Cargo Carriers: Volkswagen Sunagon

The Volkswagen Sunagon, or rather, the Vanagon, is actually the Volkswagen Transporter. Specifically, the third generation Volkswagen Type 2. The complete name then is the Volkswagen Type 2 (T3). It was still called the various names from before such as the Transporter, Caravelle, Microbus and Vanagon.

Yep, it is confusing when you just call it by name. For the sake of this post, let’s call it what it is in Hot Wheels’ version, the Sunagon. The name which is actually a pun taken from the high-raising roof, a.k.a. “to the sun”.

As with the previous Transporters before it, the Type 2 (T3) initially featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. Later versions did have water-cooled engines as well. However, the Sunagon was loosely based on the Westfalia Camper version which is the one that came with a raised roof, a refrigerator, a stove and a sink. Exactly what you would expect when you hear the word “Camper”. From there, the car evolved and gave birth to the Club Joker in 1981. In the United States, however, the Type 2 (T3) was better known by the Vanagon name. A term coined by VW when marketing executives decided to mash together the words van and station wagon. The reason for this is probably because of the popularity of station wagons as opposed to vans in the U.S.

The Sunagon that I have is a retooled casting for the Car Culture Cargo Carriers. The original casting was from 1982 and was designed by the legendary Larry Wood. In 2011, it was given an update where it debuted in the Hot Wheels Hot Ones. I like this one that I have. As expected from a Car Culture vehicle, it has details aplenty. Detailed headlights and taillights, nicely painted woody panels and marked door handles. The faded yellow color screams 1970s and it fits the car perfectly. Let’s not foget the red colored roof that lifts up to highlight the Transporter’s camper roots. Metal base adds the needed heft for this van. The Real Rider wheels complete the package and if you close your eyes, you can imagine yourself going on a road trip with this retro sweetness of a ride. It is an excellent addition to my collection which are mostly JDMs and Euro sports cars.

Pandem Subaru BRZ

The last of the Street Tuners is the Subaru BRZ. But this is not just a BRZ, it is the Pandem Subaru BRZ. Pandem makes crazy body kits for cars and Hot Wheels actually did a good job with this one.

Subaru Pandem BRZ front quarter profile

The car is based on the Scion FR-S, the car better known as the Toyota GT 86. Mechanical siblings, the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ, and Scion FR-S, they all share the Boxer engine from Subaru as a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota. The result is a back-to-basics sports car that is low-cost, easy to maintain, and most importantly, fun and sporty to drive.

Subaru Pandem BRZ side profile

The difference of course is the Pandem body kit on this latest iteration by Mark Jones for Hot Wheels. They nailed the body kit on this casting. Front and rear bumpers, side skirts, canards, front lip, diffusers, wide-body, and the humongous rear wing. This is highlighted in the simple but effective blue paint job on the car. Other highlights include detailed headlights and taillights and a distinct Greddy logo on the rear number plate. No Car Culture casting would be complete without Real Rider wheels, and the Pandem BRZ will not disappoint with those black RR6SPM wheels.

Subaru Pandem BRZ rear quarter profile

The whole Street Tuners series was spectacular. The 180SX could have done better, to be honest, but it was a great addition to the series and really completes that JDM vibe. As with the rest of the cars in the series, the BRZ is a keeper.

Honda City Turbo II

The Honda City Turbo II was introduced into the Hot Wheels mainline in 2018 under the Speed Graphics series. There’s really nothing wrong with the introduction of this car, which is relatively unknown to most people outside of Japan. But I am glad that Hot Wheels is tapping into the potential of these standard/subcompact cars.

The Honda City is a subcompact hatchback designed with fuel economy in mind. The “tall boy” design made for a short wheelbase but generous headroom. Along with the relatively upright seat arrangement which created generous legroom for the occupants, the Honda City was an instant hit in its domestic market. The Turbo version was introduced in September 1982. And the Turbo II came into the market in November 1983. The Turbo II came with a turbocharged 1.2 L CVCC engine that made 110 PS at 5,500 RPM and 159.8 Nm of torque at 3,000 RPM. Couple this with fender flares, a wing and side skirts on a car that weighs less than a ton and you have a pretty lively pocket rocket.

We need to thank Hot Wheels designer Ryu Asada for bringing this casting to life for us. With the designs of the Hot Wheels Honda S2000, the 1990 Acura NSX, the 2017 Nissan GT-R, and the 1982 Nissan Skyline R30 under his belt, it’s no surprise that this JDM classic looks darn fine.

The 2018 Speed Graphics series gave us the white and black versions with the racing stripes, “turbo” graphics, and a number 5 on the sides. The casting itself comes complete with the bulging hood, the rear wing, fender flares, a front air dam with space for the intercooler, and other little details. It came with the recently introduced DDisc wheels which look good on this car, almost like it was a period correct wheel design. It is a nicely designed piece and would look good in any JDM lover’s collection.

But it didn’t really fly. It is an underdog in the first place. And with 2018 giving us a Nissan Skyline R30, a Skyline GT-R R33, a Mercedes-AMG GT3, a Porsche 917 LH, and even an Audi RS6 Avant, it was going to be a losing fight. It is still very much welcome in my toy box though.