When it comes to speed, pick-up truck probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But this truck can really get down the track!
In this review we are taking a look at the Johnny Lightning Coca Cola Studebaker Pickup truck. This particular Studebaker is from the Polar Bear series from 2004. The graphics on the side of the truck depict one of the most popular symbols of the Coca Cola brand besides the logo itself, the Coca Cola Polar Bears.
This particular casting has been very successful on the track. There are a few reasons that this is the case. Probably first and foremost is its weight. The Studebaker weighs in at 64 grams, which is pretty heavy for a stock car. It's not the heaviest 1/64 scale diecast car you’re going to find. But it's definitely heavier than most. All that weight gives it an advantage over lighter cars in a downhill race.
The Studebaker measures about 3 inches in length, which again, is not the longest car you’re going to find, but definitely on the longer side. That length gets that extra weight a bit higher on the track at the start and that translates into extra speed on the flat in a downhill race.
Being a Johnny Lightning it has a bit different wheel set-up than a traditional Hot Wheels car. Johnny Lightnings have a cover on the wheel. This usually stops the wheel from rubbing on the chassis, although the alternative is the axle rubbing on the wheel cover. Generally this seems to be a better situation, but not always. Performance aside, wheel covers sure do make the wheels on Johnny Lightnings look better!
One drawback with the Johnny Lightning wheel covers is that if your race allows graphite it is much harder to get the graphite in all the places where your wheel and axle experience friction. Particularly inside that wheel cover where the axle rubs on it. You can pop the wheel covers off and then add graphite, but sometimes (most times from my experience) the covers can be difficult to get off without damaging the wheel or bending the axle. I have not done that with any of the Studebakers I have and have only seen marginal improvement with graphite.
However, even with only a small improvement with graphite, this can still be a very fast casting and really excels in a completely stock no lubricant situation. They are generally not terribly hard to find on Ebay and would make an excellent addition to any racing lineup. Plus, it has polar bears on it. I mean what's not to love about this truck!
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