I agree, the Wal-Mart versions was a good idea. They looked good enough to sit on someone's desk at the office; but were also cheap enough to be thrown across the room by a bratty 5 year old. Another thing I was thinking about is how - particularly the drag race vehicles - have morphed and evolutionized as far as detail goes over the years. When Action first started out, for the engine all you got was a grey plastic block, chrome plated valve covers & blower with painted butterflies on an Enderle birdcatcher. If you REALLY shelled out the money, you got little red spark plug wires.
Today's cars are extremely and amazingly detailed. Interesting to note, the stock cars/nascars haven't changed hardly at all.