3 Window 34
A picture-perfect example of a classic Hot Rod. There are
many examples throughout Hot wheels history. It has been featured 70 times and
was last featured in 2013. [1] The casting is modeled after 34 ford. A Popular Hot Rod for the late 60s and
then again in the late 80s including that now famous bright red hot rod featured in
a music video on MTV. The rock band ZZ Top brought this style of Hot Rod to
the mainstream as the members were and presumably still are avid hot rod
collectors. Shortly after that, everyone seemed to have an interpretation of this timeless classic. Hot Wheels is always in tune with the automotive scene and cast this classic very nicely...
The 3 window 34 casting was released in 1980. Some of the
highlights for this casting are: [1]
- - 1984 & 1985
releases in the Real Rider series snatch these up when you can, they are hard
to find for sale and fetch premiums.
- - 1987 release with a
similar decal as the video car from ZZ top.
- - 2 features in the
Treasure hunt line (1998 & 2005)
- - Featured in the Classic
Line (1988 & 1989)
- - Featured in the 2009
Larry’s Garage series (a higher end line to celebrate the works of Larry Wood –
Hot wheels designer)
Did I mention collectors? Well, with over 70 different
releases to hunt down, this one can either be a collector dream piece or nemesis if you are trying to get them all.
They are however easy to find at a good price so building a collection of the 3 window 34
is quick and easy but finding every version can be daunting.
This is a great casting for any Hot Rod collection. It has
all the lines and looks of a nicely done street scene hot rod. A visible V8 with air scoop
popping through the hood mildly. The base provides front and rear bumpers
to be cast in solid metal and well detailed to add to the look. The rumble seat compartment
is cast in as well as a sunroof. The fenders are plastic and are molded in a
color found in the decals or the color of the body. Wheels vary with release, 5
spokes or blackwalls look the part but real riders and some of the higher end
wheel treatments look really make this casting look great. The grill and headlight assembly are part of
the engine casting, making the headlights unusually sturdy for a plastic piece
that hangs out in space. Because of the way they are molded, finding one in
played with condition but still all together is easy.
The metal base provides some weight to the casting which
makes this one good on track, but the body lines make it difficult to use with
track boosters. A 50s diner scene alongside some of the other hot rods in the
hot wheels line would make for a great looking diorama (hmmm). My collection
features a couple of these gems but they are mostly older / earlier releases,
so they stay in the packaging for now. With the addition of newer and more
modernized releases like the 32 Ford and the addition of rat rod castings, the
3 window 34 could be phasing out soon so collectors might need to look at this one closer.
As a rock music fan, the 80s had many different styles
happening in the car scene. I was just getting started
in the Hot Wheels collecting hobby but my focus was more on muscle cars and
exotics at the time. When the ZZ top music video hit MTV and I witnessed the
car, I was immediately captivated and began taking interest in this era or
style of Hot Rods. It was a style that quickly swept the car scene. Every car
show and cruise in would have a new interpretation of this style of hot rod.
The style and interest have faded some, moving toward the rat rod styling. However, every now
and then, one of these iconic hot rods still show up at a car show and the
crowds gather. If they are done well, they are captured on cell phones
throughout the car show.
This is also the make and model of the car stolen by Bonny
and Clyde in which they were eventually "caught" in. Hot Wheels and Mattel
tend to stay away from representing this type of vehicle history and respect is
given for not glorifying darker parts of automotive history. However, I didn’t
want to overlook that fact for the real cars history. Although, a Bonny and Clyde edition with bullet holes would be a cool collectors piece.
Bountiful peg hunting fellow collectors and happy days to
those who just chose to read along my rambles about my collection of Hot Wheels. Leave a comment while you are here and see next week with some very cool issues.
Thank you all,
Collector Quentin…
I own the actual diecast pictured in these posts. However, all
packaging artwork, Mattel or Hot Wheels logos, paint descriptions and wheel
descriptions in regard to the Hot Wheels versions are copyrights of the Mattel
toy company.
Ford is a trademark of the Ford Motor Company.
[1] Casting information gathered from
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