The last series of the #2019 Hot Wheels #Car Culture line is here: Cruise Boulevard. The Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series consists of five customized vehicles that you could expect to see driving down your local “main drag” any night of the week. Ford, Chevy, VW, Nissan, and Toyota are all represented — yes, that’s right, Toyota. Hot Wheels once again has the Toyota license which it hasn’t had since 2017. In the nearly two years that have passed since we last saw a Toyota Hot Wheels car, collectors have yearned for premium Toyota models in Car Culture — namely the Supra. This series grants that wish and so much more.
All five vehicles from the 2019 Hot Wheels Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series
In this series of five vehicles from five different auto manufacturers that range from classic to modern, there seems to be at least something for everyone. Perhaps the largest feat though, is the fact that this series introduces two #First Edition castings, as well as introduces the #Toyota Supra to the premium range — all while bringing back two premium #Muscle Cars that collectors have asked for.
Toyota Supra
It seems appropriate to start with the car that’s garnering the most hype: the #Toyota Supra. It is also #1 of 5 in the series. 😉 Since its debut in 2013, the Supra has always been a popular car in the mainline — and all of those releases didn’t even have detailed headlights! Had it not been for the detailed Fast & Furious releases, this release probably would have caused pandemonium in the collector community as those signature headlights & taillights seem as much of a necessity on this casting as rear detail is on the Hot Wheels #Skyline castings.
This release of the #Toyota Supra is about as clean as you can get. It wears metalflake candy apple red paint, and its lone graphic outside of the front and rear detail is the black “NITTO” script beneath the doors. Ultimately, I can tell that collectors are going to love this car and all it signifies.
Hot Wheels Toyota Supra from the 2019 Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series (rear view)
’69 Chevelle SS 396
If there is any kind of complaint that I see about #Car Culture, its that some collectors believe that #Muscle Cars are underrepresented in it. You can’t fault collectors for wanting more of what they collect, but if there is one thing that Car Culture does an extremely good job at, its that it certainly represents a wide range of niche groups of automotive enthusiasts.
The Hot Wheels #’69 Chevelle SS 396 has been a hit with collectors since it hit the pegs as a mainline casting in 2008. Its been a basic car in the mainline several times with regular and super treasure hunt releases. Its been in retail premium and a convention car, and it has even been a Collector Edition “mail-in car” twice. This, however, is the first time its seen the full-detail #Car Culture line. After this, I think many non-muscle collectors will see this car in a different light and this release is truly something to behold.
Hot Wheels ’69 Chevelle SS 396 from the 2019 Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series (side view)
Custom ’14 Mustang
The #Custom ’14 Ford Mustang casting has had an interesting path to get here. This casting made its debut in the premium range as it was in the 2014 Hot Wheels #Entertainment line as the Custom Mustang that was built by Carroll Shelby in the 2014 movie, Need for Speed. Since then, there were less appealing releases in a 5-pack (2015) and a themed assortment (2016) before ultimately going on a 3-year hiatus. Collectors have really taken a liking to the entertainment release over the last 3 years so it is no surprise that this one has made it back to the premium range.
Like that Entertainment release, this #Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard release of the #Custom ’14 Ford Mustang features full-detail. The sunburst orange metalflake paint is most certainly a color I’ve seen #Mustangs driving up and down “the strip” in. The deep-dish, #Real Riders Exotic Wheels are a nice touch!
Hot Wheels Custom ’14 Ford Mustang from the 2019 Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series (rear view)
Custom ’93 Nissan Hardbody (D21)
The first of two new castings is the #Custom ’93 Nissan Hardbody (D21). Its slammed about as low as I’ve ever seen a Hot Wheels go, and it comes from a time where mini trucks reigned supreme: the ’90s. Even the deco is straight out of the ’90s. In fact, it is the same graphics scheme that appeared on the first edition of the Hot Wheels Mini Truck in 1990.
Despite sharing its “Nissan Hardbody” moniker with the #Nissan Hardbody Truck casting from 1988, the two couldn’t be any further apart. It will be interesting to see how the #Custom ’93 Nissan Hardbody (D21) is received as there is certainly a niche group of mini truck enthusiasts that are going to be all over these.
