Editor, Kevin Omura
Graphics & Programming, Annette Buchkowski

The reason for this web site and the newsletter/bbs is that I have found information useful to Canadian Hot Wheels collectors extremely difficult to find. We seem to be very much tied to the American publications and price lists but we have many unique things happening up here.

This area has evolved into an information archive and this is how we will continue to approach this series of newsletters. Since the original issue we have been fine tuning the format adding many more photos and incorporating the letters page into each issue of Around the Bend.

The first edition of "Around the Bend" was posted in July 1998. Have a look below for the link to this and subsequent issues. Features include the Hot Sheet, which is a complete list of the 1998 First Editions and series and whether they have been released. Hot Boxes is a monthly article detailing the current month's shipment of cars and any variations or mistakes. Tailgatin' provides information for upcoming SOHC swap meets, and Last Words is a short editorial by yours truly.

Around the Bend Index

October 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 10, update January 7, 2002.
Featuring the October box.

September 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 9, update August 23, 2001.
Featuring the September box and letters.

August 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 8, update August 7, 2001.
Featuring the August box and letters.

July 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 7, update July 28, 2001.
Featuring the Vulture TH Box, letters and photos from Franz and Stan.

June 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 6, update July 15, 2001.
Featuring the Hammerd Coupe box and letters.

May 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 5, update May 2, 2001.
Featuring Sizzlers, the cars from the Blast Lane box, and Power Packs.

April 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 4, update April 17, 2001.
Featuring the cars from the So fine box of 2001, Wilf's customs and other goodies.

March 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 3, update March 11, 2001.
Featuring the cars from the third box of 2001, new Matchbox and Wilf's customs.

February 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 2, update January 14, 2001.
Featuring the cars from the Corvette box one and two as well as customs from Wilf and Mario.

January 2001 Issue Vol 4 No 1, update December 24, 2000.
Featuring the cars from the Chevelle box, and Wilf's customs.

December 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 12, update November 14, 2000.
Covering new Hot Wheels from the H box, new Johnny Lightnings, and customs from Wilf and Klass.

November 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 11, update October 14, 2000.
Featuring the GTO box, three full pages of photos.

October 2000 Update Vol 3 No 10b, update October 2, 2000.
Featuring the latest swap meet in North York at the TPA, Oct 1, 2000. Danny's Bus and Kelly's customs.

October 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 10, update September 29, 2000.
A few stragglers from older Hot Wheels boxes, new Matchbox and Johnny Lightning. Two new customs from Wilf Glamma.

September 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 9, update September 11, 2000.
Four pages of goodies from the T-Bird box, as well as new Matchbox. Special feature on Wilf Glamma's customs.

August 2000 Update Vol 3 No 8b, update August 20, 2000.
Poster for Terry's swap meet, new Limited Edition, Surf Crate variation and Surf Rods.

August 2000 Vol 3 No 8, update August 3, 2000.
Featuring cars from Canadian Lakester box and new Matchbox.

July 2000 Vol 3 No 7, update June 30, 2000.
Featuring new Cop Rods, Limited Editions, DARE Matchbox VW bug, and the Go-Kart box.

June 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 6, update May 10, 2000.
Featuring new 4 car packs, the Sweet 16 box.

May 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 5, update May 1, 2000.
Featuring some new Matchbox cars, the MB 2000 'treasure hunt', old Corgi and Matchbox catalogs.

April 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 4, update March 30, 2000.
Featuring Taco Bell Matchbox cars as well as odds and ends from the Tow Jam box.

March 2000 Update Vol 3 No 3b, update Feb 9, 2000.
Featuring the Chevy Pro Stock Truck and Phantastique FEs, KB Toys JL clearance items.

March 2000 Update pg2 Vol 3 No 3b, update Feb 9, 2000.
Featuring new US Bluestripes and feature on US vs International packages.

March 2000 Update pg3 Vol 3 No 3b, update Feb 9, 2000.
Feature on the 1970 Hot Wheels club kit, mailbag.

March 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 3, update Jan 30, 2000.
Featuring Tomart guide 4th Edition, Johnny Lightning Barris cars and Super Chevy.

February 2000 Update Vol 3 No 2b, update Jan 12, 2000.
Featuring the Deora II, 2K Ferraris, Y Box and the Y2K Double Vision TH.

February 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 2, update Dec 26, 1999.
Featuring the 2K Continental and Deuce, L Box and the Y2K Double Vision TH.

January 2000 Update Vol 3 No 1b, update Dec 17, 1999.
Featuring the 56 Ford 99 FE, Z Box and the Y2K Double Vision TH.

January 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 1, update Dec 3, 1999.
Featuring the #12 Treasure Hunt and many more hot cars.

January 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 1, update Dec 3, 1999.
Page 2 of the January 2000 issue.

January 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 1, update Dec 3, 1999.
Page 3 of the January 2000 issue.

January 2000 Issue Vol 3 No 1, update Dec 3, 1999.
Page 4 of the January 2000 issue.

Radical Rides update November 23, 1999.
Special feature on the Radical Rides series.

Christmas Issue Vol 2 No 13, update November 18, 1999.
Special Holiday edition of Around the Bend.

December Issue Vol 2 No 12, update November 9, 1999.
Hot Wheels special page 1.

