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Canadian Hot Wheels fans (and parents of automobile-obsessed children) rejoice! The federal government has taken the unprecedented step of introducing a sales tax holiday, a tax break if you will, that is specifically aimed at the diecast cars and trucks that we all love so much.
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Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration: the rollback of the GST (and, where applicable, HST) applies to a long list of consumer goods, including restaurant meals, prepared foods, alcoholic beverages, books, video-game consoles, and even Christmas trees. None of that matters, however, to the diehard Hot Wheels fans who zeroed in on the specific verbiage in the announcement made this week, which, in the “Qualifying Goods” section, referenced “a toy that imitates another item (e.g., a doll house, a toy car or truck, a toy farm set, or an action figure).”
If you’re more of a build-it-yourself type of miniature auto enthusiast, don’t despair: the feds made sure to include you too by covering “a construction toy (e.g., building blocks, such as Lego, STEM assembly kits, or plasticine).”
You have from December 14 to February 15 to take advantage of what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to load up on Matchbox cars, LEGO sets, and Treasure Hunt Hot Wheels without the long arm of “the man” reaching into your pocket. With that in mind, we’ve put together a round-up of some of the most drool-worthy ways you can blow your life savings invest in your beloved hobby or surprise a car kid with a great gift for the upcoming holiday season.
1. Hot Wheels 85th Anniversary Batmobile Collection
Is it possible to love just one Batmobile? We submit that the answer to that question is “no,” as any passion for bewinged, black, and vaguely phallic automobiles is all encompassing. To that end, why not satisfy your hunger for everything Bat-transit with the Hot Wheels 85th Anniversary Batmobile Collection?
We’re not exactly sure how Mattel’s maths managed to sum out 85 years, given that the first model celebrated here is the classic 1966 car, but we’re happy to see the Tumbler, the weird Robert Pattinson muscle machine (from The Batman), and especially the Animated Series ride all included in this six-Bat set.
2. Ghostbusters ECTO-1 LEGO Set
Four decades after it debuted on the big screen, the Miller-Meteor hearse conversion cherished by Ray Stantz, the heart of the Ghostbusters, still looms large among movie fans and collectors alike. This 2,352-piece LEGO kit faithfully reproduces the original ECTO-1 brick by brick, and even includes a miniature mobile ghost trap that can be deployed when this creaky classic inevitably breaks down mid-chase.
Where to buy: LEGO | Amazon | Walmart
3. Hot Wheels Car Culture Japan Historics 4 Container Set
Hot Wheels has done a really great job filling in some of the holes in its classic Japanese sports-car line-up over the past several years, but just when you thought it couldn’t possible put another spin on some old favourites, out comes this very cool Container set.
With a package that resembles the trans-Pacific cargo containers that have become a familiar sight to anyone interested in importing JDM-specific metal, the Historics 4 group includes paint-job refreshes of familiar castings like the Mazda RX-3 and Nissan Fairlady Z; alongside newer additions such as the Toyota Corolla Levin, a customized ’73 Honda Civic, and a Prince Skyline GT.
Where to buy: eBay
4. Mercedes-Benz G500 Professional Line LEGO Technic Set
If you’re looking for something a cut above the standard LEGO interpretation of an automotive icon, then Technic offers the chance to go even deeper down the build-it-yourself rabbit hole. This year’s Mercedes-Benz G500 Professional Line set is the perfect starting point for the Technic-curious and long-time fans alike.
With 2,891 pieces inside the box, experienced constructors will find enough to keep them challenged and engaged, while the G-Class SUV’s 90-degree angles and styling seemingly designed to be venerated in brick form will help newcomers acclimate to the more demanding aspects of Technic kits.
Where to buy: LEGO | Amazon | Walmart
5. Hot Wheels Car Culture World Tour 2024
Dipping back into the classic-car well, but expanding its reach to include Europe and South America as well as Japan, is the Hot Wheels Car Culture World Tour set. This globe-trotting collection includes standbys like the Alfa Romeo GTV 6 3.0; alongside rarer models such as the Volkswagen Brasilia T9678 and the 1982 Toyota Supra. Filling in the gaps are a Mk. 7 Volkswagen Golf and a B5 Audi S4.
The fun part? You can hunt these ones down individually, which means more excuses to browse the diecast aisle at your favourite retailer. If something else catches your eye, of course, you may come home with even more collateral damage to your wallet—tax-free collateral damage.
6. NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle Technic Set
What’s cooler than driving on the moon? Absolutely nothing, which makes it a shame that only a tiny slice of humanity can ever claim to have had that particular extra-planetary pleasure. Fortunately, the folks at LEGO Technic have taken pity on us Earthbound mortals and put together the next best thing with their NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle kit.
While your desk or dining room table might not be an exact double for the moon’s craggy surface, this ultra-detailed Technic model comes as close to doppelganger status as any home-assembled Lunar Rover could claim. Lego even includes several display plaques that refer to specific missions the moon buggy participated in, as well as different equipment packages that can be attached to and deployed by the Rover.
Where to buy: LEGO | Amazon | Walmart
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