Updated: A Full-sized Hot Wheels Camaro From Chevrolet Is Unveiled at the 2011 SEMA Show.

It's Mean. It's Green. And it's modeled on one of the original die-cast Hot Wheels from 1968. The Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept Car, unveiled at the 2011 SEMA show re-creates one of the original Mattel toy car designs from 1968.


above: the original Custom Camaros from Hot Wheels and below: A reissue of the 1968 Classic Custom Camaro Hot Wheels toy.


Inspired by the “Custom Camaro” – the dazzling Spectraflame 1:64-scale toy was part of the original 16 Hot Wheels cars released by Mattel in 1968. The project was a collaborative effort between the General Motors Design studio in Michigan and the Hot Wheels Design studio in California.



The bright green electroluminescent paint was applied by four painters with spray guns while the body of the 2012 coupe rotated on a rotisserie. The result is a chrome finish with ionized metal tinted green like the original Spectraflame finish on the toy.




The reflective finish was created using Gold Touch Inc.’s Cosmichrome product, starting with the application of a primer coat on an immaculately prepared surface. The primer coat was then sprayed with a liquid-metal solution to create the mirror-smooth, silver-chrome base coat. Afterward, the green tint was applied in several layers until the just-right color effect was achieved.



Here are the concept sketches:


The actual car revealed at SEMA (with an appropriate set design):



The interior:


and the original Hot Wheels Custom Camaro die-cast toy car:


And the new commemorative collector's model of the 2011 Hot Wheels Chevrolet Camaro Concept:


Hot Wheels will offer the above collector’s edition 1:64-scale model based on the full-size Concept. Purchase information is available at www.hotwheelscollectors.com, as well as the Hot Wheels and Chevrolet Camaro Facebook pages.



It will be the 18th 1:64-scale Hot Wheels Camaro model produced since 1968, all with a variety of colors and configurations. During the past 44 years, literally millions of Hot Wheels Camaro models have been produced.

The original Custom Camaro from 1968 remains one of the most valuable Hot Wheels toys among collectors. That year, Hot Wheels produced all the Custom Camaro models with Spectraflame paint – except for one version in white enamel.

Today, examples of the Spectraflame Custom Camaro in excellent condition can sell for $150 or more. Only 15 white enamel versions are known to exist, and none are in their original packages.

“The value of a white enamel Custom Camaro is upwards of $3,000,” said Holst. “But if one still existed in the package, the value could be tens of thousands of dollars.”

“The Camaro has been a mainstay in the Hot Wheels lineup since 1968,” said Phil Zak, GM design director. “Several generations of car enthusiasts grew up playing with Hot Wheels Camaros, while dreaming of driving the real thing, so this was a once-in a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality.”



Power for the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept comes from an all-aluminum 6.2 liter LS3 V-8 mated to a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept features include:

• Over Chrome Green paint with ghosted Hot Wheels logo on the quarter panels
• Satin black ground effects (splitter, rocker and rear fascia-side extensions)
• Satin black wheels with milled face and Torch Red stripe: 20×10-inch (front) and 20×11-inch (rear)
• ZL1 grille with Hot Wheels badging
• Hot Wheels badge on the decklid
• Euro-style taillamps with new inner smoked lens
• Euro-style rear fascia with new diffuser and exhaust bezels
• ZL1 rear spoiler
• Chevrolet Accessories Modified Satin Black Stripe
• Black aluminum “CAMARO” fender badges with milled face
• Black aluminum hood insert with milled hood vent extractors
• Chevrolet Accessories Synergy Series gill decals
• Black leather IP and door inserts with Torch Red accents, and cut-and-sew flames
• Hot Wheels sill plates
• Hot Wheels cut-and-sew embroidered logos in the front seatbacks
• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit
• Chevrolet Accessories footwell and cup holder lighting (red)
• Brembo brakes: six-piston front with two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Chevrolet Accessories strut tower brace
• Chevrolet Accessories black engine cover
• Chevrolet Accessories exhaust system

images and info from GM.com, EMGcartech and CarBodyDesign

Prius Goes Plural and Creates A People Person To Introduce The New Models.

