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About Michael Zarnock
Expertise
I am able to answer questions about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories.

Experience

Michael Zarnock (born April 21, 1958 in Utica, New York) is an American author and columnist, who writes collector guides and articles about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories. Michael's knowledge and his massive Hot Wheels collection has earned him notoriety around the world. Whether it be because of the 8 books and countless articles that he has written about Hot Wheels toys or the sheer size and diversity of his collection, this extensive knowledge has earned him the label, "One of the worlds leading Hot Wheels authorities." Michael is also a 2 Time Guinness World Record holder! First in 2003 and then again in 2007! He is in the record books for owning the "Largest collection of different model cars".

Michael was under contract with Toy Cars & Models Magazine for 6 years where he wrote a monthly Hot Wheels column and price guide, he currently has a monthly column in Die Cast X Magazine..

Bibliography
2008 to Present – Die Cast X Magazine (Monthly Hot Wheels © Column)
2002 to 2008 - "Toy Cars & Models Magazine ®" (Monthly Hot Wheels ® Column)
2002-The Ultimate Guide To Hot Wheels Variations
2002-*The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles II
2003-Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide
2004-Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 2nd Edition
2004-*Toys & Prices 11th Edition
2005-Hot Wheels Accessories, The Ultimate Guide
2005-*The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles III
2005-*Toys & Prices 12th Edition
2006-Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide
2006-*Toys & Prices 13th Edition
2007-Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 3rd Edition
2007-*Toys & Prices - 14th Edition
2007-Warman’s Hot Wheels Field Guide 2nd Edition
2008-*Toys & Prices - 15th Edition
2008-Once Upon A Street Race
(Based on the true story of the time Mike got kidnapped at a street race!)
2009-*Toys & Prices - 16th Edition
2009-Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide 2nd Edition
* denotes (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapter only)
All of these publications are available at Bookstores around the world.

Awards and Honors
September 2003 Michael was awarded a Guinness World Record ™ for his collection of 3,711 Different Model Cars. Although Michael has more than 15,000 toy cars in his collection, that record was for 3,711 different Hot Wheels model cars. The old record was 1,500.
In 2006, Michael's record was broken by a man in Argentina with 7,000 different models cars.
Michael has since brought his title back to the USA in February 2007 with 8128 different Hot Wheels model cars! Part of this collection is on display at the Childrens Museum in Utica, New York.
2008 Michael was featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" book #5 "Prepare To Be Shocked!" for his Hot Wheels obsession.

You are here: Experts > Shopping > Toy Collecting > Collectibles--Toys > '65 Mustang Convertibe 5908 (1984)

Collectibles--Toys - '65 Mustang Convertibe 5908 (1984)

Expert: Michael Zarnock - 11/2/2009

Question

65 Mustang Convertible

QUESTION: I have a Red 65 Mustang Convertible in the package.

It came in the set (CUSTOM CAR CENTER), the box says it contains one car (and it did, the mustang).

The Tomarts book I have says that the set contains no cars (updated 5th edition).

I got the set at a sale, the box was never opened but in poor shape so I decided to open it anyways.
I took the car out of the toy set, it is wrapped in a plastic bag kind of thing with a peice of tape on it.

***
Here's the weird part though, the car has 3 white wall rims (type J white wall tires) and a black one (Type F basic blackwall tire)?

Is this a rare find I should keep in the package and hold on to or is this something that happens all the time?

Thanks in advance...

Brad Snider
Vancouver, BC
Canada

ANSWER: All the boxes that I have ever seen of the Custom Car Center Item # 7554 do not have a car included and it says so on the box. Look on page 84 in "Hot Wheels Accessories, The Ultimate Guide". If you have a photo of the set, I would like to see it.
The Custom Car Center was released in 1990, the red Mustang with white interior, clear windshield and white walls was released in 1984 and had changed color a few times by 1990. There is a real good chance someone had opened the set since it was in poor condition and put that car in it and re-glued it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Michael,

thanks for your answer on my first question, but, it hasn't solved the problem yet...

Here is what I have found since your last post.

The box clearly says "1 Hot Wheels Vehicle Included" on the top left corner.
It also says it on the contents list on the back of the box.

It says Mattel Inc. 1989 Mattel Canada Inc. Toronto, Canada (Made in Malaysia)

The toy did not appear to be opened before I got it as the tape I opened appeared to be very old, same as the tape on the car itself.
The factory stickers, instructions and every little part were in the box as it lists.

I am certain that this was not opened prior to myself but am curious on the status of the mustang car.
I have several of these mustangs in my collection but none have a factory glitch like this.

Is this kind of thing rare or has it come up lots before.

I personally am only a collector and do not see myself as an expert at all. I really only collect the cars from when I was young and thought this set would be nice to have.

Thanks,

Brad Snider
Vancouver, BC
Canada

Answer
Brad,
I am understanding this a little better now. Your set is a Canadian release and not US. I'm not familiar with the Canadian sets am still learning. As I stated earlier, the US sets do not have cars. Can you send me a photo of the box face? It is possible that the Canadian (International) sets did have cars and that Mustang was a left over from somewhere else. They would sometimes add cars to add interest in a set so it would sell better. It was done with the Sto & Go Round-Up Ranch.
Thanx!
Mike

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