“Long Gone” is the name of this Hot Wheels semi-truck casting. The name couldn’t be any more fitting as typically this casting is long gone before you have a chance to snag it from the pegs. Designed by Hot Wheels designer, Larry Wood, and originally released in 1983 as “Long Shot”, it only had a handful of releases until its demise in 1985. Reborn in 2012 as Long Gone after Hot Wheels was unable to get the trademark back for “Long Shot”, this rig has already surpassed the 1983 casting in terms of releases.

Released in the sophomore year of the Hot Ones line, along with a bunch of other resurrected castings, the Long Gone was an instant hit. Having looked all over for this release, I was unable to find it at all the big box stores in 2012. Fortunately, my local Fry’s Grocery Store (Kroger) carried the Hot Ones line and I was able to obtain a pair one night after I had initially stumbled in for groceries. These would be the only two I would ultimately find.

While the initial run of the Long Shot only ran from 1983 to 1985, the Hot Wheels Long Gone has had several releases from 2012 to the present. Collectors love its heavy demeanor (Hot Ones release = 2.8 oz. or 78g). I love its detail. In 2013, it beat out the ’83 Chevy Silverado 4×4 and the ’66 Dodge A100 in the 2013 Red Line Club sElections and was produced in spectraflame purple. Collectors attending the 16th Annual Hot Wheels Nationals Convention in April will have to stick around until Saturday night on April 9th as its very likely the Long Gone will be given as the free “finale car” as pictures of it in metalflake silver, wearing the 2016 nationals logo and the words “FINALE” on its tires have surfaced. The release would make it the 6th time the Long Gone has been released since this release in 2012.

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Dark Red Body (metal). Clear Windows. Gray Interior. Chrome Hot Ones (HO) Wheels. Unpainted Metal Base. Made in Thailand. Toy# W3799. Released in 2012 as part of The Hot Ones line.