Streamline's Mach 5 model.
Back around 1994, Streamline came out with four cars from the Speed Racer series (the same as the small Johnny Lightning toy cars made in June 1997 as a matter of fact): the Mach Five, Racer X's Shooting Star, the fastest car (GRX), and an Assassin's car. For some reason, shortly after the models were manufactured, Streamline's rights to produce them were revoked. I've heard various contradicting rumors about low quality control at Streamline, or backstabbing by Horizon, another company, to get the rights, and weirdness like that. I've heard many more people say they were extremely satisfied with the Streamline models and disappointed by Horizon's. So who knows... If you have some idea of what went on, let me know, and I'll post it here.
In any event, just as Streamline lost or gave up the rights, Horizon acquired them. For some reason, they decided to modify the Mach Five to be more like a street car, an actual production vehicle. It seems, though, that few of their potential customers were impressed. Soon after, Horizon began making a modification kit along with instructions on how to paint the body, etch the windshield, and so on, to match the cartoon.
So it was welcome news in 1997 when Streamline's model making group spun off into a fully independent company, Avatar Creations. It was using the same molds and once again making the four cars from the series. The only changes were good ones. For instance, the fastest car had an added GRX engine & graveyard diorama now, some parts previously made of resin, were now lead, etc.
But in late 1997, more bad news for Speed model builders. Avatar seems to have gone under. At first, customers got an answering machine only, with calls never returned. In December, their phone number was intercepted with a "not in service" message. So either (hopefully!) they're in the process of some sort of major overhaul, or else (more likely) they're out of business. They had plans for Men In Black models, 007 models, and others, so it's not clear why such a promising line didn't make it.
Ignoring the business aspects of it all, though, my personal opinion after doing a side by side comparison of Mach Fives is that the Streamline/Avatar kit is better. It is truer to the series in all ways: body shape, positioning of mirrors, detailing on chassis bottom, trunk, robot hatch on hood, etc. However, the model requires a fair amount or preparation. There are bumps and bubbles, even a dent or two, apparently from the mold itself, that must be smoothed out. Additionally, some detail has to be added, especially on the insides of the car doors. It looks like either not enough resin was used, or it was removed from the mold a little too soon.
Without a doubt, the Horizon packaging is nicer and might entice people who decide based just on that. But it's worth saying that the model itself is of noticably higher quality, too. There are no bubbles or bumps to deal with and the front wheels even steer, unlike Avatar's. Also, the metal parts are all shiny silver (coated maybe?) rather than the dull, oxidized Avatar parts. The downside, though, is that while you get first rate quality, you get a second rate Mach Five. There is a hood scoop that the robot exits from, the body has an inaccurate profile - it's fatter & stubbier, there's only one saw (though presumably it's meant to be two retracted on top of each other), and a spoiler. So even if you cut off the hood scoop, cut the spoiler & use only the fins, and file down the periscope to match the cartoon's, you still end up with a Mach Five that only looks partially like the "real" Mach Five since you can't easily modify the body shape.
Horizon doesn't seem to return email - maybe because I didn't rate theirs first! :-), but has a web page advertising their models. Go to the commercial links page on this site to find it.
Avatar Creations used to be reached in Los Angeles, California at:
Avatar Creations
11755 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064(310) 914-5999 (voice)
(310) 914-5988 (fax)
Each kit was US$60. I keep the contact info here just in case they're only temporarily not doing business.
Here are the models, except for the Assassin's car. I hope to get that one here soon.
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