New additions : 17 december 2011

Hi folks,

Since i'm mainly focusing on uploading my collection to my new "Car Collection" page, i don't have much time to do big posts with a lot of research and stuff. Instead, i thought i could make a few posts on what's new in my collection, and you'll be able to find them with a blue writing in my Car Collection page. I plan to do these updates regularly (it means that i have to buy diecasts regularly :D)

'35 Classic Caddy

As its name tells, this diecast is clearly a classic. Introduced in 1982 by Hot Wheels, it has been used numerous times over years, and is still in the 2011 lineup. It can be identified as a reproduction of the Cadillac 370-D V-12 Fleetwood Town Cabriolet (can be seen on the pic at the right). Hot Wheels's one is a nice replica, lot of details included, such as the wheels in fenders. The one i got is slightly used, but still really presentable. Unfortunately, you can see bad paint quality on the hood, with a lot of orange peel. The edition i got is 1989's blue with white walls, a quite common one. Still, i didn't have one, and it came in a junk box i got for 1$, so it is welcome :)

Chrysler Firepower

We're coming on a much more modern era, with this awesome concept by Chrysler, introduced in 2006's Hot Wheels regular line. It is a casting that has not been used often, with its presence in 2006, 2008 and in one of the 2011's 20-pack. I like this kind of concept, pretty realistic lines. The Hot Wheels one is "not bad", pretty realistic lines, but missing tampos in front. Even more, the windows are quite strange, and doesn't fit the car so well. But this 2006 edition is welcomed in my collection, and is quite rare. The front tampos would have been a huuugee benefit to this casting though.

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

I have quite the collection of Camaros... but not so much in convertibles, especially in modern ones. So this one was a nice add, and a nice completion to my collection of this legendary American car. Also known as '95 Camaro, or '95 Camaro Convertible, this casting is a replica of the fourth generation of the american car, without the facelift (that happened in 1998). It was quite a monster and real life, way too big and not too much powerful like it used to be in '60s-'70s (this is why it disappeared in 2002). This Hot Wheels casting appeared in the main line in 1995 in a simple aqua color, and is still used in the 10-packs. I'm really fortunate to have found the special 1997 "30th Anniversary of Camaro Collectible Line" one, with its special color. It's an awesomely done casting, with tampos all around, even mirrors! Wheels are somewhat strange, but Hot Wheels are pretty much spot on with wheels.

'73 Caprice Wagon

Of course, we keep the best for the end! I already had a Caprice Wagon, but it was a highly tuned version, and even if i like this casting, i thought it didn't represent the car so well. But with the availability of the Release 18 by Johnny Lightning in my area, i had the chance to put my hand on the Police version, that is a stunner. Now this is a perfect diecast! Take a look at those details : the wonderful paint, that reminds me from the Dodge Monaco, the highly detailed lightbar, tampos, great wheels... it's a nice add in any collection. Originally released in 2007 in the tuned version (that you can find in my Car Collection page), it has been declined in regular, derby and now police. Trust me, you need this car! *Unfortunately i didn't found any pic of the police version.

I hope you liked this post, and feedback is appreciated! :)

[American Moderns] CTS, the ultimate modern Cadillac.

Back in the 60's, Cadillac was certainly the American symbol of luxury and pride, and was recognized as the ultimate luxury car. Times changed a lot, and the luxurious american brand now has difficulty to survive, with hard competition coming from Mercedes, BMW, and more recently, Lexus and Infiniti. With poor models in the 90's, Cadillac certainly lost a bit of this glorious look that made it famous. Nowadays, Cadillac's style is certainly better than it was in the 90's, and its cars are now fully respectable, even if they're as spectacular as what they used to be (at least they're reliable :)). Here's one that almost saved the brand, and that is an important player in its section : the Cadillac CTS.

First generation : 2003 - 2007

Originally showed in 2002 as replacement to the horrible Cadillac Catera (which was a pale copy of the already pale Opel Omega), the CTS has been introduced as a 2003 model. It introduced the new Edge Cadillac style, with a huge contrast on the older Cadillac. The CTS was nominated as the North American Car Of The Year, and being featured in the movie The Matrix Reloaded, it quickly achieved some great sales. Originally introduced with a L6 220 hp engine, it quickly switched for a DOHC V6 offering 255 hp, and has been produced until 2007. An extreme version has been introduced in 2004, called the CTS-V, as a direct competitor to BMW M5. Featuring the same engine as the Corvette Z06 (LS2 V8 engine), it was able to deliver 400 hp.  Unfortunately, no diecast of the first generation has been produced... what a waste of a paragraph! :)

Second generation : 2008-...

