The 2007 "Thank You" car  (the text half of the joke)

This satire is based on a surprise article from by the Powers That Be at the RLC™

Red Line Club™ members will be familiar with our special "Thank You" vehicle offerings. One such offering was planned for 2007, but was never released until now! Yes, it's a bit delayed, but here at last is the RLC™ 2007 "Thank You" Beach Bomb™ Pickup!

Normally, our gratitude offering for loyal members is a made-to-order release, with quantities determined by how many pieces are requested. In this case, our enthusiastic production plant produced a quantity comparable with a normal HWC™ release prior to our offer. And the resulting confusion delayed the offer until we recently discovered the stash awaiting shipment. Our mistake is now your good fortune!

--HWC Staff

The following are responses to that offer, to establish the mood behind my parody.

rokdog97  RLC™# 16259

Thank You? Pay you!!! I thought you didn't have to pay for a Thank You. What did I miss?

St_Jimmy  RLC™# 42157

That's what I was wondering. I think this is showing their growing lack of appreciation for RLC members. We put up with all the quality issues throughout the year, and then they want us to PAY for a THANK YOU car?! I don't think it is much of a Thank You gift; it's just another sale. I am done with the RLC after this year. This is just my opinion; take it or leave it.

ublej  RLC™# 12026

It sounds like it has the "Original Style" Redline wheels, meaning the wobblies. Don't say you haven't been warned.

PhazerI  RLC™# 2753

Stupid idea, if you ask me. If Mattel really wanted to show their appreciation, this car would be FREE! This is nothing more than a Marketing tool, to make collectors feel they are getting a bargain. A price reduction of $5, compared to other HWC/RLC cars isnt much of a appreciation, in my opinion. Especially, when non RLC folks will be getting the leftovers in vending machines, and virtual purchases. I dont know, I just cant choke down the "Appreciation" ploy. Kudos, to those that find this appealing!

huppie 1  RLC™# 6972

How can this be called a redline club membership thank you car, when it is being offered to all HWC members the next day for the same price? "Any remaining quantities available to ALL HWC™ members: 6/18/08, 9:00 AM PT"

xgen69  RLC™# 16426

Well guys, for those that got one or an extra one... congrats. Just checked; it's sold out.

Reaction to the "Vending Machine" Sneak Peek   (the photo half of the joke)

bbussey

[HWC.com's] 3D rendering of the Vending Wagon is hideous. The visuals are all wrong when compared to the original concept drawing. I took the liberty of whipping up a digital solid model last night. The truck took a while, but the payload was quick. It proves that a 3D model that is faithful to the concept drawing is possible. These screenshots are without the flaps.

loaf

Yeah, I don't know what they were thinking approving that rendering... yours looks much better.

xgen69

I totally agree with you... yours looks much more smooth, compare to one they are showing right now... Either someone doesn't want to put the time in or it was more of a rush rush job to get it out... I do wonder who approves the final rendering models of the castings.

Hmmmm, gives me an idea, I wonder if I can mock something up in Pro-E, in half a day... I'll try something next week...

gglenn

Your design certainly recreates the look of the original artwork better than the production design. Similar deviations occured with the Heavyweights Race Truck and the Custom Otto designs. I'm not sure if the modellers feel a special compulsion to put their own unique interpretation into the design, or they just get lazy. Your design demonstrates that an accurate reproduction should have been quite workable.

beerchamp

The 3D rendering of the Vending Wagon is hideous...
My thoughts exactly, I've been away a few days and couldn't believe the sneeks...

gglenn

Unfortunately, the picture in Sneak Peeks isn't a rendering. It is a Final Engineering Prototype. It will probably look somewhat better when the production tampos are applied. But the highrise payload still does not complement the streamlined Heavyweights cab design at all.

armataz

Sorry I'm so late to the party, I had a 16 hour day yesterday.
Your rendering is more true to the originals. They kept their pay loads close to the roof line. I'm not sure why the vending load is so tall, but I'll be glad to get it anyway.

nspo

Now, friends, I'm just a simple caveman. All this talk of 3D, Raytracing and CAD design just confuses and frightens me.

I Photoshop... and stuff. So here's my version:   Vending Machine

PLAYINGMANTIS

I repeat. We (the members) need you to work for Mattel.

bbussey

Tom, yours is better than what Mattel posted, that's for certain. Where do your flaps open? That damn BRR banner is in the way.

nspo

Officially? BlueRealRiders people don't need special features. They're happy with a mylar sticker on the side of the plastic box. Give 'em opening doors etc, and soon they'll be wanting bent axles or something...

PLAYINGMANTIS

BRR Club? I just love that concept!

Maybe it will become a reality and we can get our club back.

armataz

I floated the idea of actually starting a Real Rider Club, Mantis... seems to me you shot it down as a bad idea! LOLTAZ

bbussey

UPDATE: This stays here in this private message and is not for public consumption. I sent the same screenshots to Staffer, and he responded early today. The model in the Sneak Peak is a rapid prototype, so tooling has not yet begun. They currently are having problems with the design of the door flaps. They also are concerned with the lack of detail in the interior. Staffer liked what I sent him and he is definitely passing it along to the designers. I told him that he is welcome to my digital solid files if it helps them get make the model more faithful to the Gilford concept drawing. In addition, I provided additional suggestions on the interior and door flap designs.

I also informed him a a number of the prominent Redline members were not pleased with the mock-up. Based upon his initial reply and my response to him, I should get additional feedback. When I hear anything further, I will provide the briefing in this thread. We'll see if we can get this changed behind the scenes. They've finally got the right guy running the club now, so maybe this can get a better model out of this.

cars4dylan

I like the rendering you made bb, the sleeker design looks a little better. Let's see what Tracy comes up with, it won't be until 2009 anyways before it comes out so it should be fixed by then.

I agree that Staffer seems to be the guy at the helm now and he's making the most effort of anyone since Amy left. I'm doing the convention this year in Cali and I wonder if Mattel will be as involved this year for the 40th as they were when Amy was there for the 35th.

121

Now this is the thread we need more of... even if behind the scenes. I love y'alls versions way more than the sneak.