| Hot Wheels is not associated with Construction Toys, but for those not updated that their parent company is Mattel which now owns Mega Brands (formerly Mega Bloks) since 2014. But Mattel’s Hot Wheels did introduce a die-cast car that has studs in them the year before in the form of the Fig Rig truck.
After so many variations of the die-cast cars that let you put a Mega Bloks figure or a LEGO Minifigure, They finally produced a die-cast car that you can be able to swap parts using studs built-in to the cars’ plastic chassis! |
Introducing the Custom Small Block to the Hot Wheels Mainline Series in 2021, which is by now, a well-known casting as it does still have a die-cast part on its underside and is still considered a die-cast car!
The Custom Small Block first debuted under the Experimotors segment for 2021, and Hot Wheels has released four other coloured variations of the same car with the current version as part of the Brick Rides segment for 2023, which is a spinoff collecting other similar cars like the Bricking Speed, Bricking Trails, and introducing two more versions of this year with the Brick and Motor, and Brickin’ Delivery.
With the recent release of the two later cars, they have included the “MEGA” branding on the cards, while the previously released ones that included the Custom Small Block don’t have that branding. But, the Custom Small Block was the introduction of this new type of play for the Hot Wheels brand.
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Interlocking Car Parts
The concept for this new way of play for Hot Wheels expands the idea that you can do a lot of things from their die-cast car that is included in a certain amount of themes. It’s no surprise how Mattel is making sure its major brand continues to be relevant when it comes from out of the left field ideas.
It’s the packaging that catches your attention if you’re the type of individual who would observe the way the product is presented in explaining the idea of customizing your Hot Wheels with interlocking bricks that is “compatible with most leading brands.” The mounting parts and studs are not easily seen in the package.
But if ever you get to open one, you’ll see how it gives new ideas for putting together your version of a Custom Small Block car. Of course, the casting is not perfect with the width of how wide is the car and other things that need to be pointed out.
Build a New Type of Play
The Custom Small Block has two separate pieces, this includes the engine block and the plastic window piece. Honestly, there’s not much space to go around the base part of the being 3x7 with three studs on the part where the tail light should be located. The other part that had a 1x2 stud is on the right side of the car.
There’s a limitation to even building something off from using the Custom Small Block chassis. But if you’re not hindered by the limitation you’ll figure out how to create something out of this car. The “Fun” part about this is you can now swap parts with the other cars mentioned that have similar buildable concepts.
Overall, the Custom Small Block is a fun concept for those who are into construction toys and other leading brands that are not into die-cast cars. It invites new interest and makes it part of their hobby unless they are brand conscious that just want to stick to the one-name four-letter-word product to limit their horizon that there are other products like this to expand your creativity despite being owned by a different brand.
The concept is great, but over time the clutch power of the pieces being used tends to lose its grip. But if you are the experimental type of individual you’ll try to use any brand to make your version of this car. This is just the beginning for Hot Wheels moving forward after the HW Ride-On theme, and it slowly catching on.
“Custom Small Block” car is 10 out 10 as part of the 2021 Experimotors Mini-Collection subtheme from the Hot Wheels mainline basic cars from Mattel designated overall 131 out of 250 acquired at Ollie & Co in Glorietta Mall for ₱ 119.75 Pesos ($ 3.24 AUD | $ 2.14 USD) locally distributed by Richwell Club in the Philippines.
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