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Lights! Camera! Action!

The 31st Annual Hot Wheels Convention

By Barb Robles

The scene opened on location at the beautiful #3 in the series was a black Convoy Custom.
partially renovated LAX Marriott in Los Ange- Very classic in design, with silver and red
les, California, where the production of “The accent stripes on the sides. Make sure you
31st Annual Hot Wheels Convention” played look closely at this one…it has amazing flamed
from October 3rd thru October 8th, 2017. Our red lines! Very unique! Another high demand
dedicated crew set the stage under the expert offering! Limited to 2800.
direction of Collectors Events Unlimited, Mark
and Jennifer Millhollin. The Marriott’s stage The deco for these amazing pieces are the
crew did a fantastic job as always…even with work of a true talent and friend of the conven-
the challenges faced with the renovation in tion, Steve “Van” Vandervate! The packaging
process! Our loyal audience members did their for these castings all sported the amazing
best with the detours and changes….and are logo created by Julian Koiles as a tribute to
absolutely looking forward to the Marriott’s the late, great Otto Kuhni. If you look closely
finished “stage” next fall! at the logo, you will absolutely see Otto’s flair
both by style and colors. Did you realize that
The first scene opened on Tuesday as the 1 in 31st was actually a Custom Otto? A
the convention audience (our loyal paid few lucky souls won some very limited Cus-
attendees) eagerly waited for the regis- tom Otto’s at the convention! Indeed special
tration room to open for the Early Bird pieces honoring a tremendous influence to the
registration. Anticipation and excite- Hot Wheel collecting hobby! Thanks Van and
ment filled the air as they were anxious Julian for helping to make these pieces extra
to get the opportunity to purchase the special!
stars of our production, the convention
series souvenir cars! The audience was There were many great acts or events going
NOT disappointed as the array of cars was on during this production! There were auto-
absolutely spectacular! graph sessions, charity events, vending ma-
chine sessions, seminars, a custom car contest,
#1 of the 4 car series was a beautiful metal- racing, kid’s events and so much more! Please
flake plum and orange Volkswagen Drag read further on in this newsletter to learn
Bus. This heavy casting was beautifully about all the exciting events!
flamed and striped in orange, yellow and Another of the show’s stars was the beautiful
green on the top and sides while riding powder blue 1968 Cougar charity car where
on RR’s with a chrome black interior. proceeds benefited Make-A-Wish of Greater
Limited to 2800. This was certainly a Los Angeles! This was customized for us by
show-stopper and a sure fire hit with our Chris Walker “Night Stalker” who received a
audience!
standing ovation for this performance! Limited
#2 of the 4 car series was a highly sought to 450 pieces this sold out during its run at the
after Datsun Bluebird 510. Beautifully convention! These were available for preor-
done in white with a bright orange stripe der, where many attendees took advantage
with a slanted racing deco numbered with of that option! The balance was a first come,
a blue 31 representing the 31st convention. first served situation with 1 only per attendee
Also sporting chrome RR’s and an opening option to purchase while quantities lasted.
hood. Yes….if you chose to open yours…. Don’t miss out in 2018….preorder your charity
it has an opening hood! Certainly one of the cars to ensure you get yours!!! Please read on
highest demand pieces offered and one that in this newsletter where Paul DiAngi describes
created a collectors frenzy of excitement! This the charity events that are involved in raising
was limited to 3000. Paid attendees were also money for the kids!
given opportunity to purchase a highly sought One of the highlights of the convention
after matching patch with this amazing casting experience is the Thursday evening dinner.
showcased on it. Hope you were able to This one was no exception where the honoree
grab one of those while quantities was Mattel designer Alton Takeyasu. After the
lasted! Our audience members terrific dinner that the Marriott staff prepared
expressed very positive feed- and delivered to us, attendees were treated to
back on the patches with a great program presented by Alton himself!
hope to see more patches He took us through the incredible back story
at future conventions and of his career and his Hot Wheels contributions!
nationals!
I personally did not realize he was so funny! In
one of his opening script lines, he stated that

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