Welcome to the #Power Ratings for the 5th mix of #Car Culture for 2023: Modern Classics. It is the 4th Modern Classics series in Hot Wheels #Car Culture, and if the other series have taught us anything, its that some of these new castings will become extremely collectible in the years to come.

Before we go any further, a big THANK YOU to our sponsor of this segment, 1 Stop Diecast! Make sure you pre-order your Car Culture case via 1StopDiecast.com. Ordering by the case gives you the best shot at getting a chase outside of being camped out at retail with the masses. If you miss out on the chase, you have a set to gift/trade to a friend.

I would like to thank my fellow collectors who participated in helping me rank these as this was another mix that was hard to assess. These #Power Ratings give you a glimpse as to what you can expect the demand to be at retail when these appear and this exercise has definitely proved itself this year. I gave each person a chance to speak to the car they felt the most strongly towards and you’ll see below that the interest in certain models justifies their Power Ratings.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what should be arriving at stores very soon. Again, I solicited help from a few people I follow in the collecting world to help me rank these. Here is a rundown of how we form the ratings…

POWER RATINGS are comprised of an average of 3 scores: Casting Choice, Deco/Livery, and Cool Factor. Below is what is factored into each rating:

• Casting Choice: Rating is based on how well does the casting fit within the series. Is the casting a good choice for today’s Car Culture?
• Deco/Livery: Looks are everything! Rating is based on the color/deco/livery and how appropriate it is for this release.
• Cool Factor: The real X-factor here. Does the car resonate with collectors? Will it be sought after?

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 8

’98 Toyota Altezza (chase)

MODERN CLASSICS 0/5

New casting debuting as a #Chase model in all-black — where have we seen this before… The ’98 Toyota Altezza is pure #JDM as outside Japan, it’s known as the Lexus IS. The first gen Altezza is a modern classic due to the design aging well. That’s not it, though! The car brought performance and luxury together to compete with the sporty Euro sedans of it’s era. Not sure if it will translate well with American collectors, but since it’s a chase, it will be the first to go!

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 9 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 6

Honda Civic EG

MODERN CLASSICS 1/5

We nearly had a common car from the series eclipse a chase car — that’s how popular the #Honda Civic EG will be. You can bet it will be the first to go, right along with the chase. #Civic fandom is in full-force when it comes to Hot Wheels collecting. This unique Spoon Sports livery is a licensed deco that has become very popular on the ol’ interwebs.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: Getting a Spoon Sports car in the Hot Wheels lineup proper is something many people would probably like. And Ryu probably would’ve too. An accurate livery with nice color pairings for the wheels will make this a standout in any collection.

From @peteshotwheels805 on Instagram: The EG6 is arguably one of Hot Wheels best castings. This release pairs it with its most well-known livery. I predict collectors will reach for this casting before even the chase.

From @tens.minicar.journal on Instagram: It’s nice to see hot wheels finally getting the license with Spoon, as I thought the hope was lost when the yellow w/ black roof EG6 was released twice without any “Spoon” deco. Although 5-spoke wheels will probably make it more realistic to the real car’s SW388 rims, the 6-spokes real riders are as cool as it gets when fitted on this EG6.

From @saltythanos on Instagram: Perfect livery, popular casting. This one will go fast.

POWER RATING: 6.3

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 6

’98 Toyota Altezza

MODERN CLASSICS 2/5

In some ways, the more common, silver #’98 Toyota Altezza is better looking than its chase counterpart. The metalflake silver paint showcases those body lines far greater than the jet black. Of the three new castings in this mix, the Altezza will most likely garner the most love from collectors due to it being one the most requested cars in JDM collector wish lists.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: This thing is probably on a lot of people’s want lists. It is on mine too, for timeless Mark Jones design combined with simple rims and a nice, simple Van tampo make this a fantastic addition to anybody’s collection. It’s also a bit of a bonus that we now have a better proportioned Altezza.

From @saltythanos on Instagram: Great choice for a new casting. We definitely need to see more Toyota/Lexus expansion in premium.

POWER RATING: 6.3

Casting Choice = 7 • Deco/Livery = 7 • Cool Factor = 5

’91 Mazda MX-5 Miata

MODERN CLASSICS 5/5

I’m torn here. #Miatas are like the new Civics as the car model has a fanbase of its own. It’s a popular car to mod and the color choice on this one is really nice. The downside is the “box spring” roll bar with has been carried over from the mainline casting. It prevents me from really liking this casting, but for some reason, I don’t think collectors will think twice about it while plucking it from the pegs as it doesn’t affect the car’s side profile.

From @doomus_rlc on Instagram: I’ve never been much of a Miata guy. Never cared for the real car. Yet when this beautiful casting was done by Ryu a few years back, I was quite intrigued. He did a phenomenal job with it, and did something that always makes me appreciate Hot Wheels more: made me care about a car I didn’t originally care about. We now get treated to a metal/metal with real riders release, oddly almost the same color as the Game Stop exclusive. Green paint, tan interior, gray 8sp. For me, it just looks stunning here. I don’t know that this release of the casting can ever be topped.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: Sometimes, you just have to sit down and appreciate the little things. This Mazda may appear to be the most unremarkable of the lot, but it doesn’t mean that they skimped on the design and graphics work. It may not grab as much attention as the others do, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t a nice model. I for one don’t mind a different-colored MX-5 than the usual reds, blues and whites. And as for the casting design… thanks, Ryu, for what you’ve done.

