Beat the Heat

Challenge some of the Beat the Heat members today and tomorrow and win a $50 cash prize at the 3rd West Virginia Beat the Heat Challenge. For more info visit www.kanrace.com

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Gen 3

This white ’84 Trans Am is scheduled for release 7 of Forever 64. I’m a big fan of the T/A so plan to see this casting get a lot of duty in the coming months. I have plans to do the ’85 and ’86 and a few special editions. Since I’m talking about the Trans Am, check out this footage from Talladega where a guy steals the 1986 Trans Am pace car and goes for a joyride around the track. Cuff’em and stuff’em!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICi3kIzSIZg&feature=related

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

'73 Vega

Just got in a sample of a F64 release that I was pretty excited to see. The Millionth Vega. On May 17, 1973 the millionth Chevy Vega was produced which was a bright orange GT with white sport stripes. A special limited edition "Millionth Vega" was produced by Chevy replicating the milestone and now it's JL's turn. Over a two month period, 6,500 of these replicas were made and we'll be doing the same production run. However, don't look for the bring orange carpet on our release.

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Lightning Patrol

Some of you may remember Lightning Patrol R2, which never came to be. The assortment included this Zinger Challenger patrol car, Chevy Monza, '09 Challenger and a Viper ACR. I came across this one on my desk as I was looking for a couple rare pieces for the Lightning Fest charity auction. All of the cars were ready to go to production but this was my favorite. I really like the Hoosier imprint on the hard plastic wheels and I had planned to release with no light bar, which bothers me a little now. What's a police car with no light bar? I also added a black wash over the engine to give it a more sleeper feel. Do you guys think it would still make a good release? Or want to see in the auction?

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Demo Derby

I have a Demo Derby release planned for R3 of JL2.0. I have a couple paint schemes I am tossing around but need to narrow the vehicle down. My first choice was the '73 Caprice wagon, which I have been dying to use again. However, the Olds Vista Cruiser casting has only been used twice. Another one in contention is the '65 Chevy Wagon. I used that casting last in Wicked Wagons R1. To be fair, I have to consider a Ford so I will throw the Country Squire wagon into the mix. Decisions...decisions. What do you guys think?

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Vega Delivery

I'm finally getting this delivery into tooling. This will make a great addition to the line as I need a few more deliverys. You'll see the first release in the Forever 64 line later this year.

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Citation

The Citation tool model will be completed soon and I will post photos shortly. It will be on display at Lightning Fest too. I apologize that its release has been delayed but I wanted to find a good car. Not too many good ones left here in Chicago. Our model will be the 2-door hatchback and we'll release the X-11 and Citation II models between the years '81-'85. Did ya know that as the production of the X-11 decreased each year the car also got slower. Darn emission regulations! Check out the production numbers.

1981: 11,631
1982: 3,864
1983: 1,934
1984: 1,458
1985: 1,687

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Lightning

Our 1:64 Lightning model is well on its way. Tooling starts in two weeks and you'll see the debut at Lightning Fest. I've always been a big fan of the Lightning truck but not because the name but the fact it was mainly built to compete against the Syclone. Who doesn't like a little friendly performance competition among trucks.

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning

Hearse

Received the shot samples in today. Overall, I am pretty happy with it and almost wish I would of tooled a casket. Only needs a few minor tweaks. I am going to adjust the front door outline a bit. The front passenger and driver doors on these things were always wider than the rear doors and there is a fine line when it comes to producing replicas where I scale a car down and some elements of a car do not look quite right in 1:64 scale. We'll get it done and you'll see many versions of this "delivery" in the F64 and JL2.0 lines. My hardest decision will come later...Black with Flames or a stock version for the first release?

Tom Zahorsky
Senior Design Manager
Johnny Lightning