Monday, February 18, 2008

Why Hot Wheels Has Become A Collector's Item For Many Adults

Hot Wheels is a brand of die-cast toy cars that was launched in America by an American toy manufacturer named Mattel in the year 1968. A Die-cast toy is any toy or collectible item manufactured utilizing the die casting method. These toys are made using metal and plastic. The metal most commonly used is ZAMAK, which is an alloy of zinc and aluminum. Initially, these cars were designed to on a 1:64 scale and were used on Hot Wheels track sets. However, in 1970 a series of Hot Wheels cars were designed on a 1:43 scale. This new range of cars became adult collector series vehicles that were replicas of Formula One and NASCAR cars, which were extremely successful. The Hot Wheels logo was designed by Rick irons, a Californian Artist who worked with Mattel.

Elliot Hander, co-founder of Mattel, wanted to manufacture a range of die-cast toys for boys. He wanted to dominate the toy cars industry which was once upon a time dominated by Lesney, a British company with their Matchbox cars. Even though, Hander's executives thought it was an awful idea, the toy cars became a major success. In 1968, Mattel released nearly sixteen castings. Eleven cars were designed by Marry Bentley Bradley. The first one manufactured was an elegant dark blue Custom Camaro. In 1968, Hot Wheels introduced the custom-built Volkswagen, which was one their first cars. Some of the other cars they released in the same year were: Beatnik Bandit which was designed by Ed Roth, Custom Barracuda, Custom Camaro, Custom Corvette, Custom Cougar, Custom Eldorado, Custom Firebird, Custom Fleetside, Custom Mustang, Custom T-Bird, Custom Volkswagen which was designed by Ira Gilford, Deora, Ford J-Car, Hot Heap, Python which was designed by Dean Jefferies, and Silhouette. All these cars had colourful paint work, bearings, redline wheels, and working suspensions.
In 1969, Twin Mill was one of the most popular and accepted Hot Wheel cars. In 1970, the famous Sizzler, the rechargeable electronic car was made. In 1985, the Hot Wheels Torino Tornado was one of the most renowned cars. In 1995, the Hot Wheel cars were differentiated into specialized series i.e. the Model Series which was later renamed First Edition, and the Treasure Hunt Series. In 2000, a new range of Hot Wheel Cars came into the market. These cars had exquisite paint jobs, and functioned like their original counterparts.

Over the years, Hot Wheel cars have not only been collected by children, but it has become a collector's item for many adults too. There have been estimates that over 41 million children have collected Hot Wheels toys throughout their childhood years, and an average collector has over 1,550 cars to his collection. The Hot Wheel range of toys include many different kinds of tracks, accessories, different kinds of vehicles like the 'Sizzlers' the rechargeable electric cars, 'Hot Line' trains, 'R-R-Rumblers' motorcycles, and 'Hot Birds' aeroplanes, but they have always been most popular and well known for their collection of small scale free-rolling models of custom hot rods and muscles.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Hot Wheels, Visit His Site at HOT WHEELS

About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Hot Wheels, Visit His Site at HOT WHEELS

The Advantages To Having Custom Mustang Wheels From Other Styles

The wheels are the first custom parts one would love to fit on to a car. Regardless of how challenging the ride is we always prefer designer of customized wheels. The focal point of most cars, is rim and tire package and can make or break the look and overall effect of your ride. All the way through time, the street-rider wheels of choice have changed and evolved. In the early years, as affiliates of a custom car faction in the fifties, started out with some red-oxides and clean hubcaps. This was during an era when aftermarket rims were not available except for as options through car dealers. In recent years, the rider's rims have made a major impact on the multi million dollar automotive markets. The Mustang Wheels have evolved as a more superior tire having specialized features that have made driving an amazing experience.

There are several unspoken rules to the game of street racing; one would bet that a sharp set of wheels will set you on blaze. This was particularly true back in an era that underwent many changes to sustain the ongoing advancements in the automobile industries. The final rule would become the ultimate code for street riders, that rule is the fact that wheels should always be smaller and remain in close touch with the ground. This principle is a fundamental in the field of Hydraulics.

