Automoblox unveils hot rods and heavy duty pickup
Automoblox HR Series – Click above for high-res image gallery
We've been reporting on (and buying) the Automoblox line of heirloom quality toy cars for sometime, but recently there hasn't been much out of Patrick Calello's company to knock our socks off. That's about to change just in time for the holiday shopping season, however, as Automoblox will be welcoming a big set of brand-new vehicles to the lineup. The first to arrive is the T900 pickup, which just happens to bear a slight resemblance to king of heavy duty trucks, the Ford Super Duty. Arriving soon in both full-size and mini versions, the T900 is the Tonka truck that Automoblox never had.
Next up is a whole new thing for Automoblox: hot rods. The HR1, HR2 and HR3 hot rods are much more detailed than the Automoblox cars we're used to, with big grilles, period-correct wheels and in some cases, an exposed engine. Also available in full-size or mini versions, the HR series will ship shortly after the T900.
The highlight of Automoblox's holiday line up, however, pairs both new series together in a big way. Patrick and his team have put together a package that combines the new full-size T900 truck, the HR2 hot rod and a specially designed trailer to help haul the one with the other. Consider this the brand's halo package, and start dropping hints with Santa that you expect one under the tree.
Pricing has not been announced for the new models yet, but expect them to be slightly higher than the current line.
Gallery: Automoblox HR1, HR2 and HR3
Gallery: Automoblox T900
[Source: Automoblox]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Russell 8:14PM (10/09/2009)
I feel like I am the only one on Autoblog that doesn't understand the automoblox craze...
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LaserRed38 9:52PM (10/09/2009)
No I don't get them either.
But, I will say these are the first ones I'd actually consider getting.
DiRF 9:15AM (10/10/2009)
@Russell: Nah, I'm there with ya... whenever an article on 'em shows up, I think, "Oh, that's cute" and then I move along pretty quickly to the next article...
mbcullen 1:09PM (10/12/2009)
Nope. I didn't understand the obsession before. Then I saw a set of them in the toy section at Target, small, poorly built, expensive. I really don't get it.
speed12sil 8:43PM (10/09/2009)
This or pay the equivalent and buy a 1:18 Diecast car with lots more details than just a pretty(and that's debatable when looking at a block of wood) body. Then again the 1:18 diecasts are almost all made in China, so that'll be supporting the Chinese. Hmm...
There's always Bburago diecast cars, which at least stamps the bottom of the cars with "Made in Italy".
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Protzenegger 1:26PM (10/10/2009)
Bburago models haven't been made in Italy for a while. Might be made in Thailand now or so. Ironically, the quality has gone way up.
RockStoneSteel 8:52PM (10/09/2009)
While Automoblox are cute, they are absurdly overpriced. They run about $30 a pop. Considering the simplicity of the parts, that has to be about a $28 markup.
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fixitfixitstop 7:27AM (10/10/2009)
Wood is more expensive than plastic. Most of your Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars today don't even use real metals anymore.
geo.stewart 11:47AM (10/10/2009)
actually, the minis are not a bad deal. and they are starting to pop up retail so nto a bad impulse buy for what it is.
just wish they would do the combo in blue with the HR3.
Protzenegger 1:32PM (10/10/2009)
I have an Automoblox C9 that I was given as a Xmas gift at work, and it looks and feels really cool. Is it state-of-the-art? Of course not. But it's COOL.
That said, I wouldn't ever think to start a collection of these things. I can (and did) get a 1/18 Quattroporte for less than half their price.
dukeisduke 8:57PM (10/09/2009)
John Neff, would you please ask AOL to fix this lousy posting engine? It's frustrating, trying to post comments here.
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CarsOrNothing 9:23PM (10/09/2009)
I actually really like the set up of the truck and hot rod. Do I need something like this? does anybody need something like this? of course not. So trying to rationalize purchasing it is useless. This is a matter of whether you want it or not, and I want it, but I don't know what I want more, the toys, or the money I'll be giving up if I buy it, gotta' wait for the price.
"We do what we can, until we can't."
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Nathan 9:48PM (10/09/2009)
Do grown men actually care about these stupid wooden cars, or is AutoBlog paid large amounts of cash to act like they care? Why not buy a lego, or a model car, or anything cheaper and more interesting than these things.
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Superhands 11:25PM (10/09/2009)
Pretty sure autoblogs on the payroll, there isnt enough substance here to justify all these articles
Jc 10:09PM (10/09/2009)
They sell them in this "modern design" store in the mall, they are extremely over-priced for nothing more than very simple almost minimalistic designs (and small) in wood and plastic but I guess because they are "modern design" and are "designer made" they are over-priced - definitely not worth it.
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Protzenegger 1:29PM (10/10/2009)
I'm also doubting the credibility of this "world-class" designer whose name is on these things. How come we've never heard of him until Automoblox? Pretty sure he wrote that description himself.
Andre Neves 12:14AM (10/10/2009)
OK, I'm convinced that Autoblog gets compensated nicely every time they mention these things.
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UNCgrad1234 12:20AM (10/10/2009)
Autoblog gets paid to put up posts about Automoblox
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Rob 1:15AM (10/10/2009)
RIght now, somewhere John Neff is running a toy car up and down a wall.
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colin 2:55AM (10/10/2009)
autoblog.... thank you for posting this :D
I would have missed this. can't wait to see/own them in the flesh
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