Hot Wheels Custom ’93 Nissan Hardbody (D21) from the 2019 Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series (side view)
Volkswagen “Classic Bug”
Lastly, coming down the strip known as #Cruise Boulevard is the #First Edition of the #Volkswagen “Classic Bug”. For so long, the #Volkswagen Beetle had seemingly what appeared to be a stranglehold on all premium lines as it felt like the casting was in every single one of them. Fortunately, that kind of went away and a new #Beetle casting was born. This Classic Bug is of the slammed variety as the meaty back tires are almost double the size of the skinnies upfront.
What is seemingly odd about this new #Volkswagen “Classic Bug” casting is that it features a additional metal piece for the hood in the rear. It does not open, rather the deck lid’s ajar nature is actually representative of the California custom look. This metal piece actually contains the rear post that is spun after the car is assembled. In the future we could see more color breaks happen with this being a separate piece. That isn’t the case here though, as the deck lid is painted to match the body and also has the license plate tampo’d onto it. Previews from the convention in October showed us that the next release of this casting will come in a Mooneyes livery as part of the Team Transport segment of Car Culture. This release though, already seems like a classic.
Hot Wheels Volkswagen “Classic Bug” from the 2019 Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series (rear view)
So there you have it! The final #Car Culture series for 2019. Which ones do you like? Will you be grabbing them all?
It is worth noting that the Hot Wheels #Car Culture / Cruise Boulevard series is part of the Car Culture line for 2019, whereas the new Hot Wheels Boulevard line for 2020 its own line, and will be sold exclusively at Walmart. Look for this series to start appearing at retail very soon
Categories: Series Profile
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
Beautiful just beautiful!! I’ve been collecting car culture cars since they’ve come out and I have a few favorites. this one ranks HIGH ON THAT LIST!!!
The new castings are Mark Jones, correct?
I’d really like to know what the story is with the Beetle and tail. That just looks odd, a last minute fix. Like there was going to be an engine sticking out but that didn’t work so they engineered a plastic cap. I’m curious what the idea was and if this is plan B. I wonder if we’ll see a change down the road, sort of like the 2007 Ultra Hots VW Beetle that originally came with that opening hatch but then got switched to a solid body design.
It’s a shame because this is the one I was looking forward to the most out of this series but that rear end is a bit of a fail in my opinion. Love the stance and the widened body look but that rear needs a fixing, a tuck of sorts.
Awesome casting! I’ve been waiting to see this bug! I had one just like it when I was 16. Great memories!
Nice eclectic mix here.. a little bit for everyone.
The Chevelle needs chrome wheels man.. ones on now are ok, but it just screams for something bright to work w/that blue…love those Yenko stripes!
Supra looks cool and should be a favorite which shouldn’t last long.
Nissan just shouts 90’s and is spot on.. indicative of the era w/that color paint & period graphics.
Mustang looks like a mean beast… can still see the ghost of the Need for Speed version here though.
The Bug.. yeah, does look like a open deck lid feature out to pasture w/a band aid, so just imagine if it just had a plain, smooth, sleek rear end??!! The color combo doesn’t excite as well as the wheel set-up.. all-in-all, can’t wait to see these in hand!!!😉
Nice mix for everyone. I really like the Mustang and the bug. Wish the bug had better wheels though.
It’s great they got the Toyota license back for this mix. And what better way is to reintroduce the Supra into this iteration of Car Culture. Now we just need to wait and see if Hot Wheels could release the new Supra. I swear, new Supra not in the mainline anytime soon, we’re all gonna riot.
When will they be available on Amazon?
The Supra looks sweet and is a worthy comeback for this casting. In a way, it feels like an extension of the Street Tuners set. I love that subtle “Nitto” logo too. Certainly joining my collection. The Chevelle is nice but considering we’ve seen too many Chevelles recently (FnF and all) this could’ve made way for something else. Same with the Mustang. The Hardbody’s colour and graphics are awesome but it’s too low for my taste. Still, I may pick it up just because of the deco. The Beetle is the only one I’m not interested in. I’m not a Beetle guy and nor does this casting do anything for me.
This set is desperately asking for an exotic, and would’ve taken this a level above.
I got this set a couple of days ago and mmmmmaaaaannnnn, do they look GREAT!! The pick of the litter, for me, is the truck and the supra!! I usually dont like cars like the supra but I love this one!! Now on to the next car culture series!!
The beetle is the No1 for me as a japanese car enthusiast.
Supra goes 2nd.