Sometimes, all it takes is some #Spectraflame Paint and some #Real Riders to really make an #Unlicensed Hot Wheels car stand out. Such was the case this year with the Driftsta released in the #Night Burnerz Series. The Hot Wheels #Driftsta casting quietly snuck onto the scene last year in the Drift Race Series as a #2015 New Model. It is safe to say that not many were talking about this fantasy #Drift Car. It wasn’t until this year, when it was unveiled as a 2016 Super #Treasure Hunt, that the masses really began to take a look at the casting — this includes myself.

Hot Wheels Driftsta from the 2016 Night Burnerz Series … Both Variations

From the mind of Hot Wheels Jun Imai, the Hot Wheels #Driftsta has a wide body that is low to the ground which ideally should make it a great #Drift Car. Jun’s castings never fall short in the character department as this one is missing its front bumper which presumably fell off in a drift race. These releases of the Driftsta are just one spot (out of 10) in what would ultimately be a personal favorite for mainline series of the year.

Compared with the common metalflake pink release, these two #Variations contrast each other quite well. The hot pink really catches your eye as not many mainline cars wear this color. Even now, a couple case codes later, I am still wanting to pull these out of the dump bins (and the pegs) as the color really jumps out at you. It is surprising that #Yokohama agreed to put their logo on a pink car as it doesn’t fit in with their branding, however the drifting aspect of the casting must have been enough to warrant the deal.

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Pink Body (metal). Tinted Windows. White Interior.  Chrome PR5 Wheels. Black Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DHR01. Released in 2016 as #1 of 10 in the Night Burnerz Series.

On the other hand, you have the deep spectraflame magenta of the super treasure hunt variation makes the chrome #Real Riders 4-Spoke Wheels pop! This marks the first time the RR4SP wheels have made their way into the mainline as they were just introduced this year in the Car Culture / Japan Historics series. The additional graphics seem to complete the look and really give this #Unlicensed Hot Wheels car a premium look — one that collectors have responded well to.

Time will only tell if we see the Hot Wheels #Driftsta in a premium series as we now know the casting has the potential to appeal to numerous audiences. In 2017, we will see the Driftsta appear in the mainline for the third straight year as it will be appearing soon in the HW Art Cars series.

RELEASE DETAILS: Spectraflame Magenta Body (metal). Tinted Windows. White Interior.  Chrome Real Riders 4-Spoke (RR4SP) Wheels. Black Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DHT80. Released in 2016 as #1 of 10 in the Night Burnerz Series (also a 2016 Super Treasure Hunt).