Mattel Games | Rodger Dodger

The Rodger Dodger is an iconic Hot Wheels casting that is based on a depiction of a modified ’73 Dodge Charger SE with a blown V8 poking out of the hood, one of several variations on the Bye-Focal design. It has been one of the most familiar “generics” or Hot Wheels Originals that is still produced today. In 2021, the Dodger received a minor change on the base due to the subtheme that was released for that year that features Mattel’s popular games. This version of the Rodger Dodger features the deco/livery of the Magic 8-Ball and certainly there we a lot of variations of the same casting released.

Shelf Sightings | Majorette at Toy Kingdom

The Majorette brand’s resurgence in the Asian region shows there are some diecast collectors interested in taking the plunge and trying something new at the same time take a look at some of their high-quality models that are not available from other competing brands. It is not often you see their display area well-stocked. But if they do, Majorette goes all in with what product they come up with some adult collectors go back to their first childhood toy, and that’s a die-cast car, or if a parent who has grown up with the brand and let them reintroduce them to their children that shows the brand will continue to be relevant as with newer assortments was sighted.

MBX Metro | Mazda Autozam AZ-1

The Mazda Autozam Az-1 is a mid-engine Kei-Class sports car developed in collaboration with Suzuki provided the engine and some inspiration for the design. It was produced from October 1992 to October 1994 and was exclusively sold in Japan. The proposal for the creation of this car goes back to 1985 with Suzuki creating a mid-engine car of their own. There have been several stages in the process of creating this car, and it took years until it was unveiled and became a production car sold only in Japan. Matchbox has produced its die-cast version debuting for the 2023 mainline in Gloss Dark Blue.

DCPH Swap Meet | Christmas Gathering 2023

In every community, there’s a “Swap Meet” where collectors from different communities ‘meet up’ and swap some of their collectibles or ‘trade’ their extras for something ‘new’ that they never had. But in the Philippine hobby community, that concept that is overused or mentioned in the by-line of the event doesn’t work. But none the less, the gathering is from four various groups that have organized this meet-up to celebrate the hobby of die-cast collecting that rarely happens in one venue. Usually, it is hosted in a community center, but given that those do not exist in the Philippines, local groups like this set up a gathering in an automotive showroom.

River Adventures | Mercedes-Benz U300

Mercedes-Benz has been known for luxury cars and SUVs but has rarely ever been known for tractors, Lorries, Trucks, or heavy machinery. But Matchbox is known to produce licensed castings of everything that would fit into their 1/64 scale basic range that continues to cater not only just cars. But this also includes other types of vehicles such as trucks and even boats. Speaking of trucks, Mercedes-Benz has produced some of these models through Matchbox basic and special themed series of vehicles. This includes the Mercedes-Benz U300 light truck that has been produced before going back to the Lesney era.

River Adventures | Coyote 500

Matchbox has produced some of the unlicensed casting going back to the brand’s debut in 1953. Some of these designs have been mainly inspired by concepts or are futuristic in aesthetics that they can be translated into becoming real-life vehicles that you may see in car shows or special events. Some of these Matchbox Originals are worldly made with fantasy in mind or inspired to be concepts that can be turned into actual vehicles. The Coyote 500 is one such casting that is produced with an all-terrain design that can be used for the desert, jungle, or the most challenging terrain that was designed for.