Just picked up...

Are they DESirable items, Mr. Vague?

 

DES,
They are "collector's items" if you collected them. Heck, everything these days is labeled collector's item - DVDs, books, models, etc.

The Maisto Ferrari models are getting more rare, since they have not been made in a few years. Some are actually pretty good quality. I have some Maisto Mercedes models that are very nice.

So what are they and where did you get them, Mr. "I got a secret".

 

Speaking of DESireable Maisto Ferraris, they made a 1:18 550 Maranello that was (well it appeared to be) TDF or Pozzi blue. Very hard to find. That too will be worth some budget crunching DES. Or if you find it and don't want it, I'll buy it off you.

 

DES,
I saw those at my local Toys R Us. They look pretty nice. The 355 was red here, though.

Great find. It looks like the Mattel monopoly is changing.

 

If the Maistos you found were 1/24 - 1/25 scale, they were recently released. I've seen a couple of them in Hobby Lobby stores.

 

DES,
The original Mattel/Ferrari deal was for five years, and started in 1997 (not sure when it was instituted). The first model was a 1:43 360 Modena prototype. They began selling 1:18 and 1:43 F1 cars the first year, then the street cars. I have heard different stories of Ferrari not being happy overall and not wanting to renew the contract or renew it with Mattel only. I am sure there will still be Hot Wheels Feraaris for a long time, but maybe with competition.

Timing wise, the deal is either in its final days or over, as Kyosho and now Maisto come back to the game. BBR continued to make Ferraris the entire time. I would love to see Minichamps back in the 1:43 F1 cars, and maybe Auto Art in the 1:18.

Nothing really solid, but expect to see more non-Mattel items, especially as holiday shopping starts.

 

DES,
So you are saying I have to take back your Christmas present - a stupid hot rod VW bus? I got you nine of them at Big Lots.

I believe Mattel marketed more towards Europe, and some to Canada, much more than the US. Though, I can't blame them, since this is more of a NASCAR market, where they are very successful. I think they wanted the same success in Europe with F1.

It makes it hard to find many items in the line, so Canada is a good resource, and usually the exchange rate tilts our way. I never could find the 1:64 F1 cars here, always Canada or Hong Kong.

Hopefullt Maisto will expand to more models. If they make an Enzo, I'll sure let you know. At a decent price you could get a few Enzos and start modifying/color changing/experimenting. How about an Enzo GTR?

 

I still maintain that Mattel has a marketing strategy for the Hot Wheels Ferraris that defies all common sense, rhyme or reason. I'm pretty sure that they throw darts at a map and send the most-sought-after Ferraris to wherever the dart landed . There is no way a company should make it so hard for the consumer to give them money!

Competition is always a good thing for the consumer, and it would be great if someone like AutoArt got a Ferrari licence (at the "above Hot Wheels but below Kyosho" price point).