id 20-09 Viper GTSR

Viper GTS-R – id (Apple Store Exclusive)

I am a Viper fan. I have many Viper examples in my Hot Wheels collection. From Competition Coupes to ACRs to RT10s and everything I can find in between. The GTS-R id does have a mainline counterpart, but I think that this version is a little bigger in scale than the mainline release.

This one sets the bar higher than normal in the id series. The white decals against the deep metallic blue paint represent one of the most sought-after liveries on the real-life vipers. The rear lights are detailed to a very high level as are the headlights. The white id only wheels look great and so far, this is the only release with white wheels and lettering. The large Viper logo adorns the rear half of the doors while the Mopar logos, SRT logos and Hot Wheels id logos are placed and sized to give an authentic race car livery. It has a white interior which also pops against the blue paint. Think this one hits high on my favorite list. Thinking second! It is listed as an Apple Store only release and is priced the same at the Apple stores as the regular line. There is no Apple details or logos on the packaging or on the car, just your receipt to prove that you got it there.

This car is great I app. I won it in progression in the app and have used it several times. The id version would be faster but I really enjoy a close race at this point in the app.

Thank you,

Collector Quentin

I own the actual diecast pictured in this post. 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.

#20-12 Rodger Dodger

 Rodger Dodger

Its all in the name sometimes. The Rodger Dodger is a great piece of Hot Wheels history. The casting continues to be featured in the mainline including 2020 releases. With some stints out of production, the casting has been around for 21 years! (excluding the out of production years)

     The casting was first released in 1974 [1]. It had a short run up to 1979 and then was re-tooled and re-released in 2000. The re-tooling just brought it up into the new century. However, in 2015 it was re-tooled again and brought the casting closer to reality as the exhaust was relocated from the hood to behind the front wheels and now exits below the front fenders [2]. The versions with the exhaust pipes on the hood is really cool but not sure if I can even imagine being able to see past them!

     Rodger Dodger is another fantastic creation of Larry Wood [3].  The latest release in the mainline (2020) is a gorgeous steam punk livery with gold and silver accents on a matte black paint. This release also has Grey wheels, something fairly new but really adds to the look of the steam punk look. 2019 also saw Rodger Dodger get released in the new id series line up (see my feature in the id series). It is an Amazon exclusive release and has another gorgeous livery in white, black and gold.

  From a collector’s angle, this is a gem. The first releases in the flying colors line are very difficult to track down and there is a very rare blue version of the first release. Rodger Dodger has been featured in several collector convention releases and the coveted treasure hunt line in 2001 and again in 2005 [4].

    

                    

    I personally owned a 1973 Charger SE with a 318. It was a fun, big car. It was no where near the pavement bruiser that the Rodger Dodger represents but I do wish I had though to invest in recreating the Rodger Dodger. I imagine the powerplant would be a 426 or 440 big block. Reminiscing, I remember a lot of fun with this car even though it wasn’t much on power. 70s era chargers have gained a lot of popularity in the real car collector market and seeing one at a car show is always a treat.

                  

Happy Hunting,

Collector Quentin

       

I own the actual diecast pictured in this blog post. However, all Hot Wheels packaging artwork, Mattel logos, Hot Wheels logos, wheel types and paint descriptions in regard to the Hot Wheels versions are copyrights of the Mattel toy company.

Dodge and Charger are copyrights of Fiat FCA LLC.

[1] Casting information gathered from:

https://hotwheels.fandom.com/wiki/Rodger_Dodger