Review – Battle Machines 1:32 Scale ’69 Chevy Camaro SS
I reviewed Jada’s 1:64 scale Battle Machines toy cars* last year (review here) and had nothing but favorable things to say about the cars. Awesome, fun, Car Wars-like machines, the Battle Machines diecast cars were instrumental in leading me into collecting toy cars.
Well, today I’m yanking out the 1:32 scale Battle Machines Camaro and showing you why this car, for just a few bucks more than the 1:64 scale cars, is even cooler than its little brothers.
Packaging
Where the smaller cars are blister packed, these larger beauties come in a window box that wonderfully shows off the car inside. It’s an attractive box that fits in nicely with the Battle Machines series, and shows off the other 1:32 scale vehicles, but there’s nothing about the box that makes me want to save it.
The car is securely fastened to the cardboard packaging inside the box and you’ll need a screwdriver to release the vehicle. Once it’s free, though, you can happily toss the packaging in the trash and start enjoying your new toy car.
Now That’s a Big Car
At about 5 1/2-inches long, this ’69 Chevy Camaro is a hell of a lot larger than the Hot Wheels and Battle Machines cars I’ve already got. And that extra size is worth it, since it makes the car feel a lot more durable than even the smaller versions (and they aren’t by any means flimsy toys).
Great Design
Of course, this car is the exact same design as both the smaller 1:64 scale Camaro and the larger RC Camaro (see photos, below), but that doesn’t stop me from loving the look. Anyone know where I can get my hands on a ’69 Camaro SS to drive around? I’d happily drive one of these to work every day (well, until it came time to fill the gas tank).
And at this larger size we get working doors; the doors are tough to open, but using something small and flat in the side windows to get a grip on the doors allows you to swing them open. If I had some long fingernails I could get in there on my own, but as it is I find a knife or screwdriver works perfectly for opening the doors.
An Awesome Price
I paid $3/each for the 1:64 scale Battle Machines cars but this larger car was just $5. $2 more for so much more metal, plastic, and just fun. I mean, the smaller ones are great and all but this larger design is big enough that it displays great on a shelf and it even rolls across the floor faster than the little guys. And what’s really cool for those of you using the 1:64 scale cars for car combat gaming is that the rigs in this format are actually 1:64 scale, making them a perfect fit with the smaller cars.
Closing Thoughts
Where the smaller cars in this series (review here) made me happy, these larger versions really make me smile. Sure they cost more and take more room on the shelf, but at this size you can really see the sculpted details and the weight is incredible. While the little guys are definitely toys, these 1:32 scale Battle Machines are more like “collectibles” than simple toys.
If you choose only one scale to collect I’ve gotta say this is the size to go with. This is a fun toy car and it’s gonna look fantastic on your desk at work or on the shelf at home. And at this size you’re buddies are gonna see it and want their own. (And then, if you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself playing a game with these 1:32 scale toy cars. And that would just be fun.)
Philip Reed is gonna go vroom, vroom, vroom now. And maybe even some rat-a-tat-a-tat.