Retired 1:18 Ferraris or not?

The ones on eBay are probably being sold by re-sellers as they perhaps might be in "NEW" condition that they bought from a dealer or they just could be the dealers selling them & they could be old stock.

Doesn't hurt to shoot an e-mail & ask the seller for more info.

 

I believe Exoto officially retires models, so the ones you see are being re-sold. Mattel does not, and therefore have released models again after a short break. Example - I have seen some of the first releases in the original boxes, then the same car in the newer box. Minichamps just stops making them, usually after the run is complete. The do not "retire" them, but usually do not start making them again, since they spin up new tooling every year for the current F1 grid. One execption, they have released new Mclaren F1's (the rarest Minichamps 1:43 cars ever) in 1:43, but in new colors.

 

I just picked up a Brand New,Hotwheels,in the box,1:18 Scale Red 333SP last Saturday at the Chevy/Vettefest in Chicago for $30.00. Tifosi 12 and I went.

I have found some really great Ferrari stuff at those Chevy/Vettefests. Chicago Auto Show,etc...(The Vette guys aren't looking for that stuff... )

A few years ago,got a Brand New,(but no box) Hotwheels 1:18 288GTO for $15.00!!!! ( It had been a display model in a glass case.)

I also got some Big,12" X 12" Ferrari Stickers,$10.00 each. Good to put on a sheet of tin and make a sign out of it. And,4 Smaller stickers for $10.00 for all. And,an '81 308 Spec Sheet for $6.00. There was also one for an '84 308,and 512BB spec. sheet. Andreas got those,with a couple other things. (And,I'm still kickin' myself in the arse for not buying an authentic,"Ferrari Service" Light Up sign a few Years back....for $175.00! )

Through the Years,I have found Big and Small Ferrari Car Posters there,too. All were $5.00,on Cardboard. I Framed them. And,a Porcelain Covered Tin Ferrari Sign,Brand New for $20.00. I also found some small 1:64 Scale Hotwheels Ferrari's,including a Black 308GTB,and a Red/Tan 308GTS,with the Targa top off and opened. Along with some other Models.

So,check out these Car Shows when they come to Town...You Never know what you'll find there....

 

Hello Rob,

Stop by my store in P-Town on Washington St. next to Big-O Tires off of Stanley Blvd. Recently bought store from previous owner. I currently only have a few HW 1:18's F-cars, but I do plan on adding much more. The store needs a lot of work to get it where I want it to be though.

 

Some models are being retired, some are released again. It is hard to tell. Some are announced (e.g. Exoto) for months if not years ahead of release.

My rule is to always grab what you can when it is around. I gave up holding my breath for something that might or might not materialize. Case in point: Exoto has the 82 F1 Ferrari in its catalog for the 2nd year and when asked said it would come out next year. Meanwhile I found the same car as an antique on ebay. I went for it and paid big bucks. At least I have it now.

 

I don't think retiring Hot Wheels would make a huge difference on the price. There is just too too many of them everywhere...Maybee after like 10 or 15 years you still have your in the box they might be worth something.

 

I don't think Exoto's 312T2 is truely "retired" since it wasn't available for that long, and I don't believe they made any versions with drivers in them. The particular versions they issued may be retired, but I'm convinced they will come out with others.

(And I'm still waiting for them to come out with a version of the 641/2 that has a driver figure with both hands on the steering wheel, something they haven't yet done but keep saying they will.)

 

Weren't they supposed to be working on a carbon black one or something of the like as well? I don't remember...I'm still waiting for news on that GTO anyhow.

 

Rob,

I do not know the policy of Hotwheels, but what is sure is that normally ALL other brands are sold out due to the contract of exclusivity signed by HotWheels 5 years ago. With the exception of Exoto and Kyosho that probably pay rights to HW.

About Minichamps F1: even before the exclusivity contract they were produced only for a few months and that's why they are now very expensive on ebay.

About Exoto, it is strange that all their Ferrari are sold out. Why don't they produce the 312 T2 with pilots, they are VERY VERY late with the Williams FW14. Does someone know if they have financial problems ?

Regards,
Greg

 

Just dropped off some "overstocked" clothes from my closet at the local Goodwill store. In the glasscase, I spotted a red Ferrari Model, asked to see it and was very surprised that it was a 1957 Testa Rossa Made in Italy.....I bought it, although it was dusty, but for $7.99 what have I to loose..
I now have gently washed it and polised it and it looks like new.....
We didn't have that one in our collection....especially since its not made in China or Taiwan.....

Was it my lucky day or what ????

Rennmaus

 

This Bburago is not so uncommon, especially with black seats. It is rarest with brown seats. But as you said, for such a price, it's a good deal...

Greg

 

Dear Black Horse:
Hotwheels release again a lot models like California Spider - 512M - 250 Le Mans - etc. Im waiting for realease of 288GT is very hard to find now. You can see a liitle in Ebay with expensive price.

 

Hopefully Hotwheels will get the 288 GTO right. The model I had from Bburago needed a thorough overhaul for it was so wrong (e.g. tan intertior).

 

I found a HW 288GTO in a knife store (of all places) in Portland, OR last year...paid retail - ~25-30 bucks. I guess it was a "leftover." I also got a "black box" 250GTO NIB from a retailer at the same price... Thought about buying more than one, but passed.

 

I have 348 TS red and yellow from Mira (for sale)...


Greg