The point is that our rim and rubber have evolved throughout the years, and it's not so much impact on the car driver, but the car itself, one that waited to shed its everyday appearance and spread its wings amongst the racer community, and that becomes the star. The sports sedan which doubles as a family car is now a crystal crusted emperor who glides through the streets and punishes its rivals in competitions of honor and esteem.

With customizations available only through models of their own kind, the giants seeing the reception and demand for custom parts, they entered the market with a big bang providing freelancers with the style and quality.

McLean and Roadster were two of the first straight laced custom available on the wire wheels on the market. Though they were a great alternative to the original spokes, they were no match for the Dayton hubs, which emerged as the true king of the wire wheels. The elite mustang wheels of Ford are designed to satisfy the whims of the style conscious.

There are several advantages to having these custom Mustang wheels from over many other styles. There is a larger interior clearance for larger brake calipers and rotors in Mustang custom wheels in general. This feature allows the user to install high-performance braking with the greatest of ease. The GT4 wheel molds the style and substance into one solid piece of equipment. These new Mustang wheels are offered in a chrome or hyper-coated black finish and are all set to fit any 1994-2004 Ford Mustang or 2005+ Mustangs.

Not only that we will be able to fit those new performance brake calipers and rotors inside your new wheels, but we will be turning heads with a brand new design that is absolutely stunning.
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Mustang Wheels, Visit His Site at MUSTANG WHEELS

About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Mustang Wheels, Visit His Site at MUSTANG WHEELS

Friday, February 08, 2008

A Look At The Aftermarket Custom Truck Wheel Market

Trucks have always been used as heavy utility vehicles for hauling or work related jobs. Nowadays trucks are even bought by people who have no purposes of ever using them to haul or tow any loads. The flourishing truck market consisting of pickups, SUVs, and vans account for greater than a quarter of all new vehicles sold so there is also a high demand for the custom wheels for these vehicles.

Compared to other vehicles, trucks have a wide range of accessories that can be added to change their appearance or performance. They especially have a wide range of custom made wheels selections. In many cases the people don't make these changes for a functional reason, they just do it to satisfy their whims. There have been cases where a truck lifted over 8 inches, has large oversized tires, tow bar, fog Lights, etc, and has never been off the road!

Custom wheels give more than just an added appearance; they also give a better performance. Choosing the wrong wheels on the other hand affect your results in a undesired way and can even damage the vehicle. The good thing about the custom truck wheels is that due to their recognition we can find a wide assortment of wheels to fit any truck no matter if it is a Ford or a Nissan, Four Wheel Drive, or Two Wheel Drive. The aftermarket custom truck wheel market has a product for any truck whether be it foreign or domestic.

We can find truck wheels in any size we want. This does not only are you enhancing the appearance of your truck we are also increasing the performance and handling with the right tires and wheels so make sure we get the best fit for your truck.

Looking around we can see an increase in custom wheels used on trucks today. In the early 1900s trucks were used chiefly used by the local wholesale and retail deliveries. Today when we talk about trucks we mention about light trucks. Light trucks comprise of the pickup trucks, minivans and full-size vans, and sport utility vehicles. Twenty five percent or more of all new vehicles which are sold are light trucks.

Truck enthusiasts may like the European look in their truck wheels but these wheels are not up to the mark of the other trucks. Truck wheels are available in stainless steel, aluminum brushed, powdered coated, custom type and chrome. Their sizes vary from the diameter of 15 to 22 inches; there are even some that are larger than these. In choosing a truck wheel, we should judge the travel and loading requirements. Get truck wheels that will not be damaged by dampness so as to avoid rusting and deterioration.

Having reliable truck wheels is extremely important, whether the truck is a light or heavy one. You will notice that with good and reliable truck wheels, all your worries will be gone. These truck wheels also give a quicker steering response and reduced braking distance. A great set of truck wheels will also glamorize your vehicle.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Truck Wheels, Visit His Site at TRUCK WHEELS

About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Aloy Wheels for Years. For More Information on Truck Wheels, Visit His Site at TRUCK WHEELS