From Hot Wheels Conventions to the Exceptional Details of GP Replicas
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Discovering Hot Wheels Conventions: the example of the 39th Collectors Convention in El Segundo in the fall of 2025
Hot Wheels, an American giant
Hot Wheels, a brand owned by the giant Mattel, is riding high. Stars of the shelves, the miniatures can be found all over the world, often from a small provincial supermarket, to an independent city center store, to the well-stocked shelves of toy stores.
Hot Wheels is a brand that has maintained close ties with its collectors. These collectors are numerous and have a true cult following for the brand, through impressive collections, giant swap meets, and partnerships with all kinds of brands and influencers.
The Conventions in detail
But the main connection with collectors happens at the conventions organized by the brand. These events, dedicated to the brand and its fans, are held twice a year in the United States by Collector Events Unlimited.
The first, called "Nationals," takes place every spring in a different city each year, often on the East Coast. The second, the "Collectors Convention," takes place every fall and is always held in El Segundo, California, very close to Mattel's headquarters.
A convention always includes opportunities for enthusiasts, organizers, and Hot Wheels staff (designers and marketing) to interact. It's also a chance to see upcoming models through samples, first shots, and 3D prints displayed in showcases.
These meetings take place in hotels that are literally privatized for the event. The lobbies and conference rooms are occupied for model displays, networking sessions and video presentations, as well as a gala dinner, always themed around honoring a Hot Wheels designer.
But the madness doesn't stop there: many of the rooms are also transformed into multiple "room-to-room" sales areas, like a giant swap meet. So you wander through dozens of rooms across several floors in a veritable Hot Wheels hunt of all kinds, meeting sellers and collectors. These gatherings are insane.
The highlight of the convention, beyond the exclusive models sold on-site (more on that in a moment) and the guest designer presentation at the gala dinner, is of course the "Sneak Peek presentation" projected on a screen, unveiling the upcoming models for the next year. This live presentation typically lasts about an hour and is hosted by Hot Wheels designers showcasing their respective work.
This year, the most recent convention was held in El Segundo. The featured designer was Brendon Vetuskey, the star designer in charge of muscle car models and Red Line Club (RLC cars) productions, among others, with an exclusive model ("dinner car"): a stunning green and white Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 with dinosaur decorations…
Other exclusive models sold at this Convention were a Honda Civic Type R EK9 ('99), a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Code Red (2002) and a Kool Kombi, plus a preview for the traditional pink Red Line Club (RLC) car, this year a '55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser.
Finally, it should be noted that several commissioned models of the "Code 3" type (custom), also called "charity cars", are produced and made by fans who make customs and are recognized by their peers.
Each convention offers exclusive models, often in limited editions (between 4,000 and 6,000 units) and also limited in the number of copies per person. It goes without saying that these models are highly sought after, as access to these conventions is not always easy, due to their entry requirements and locations. Some models are true treasures and can fetch over $1,500 on the secondary market, such as the famous Gasser Candy Striper.
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Norev: the diversity of the 1/18 scale range
Norev, a well-known and respected manufacturer
Norev needs no introduction, an undeniable heavyweight in the world of toys and affordable collectible miniatures, based in Lyon and famous for its plastic creations since the early 1960s. Having moved from plastic (which deformed), to plastic that no longer deforms, to metal, from 1/43 to 1/87 and microminiatures, Norev has also been able to attack the toy market with the Mini-jet, and later the 3 inches and the 1/64.
Norev now holds a truly astounding catalogue of 1/43 scale models, with manufacturing and mold qualities that sometimes vary considerably, using old historical molds, or buying molds from other companies (Universal Hobbies, for example).
But Norev has also experienced a true revival in recent years with its 1/18 scale, the star scale of the last few years. Although the 1/64 scale has seen a real boom for several years, particularly in Asia, and the 1/43 scale has become the established standard, the 1/18 scale has managed to attract new collectors and carve out a prime position among manufacturers.
1/18 scale at Norev, or the rise of a complete catalogue
Beyond the space a 1/18 scale model takes up, it's often the value for money that some collectors are looking for. Of course, we can't compare Norev models with very high-end models like BBR, Amalgam, or AutoArt.