The original Toyota Prius, now in its third generation, is being joined by three new models; the Prius v coming in fall 2011, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius c Concept- both coming in spring 2012.



To introduce viewers to the growing Prius Family from Toyota, Saatchi LA devised an unusual effect for a television commerical, creating one metaphorical person by assembling 18 different human bodies - a unique way to communicate meeting the needs of multiple people.



The metaphor then unravels when the "people person" sees the new Toyota Prius models parked outside. The spot was directed by Mr. Hide (who directed the Prius Harmony spots in which the landscapes were created with people) and was mostly shot with live-action, large-scale props, and some green-screen help to create backgrounds. The spot is airing in both 60 second and 30 second versions.






The set, a suburban neighborhood, was shot using a miniature set. See how they did it in the video below.





It took a lot of people to bring this effect to life. Below is a list of the full credits.

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles
Client: Toyota
ECD: Margaret Keene
ECD: Chris Adams
ECD: Mike McKay
Creative Director: Ryan Jacobs
Creative Director: Jeff Church
ACD/Copywriter: Andy Kadin
ACD/Designer: Zach Richter
Copywriter: Kimberley Ragan
Art Director: Rebecca Johnson-Pond
Production Artist: Clint Hudspet
Director of Integrated Production/Multimedia: Tanya LeSieur
Broadcast Senior Producer: Jennifer Pearse
3D Producer: Carl Deo
Prod. Co.: The Sweet Shop
Exec. Producer: Philip Detchmendy
President of Prod. Co.: Paul Prince
President of Prod. Co.: Steve Dickstein
Director: Mr. Hide
Editing Company: Bikini Editorial
Exec. Producer: Gina Pagano
Editor: Avi Oron
Assistant Editor: Sterling Robertson
Finish/Special Effects: Eight VFX
VFX Supervisor: Jean Marc Demmer
Exec. Producer: Baptiste Andrieux
Exec. Producer: Shira Boardman
VFX Producer: Donna Langston
VFX Coordinator: Douglas Scruton
Roto & Paint: Marianne Magne
Roto & Paint: Chris Fregoso
Roto & Paint: Natalia Schkliar
3D Artist: Mathias Jourdes
3D Artist: Shuichi Nakahara
3D Artist: Jerome Platteaux
3D Artist: Kevin Culhane
3D Artist: Oliver Arnold
3D Supervisor: Giancarlo Lari
3D Supervisor: Vania Alba-Zapata
Compositor: Raphael Mosley
Compositor: Andy Davis
Compositor: Mathieu Caulet
Compositor: Yann Mallard
Compositor: Stephane Allender
Compositor: Marcelo Pasqualino
Compositor: Dave Stern
Compositor: Joe Chiao
Compositor: Tony Petitti
Compositor: Colleen Smith
Music/Supervisor: Agoraphone Music/ Beth Urdang
Music/Editor: Go Home Productions/ Mark Vodler
Sound Design/Mix: Lime/ Rohan Young

A Good Look At The Special Edition Gucci Fiat 500 & Matching Gucci Accessories.

Gucci, Gucci Go. Frida Giannini, the Creative Director of Italian luxury brand Gucci designed a special edition Fiat presented recently at Milan Fashion Week and at the Geneva International Auto Show. The Fiat 500 by Gucci is available for pre-order in Italy now and will be available in the U.S. at the end of the year.







The Gucci Fiat 500 in black or white pearl has special customized rims, the interlocking GG logo on the hubcaps, and the Gucci cursive logotype as badging on the back and side:



The famous retro Gucci red and green stripe appears as a detail on the exterior complimented by the special green rear brake calipers:



Inside, the vehicle has lots of Gucci goin' on:



The interlocking GG logo is embossed on the leather headrests of the seats, which are covered in the leather Guccissima fabric:


The seatbelts are in the classic Gucci red and green stripe, and the logo accents the seats, the gearshift, the carpets and the key cover.




