If you've ever attended a drift event, you might be aware of the chaos that occurs there. The cars might look brand new at the start of the weekend, but they'll all be pretty beat up by the time it's over.
Race cars aren't garage queens, and that gives them character. Hose clamps are part of any drifter's arsenal, and on-the-spot repairs often seem crazy. But today I'm here to talk about a different kind of “crackpot” car. Barn finds are one thing, and people are always thrilled to see one rescued from decades of rot.
But we all know those battered cars parked in some forgotten alley or sometimes abandoned in certain parking lots. Driving through a bad neighborhood will reveal many of them, as it does in other cities as well. I have seen many scratched vehicles in Paris and on certain Greek islands. But I did not expect to see one in the Mattel online store.
Several diecast artists have built Mad-Max-style Hot Wheels, using patina to add realism to the image. And I'm pleasantly surprised to see a similar project developed in collaboration with MSCHF. I've never paid much attention to this brand, but some of their previous projects look fun. Non-enthusiasts might think we've lost our minds, seeing us interested in the “Not Wheels” casting.
It’s a replica of a junker, the kind you’d only drive if you had no better options. But that’s what makes it more appealing, more realistic. Hot Wheels collectibles usually have perfect body panels and wheels (at least until you find a way to damage them yourself). But keeping a car in tip-top condition over time is a tricky thing to do.
There are so many interesting details about this new casting that it would take a few minutes to take it all in. First, it only has three wheels, one of which is a spare. The right rear disc still spins, which is awesome. If you recognize the JDM vibes here, you might think of the old drift missiles seen at Ebisu. But it’s not quite the same.
If Mattel came up with a beat up, drift-ready Cefiro, people would probably go nuts. “Not Wheels” has all the cool little “features” you'd see on a wreck in the wild: rusty panels, different shades of paint, dents, holes, a big “wash me” on the rear window, and my favorite: the seat belt sticking out of the driver's side. The Hot Wheels picture wouldn't be complete without the huge rear spoiler, and the bumper stickers are pretty hilarious, though.
The designers went a step further and customized the blister card, including stereotypical sales descriptions like “The car is in great condition, just needs some work”. I can only thank Mattel and MSCHF for thinking outside the box and coming up with something new. We need more collectibles like these, even if the price tag might bother some. On with the drift missiles!
