Years from now, we will look back and think of this as the “Gasser Golden Era” for Hot Wheels. Everything #Gasser is hot right now as they have been selling left and right and it all is tied to the #’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser which seems to be leading the charge. Even a brand-new release, in stores everywhere, made in probably the hundreds of thousands, is selling for over $10 — which is definitely not strange for the casting, but thats usually after it is no longer available at retail. This #Car Culture release has collectors and profiteers going batty as everyone this rushing to Target to get the early release of the #Car Culture / HW Redliners series and the new Red Edition release which is exclusive to the bullseye.

Of course, its easy to see why collectors are drawn to this casting. Besides the ones that only see dollar signs and collect valuable cars, its the traditional Hot Wheels collectors that are drawn to this piece — the same collectors that love realistically-proportioned vehicles. Past that, collectors are in love with the attitude the Hot Wheels #Gassers bring. Following the brand’s speed, power & performance branding that still applies today, this one hits on all cylinders if your image of it is the real car popping-a-wheelie off the starting line at the local drag strip — an image that Hot Wheels Senior Packaging Designer, Julian Koiles, captured on the blister card of this release.

Hot Wheels ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser from the 2017 Car Culture / HW Redliners series (in package)

If this all isn’t cool enough for you, a real 1:1 version of the #’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser is being built. This time, its not a commissioned Hot Wheels build, per se, but rather its the personal build of the designer of this particular Hot Wheels casting, Brendan Vetuskey. Brendan has been keeping savvy collectors in the loop as he continues on the project. You can keep track via the message board at HotWheelsCollectors.com in addition to his other social outlets.

While Brendan has said his personal Bel Air Gasser will likely be done in an unfinished, rat-rod style look when its finished; kudos to the Hot Wheels Graphics Team for dressing the Hot Wheels casting in so many unique schemes. You can tell they are really having fun with this one along with the other #Gassers. Traditionally, 1:1 gassers have featured homemade, rattle-can graphics and sayings that speak to the car’s rebellious persona. This release is no different with the phrase, “BAD GASSER” right on the sides in Old English lettering accompanied by the #55 up-front and some flammable and poisonous icons near the rear wheels on the sides. Overall, this release is just another cool Hot Wheels release so its easy to see why collectors are going crazy for it. Does it justify the price? Probably not. But it is definitely cool to see this “gasser-mania” happening in what we can only assume will be known as the Gasser Golden Era of Hot Wheels.

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Orange Body (metal). Clear Windows. Chrome Interior. Chrome Real Riders Preferred Wheels in the front and Dragstrip Demons Real Riders in the back. Unpainted Metal Base. Made in Malaysia. Toy# DWH84. Released in 2017 as #4 of 5 in the Car Culture / HW Redliners Series.