Norev focuses its efforts on models primarily designed for passenger cars, from the 1960s to the present day. Thus, you'll regularly enjoy discovering beautiful Ami 6 station wagons, CX Pallas, BX, Renault 17s, or Simca Versailles models. Norev has always maintained a very strong relationship with car manufacturers, allowing them to reproduce their cars quickly, often upon their release. This is somewhat less true with the 1/18 scale, but Norev leverages its good relationships with manufacturers to offer magnificent BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and even recent Alpine and Renault models.
Illustrated example: Norev and Mercedes-Benz, a love story in 1/18 scale
It's worth pausing for a moment to consider Norev's Mercedes-Benz models. They are a fine example of a manufacturer's commission, managed by Norev Germany. Mercedes commissioned Norev to produce models with all opening parts, which Norev delivers, and quite well. As is typical, models that appeared in the Mercedes catalog are also available in the Norev range in different colors.
For example, this superb Mercedes-Benz 200 Break S S123 in blue is available on the Mercedes-Benz shop, and is fully opening.
Norev has produced some serious miniatures, including a series of Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, which are true benchmarks in the field:
As mentioned, Norev also offers the models in other colors on its online store, at slightly lower prices. One notable example is a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 200 in a beautiful brown/burgundy finish.
But our favorite is this incredible 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 in Weissherbs metallic, fully opening, with a removable trunk… This superb miniature is available on the Norev shop as well as other retailer shops for €120.00.
As for the price, you should expect to pay around €60 for the entry-level models (Renault 5 e-tech for example), up to €130 for fully opening Mercedes-Benz models, with many models available for €99.99.
Norev offers a wide variety of models at affordable prices considering the quality. The models are made of metal, sometimes without opening parts, and come in cardboard boxes with windows (sometimes solid for Mercedes models). It's worth noting that Norev also produces models for manufacturers like Porsche, and more recently, Audi.
Given its attractive price/quality ratio, Norev has managed to stand out with its 1/18 models and is once again a serious competitor to brands like NZG, Ixo, MCC, KK Scale or Triple9.
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Exceptional: the Ferrari 126CK Gilles Villeneuve Monaco GP 1981 Winner 1/18 model by GP Replicas/FT Models Value, with removable parts
Exceptional. That's the key word for this new creation from the Italian manufacturer GP Replicas, who for this occasion produced a joint model with TF Models Value, an Italian craftsman.
GP Replicas, or the art of discreetly producing high-end models
In short, GP Replicas is an Italian manufacturer of F1-oriented models that has carved out a prime position in the world of high-end 1/18 scale resin replicas of single-seaters. With an undeniably premium look, beautiful varnishes, a leather base, and a high-quality, generously sized display box, GP Replicas has quickly won over a passionate following with its beautiful pieces. The brand also offers some models in 1/43 and 1/12 scales.
Based in Italy, the brand maintains a low profile, with releases being rather sporadic. Often limited to 500 units, models are released in quantities unknown to the public, depending on pre-orders, with production to be carried over later if needed. Furthermore, the brand's licensing agreements are somewhat unclear, particularly regarding Ferrari. It's worth noting the presence of an office in Hong Kong.
The brand has successfully forged a partnership with the Monza circuit and offers winning versions in special packaging. Gilles Villeneuve's models feature prominently in the catalog, and for good reason: Ferrari models are particularly favored.
Undress me: the Ferrari 126 CK Gilles Villeneuve GP 1981 Monaco GP
Breaking with tradition, GP Replicas released a new model of the 1981 Ferrari 126CK (driven by Gilles Villeneuve, winner of the Monaco GP) a few months ago… with removable parts revealing all the inner workings of the single-seater. What a delight.
This isn't the first time a manufacturer has offered models with removable parts; AutoArt, Minichamps, and CMC come to mind. Here, the model focuses on a truly legendary Ferrari single-seater, as well as its iconic driver.
Perhaps the manufacturing process is what makes this model unique. Although GP Replicas typically uses resin, this particular model was made from a variety of materials, including metal, composite parts, and ABS (similar to the latest AutoArt models), as well as numerous photo-etched parts. It's known that resin can warp under temperature fluctuations, particularly during shipping—a problem already noted with models from manufacturers like TSM.
The model is presented, as usual, on a leather base and in an attractive display case, and is of course delivered without a pilot figure. Its price is €450 and it bears the reference GPFTMV001. If it proves successful, two other models based on the same design are planned (Canada and Spain 1981).
By Willdiecast, for AnModelcars
