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OAK BROOK, IL – (November 6, 2006) – As members of the world press corps looked on, RC2 Corporation’s (www.rc2.com) JL Full Throttle team of die-cast designers, in collaboration with automotive designer Chip Foose, introduced its JL Full Throttle Foose Design lineup of highly detailed, premium die-cast models at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Many of these models are based on the incredible award-winning designs of the legendary customizer and current star of TLC’s hit show, Overhaulin’.

The JL Full Throttle die-cast lineup, which includes famous Foose show cars such as Impression, Grand Master, Double-O-32, and Sick Fish, made its official world debut alongside a full-size version of the JL Full Throttle Hemisfear, which Foose unveiled to an excited crowd of media and industry notables. The $3 million dollar JLFT Hemisfear is a dream car Foose has always wanted to build, and that dream has now has been realized through RC2 Corporation sponsorship.

“Usually a vehicle is built and then the die-cast replicas are produced using the full-scale version as a template,” said RC2 President Peter J. Henseler. “In this case, using Chip Foose’s sketches and model prototypes of the concept vehicle, our JL Full Throttle design team created the die-cast collector versions in tandem with the full-size JL Full Throttle Hemisfear vehicle. Our sponsorship enabled Chip’s dream of building the JL FT Hemisfear concept car he created during his student days at Art Center College of Design to come true.”


Engineered and constructed by MetalCrafters of Fountain Valley, Calif., the JL Full Throttle Hemisfear Coupe is a cross between a muscle car and a hot rod. This Super Hot Rod is equipped with suspension by Hotchkis and a Baer brake system. Foose’s ultimate dream car is powered by a new Mopar Performance 392 HEMI SEFI Crate Engine, which is visible through the car’s rear window. This high-performance Dodge powerplant, constructed of all-new components, sports a deep-skirted cast iron block with cross-bolted mains, CNC ported aluminum twin-plug cylinder heads, and delivers a monster 540 horsepower and 490 lf ft of torque.

Like the full-size JLFT Hemisfear, RC2 Corporation’s JL Full Throttle lineup of premium collectible die-cast cars is all about modern performance technology applied to classic and new model cars and trucks. These small- and large-scale “Hardcore Horsepower” die-cast replicas are larger in scale than traditional 1:64 and 1:24 scale models and offer high-quality detailing including engine components, opening doors and trunks and premium paint finishes.

“Working with Eric Tscherne, head designer for RC2 Corporation, and his design team to create these detailed models of some of my most famous hot rods has been exciting and a learning experience about the demands of scale,” said Foose. “I can’t thank RC2 enough for its collaboration in making the JLFT Hemisfear Coup become a reality.”

To commemorate the JL Full Throttle collectible die-cast lineup launch and the debut of the JLFT Hemisfear Coupe, RC2 Corporation gave away 500 small-scale and 100 large scale special launch edition JLFT Hemisfear replica die-cast models during the SEMA Show.

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