Along with the Fiat 500 by Gucci is a collection of Gucci accessories designed to accompany the customized car. (Note: not all of the accessories shown are available in both the U.S. and Europe)



Travel bags, wallets, keychains, caps, silk scarves, sunglasses, beach towels, apparel, driving shoes and a special edition watch are all made to go with the Gucci Fiat 500 and are available at Gucci.com




the Gucci 500 watch:



The special Gucci leather driving gloves, aviator sunglasses and driving shoes:







They even have t-shirts, hoodies and sweatpants, polo shirts and bomber jackets for both men and women (note: European and US accessories may differ):









Official Fiat Press Release:
Fiat and Gucci announce the "500 by Gucci": A new Italian design icon is born

In the year that sees the celebration of both the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci's 90th anniversary, Gucci and Fiat are proud to unveil the 500 by Gucci, a special edition of the iconic Fiat 500 customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat's Centro Stile. This unique collaboration between two of Italy's most respected brands represents the perfect - combination of craftsmanship and style. Launched on the opening day of Milan Fashion Week, the 500 by Gucci will also be on presented at the Geneva International Auto Show from March 3rd to 13th, in a dedicated Gucci pop-up store within the Fiat stand.

Frida Giannini said, "In the 50s the Fiat 500 created a style revolution when it first hit the road. It quickly become the must-have car of its time. Travelling in style has also been at the heart of Gucci ever since Guccio Gucci founded his company as a producer of leather trunks, suitcases and handbags in 1921. So, when Lapo Elkann suggested the idea of this collaboration it struck me as a perfect opportunity to create a new modern travel statement in this Gucci's 90th anniversary year".

The black and white colours of the 500 by Gucci, in unique eye-catching glossy pearl glass paint, set the stage for a neo-classic black and white film. These two distinct colors complement one another: black, with detailing in shiny chrome paired with interiors that contrast sharp black and white, for a contemporary and racy attitude. White, with satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interiors for a softer, sophisticated look.

The exterior is further personalized by rims for 195/45 R16 wheels, including the unmistakable retro design of the rays, harmonizing with the surrounding exterior colors and representing a novelty for this category of car. The hubcaps feature the interlocking GG in the same color of the body of the car and the cursive Gucci signature appears on the hatchback as well on the doorpost. The version equipped with 1.4 of 100 horsepower comes with rear break callipers in Gucci green. The car's silhouette is outlined by Gucci's signature green-red-green stripe, which runs along the entire perimeter and links the exterior to the interior. The stripe also appears inside on the seats, on the gear shift, the key-cover, the carpets, and in an innovative finish on the seatbelts. The interior space of the 500 by Gucci is stylish yet functional down to every last detail: chic embroidery, exclusive materials, glossy and satin chromes, the velvety varnish on the "radioboard," the two-toned seats in Frau leather with the Guccissima print.

The communications activity behind the worldwide launch of the 500 by Gucci is being developed with the support of Lapo Elkann and his agency, Independent Ideas, and will include a fully integrated above and below-the-line campaign. Commenting on the collaboration, Lapo Elkann said: «I am honored that I was able to connect Fiat and Gucci, especially in such an important anniversary year for Italy. Being Italian, it makes me proud to have contributed to this 500 by Gucci, which brings together the spirit of two brands that so perfectly symbolize our country's savoir faire in the world. It has indeed been very gratifying to work again on the car I love most with Fiat's Centro Stile and with Frida Giannini».

The 500 by Gucci will initially be available from April 1st to June 30th exclusively by pre-order online at www.500bygucci.com, with a list price in Italy that starts from 17,000 euro all inclusive. The car will also be displayed in exclusive locations in metropolitan cities such as Paris, London and Tokyo, followed by the European commercial launch in July. It will then become available in the rest of the world at the end of the year.

Completing the customization is the exclusive 500 by Gucci collection, including travel accessories, small leather goods, drivers, tracksuits, bombers, driver gloves, sunglasses and a watch, which will be available in select Gucci stores and online at www.gucci.com from April 2011.

All images courtesy of Gucci and Fiat, Italy