Hot Wheels Variations: The Ultimate Guide [Paperback]

Michael Zarnock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Keep a Close Eye on the Details

A variation between two similar cars, whether it's a different color enamel, a different wheel, interior, base, or window can mean the difference between a car worth $1 and one worth $100.

Covering 1989-2008, Hot Wheels Variations - The Ultimate Guide, 4th Edition is the largest and most comprehensive identification and price guide to variations with more than 5,500 cars listed.

Collector-friendly features include:

• Cars listed chronologically in release order from 1989-2002 and numerically from 2003-2008
• 3,100 identification photos arranged in numerical order, making it easy to identify vehicles whether loose or in a pack
• Handy checklist making it easy for you to keep track of your growing collection

Don't guess - know for sure! With Hot Wheels Variations - The Ultimate Guide, learn to spot the important differences and add value to your personal collection.

Let the search begin!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Zarnock has been collecting Hot Wheels since their inception in 1968. He is a two-time Guinness World Record holder for the most different Hot Wheels cars in a collection. He was recently inducted into the Die Cast Hall of Fame and most notably was honored by Mattel with a Hot Wheels "Mike Zarnock's Altered Roadster," based on the real-life roadster he raced in the early 1980s.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 4 edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440204268
• ISBN-13: 978-1440204265
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Transportation
  • #48 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Toys

More About the Author

Michael Zarnock is an American author and columnist, who writes collector guides and articles about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories.
Michael's knowledge and his massive Hot Wheels collection has earned him notoriety around the world. Whether it be because of the 11 books and countless articles that he has written about Hot Wheels toys or the sheer size and diversity of his collection, this extensive knowledge has earned him the label,
"One of the worlds leading Hot Wheels authorities."
Michael is a 2 Time Guinness World Record holder! First in 2003 and then again in 2007!
He is in the record books for owning the "Largest collection of different model cars".
He is featured in the 2008 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book #5 "Prepare To Be Shocked!"
And the 2011 "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" book "Utterly Crazy!"
February 2009 Michael was inducted into the "Diecast Hall Of Fame" and later that year Mattel Hot Wheels ® honored Michael by reproducing his old Altered Roadster Race Car as part of their Nostalgic "Drag Strip Demons ®" Series!

Bibliography:
2009 to present - "The Car Room Magazine" (Monthly Hot Wheels Column)
2008-2009 - "Die Cast X Magazine" (Monthly Hot Wheels Column)
2002 to 2008 - "Toy Cars & Models Magazine ." (Monthly Column and Hot Wheels Variation Price Guide)
2002 - "The Ultimate Guide to Hot Wheels Variations"
2002 - "The Standard Catalog of . Die-Cast Vehicles II" (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2003 - "Warman's Hot Wheels . Field Guide"
2004 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide, 2nd Edition"
2004 - "Toys & Prices - 11th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2005 - "Hot Wheels Accessories, The Ultimate Guide"
2005 - "Toys & Prices - 12th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2005 - "The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles III", (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2006 - "Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide"
2006 - "Toys & Prices - 13th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2007 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 3rd Edition"
2007 - "Toys & Prices - 14th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2007 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 2nd Edition"
2008 - "Toys & Prices - 15th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2009 - "Toys & Prices - 16th Edition". (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapters)
2009 - "Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide 2nd Edition"
2009 - "Once Upon A Street Race" (Based on the true story of the time Mike got kidnapped at a street race!)
2010 - "Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 4th. Edition"
2010 - "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 3rd Edition"
2011 - "Hot Wheels Prototypes" (Bruce Pascal & Michael Zarnock)

Filmography
2004 - Detour (CYB Productions)
2005 - The Death of Daniel Whately (CYB Productions)
2006 - Anchor Eddy's (CYB Productions)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Hot Wheels Variations Guide EVER!!!!!!, April 13, 2010

By 

Gavin Moore "toy boy" (Iola, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Wheels Variations: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)

Just received my copy of the 4th edition of Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide. I gotta say, this is the best edition on Variations I've ever seen! Author Michael Zarnock has really outdone himself here! The pictures are so cool, and the listings are precise, detailed, and accurate. I think the cover with the Mike Zarnock car is fantastic. There's more about the Zarnock car on page 5. Zarnock is a pioneer in this area of Hot Wheels, and I think it's really neat that Mattel honored Zarnock for his contributions to the hobby by producing a Hot Wheels replica of the dragster he raced with years ago. There's so much great stuff packed in here - 5,500 cars and 3,100 photos. If you are a Hot Wheels variations collector like me, THIS is the book you need to have. You need not look no further than this bible on variations!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Source, November 11, 2010

By 

An Indy Fan (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Wheels Variations: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)

I've known author Michael Zarnock for almost 10 years. He is an amazing Hot Wheels resource and an all-around good guy. His latest book is mind-boggling, featuring 3,100 color photographs and 5,500 car listings. You will not find a better book on Hot Wheels variations on the market -- guaranteed. And if don't find what you are looking for you can always reach out to Michael for help. I've done just that and he has always provided assistance. He lists his email address right in the book. Now that's an author who is passionate about his subject matter. Good guy. Great book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have Guide., May 7, 2010

By 

John E. Henderson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hot Wheels Variations: The Ultimate Guide (Paperback)

An essential Tool for the serious and not so serious Hot Wheels Collector.
Contains a very large amount of information about many variations of different Hot Wheels releases and as a tool it may pay for itself very quickly as it will help you differentiate between valuable variations and common easy to obtain models.
I regard it and its predecessors as essential parts of my Library and yes, I constantly refer back to these books.
Well worth buying.