Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
While visiting the Iron Drift King event in Germany, I noticed someone running a small Hot Wheels booth. They only had Mainline models, but they cost seven times more than the stores. Not a very nice way to go about it.
You need to learn a few things about this hobby if you are on a budget. If you come across a certain collectible that seems a little too expensive, look it up online. You could ask a friend who is more experienced in the game or just search on eBay. Simple tricks like these will help you save a lot of money in the long run, which means you can add more items to your collection.
Also, I know that waiting for a car you love can test your patience. But it’s not smart (most of the time) to pay four or five times the normal price to get that vehicle before everyone else. Wait for it to arrive at a nearby store and then you can get it at the right price. Of course, this rule also applies to the new Terra Trek set.
This is the fifth Car Culture mix for 2024, and we'll have two more to keep an eye on soon. Collectors have had mixed reactions to the series this year, and I've even heard some are shying away for the time being. But let's see what the new five (or maybe six) car mix is all about.
The Hummer H1
Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
The Hummer H1 is the oldest model in the new Terra Trek set, despite debuting in 2019. You may remember seeing it in the Fast & Furious: Furious Off-Road set, with a tan finish and Real Riders 8-Dot wheels.
The casting disappeared for a few years until it returned with the Fast & Furious Premium Bundle last year, identical to the First Edition release. It lost the Real Riders wheels in favor of the smaller Off-Road Steelie design, as it joined the Decades of Fast collection earlier this year. After all these years, we finally have a new variant to look out for.
The 8-Dot wheels are back, but the H1 has a new gray finish for a bit of variety. It reminded me of a scene from Down to Earth (with Chris Rock), even though that car was a different color.
Jeep Gladiator 2020
Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is the work of Ryu Asada. It debuted in the 2020 Baja Blazers series and achieved Premium status for its sixth iteration as part of the 2021 Car Culture: Hyper Haulers mix.
That model featured a pair of dirt bikes on the back and a snazzy set of Fifteen52 Turbomac Real Riders wheels. Mattel dropped the dirt bikes for the next Premium release in the Fast & Furious series, but it was still pretty cool. That was the last time we saw the Gladiator with Real Riders wheels, though the diecast manufacturer has since revealed four more variations.
The Terra Trek version sports a MOPAR theme with a white and blue finish. And I wish it didn't have black wheels, but that's just my opinion.
Custom Datsun King Cab Baja
Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
The Datsun King Cab Baja Custom is the only new casting in the Terra Trek mix. Charlie Angulo designed it, and we'll likely see several variations of it in the coming years.
Most Hot Wheels collectors I know go nuts for every new Datsun release, and I would love to add the RLC-exclusive 1986 Nissan 720 King Cab to my collection someday. The King Cab Baja Custom is my favorite Terra Trek item, and it’s no surprise that Mattel chose to make it the Chase model for this new mix, too.
It might take a while to find one for sale on eBay. But I recommend trying your luck with an unsealed crate of 10 cars. That way, you won't have to pay as much, but you'll need a bit of luck to get there.
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 might be the Datsun's biggest competitor in this case. Given its popularity, I've also noticed that some collectors are afraid they won't be able to find one in the wild.
Mark Jones designed the casting for its 2021 Car Culture: Toyota debut. It’s the only Premium Exclusive model in the new mix, marking its third iteration in four years. The second was a Fast & Furious version, which wasn’t all that different from the First Edition model (except for the wheels and livery).
While I’m not a fan of the darker colors on Hot Wheels cars, I do like the new approach for this Land Cruiser. The white and tan stripes look good with the dark green body, but are the Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag wheels the best fit for this vehicle?
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution
Photo: Ministry of Die Casting
The final collectible from the Terra Trek set is the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Dmitriy Shakhmatov designed this one, which has only been around for a short time. Most Hot Wheels collectors were thrilled with its debut in Mud Studs last year, and it was pretty awesome to see it in the Super Treasure Hunt series earlier this year.
It deserved a Premium release, and we finally have one. This time Mattel didn't use the Ralliart livery; instead, they went with a simple red finish. It rolls on Real Riders 6-Spoke Mag wheels, and it's a little strange that it doesn't have off-road tires like the other items in the set.
The Pajero Evolution may be the least desirable Hot Wheels Terra Trek, and I hope the next variant will be better. Anyone interested in that white-on-white model with rally wheels?