From Diecast Leno: Everyone’s favorite little Skittle finally gets the upgrade to premium! The British Racing Green over tan interior makes this the true enthusiast spec, and the green detailing around the windshield really makes this model feel like a step up from its mainline counterpart. The solid-plastic rollbar looks a little cheap, but I’ll forgive it because it’s just such a cute little guy!

From @saltythanos on Instagram: Popular casting but that big, blobby “suitable for mainline” interior, especially the roll cage, throws me off. Love green over tan so will still consider picking it up, but it’s the weakest one of the set.

From @roadwarriormx5 on Instagram: So very happy with the Miata. While they have released several factory colors for the Miata, I believe this is the first special Miata, being the 1997 m- edition metallic marina green. Happy cause I own one, and it’s one of my favorite Ryu designs. Still miss having his new designs.

From @tens.minicar.journal on Instagram: The Miata/MX-5 is a nice replication of the V-Special with the green-brown combination, considering only 1 other brand (Hobby Japan) has done the V-special when multiple brands made the 1:64 NA Miata.

POWER RATING: 5.0

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 5 • Cool Factor = 4

Volkswagen Corrado VR6

MODERN CLASSICS 4/5

The #Volkswagen Corrado VR6 is another car I’ve seen on collector wish lists for years. I’m not sure how this casting with an exaggerated aero kit will fare. It depends on if it will appease the Corrado fans and appeal to the masses. The very regal purple color choice is a plus combined with the #Real Riders 10-Spoke Modern Wheels which seem to make every car look that much cooler.

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: Phil has really found a home for designing models like this in his 30th year. Stunning purple paint makes this a standout model in the set and makes me wish there were more cars with this shade of purple used. Combine this with typical Hot Wheels styling and you have yourself a true modern classic… and my favorite of this set.

From @ddallapalu on Instagram: I’ve been waiting for a VW Corrado but they should have kept it stock, the body kit on it is atrocious. Also a set of mesh wheels would look better.

From Diecast Leno: What started off as the most interesting car in the series has been made the least appealing due to a straight-out-of-the-90s front bumper and fender flares that you could land an F-18 on. The open sunroof design from the Mercedes 560SEC makes a welcome return, and the mercifully stock deco makes this model worth picking up…even if I’ll spend the whole trip to the checkout lines thinking about what could have been.

From @tinycarfanatic on Instagram: I lusted after the Corrado when it was new so obviously I have to have it. The Lexus Altezza is a favorite as well. My magic 8 ball predicts they will be nearly impossible to find.

From @onesixtyfourland on Instagram: Being a VW fan for the last two decades, I really would have preferred a stock Corrado instead of this the Strictly Foreign-style bodykitted Hot Wheels. It reminds me of the MK5 GTI from 2007. The color and the wheels are perfect though to make the most of this truly Modern Classic.

From @saltythanos on Instagram: This needed to happen. Glad it isn’t in Black/White/Gray. Would’ve loved to see it in more of a stock form but the execution looks good.

POWER RATING: 4.7

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 4 • Cool Factor = 4

Fiat 131 Abarth

MODERN CLASSICS 3/5

A Hot Wheels #Fiat 131 Abarth is long overdue and this rally-inspired design will certainly be a hit when it wears some of it’s classic rally liveries. With the Olio Fiat scheduled for a 2024 Team Transport release, this #First Edition wears the classic all-red, street look. It’s the first time all year that the lowest rated model doesn’t have me wishing another casting took its place. This car will be overlooked and undervalued, but a hit in the years to come!

From @grunty_diecast on Instagram: I’m glad we finally get some Italian love in this series. It’s nice to see something a bit different from the norm here; an Italian rally legend should be honored among all of the other cars in this series. More timeless Mark Jones design shows that even though this was another of his many swansongs, he still has a keen eye for design and I keenly await what the future holds for this thing.

From @aussiehotwheelscollector on Instagram: Like the Mercedes 280SEL from the 2020 Modern Classics, this Fiat 131 Abarth isn’t so much a “modern classic” as it is just a “classic”, nevertheless I’m super excited for it. It was one of the most dominant rally cars of the pre-Group B era, winning three World Manufacturers Championships, and that gives Hot Wheels loads of potential future versions. This first version in plain red is the road version, while the upcoming Team Transport version replicates the 1977 WRC winning car. It’s a casting I’ve been wanting Hot Wheels to make for years and I can’t wait to find it.

From @saltythanos on Instagram: Spectacular rendition of the real car, lots of ways this casting could go. Probably won’t be as popular as the Japanese models but “those that get it, get it.” My favorite of the set.

From @doomus_rlc on Instagram: I’m a child of the late ’80s and early ’90s, and as such the old Matchbox casting of this car was a staple in my toy box. But that thing was huge, comparatively. Thankfully with this Hot Wheels release, we have a car that at least looks and feels more in-line with how it should be at this scale. Rally cars will always hold a special place in my heart, and this one was executed quite well, even with the size small Real Riders that have sort of been more of a crutch lately than a benefit. A great release that I can’t wait to see what the design team will do with some race-inspired deco.

There you have it! Our fifth #Power Ratings here on OTD for #2023 Hot Wheels #Car Culture. What do you think? Do you agree with these ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re keeping score at home, here is how the OTD Power Ratings presented by 1 Stop Diecast stack up thus far for 2023 Car Culture: