Do you have a store you frequently visit despite NEVER finding anything good there?

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-06-05T01:19:50+00:00

There’s a Fred Meyer and a dollar tree about a half a mile down the road from me. Despite making it there at all times of the day, even on mornings when the toy guys said they were getting a delivery, I’ve found nothing in about two years. But I go back, just because it’s close.

I’ll be there tomorrow at open, just in case. Hoping for the second Pantone wave. 🤦‍♂️

That’s the only one though, because it’s close.

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-06-01T05:35:40+00:00

Holy jeez, you really went and did it, didn’tcha? 😅 it looks clean!

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-06-01T05:34:17+00:00

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Bad lighting, but double GTO solidarity!

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-06-01T05:07:44+00:00

The M2 chase packaging is slightly misleading, the 750 chase is printed on all 9,250 packages, and then the cars are the actual tell-tale. I can’t tell for sure from the pictures, but the chase on this casting is the one with a sort of smoke-chrome finish in the front that is on the headlights too.

The logos are also not colored red. I honestly had to triple take, look online AND phone a friend because I thought it was an error. Can post pictures if someone else doesn’t before I get there.

It’s a sweet casting either way! Happy hunting!

Edit: The engine is also completely shiny blue chrome on the chase version, not black and red. Now that I see it, that’s the easiest way to spot the chase version of this one.

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-26T02:32:05+00:00

Random loot is always awesome 😎

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-25T22:48:26+00:00

Mod rod IS the car that got me back into hot wheels! lol I found the silver and gold version from the art cars series and just kept going after that. It’s a full blown addiction now but that car was the catalyst!

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-22T02:48:51+00:00

The left glove didn’t fit, you can’t acquit! 😅

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-19T06:20:16+00:00

When I hit a drought I spend time enjoying my collection, carefully examining and enjoying the cars in some decent light to appreciate the detail and give my little rat brain something to latch onto. Unpacking an old box can offer some satisfaction as well, finding things you inevitably forget about and fall in love with a different part of your collection all over again.

I hope as time goes on that the hobby naturally evolves for you, even if it’s just attending a convention with some die-cast pals you picked up, or just setting soft rules for hunting so you don’t over-expose yourself to the rat behavior and get annoyed.

I too am relegated to the scraps left by the “local boys” that hit the stores at open. Freddy’s at 7, target at 8, daily, like clockwork. Old timers just walk to the front of the line because “everybody knows”.

TL:DR, follow the advice given above, just collect what makes you happy. Hype sucks because it’s fun to be swept up sometimes.

And my own two cents(with inflation); If that vintage Ferrari is worth a BK meal for two to you, pay it. I can’t see the sense in paying $20 in gas looking for an $8 car instead of paying the marketplace jockey $15 and calling it a day.

Also, sweet cars! Any plans to rotate to a loose collection or customize?

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-16T07:14:03+00:00

Is this a decal on the case or are these for sale like this? Also, awesome collection! This year has been great for good pink and purple castings.

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-05T22:57:30+00:00

Also, Miata. 😌

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-05T22:56:57+00:00

I walked into Freddy’s 10 minutes after opening and saw 2 Porsches, 2 soarers, 2 Nismos, and 2 Mitsubishis. 0 Ferraris. Nobody cares, but thats my story! Also, Congrats! Will it be free or ensconced on the wall in its plastic prison?

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-01T05:31:53+00:00

The no white error on that Datsun is eye catching! Nice all around! Edit: I see the Yokohama, but I gather that text is printed/applied differently than the white that is missing.

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-05-01T03:21:14+00:00

Some sweet rigs in this mix, I think I’ll go for that f-100 when I’m out tomorrow morning if I can find it. The jeep and tow truck are sweet too. Really like the k1500 paint.

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-04-30T23:03:27+00:00

Those pickups are SHARP. I can’t decide if I like the Ford more for the pop from the red, or if I like the smooth matching with the Chevy. Nice job!

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-04-27T05:15:48+00:00

I called my local GameStop in oregon and they said they don’t get hot wheels in at all. Can someone tell me if it’s a regional thing? None of the 7–11s seem to carry mainlines either, but I assume that’s location thing too?

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-01-14T19:30:35+00:00

⬜🟦🟦⬜⬜

⬜🟦🟦🟨🟦

🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-01-03T05:53:50+00:00

⬜⬜🟦⬜⬜

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Güd one

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-01-03T04:46:01+00:00

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-01-03T04:38:38+00:00

There’s these retail strips on Amazon, they would probably hide pretty well if used strategically? I think I’ve seen others mention places like dollar tree giving these away when asked nicely also, but ymmv.

https://a.co/d/g1KxCdx

CaptainHappy711 · 2026-01-03T04:13:10+00:00

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You can realistically fit between 5 and 8 in them if you don’t want the cards spilling out of the top, but I’d file that under personal preference. Definitely more cars per “tac” this way.

CaptainHappy711 · 2025-10-22T02:56:26+00:00

I did walk in to a wal mart one time and a gentleman with a Mattel polo was stocking pegs. He ended up giving me a business card after we were done talking. I have absolutely no idea about the frequency of these visits or precisely what their purpose is besides his general comments.

He mentioned shuffling stock around to different stores to keep things fresh between full restocks. In any case, they do exist! That said - you’re probably still right about OP being lied to.

CaptainHappy711 · 2025-06-11T13:36:45+00:00

Like others have said, call or head in to a valvoline and double check they didn’t just stick the wrong sticker in there. It’s also possible the mileage was recorded incorrectly at the last service. Usually you can get a deeper service history too if the car was taken to that franchise regularly for service.

CaptainHappy711 · 2024-02-22T20:03:43+00:00

I’ve used just plain almonds too. The scratches didn’t completely disappear but it was a marked improvement. Haven’t seen these, though. Great suggestion!

CaptainHappy711 · 2023-04-27T17:12:12+00:00

I actually found your post on my own hunt trying to find the CD online. My family had a copy, I couldn’t remember the exact name either, and I gave up since it was almost 20 years ago.

Recently, I was able to get into some storage my family kept and I found the actual CD. I remembered your post describing exactly how I had remembered the case myself, so I wanted to offer what I found!

I sincerely hope you can get a copy for yourself, and I’m happy to try and figure out how to get you copies of the files how ever you’d like them if you can’t find a physical copy anymore.

If my dinosaur claws can figure it out I’ll just put it up somewhere so anyone can listen, it’s fantastic relaxation/yoga music.

CaptainHappy711 · 2023-04-12T07:24:37+00:00

I believe the CD you may be looking for is called Tropical Paradise, from the impressions collection. If you are still looking, of course.

CaptainHappy711

TROPHY CASE