CHASE CARS.....what are they?

[dinkles]

While i have been drooling over all the diecast models on the net, i have noticed some manufacturers make "chase cars". What is the finish ( paint) on these cars?It says black chrome,is this finish something similar to the metal finish used on firearms(known as blueing)?
Do any of you collectors out there have a "chase car" or any detailed pictures of one?And why do they call them "chase cars"?

dinkles351@hotmail.com

[Damian]

Dinkles,
The Chase Car is a limited production run of a diecast car that is made. I'm luck enough to have a 1977 Trans Am Chase Car. The finish is is sought of what you have decribed but I'm not to sure. I also think that some Chase Cars are also Gold in colour as well. I don't know if The Chase Car is made at the end or start of the diecast car being produced, but, the model companies ship them out to the hobby stores at random. Some hobby stores may get 5 or others may get nothing as there are only about 416 made.
Below is a link to Scale 18 which seem to get some chase cars now and then. Go to the search and type in Chase Car it will themn display what they have in stock. I hope this helps.
Regards
Damian
http://www.scale18.com/diecast.html

[jager]

Johnny Lightning claim to have started the concept of a 'chase' car (also known as 'hunt' cars) with their 1:76 models. Known as ‘White Lightnings’, these models are rare, deliberate variations of standard Johnny Lightning cars produced at the rate of 1% of the standard production run and are randomly packaged into the cases shipped to department stores.Typically the White Lightning models will have a white body, white chassis or wheels with "White Lightning" on the sidewall that differentiate the model from the standard release.

The trend has been copied by other 1:76 mass market manufacturers such as Hot Wheels, so its not surprising that it has spread to larger scales although typically it is limited to the those models you would find in Toys-R-Us or K-Mart.