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Collectibles--Toys/Hotwheels splittin' image
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Question
Hi, I have been collecting hotwheels for a while now and I came across a car that I cannot find any information on. It is a red hotwheels splittin image from the shell promo set, but it has a chrome plastic base. I can find no record of the splittin image ever coming with a plastic base, and it is not a 'vintage' set, because the base is not marked with it. Also I read that hotwheels did not use plastic bases until 1975 or 1976, when this car was made in 1973. Could this car be a prototype?
Hi Greg,
You seem very knowledgeable on the subject also, but I too don't know of any Splittin' Image cars that had a plastic base. Even the "Vintage" cars have a metal base.
Where did you get it? Was it packaged when you got it? How long have you had it?
What would help greatly is to send me a photo of this car and it's base so I can show it to some friends at Mattel and see what they say about it.
You can send it directly to me at MikeZarnock@aol.com
Once we do that, then we can get to the bottom (excuse the pun) of this car!
Mike Zarnock
OK Greg,
Here is what I have found.
All the other Experts on this subject confer 99.9% that it is a prototype. The canopy's, the color, the plastic base and the wheels are all signs pointing to pre-production parts.
Great find! And by the way, there are a lot of people interested in this car now, so please get with me to talk about it's future.
Take care and thanx for coming to me with your question, I'm always glad to help out.
Mike Zarnock
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Mike was incredibly helpful. He was promt and curteous in his responces and he really went out of his way to find an answer for me. He also gave me some of his sources of information so that I can learn more. Thanks Mike! | ||
Related Articles
Michael Zarnock
Expertise
I am able to answer questions about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories.
Experience
Michael Zarnock 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 11 books and countless magazine 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."
For more information visit: www.MikeZarnock.com
Publications
Bibliography:
2011-Present - "Die Cast X Magazine" (Hot Wheels Highway Section)
2009-2010 - "The Car Room Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column)
2008-2009 - "Die Cast X Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column)
2002 to 2008 - "Toy Cars & Models Magazine" (Hot Wheels Column & Variation Price Guide)
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 - *"Toys & Prices - 12th Edition"
2005 - *"The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles III"
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"
2009 - *"Toys & Prices - 16th Edition"
2009 - "Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide 2nd Edition"
2009 - "Once Upon A Street Race" (Based on the true story of the time Mike got kidnapped at a street race!)
2010 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 4th Edition"
2010 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 3rd Edition"
2011 - "Hot Wheels Prototypes" (Bruce Pascal & Michael Zarnock)
* - Denotes Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters on that publication.
Education/Credentials
There are no Educational Credentials needed for this area, just the need to be obsessed!
Awards and Honors
Michael is 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".
He is featured in the 2008 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book #5 “Prepare To Be Shocked!”
And the 2011 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book "Utterly Crazy!"
February 2009 Michael was inducted into the "Diecast Hall Of Fame" and later that year Mattel Hot Wheels® honored Michael by reproducing his old Altered Roadster Race Car as part of their Nostalgic "Drag Strip Demons®" Series!
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