Last week, I posted a video featuring GM car designer Amaury Diaz-Serrano speaking about the opportunity he was given to design “The Chevrolator” for Mattel. This week, Amaury gives collectors a quick tour of his diecast room - otherwise known as the “Man Cave!” Enjoy!

[via vimeo.com]

There’s a diecast racing storm brewing here in the northeast and YOU are invited to participate! Here’s the scoop straight from Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club President, Jim Lombari:

As you all know, here in Rhode Island we love to race. Well, it was always my belief that Hot Wheels were faster than any other diecast company - until now. Another member of the RLC Club is my friend Hatchit who took a laser wheel Datsun by Matchbox and has become public enemy number 1 of the downhill race world. This car has been turning times in the 3.7’s which is faster than any other stock car we’ve seen on the 50ft speedway, and has proven itself on the shorter tracks as well.

I’ve put out a challenge for anyone who can break this Matchbox curse. I am offering a healthy cash prize plus a Rhode Island Club car by Liberty Promotions for anyone who can take this car out. I also encourage Mattel to step up with a prize just to save the face of the Hot Wheels brand.

We will take any car that can break the 3.8 time and face this animal to a best out of 3 race.

If you think you have what it takes, post a picture of your car here and send it to the Rhode Island Hot WHeels Club, PO Box 19167, Johnston, RI 02919. Your car will be returned or crushed depending on what you prefer. If you win, you will be rewarded with honors. There is no time limit. We will race until we take out Hatchit and his evil Datsun. Good luck and don’t be shy - we need to save our brand! Good luck and always have fun!

Are you up for the challenge..? Here are some shots of the Datsun and a few of its upcoming challengers:

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

First he landed his dream job at General Motors, and then Amaury Diaz-Serrano was asked to do something he’s fantasized about since he was 8 years old - design a Hot Wheels car. His model - The Chevroletor- ended up being a big winner in a Hot Wheels competition. Find out more about the tiny toy that’s a huge hit.

[via vimeo.com]

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, the brand has teamed up with Gallery 1988 to host a unique art exhibit, which will feature more than 200 pieces created by pop surrealist artists. While this event has come and gone, you can can catch a quick glimpse at some of the cool creations feature at the show in this video!

[via vimeo.com]

Posted last week over at HOTWHEELSCOLLECTORS.COM, was a RLC-only preview of the next mail-in offering from Hot Wheels. The Dairy Delivery will be the second of four mail-away cars for 2008. Done up in the same paint and tampo scheme as the Volkswagen Drag Truck offered in the current K-mart promotion running through 04/26/08, I’m sure that there will be no lack of participation from Hot Wheels collectors around the country.

The retail location, from which the cars and card backs must be purchased from, has not been announced yet. So stay tuned to HOTWHEELSCOLLECTORS.COM and diecastAUDIO for further information regarding this piece.

The ability to get early notice on great offers like this is yet another reason why Red Line Club membership has its advantages.

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

Its been a loooong while since I’ve added anything new over on WWW.DIECASTVIDEO.COM, so I thought this might be a good one to get things going again. RexCarrs shared this amazing video of a painting he created entirely out of diecast cars (Hot Wheels..?) - Pretty cool!

[via diecastvideo.com]

As part of the 40th Anniversary of Hot Wheels, Mattel is pulling out all the stops and creating a new seven car series called Designer’s Challenge. What makes this series special? Well for starters, Mattel asked major automakers to come up with the designs for the castings. Thats something they’ve never done before. Six car companies submitted designs that were judged on by Hot Wheels Executives as well editors of several popular car and men’s magazines.

The final seven cars will never be made into real 1:1 scale vehicles however, the 1/64th scale toys did need to be able to make it all the way around a classic Hot Wheels track loop! Here is a sample of three in the package from the series.

Thanks to Greg from WWW.DIEHARD-DIECAST.COM for sending in the photos! Be sure to keep your eye open for these at your favorite brick and mortar or online retailer as they are starting to appear now!