There is something strikingly familiar about this #Rodger Dodger! If you’re experiencing déjà vu, you may recall we have indeed seen this deco before. This 2024 HW Celebration Racers release carries a special #29 #Leap Year deco previously worn by a special mainline release of the ’67 Chevelle SS 396 in 2016. And while everyone went crazy for that special Leap Year blister card in 2016, the 2024 Rodger Dodger release is your standard mainline. Queue the collective sigh.

Being a standard release shouldn’t take away the cool factor here. I love when a good deco becomes a livery set as this could continue. Unfortunately, you may have to wait another eight years before you see the next part of this #Leap Year team. Yes, I know a leap year occurs every 4 years, but this #Rodger Dodger marks only the third time in Hot Wheels history that they chose to honor this special day. The last time: 2016. Before that: 2008. Noticing a pattern?

QUICK LINK! Find the 2016 Leap Year ’67 Chevelle SS 396 on eBay now

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For as much as these two cars are alike, there are some notable differences. First, it’s quite a remarkable feat that the gray paint on these is nearly identical. The font of the #29 stays the same. The gray #5-Spoke Wheels look as though they could have easily been wheel swapped from one release to the other. Also the two-tone, gray/black sides are cool because the same red “flame-line” separates them.

The differences lie in the details. There looks to be a discrepancy in the shade of the red tampos but that is just me being nit-picky. “LEAP YEAR” utilizes two different fonts across these two releases. The #’67 Chevelle SS 396 has more of a vintage racing look whereas the #Rodger Dodger is more clearly honoring the day. While the #29 does stay the same font, and it is used as part of the date on these two, the Chevelle has 2/29/16 whereas the Rodger Dodger has 2/29/24. Should you ever have a hard time remembering what years these are from; there you have it!

Personally, I love when Hot Wheels brings back a deco. There is essentially a sense that a collection has started.

#2024 Hot Wheels mainline cases have been dropping at retail at a glacial speed. Most of the United States is sitting on 2024 cases. To give you an idea how far behind U.S. retail is, this 2024 Leap Year Rodger Dodger debuts in the D case which is yet to hit en masse — meaning, most collectors do not have this one in their collection yet.

Fortunately, I found this Leap Year #Rodger Dodger as a D case holdover in the 2024 E case I unboxed from Jcar Diecast. You can view the video below where I find this particular one.

Please note that OTD is part of the eBay Partner Network (EPN). OTD will receive affiliate compensation from the EPN thanks to readers like you clicking on the above link and purchasing items. Think of it as a great way to support OTD!