CTS-V

CTS Coupe.

CTS Wagon.

Influenced from the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen Concept (that will certainly be covered in another post), the second generation CTS was introduced in 2008. Even if the first CTS was a great car, the second one is certainly a reference in its market segment. Bigger and more luxuous than the first one, it received Motor Trend Car Of The Year award in 2008, along with being selected in Car & Driver's 10 best cars list. Car & Driver even wrote "Maybe the best American car ever made" in 2010 about the CTS. Two engines are offered on the basic CTS : a 258 hp V6 engine, and a more powerful 304 hp V6 VVT engine. The CTS has also been declined in a Sport Wagon and a Coupe Version. All the CTS are available as the CTS-V, featuring a monstrous LSA V8 Engine with 556 hp. It is clearly one of the most powerful sedan in the market.

After all this real car introduction, we surely need to talk about diecasts :)
As the first generation, no diecast has been made around the regular CTS. BUT! All special versions have been covered. First, the CTS-V has recently been introduced as a 2010 New Model in Hot Wheels regular line-up. Only offered in the 2010 range for now, it has been produced in black (first version, which i own), red and silver. In my humble opinion, the casting has been awfully reproduced. The rear and side is not that bad, but the front doesn't really looks like a CTS. And of course, as with every Hot Wheels, the wheels are a bit too much generic, and doesn't fit that car so well. Well, what is really killing the casting are three things : the front grill (where's the Cadillac sign?), front light tampos are not accurate, and what's with the blue windows?

Evaluation : Hot Wheels '09 Cadillac CTS-V

• Accuracy (looking like the real car?) : 6/10
• Details (mirrors, wheels, other stuff)  : 6/10
• Color : 8/10
• Quality of the fabrication :  7/10
• Personal factor (is it a must for my collection?): 5/10
• Total : 32/50

The other Mattel brand, Matchbox, also recently introduced replicas of the CTS in its current lineup. Let's start with the CTS Wagon, that has been introduced in late 2010, in a red color. The casting is awesomely accurate, and you can really appreciate CTS Wagon's special shape. Even more, the front tampo is outstanding, and all the details make it look really great. I'm quite not a fan of the wheels, but they're somewhat  well accorded with the car. Two shades of red has been produced in 2010, and we're at three recolors so far in 2011. It is certainly one of the most impressive casting in the current Matchbox lineup, and a must for any collection. I must admit that i particularly love the shooting brake style of the CTS... and the tampos are simply incredible. One bad thing : bad paint quality.

Evaluation : Matchbox Cadillac CTS Wagon

• Accuracy (looking like the real car?) : 9/10
• Details (mirrors, wheels, other stuff)  : 8/10
• Color : 8/10
• Quality of the fabrication :  7/10
• Personal factor (is it a must for my collection?): 9/10
• Total : 41/50

Talking about Matchbox, they quickly introduced the CTS Coupe in the 2011 line-up, almost in the same time as the car was hitting the market. In my humble opinion, it is certainly one of the most beautiful car of the actual market. Introduced as the #32 in the VIP serie of the basic lineup, Matchbox's replica of the CTS Coupe is almost perfect. You can really feel the real car, its angular lines, the odd but awesome rear end... certainly one of the best new releases in 2011. Lots of details are included, tampos are simply perfect (front tampo is the same as the Wagon's one). As i said on the Wagon, i'm not a fan of those wheels though. The silver color is a bit dull, but its fits well the car's style. Certainly one of the must of 2011, you need to find one!

Evaluation : Matchbox Cadillac CTS Coupe

• Accuracy (looking like the real car?) : 9/10
• Details (mirrors, wheels, other stuff)  : 8/10
• Color : 7/10
• Quality of the fabrication :  8/10
• Personal factor (is it a must for my collection?): 9/10
• Total : 41/50

Enjoy the pics folks, all comments are welcomed! I want to improve :)