Little bits of detail like that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! Click any of the thumbnails for the full size picture:

Special thanks to Greg at WWW.DIEHARD-DIECAST.COM for providing the pictures for this week’s Up Close series!

[via diehard-diecast.com]

This is just a quick reminder that there are only a few days left until the 2008 Red Line Club memberships go on sale! The “race” to sign up begins on January 22nd at 9 AM Pacific Time for those collectors who are already RLC members in good standing. Standard HOTWHEELSCOLLECTORS.COM members will have their opportunity to join the club one week later on January 29th at 9 AM Pacific Time

This year’s club car is the Boss Hoss which is back and looking better than ever! In addition, 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, so you know there will be tons of great incentives going on with the Red Line Club this year. Use the link below to jump over to the official news story and to read about all the cool stuff that’s included in this year’s membership kit!

Get your clicking finger warmed up, because its going to be crazy!

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

In a post on HOTWHEELSCOLLECTORS.COM, accomplished Hot Wheels Author Mike Zarnock announced that he will begin writing a new column for Die Cast X Magazine now that Toy Cars & Models Magazine will be closing its doors. Its unfortunate to see the end of Toy Cars & Models as it was a great source of information for die cast collectors and enthusiasts. On the other hand, its good to see that we’ll all still be able to enjoy Mike’s articles in Die Cast X. Here is what Mike had to say:

“As some of you may already know…. Toy Cars & Models Magazine’s last issue published was the February 2008 issue. It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to my column in Toy Cars & Models. I’d like to thank you all for your support over the many wonder years that we’ve spent there together! From the first time that my column appeared between those pages in the March 2003 issue to it’s very last issue of February 2008. We’ve talked about a lot of different things in those years and I hope that I’ve helped to make you all more knowledgeable collectors, saved you from making some costly mistakes and helped you to find some really great pieces for your collections! I’ve made many new friends and have had the pleasure of meeting many of you in person in my travels across the country. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and I remember it all forever!”

“I have been talking with other publications about doing my Hot Wheels Variation Column there and we are still working out the details. I do know that I can now tell you that I will be writing for Die Cast X Magazine, I actually just wrote a nice piece on the 40th anniversary for them, so look for that in an upcoming issue! I will be writing more for them in future issues also, I can’t say what I will be writing about yet, but I can say it is about Hot Wheels! So, I hope you pick up a copy of Die Cast X Magazine and check it out!”

“Of course I will be still writing my Variation Books and the Warman’s Books too. It was just Toy Cars & Models that stopped being published. Keep checking my website for updates!”

“Thanks again for the support and keep those emails coming!”

-Mike Zarnock

Best of luck to Mike and Die Cast X Magazine on their new collaboration!

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

This week’s Up Close posts will feature some of the casts from Wave 4 of Jada’s V-Dubs line, and this first one is will be easy to spot on the pegs from two aisles away! This drag bus’s bright orange paint, extended side windows, and blacked out wheels really make it stand out. The addition of the rear wing and parachute pack are nice touches as well! Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the full size image.

Special thanks to Greg a WWW.DIEHARD-DIECAST.COM for supplying the photos for this week’s Up Close series. They have the Drag Buses and Bugs in stock now and the full set of Wave 4 is available for pre-ordering.

[via www.diehard-diecast.com]

Be sure to go out and check these great diecast events happening around the country!

ToyMan Toy Show

Where: Machinist Hall, 12365 St, Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO
When: January 13, 2008 - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Admission: $3.00 - Adult. Free - 12 and under
Featuring: The show has approx. 180+ tables as well over 100 dealers selling antique and collectible toys. Some of the items represented are Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Barbie’s, Comics, Movie memorabilia (posters - autographs), NASCAR items, Board Games, Action Figures (science fiction - movie - television - wrestling), Die Cast Cars, Model Kits, Trading Cards, Sports Collectibles and too much more to list.
More Information: Call Chris McQuillen (636) 332-0807 or e-mail toymantoyshow@aol.com

Motor City Hot Wheeler’s Club Show

Where: Wayne Ford Civic League. 1645 North Wayne Rd. Westland, MI
When: January 13th, 2008. Early Entry: 7:30 AM. Regular Entry: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Admission: Regular Entry - 2008 Member - Free, Spectator 16 & older: $3.00, Youth 15 and younger: Free
Featuring: Custom Contest and Racing table still available.
More Information: More info: 810-688-3606; Email: lca@tir.com

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hot Wheels® Club Meeting

Where: AMF Bowling Center. 7505 West Oklahoma. Milwaukee, WI
When: January 13th 2008
Admission: Free
More Information: 414-788-8736

If you have an event that you would like posted or mentioned on the podcast, simply email us with the details and we’ll get the ball rolling!

Blogger and girl-gamer Hawty McBloggy recently posted these shots of a custom Hot Wheels Twin Mill based on the video game Halo 3 from the XBOX360. She states “It’s certainly not a warthog but it’s still pretty darn cute. Add a Gauss turret on the back and I’m sold.”

The car itself was part of an eBay auction from Mondo Customz which has now ended.

This bit of news came out towards the end of 2007 as part of SEMA, so it’s not exactly late breaking - but, cool none the less! Exotic car maker Lotus teamed up with Hot Wheels to make this 1:5 scale model for the 2007 SEMA show. The design features a unique exposed center spine which contains switches and gear linkages while re-enforcing the cool rear wing!

[via iinfocenter.com]