December Issue Vol 2 No 12, update November 9, 1999.
Hot Wheels special page 2.

December Issue Vol 2 No 12, update November 9, 1999.
Hot Wheels special page 3.

November Issue Vol 2 No 11, update October 15, 1999.
Hot Wheels special page 1.

November Issue Vol 2 No 11, update October 15, 1999.
Hot Wheels special page 2.

October 12, 1999 Vol 2 No 10, update October 12, 1999.
Special Matchbox issue, covering the second and third boxes.

October 12, 1999 Vol 2 No 10, update October 12, 1999.
Part two of the Matchbox issue, including new Johnny Lightning and Haulers.

September 8, 1999 Vol 2 No 9, update September 8, 1999.
Part one of our special multi part Hot Wheels special.

September 8, 1999 Vol 2 No 9, update September 8, 1999.
Part two of our special multi part Hot Wheels special.

September 8, 1999 Vol 2 No 9, update September 8, 1999.
Part three of our special multi part Hot Wheels special.

August 8, 1999 Vol 2 No 8, update August 8, 1999.
Part one of our special multi part Hot Wheels specials! Features the 1999 D box.

July 16, 1999 Vol 2 No 7, update July 16, 1999.
The July 99 Matchbox special issue, page 1.

July 16, 1999 Vol 2 No 7, update July 16, 1999.
The July 99 Matchbox special issue, page 2.

June 22, 1999 Vol 2 No 6b, update June 22, 1999.
The June 99 Tailgate party special issue page 1.

June 22, 1999 Vol 2 No 6b, update June 22, 1999.
The June 99 Tailgate party special issue page 2.

June 18, 1999 Vol 2 No 6, update June 18, 1999.
Number 3 and 4 99 TH, 5 car set.

June 18, 1999 Vol 2 No 6, update June 18, 1999.
More White Lightnings and Mustang Illustrated JL series, mailbag.

May 23, 1999 Vol 2 No 5, update May 23, 1999.
Non White Lightning, MB Coke gift pack.

May 23, 1999 Vol 2 No 5, update May 24, 1999.
Collectors Lane special.

April 9, 1999 Vol 2 No 4, update April 9, 1999.
Hot Wheels special edtion part I, 99 C box featured.

April 9, 1999 Vol 2 No 4, update April 11, 1999.
Hot Wheels special edtion part II, 99 C box featured.

March 12, 1999 Vol 2 No 3c, update March 12, 1999.
Hot Wheels special edtion part I, 99 B box featured..

March 3, 1999 Vol 2 No 3, update March 3, 1999.
Matchbox special edtion, featuring 99 Intl box 2.

March 3, 1999 Vol 2 No 3a, update March 3, 1999.
Matchbox special edtion, US series 5 cars.

February 22, 1999 Vol 2 No 2c, update Feb 22, 1999.
Johnny Lightning special edition.

February 14,1999 Vol 2 No 2b, update Feb 14, 1999.
Valentine's Day special edition.

February, 1999 Vol 2 No 2, update Feb 6, 1999.
Hot Wheels party favours, Realtoy diecast cars.

January 29, 1999 Vol 2 No 1c, update Jan 29, 1999.
Hot Wheels A box 1999.

January 25, 1999 Vol 2 No 1b, update Jan 25, 1999.
Hot Wheels Sugar Rush, first 99 Matchbox cars.

January, 1999 Vol 2 No 1, update Jan 9, 1999.
Hot Wheels 98 L box, Christmas cards.

December 25, 1998 Update Vol 1 No 6c, update Dec 15, 1998.
Hot Wheels, Dodge Concept and Pike's Peak Celica variations.

November 26, 1998 II Vol 1 No 6b, update Nov 26, 1998.
Hot Wheels Limited Editions, 98 K box.

November 26, 1998 I Vol 1 No 6, update Nov 26, 1998.
Hot Wheels Limited Editions, 98 5 car sets.

November 7, 1998 Vol 1 No 5b, update Nov 7, 1998.
Hot Wheels 98 J box, 30th Anniversary Hauler.

November, 1998 Vol 1 No 5, updated Oct 26, 1998.
My Favourite Doll, Car Designer cd.

October 12, 1998 Vol 1 No 4b, special update Oct 12, 1998.
Mattel Media, Tailgate parties.

October, 1998 Vol 1 No 4, updated Sept 27, 1998.
Hot Wheels 98 I box.

September 11, 1998 Vol 1 No 3b, special update Canada.
Hot Wheels 98 H box, orange Mach 1 and 30th Anniversary cars.

September 1998 Vol 1 No 3, updated Aug 22, 1998.
Hot Wheels variations and 5 car sets.

August 6, 1998 Vol 1 No 2c, special update Canada.
Hot Wheels 98 G box.

August 3, 1998 Vol 1 No 2b, special update US.

August 1998 Vol 1 No 2, Updated Aug 1, 1998.
VW Bus Car Designer cd.

July 1998 Vol 1 No 1
The Premier issue of Around the Bend.

Please stay tuned to this site and follow along with the bbs and Newsletter. If you have any interesting information you'd like to see added to future issues, feel free to e-mail me at kevino@newsroom.net.

This page has been visited times since July 4/98.