Here’s a look at some of the latest Johnny Lightning products that will be appearing in stores and online during the end of October and through-out November. *-Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit!

40th. Anniversary

Release ‘G’:

• - ’50 Oldsmobile
• - 50’s Chevy School Bus
• - ’65 Impala spoiler
• - ’65 Mustang fastback
• - ’68 Shelby Mustang
• - ’70 Challenger T/A
• - ’69 Camaro;
• - ’70 Dodge Charger
• - ’76 Corvette
• - 2 Dodge Vipers
• - ’67 Pontiac Firebird

In addition, it seems that Johnny Lightning has a big hit on their hands with this lower priced blister card releases. *40th Anniversary will end with the “H” cases and the 2010 “Forever 64” will start with the “I” cases.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club.

Another package arrived in the mail from Johnny Lightning, so I just had to flip on the camera again and share in the fun of revealing the contents! A short video slideshow with detailed pictures follows the unboxing portion, so be sure to watch it until the end!

Correction: I mentioned that the Superbird does not have an opening hood and it in fact does – the fit on it was so perfectly flush that it appeared to be a solid piece!

Special thanks to Tom Zahorsky, Senior Design Manager at Johnny Lightning for the continued support and sending these great cars to share!

[via johnnylightning.com]

Tom Zahorsky from Johnny Lightning sent me an envelope in the mail, so I flipped on the camera to share in the experience of seeing what treasures were contained within!

These 40th Anniversary cars are part of Assortment 1 which contains the following castings:

1969 Chevy Camaro SS- Black with Flames
1969 Dodge Charger R/T- Hemi Orange with black vinyl top
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T- Spoilers #1 Satin Silver with Green stripes
1950 Olds- Metallic Blue with Black top
1965 Ford Mustang- Big Flake Metallic Blue
1970 Dodge Super Bee- Two-tone Red and Silver
1970 Plymouth Superbird- Spoilers #2 Passion Purple Metallic with White stripes
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS- Gloss Black with Matte Black stripes
1969 AMC AMX- Black with Flames and ghost stripes
1968 Shelby GT500- Weekend Racer Yellow

Be sure to check them out at your favorite brick & mortar or online die-cast retailer!

[via johnnylightning.com]

Collector Diecast Lover shared these first twenty shots of entries into the customs contest from the 2008 Hot Wheels Collector’s Convention in Los Angeles California. With plenty more customs than these first entered into the contest, we can expect to see additional picture posts in the upcoming weeks.

[via diecastspace.com]

Each time an official Hot Wheels Convention comes around, collectors who can’t actually make it to the event in person are treated to the ability of purchasing at least one of the convention’s souvenir vehicles online. Since this week marks the start of the 22nd Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention in Los Angeles, Mattel is putting a quantity of the all new Real Riders SS Express Chevelle up for sale!

This is the first time the “spoilers” style Chevelle has been used since it came out in the Since ’68 series earlier this year. It will be available to Red Line Club members for the standard 24-hour priority window starting on 09/30/2008 at 9:00 AM PST, and any remaining quantities will be available to all HWC members on 10/01/2008. This beauty of a piece is priced at $19.99 plus S&H, and there is a purchase limit of two cars per membership.

Be sure to visit the official announcement on HotWheelsCollectors.com for more details about the sale and additional pictures of the car itself.

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]

Now that the latest Kmart Collectors Day has come and gone, the special events continue with the Kmart 2008 HOT WHEELS Collector Edition ’56 Chevy Nomad Promotion! Mattel teams up with Kmart for this type of special offer just a few times a year, and collectors are certainly in for a treat during this 40th Anniversary celebration.

Just as in the past, this is a 20-for-1 mail-in promotion. Simply buy 20 select Hot Wheels basic cars at any Kmart and send in the full card backs as well as a check or money order for $3.00. In return Mattel will send you a gorgeous Hot Wheels Collector Edition ’56 Chevy Nomad with the following great features:

• - Mate black paint
• - The classic Hot Wheels flame in red and white on the sides
• - Red stripes on the top
• - 40th Anniversary Logo
• - Real Riders five-spoke wheels with red stripe tampo
• - Metal body, chassis and engine
• - Light smoke-tinted windshield

Collectors should note that the original announcement for the promotion mentioned that the ’56 Nomad would include an opening hood. Since then Mattel has updated the announcement to let collectors know that the final version will no longer be including that feature. Despite that change, this 40th Anniversary Nomad is a great looking piece! Be sure to visit the official promotion announcement on HotWheelsCollectors.com for additional information including details on which card backs are acceptable for this promotion.

[via hotwheelscollectors.com]