[Guest]

I have what I hope is a simple question.
Why is it that, on eBay, I can find a HotWheels 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, for example, for as little as ten bucks, but the 250 GT Lusso won't drop below 25 or so?

I understand that the Hot Wheels 288 GTO was made in small numbers and high quality, which explains the high price it regularly commands. Was the Barchetta made in greater numbers, or lower quality, or what's the story?

 

[JSB 33]

I don't have any idea on production numbers but I do know that the stores were flooded with 550's about 18 months ago.
Big Lots was selling Hot Wheels Ferraris for $10 then and I will bet that 25-30% of them were 550's. I have yet to see the Lusso in any local stores so there must be a strong demand and/or a low supply of them.

Lots of 550's=low price
Not many Lussos= higher price.

The 550 is typical Hot Wheels detail which I am sad to say not great.

 

[Guest]

how come we hardly see the 575???

 

[Guest]

O the 250 GTO's and 333SP's?

 

[Guest]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]

I knw the 333SP was discontinued. I don't think they're making any more of them. I just managed to get one myself, but if you don't have one and would like to, I'd suggest picking it up sooner rather than later.

Not sure about the 250 GTO, though I should probably replace the [email protected] quality bburago one I have in my collection currently.

What is this Big Lots that was mentioned? Do they sell online?

BTW: Thanks for the feedback, all.

 

[JSB 33]

The 333 and the 250 GTO are supposed to be re-released this summer.
I am also waiting to get the GTO as I only have the Bburago :giggle

The funny thing about Hot Wheels's Ferrari's is the fact that in spite of everyone complaining about them, most of the models are kind of hard to find. You have to figure that Mattel pumped these things out by the tens of thousands yet a surprising number of cars are nowhere to be found?

Big Lots is a closeout store that sells everything from furniture to diapers.
What they have one week will be gone the next.

 

[Guest]

Another thing to ponder..... Ferrari and Hot Wheels has agreed on a new contract (through 2009, I think). To me that means that Ferrari has to be satisfied with the product and marketing or they would not have jumped on board again.......

 

[Guest]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]

What it means is that Ferrari is happy with the revenue from royalties that a big name like Hot Wheels is bringing in.
In their defense, Hot Wheels is planning a higher-end line called Showcase, that, in theory at least, should rival Kyosho in quality and detail. We'll just have to stay tuned.

Interesting about the re-release of the 333SP and 250 GTO. If I had known I wouldn't have looked so hard for a 333SP model. Anything else being re-released? Like, say, the 288 GTO? (Pretty please?)

 

[Guest]

i like my 288 the way it is... not saying i wouldnyt buy another higher end one..... but its pretty good.. much better then the burago... i want a 250swb... but i heard CMC is going to do that.. THAT i can wait for..

 

[Guest]

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'd love my Hot Wheels 288 GTO as well...if I had one. Unfortunately they're a little tough to get ahold of. Meanwhile it's the missing link in my Ferrari supercar collection.

As far as I know, Bburago, Polistil and HotWheels made models of the 288 GTO. The Bburago, aside from being much poorer quality, has a light tan interior, and it isn't right unless the interior is black. The Tonka/Polistil one is, as I understand, more like 1:16 scale. And the Hot Wheels is scarce and hard-to-find.

Meanwhile, if Hotwheels is getting ready to release more, I have a little wish-list for them. I'm sure everyone serious Ferrari diecast collector does. Mine would include the Mondail T cabrio (red on tan), 275 GTB/4 (dark blue over tan), and, among the very long list, a simple job: the 575 Superamerica. (They've got the moulds already!) And the 575 GTC endurance race car, while we're at it.