MUNCLE MIKES · CASTING GUIDE

AMX/2Look behind the cockpit at the louvers

AMX/2 has little in common with the shape of Custom AMX beyond the AMC connection. Its low concept-car body puts the engine behind the cockpit, under a plastic louvered cover that needs a careful condition check.

Blue AMX/2 reference example. A closer rear view is needed to assess the louver slats and their mounting.

The 1971 version has opening plastic louvers

The original AMX/2 was made in the United States with a black interior and clear glazing. Its plastic rear louvers open to show the engine.

Look at each slat and the mounting points before attempting movement. Missing sections, cracks and glue are easier to see in a close rear view than in a distant side photograph. Do not lift the model by the cover.

Xploder and Warpath need their own identification

The design returned as Xploder in 1973, now made in Hong Kong with blue glazing and a revised base for through-hole wheels. Warpath followed in 1975.

Warpath is documented in white with a metal base and in a red Wisconsin Toy Company version with a plastic base. Those later configurations should not be cataloged as unusual original AMX/2 colors.

Read the entire underside and compare the wheels and finish. A familiar body shape cannot settle the edition on its own.

Keep the two AMC subjects separate

The Custom AMX guide covers the earlier production-car-style casting. It is a different collecting subject with different wheel and packaging questions.

On AMX/2, inspect the low nose and the edges around the rear cover for impact damage. Record replacement louvers or wheel swaps explicitly; an attractive repair does not make the car untouched.

Warpath in white, with and without Herfy’s lettering

White Warpath with blue star panels, red stripes, black rear louvers and redline wheels — The standard white Warpath has stars and stripes across the hood and roof. Photo: On Line Redline Guide.

White Herfy’s Warpath with red door lettering, blue star panels and redline wheels — The Herfy’s example adds red lettering along the door. Photo: On Line Redline Guide.

Warpath is the third name in this casting family, following AMX/2 and Xploder. The Hong Kong Warpath is documented for 1975–1977 with a black interior. The white version uses a metal base; the Herfy’s restaurant promotion adds the door marking shown above.

Compare the two sides as well as the top. A clear door logo can distract from worn stars on the roof or a chipped nose. Ask about replacement decoration and repainting before treating a neat promotional marking as proof of the car’s history.

The red Wisconsin Toy Company version

Red Wisconsin Toy Company Warpath with blue and white graphics, black louvers and redline wheels — Red Warpath reference associated with Wisconsin Toy Company bagged distribution. Photo: On Line Redline Guide.

The red Wisconsin Toy Company version has a plastic base and was sold in bags. That combination is different from the white metal-base car, even though the body is familiar.

Ask for the underside and any claimed original bag together. An old bag placed beside a loose car does not establish an unopened package. Keep repairs to the louvers, wheel replacements and decoration changes in the description whichever version you collect.

Redliner: the gold 1985 Ultra Hots version

Gold Redliner with red orange and white lightning, dark glazing and Ultra Hots wheels — 1985 Redliner, item 9534. Photo: Peter Kistler / Hot Wheels Newsletter.

Redliner revisits the AMX/2 shape in gold with lightning decoration and Ultra Hots wheels. The catalog records item 9534 and a Hong Kong base entry. The gold rear deck has fixed molded louvers; it does not use the original car’s opening black plastic covers. Do not try to pry that panel up.

Inspect the pointed nose and roof stripes for chips and rubbed printing. Dark glazing can hide the cabin in a photograph, so request a side view before describing its components.

Road Torch: the red number 8 release

Red number 8 Road Torch with striped sides and Ultra Hots wheels in original packaging — 1987 Road Torch card, item 1500. Photo: South Texas Diecast.

The red Road Torch follows in 1987, item 1500, with number 8 side decoration and Ultra Hots wheels. This small card photograph is useful for the package name and overall appearance; it cannot establish every marking on the underside.

Road Torch was also reused as a name on a later Cap Blaster. That is a different identification problem. Match this AMX/2-derived body first, then compare the card and base rather than treating the name alone as a casting match.

AMX/2 beside Xploder

Gold AMX/2 on the left beside green Xploder on the right — Gold AMX/2 is on the left; green Xploder is on the right. The finishes and front wheel construction give useful comparison points. Photo: On Line Redline Guide.

Keep a complete underside photograph with the body views. The familiar outline and an older copyright mark cannot settle the release by themselves. Check the rear louvers on the actual car before describing their condition or movement; a photograph of another member of the family is no substitute.