Mudge's Diecast Customs: Hot Wheels 2007 Classics Series 3 #08 Nitty Gritty Kitty


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2005 Custom Hot Wheels Mainlines
2007 Classics Series 3 #08 'Pretty --itty Kitty'

Model:	2007 Classics Series 3 #08 Nitty Gritty Kitty (light green spectraflame)
Customization:	So ya want a redline collection without the cost? Here's one way to get it. These axle-thru redline wheels came from a 1993 25th Anniversary series The Demon, which eventually got reassembled as its own custom. The little bit of striping on the sides was cleared away, and the grille was blacked out with a Sharpie. Add a touch more red and black Sharpie ink to the rear end and tail lights, and voila...the "Pretty --itty Kitty'. Now where did I put my sheet of reproduction pieplate numbers?

Level of difficulty:	Intermediate. You have to be willing to cannibalize a car with as-good or better redline wheels. The Tampo-stripping is very easy, but do it quickly...this "new spectraflame" finish isn't as durable as you might hope for. The chassis requires a bit of grinding to create workable axle channels, and a steady hand on the Sharpie is needed to make sure black and red ink doesn't wander into areas where it's not wanted.
Options/Comments:	You can actually get closer to an original Nitty Gritty Kitty with less effort, and maybe even less cost, if you properly shop the catalogues of older Hot Wheels premium series'. But I had to find out just how close I could come to an authentic repro by using a Classics series carcass as a base. These pseudo-Spoilers are fun pieces (well, this and the Heavy Chevy are...the "mark II" King Kuda is, frankly, a big disappointment) and the extra black and red detailing add a surprising amount to the overall look. But you might be better off buying one of the Redline Club re-issues with the concourse-quality redline wheels and mirror-finish Spectraflame paint. Even at $20 apiece on eBay, they're probably comparable value to a homebrew Kitty or Heavy Chevy.
My rating:	I know, the axles aren't authentic and the finish on the Classics series is...well...uneven is about the most diplomatic way to put it. But anything that evokes the feeling of owning an original redline Spoiler as much as this does gets at least three and a half stars from me. I really like this piece, and I'd rather display this than a real C6 'Kitty. Not so --itty after all, I'd say. (Your mileage may vary.)
Availability:	I can make one more of these out of present inventory, but I won't. This got sold to a werewolf. You don't cross a werewolf. Seriously. You don't. Well, I don't.

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