Chances are, you’ve seen images of the newest #Cruise Bruiser from the #2017 Hot Wheels #HW Daredevils series — and hopefully, you’ve had success finding it as part of the “K” cast assortment along with its Super #Treasure Hunt variant. If you haven’t seen it, we have that covered here, along with a few juicy tidbits of collector candy.

Hot Wheels Cruise Bruiser from the 2017 HW Daredevils Series … Both, Super Treasure Hunt and Regular Sky Blue Variants (crossing each other)

First things first, the #Dmitriy Shakhmatov Designed #Cruise Bruiser made its debut last year making #1 on our list of TOP 10: Unlicensed 2016 New Models — and you can understand my reasoning by reading the article I wrote last year.

Beyond the awesomeness of this #Demolition Derby Vehicle casting, I’m willing to bet that if you weren’t at Irwindale Speedway on May 7, 2016, you don’t know the story behind the graphics on this one. The #92 “River Rat”-mobile is the creation of Hot Wheels (Tracks & Playsets) Designer, Robert Heath.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFQddNxhqSX/

Its a graphic scheme that was first intended to grace a real 1:1 demo derby car — which it did — but, after the real car’s last run on May 7, 2016, the graphics lived on in diecast form as they were reconfigured to this #HW Daredevils series release of the #Cruise Bruiser.

Its always cool when real cars live on in diecast form and though this casting doesn’t look at all like the original “River Rat”, its nice to see this unique graphics scheme cemented into Hot Wheels history and brought into the homes of collectors and kids worldwide. When images of the design first surfaced, many collectors wondered what this “crocodile offspring of Mickey Mouse wearing sunglasses and sporting a killer mustache” represented and now you can be safely assured, its purely from the mind of Robert Heath.

Since the #Cruise Bruiser was selected to be one of 15 Super #Treasure Hunts in the #2017 Hot Wheels mainline, its always fun to compare the $TH release with the common release. Sure, there is the #Real Riders versus standard basic wheels comparison, and also the #Spectraflame Paint versus enamel paint comparison, but those take a back seat to the added/alternate graphics on this release.

Hot Wheels Cruise Bruiser from the 2017 HW Daredevils Series … Both, Super Treasure Hunt and Regular Sky Blue Variants

Now some collectors may prefer the omission of the graphics on top of the standard release, and that is fine however, you have to appreciate the “more authentic approach” with the top graphics on the $TH — it even has painted roof rails! Also, those that keep their cars carded are deprived of the “TH” logo on the $TH as its only on the side that faces the blister card, replacing the #92.

RELEASE DETAILS: Sky Blue Enamel Body (metal). Dark Gray Interior. Light Green-Chrome 5-Spoke (5SP) Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DTY56. Released in 2017 as #2 of 10 in the HW Daredevils Series (#238/365 in the 2017 mainline).

These two variants of the #Cruise Bruiser make for #4 and #5 for this casting that many believe is loosely based off of the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. The casting has received generally a positive response from collectors since its debut last year so hopefully we see this one for years to come. Best of luck to all of you trying to track down the Super #Treasure Hunt variant and shout out to Robert Heath for this killer design. Happy Hunting!

RELEASE DETAILS: Spectraflame Aqua Body (metal). Black Interior. Sky Blue Rimmed, Light Green Real Riders Preferred Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DVC92. Released in 2017 as #2 of 10 in the HW Daredevils Series (Super Treasure Hunt, Unnumbered in the 2017 mainline).

For more pictures of your favorite Hot Wheels cars, check out @orangetrackdiecast on Instagram!