Let’s face it. In today’s Hot Wheels collecting landscape, you could spend hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars buying every popular release that was left behind a decade ago, OR you can satiate your hunger with some cheaper alternatives…

The #‘71 AMC Javelin AMX from the 2011 Hot Wheels #Vintage Racing line — complete in Marc Donohue’s red, white, and blue Sunoco livery — is one of the more iconic cars in American racing history, and has become quite the sought-after Hot Wheels release. To buy one carded would set you back more than $100. If you’re a thrifty collector like myself, chances are you don’t feel the need to drop a “hundo” or “Benjamin” every time you see something cool. Look for alternatives to satisfy any immediate craving of the “gotta-have-its”. Here is one option…

Hot Wheels released the #AMC Javelin AMX (different casting) in the mainline as part of the 2010 #Muscle Mania series. Collectors were keen to point out the resemblance to Marc Donohue’s Javelin at the time. Obviously, the casting is inferior, and the deco is nowhere near the level of the Vintage Racing release, but still, the resemblance is there. Together they make a cool set regardless of any squinty-eyed livery comparison.

Donohue’s was #6 and this one was #4. The first release came in red, with the second in blue. Check out the placement of the numbers and the striping pattern on the hoods and tell me this wasn’t intentional! Obviously, there is enough of a difference to not require licensing. So what did Hot Wheels do? They went out and got the licensing for the #Vintage Racing release the very next year (2011). Could it be possible that this one inspired the Vintage Racing line to begin with?

There truly is no legitimate substitute for the real deal, but the point of this article is to point out there are plenty of high-end, popular cars out there with cheaper alternatives. Maybe you just got into collecting and feel the need to keep pace, or have been around a while and are looking to substantially increase the heavy-hitters in your collection. Maybe it opens your eyes to a #Muscle Car from a now defunct company in #AMC and you decide it is worth chasing that Vintage Racing release after all. Either way, this is a nice trio to own. Its a great starting point for sure!

QUICK LINK: Find the 2010 Muscle Mania releases on eBay.

HELL WITH IT! Find the Vintage Racing Javelin on eBay!