- Let's Compare
-
- Hi All. This time
around, the comparison is done with one of the hottest
- Diecast models in
the hobby. Ever since Hot Wheels released the
- 1996 FE VW Bus, the popularity of
all VW models
has grown many fold.
- So let's take a
peek at a few VW New Beetles. Hot Wheels doesn't
- produce a new style
Beetle (this will change with this year's FE New Beetle Cup),
- so I chose a
Matchbox, Tonka (Maisto), and Revell Bug.
- Each one of these is
pretty nice, with good dimensions and details.
- The Tonka version is a
bit larger than the others,
- while the Revell is a bit
smaller.
- The Matchbox scale,
stamped on the bottom, is 1:61. Using that number,
- I'd say the Tonka is more
like a 1:55 and the Revell is somewhere
- around 1:65.
- In my opinion, the
Matchbox has the best overall look.
- The width and
length are more proportionate.
- The Revell looks a
little long and skinny, and the Tonka looks a little short and fat.
- The Tonka has
the best wheels, which look very much like original
- equipment wheels on
the real Bug. The Revell has a nice set chrome
- 3 spoke custom
wheels, with rubber tires.
- The Matchbox has
the standard Matchbox twin 5 spokes.
- As far as details, these
two pictures show the front and rear paintwork.
- The Revell outshines the
other 2 with it's clear plastic headlights and fog lights.
- I would have liked to see
red plastic taillights to go with them.
- The Tonka has painted
lights, which look good, and are a nice addition to a very low cost toy.
- The Matchbox only has
painted headlights, and body colored taillights.
- The Tonka Bug lost a
point because of the painted windows
- and lack of an interior.
- The chassis on each car
varies from plain on the Matchbox to heavily detailed on the Revell.
- Here's a shot of each. I
don't normally compare the chassis'
- but the level of detail
on the Revell Bug prompted me to take
- pictures of them. The
Tonka version has an exhaust pipe only.
- The Revell Bug is put
together with screws, so customizers will have
- an easy time making their
own versions.
- One other neat feature of the Revell Bug is the
interior.
- Being such a small car, a picture was impossible. I
did take it apart
- to look closer, and the dash board is nearly perfect.
Gauge pods, stick shift,
- and seats are all very nice.
-
- The prices on these cars varies a bit, and the
detailing shows
- which is the costliest. The Matchbox was .90, the
Revell was 2.99,
- and the Tonka was .75.
-
- So using the pictures above, and the price, here's my
simple ratings (1 to 5)
-
