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Expert Profile: Michael Zarnock

Expertise:  I am able to answer questions about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories.

Michael Zarnock (born April 21, 1958 in Utica, New York) is an American author and columnist, who writes collector guides and articles about Hot Wheels toy cars and accessories. Michael's knowledge and his massive Hot Wheels collection has earned him notoriety around the world. Whether it be because of the 7 books and countless articles that he has written about Hot Wheels toys or the sheer size and diversity of his collection, this extensive knowledge has earned him the label, "One of the worlds leading Hot Wheels authorities." Michael is also a 2 Time Guinness World Record holder! First in 2003 and then again in 2007! He is in the record books for owning the "Largest collection of different model cars".
This record is listed in the 2006 Guinness Book on page 65.
Michael was under contract with "Toy Cars & Models ®" Magazine from 2002 until it's last issue in 2008. There he wrote a monthly column and Hot Wheels ® Variation Price Guide. His column talked about the most current Variations to be looking for along with collecting trends and pricing.

Bibliography
2002 to 2008 Toy Cars & Models Magazine, Hot Wheels column and price guide.
2002-The Ultimate Guide To Hot Wheels Variations
2002-*The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles II
2003-Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide
2004-Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 2nd Edition
2004-*Toys & Prices 11th Edition
2005-Hot Wheels Accessories, The Ultimate Guide
2005-*The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles III
2005-*Toys & Prices 12th Edition
2006-Hot Wheels: A Warman's Companion Guide
2006-*Toys & Prices 13th Edition
2007-Hot Wheels Variations, The Ultimate Guide 3rd Edition
2007-*Toys & Prices 14th Edition
2007-Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide 2nd Edition
2008-*Toys & Prices 15th Edition
* denotes (Hot Wheels Collector Number chapter only)
All of these publications are available at Bookstores around the world.

Awards and Honors
September 2003 brought great joy to Michael as he was awarded a Guinness World Record ™ for his collection of 3,711 Different Model Cars. Although Michael has more than 15,000 toy cars in his collection, that record was for 3,711 different Hot Wheels model cars. The old record was 1,500. In 2006, Michael's record was broken by a man in Argentina with 7,000 different models cars. Michael has since brought his title back to the USA in February 2007 with 8128 different Hot Wheels model cars! Part of this collection is on display at the Childrens Museum in Utica, New York.

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Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 1114
Knowledge   9.97   Best of the best
Clarity of Response   10.0   Best of the best
Timeliness   9.97   Best of the best
Politeness   10.0   Best of the best
Number Of Questions
(in Past 24 Hours)
0
Max Questions to be Asked
(in 24 Hour period)
5
Total Questions
(since joining AllExperts)
116
Recent Reviews from Users
KnowlClarityTimePolitenessDate
10101010/02/08
1010101009/22/08
1010101009/14/08
1010101009/09/08
1010101009/09/08
User Comments
My first question on this site and an extremely pleasant experience. Thanks
(Randy on 10/02/08)
thanks alot Mike. I appreciate the fast response to my question
(Duane on 09/22/08)
Thanks so much!!! I have been looking on the internet, for the answer, for months.
(mark on 09/14/08)
thank you that answers my question.
(robert on 09/09/08)
View All Comments
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Recent Answers from Michael Zarnock
2008-10-02  Hot Wheels Mustang Boss Hoss Hi Randy, The Spoiler's cars came with a sticker sheet with a few different numbers on them, that's why you see cars with different numbers. The Club set was the same way. Some kids even took stickers...
2008-08-27  virtual collection go-kart variation Well.... Australia, now that may make a difference. There are many things that you collectors from Down Under get that are indeed different than the ones that we get here in the US. As I stated earlier...
2008-08-22  TH Viper Variation or error? First off.... I'm sorry to answer this a bit late, but I was at the Hot Wheels Summer Smash in Rhode Island for the past few days. I was a featured guest at the event. Yes, it could very well be a variation...
2008-07-22  mattel 1950 flywheel push car IDENTIFICATION David, I got your photos and it is the car that I thought it was. I have not seen it in the color that you have though. I have seen them in the color of your interior. I will send you an email with photos...
2008-06-19  First Editions 2006 Hi Hazel, Do you live in the US or Canada? In the US, it's the long US cards that are desirable. In Canada, it's the short cards. If he has so many on short cards, I would try to complete the set on short...
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