With the exuberant amount of newer #Mustang castings in the Hot Wheels lineup, it can often be hard to keep all the trim levels straight. Each trim level has its own details that separates it from the rest of the stable. Take for instance the #Ford Shelby GT350R. This #Dave Root Designed Mustang features same-size front & rear wheels, a low profile and a pretty mean looking front end. Ever since it was released last year as part of the #Night Burnerz Series, and as a #2016 New Model, I’ve been hooked! You can read about last year’s release >> HERE.

Hot Wheels Ford Shelby GT350R from the 2017 Muscle Mania Series … both colorways, facing front

Truthfully, neo-#Muscle Cars don’t really resonate within me. I believe it has something to do with the fact that everyone and their grandma has one, Hot Wheels makes excessive amounts of them at every trim level, and that I really despise the new Camaro for some reason. So suffice to say, when I saw the new #Ford Shelby GT350R last year, I was caught off-guard that I liked it enough to say, “Hey, I think I may collect this one”.

The 2017 #Muscle Mania release didn’t show up at retail until the end of April here in the United States — as part of the “J” case assortment. Not as solid as last year’s release, but the #Walmart Exclusive ZAMAC showed up earlier this month and that unpainted metal body really brought this casting to life. So many intricate lines in this car that were hidden by that white enamel, but brought out in the ZAMAC “colorway”. That ZAMAC colorway appeared in the Walmart exclusive “L” case assortment wave alongside fellow #ZAMACs: the #’32 Ford and the #Porsche 993 GT2.

Wave of the three Walmart Exclusive ZAMACs from the 2017 Hot Wheels “L” Case Assortment – ’32 Ford, Ford Shelby GT350R and Porsche 993 GT2

As you can see, the two colorways of the #Ford Shelby GT350R make a great pair and it almost feels like a third colorway for the year is inevitable.

Hot Wheels Ford Shelby GT350R from the 2017 Muscle Mania Series … both colorways, reverse facing

As cool as the graphics are on this #Muscle Mania release, you almost kind of wish that the tampos were applied to the headlights and taillights — especially on the white colorway — as those details tend to disappear. With the black-colored hood tampo accounting for the indentation in the hood being a nice touch, and the two stripes that match the rim color being the perfect accents, its a pretty solid design. However, with the mainline cars being produced in Malaysia, and the hood tampo being so large by nature, it can sometimes be challenging find one that isn’t scratched… case in point below.

RELEASE DETAILS: White Enamel Body (metal). Tinted Windows. Black Interior. Blue-Chrome Rim, Black PR5 Wheels. Black Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# DTY85. Released in 2017 as #2 of 10 in the Muscle Mania series (#213/365 in the 2017 mainline).

So while I would assume that most collectors would favor minimal-to-no tampos in favor of headlights & taillights, I do understand the branding aspects of the Hot Wheels brand where style exceeds realism — I mean, if you prefer the stock approach, you’re collecting Matchbox, right? That’s not to say that Hot Wheels won’t do so, but when it comes to the plethora of #Mustangs in the Hot Wheels arsenal, and the creative license given by #Ford, you can expect to see some pretty cool graphics applied to these ponies, making for some stellar releases like this.

RELEASE DETAILS: ZAMAC/Unpainted Body (metal). Green-Tinted Windows. Black Interior. Green-Chrome Rim, Black PR5 Wheels. Black Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# FBJ06. Released in 2017 as #2 of 10 in the Muscle Mania series (unnumbered in the 2017 mainline).