In 1968, Co-founders of Mattel, Elliot and Ruth Handler, got the idea of diecast toy cars by watching their grandchildren play with toy cars. They hired on a team of designers that included Harry Bradley, from General Motors, to help with the design process of Hot Wheels. When Elliot Handler first saw Bradley's classic Southern California hot rod in the parking lot he said, "Man, those are some hot wheels". That is how the Hot Wheels brand name was born, combining the hot-rod theme with the car's new suspension and wheel design.
Hot Wheel cars were designed to run on an orange plastic track that could be looped and connected together. The cars were immediately popular in both the United States and the United Kingdom and Hot Wheels were voted the UK Toy of the Year in 1969. According to Mattel, some 15 million people are collecting the cars in the 21st century, with the average collector owning more than 41 Hot Wheels cars. Somewhere in the world two Hot Wheels cars are sold every second.
As with other collectable toys, Hot Wheels are popular with adults as well as children. Mattel has responded to this in recent years by reproducing the early cars that people remember from their childhood. Equally popular both with kids and adults, some fans boast over 10,000 items in their Hot Wheels collection! With a wide variety of vintage Hot Wheels, modern Hot Wheels, and contemporary Hot Wheels to choose from, Hot Wheels Depot is the best place on the internet to start or build your Hot Wheels collection.
Hot Wheels Timeline
1968 -The first sixteen Hot Wheels cars were introduced into the market. They featured redline tires, spectraflame paint, a metal collector button, and some had roofs painted black to look like vinyl. The public saw the Hot Wheels Custom Corvette first before the actual car was introduced by GM
1969 -Twenty four new cars were released, one of which was the Volkswagen Beach Bomb with rear mounted surf boards. Today this car is worth over $3,500 MINT.
1970 -This was the first year the Snake and Mongoose cars were produced. Mattel's first promotional cars were made for Jack in the Box. HW Saturday morning television show aired. The first collector's club w/ club kit (book, patch, membership certificate and either a Boss Hoss, Heavy Chevy or King 'Kuda in chrome). 2 more series were introduced - Spoilers & Heavyweights.
1971 -Mattel buys Monogram, the model-kit company, and employs one of their designers for new concept HW cars.
1972 -Mattel dropped the metal buttons from the blisters.
1973 -Inflation caused Mattel to cut costs. This year's cars would only be issued for one year due to poor quality. Spectraflame paint was discontinued and they began to use enamel paint. The first Oil company promos were issued for Shell.
1974 -The "Flying Colors" series was introduced. This was Mattel's first issue of tampos.
1975 -The first Motorcycles were produced then dropped until the '97 FE Scorchin' Scooter.
1977 -This was the last year Mattel would use the redline tire.
1979 -The Heroes and Scene Machines were introduced.
1980 -The Hi-Rakers (rear axles could be raised or lowered to increase the rake of the car) & Workhorses series were introduced.
1981 -The Hot Ones - "fastest non-powered metal cars" were introduced. The first collector's handbook was issued.
1982 -This was the first time Hot Wheels were issued at Mc Donald's. Mattel moved the production plant to Malaysia.
1983 -The 15th Anniversary of Hot Wheels. Real Riders were introduced and became a very popular series. Cars were now being made in Mexico, sold to it's domestic market, and France, sold to the European market ONLY!
1984 -Ultra Hot wheels were introduced as the fastest Hot Wheels ever made.
1985 -The first cereal cars were offered by Kellogg's.
1986 -Two more series were introduced - Speed Demons and Flip-Outs This was also the end of the Real Riders series until 1995.
1987 -The first price guide was issued. Also, the first collector's convention was held in Toledo, OH.
1988 -The 20th anniversary of Hot Wheels. Special gold and silver chrome cars were produced for the occasion.
1989 -Park-n-Plates were introduced - special cars in plastic "garages".
1990 -California Customs were produced this year, along with a line of cars based on "The Simpsons" television show. The first Aircraft (Helicopter) was issued.
1991 -The first "Gold Medal Speed" cars were produced w/ gold Ultra Hot wheels. Mattel produced their one billionth car and released special gold plated Corvettes on display stands. The first McDonald's Happy Meal offered either Hot Wheels or Barbie.
1992 -The Pro Circuit and Tattoo Machines were introduced.
1993 -The 25th anniversary of Hot Wheels. A line of exclusive Toys R Us cars were produced with redline tires - The 25th Anniversary Series. The Revealers were released.
1994 -The Vintage Collection (continuation of the 25th Anniversary cars) were released. The HW logo was introduced as a tampo on ALL cars.
1995 -The introduction of the Treasure Hunt Series, limited to 10,000 of each car. The most desirable of the 12 cars produced is the white '67 Camaro bring a premium price of over $175. Mattel also began to issue 1 car (Model Series) and a 4 car series per month. Real Riders were also re-introduced as a 4 car series (the most expensive series with a value of over $100. Six new wheel variations were issued - Sp3 (3 spoke), Sp5 (5 spoke), Sp6 (6 spoke), Sp7 (7 spoke), HH (hot hubs), & POW (progressive oval wheels).
1996-Mattel changed the Model Series to 1st Editions, which are the first run casting of each of the 12 cars. The VW Bus was issued this year and continues to be a favorite among collectors. The Corgi casting (European) started to appear. Three more wheel variations - Dw3 (directional), Lw (lace wheels), Ho5 (5 hole) & Ho5w (white 5 hole).
1997 -Pro Racing cars were introduced and made a favorable splash with collectors.
1998 -The 30th anniversary of Hot Wheels, a line of commemorative cars (1 from each year) was issued. 40 First Editions were also produced.
1999 -The first Pro Racing Treasure Hunts (LE to 15,000) were introduced.
2000 -The NEW Pro Racing Treasure Hunts will introduced as "regular" issue cars in the normal 72 count HW cases. These will be #44 Kyle Petty's car ONLY and will be randomly issued just like the normal TH's.
PAIR OF RED 1991 '65 MUSTANG CONV. COLL.#162 WW & 5SPK |
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- | $2.99 | 17m | |
WHITE PURPLE PASSION |
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- | $0.15 | 26m | |
HOT WHEELS CARS LOT OF 33 |
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6 | $10.00 | 27m | |
HOT WHEEL'S HIGHWAY 35 WORLD RACE COMPLETE SET OF 35 |
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$527.97 | 32m | |
HOT WHEELS LIMITED EDITION SNAKE & MONGOOSE 35TH ANNIV. |
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$24.97 | 32m | |
HOT WHEELS HIGHWAY 35 WORLD RACE BRACH'S ZOTIC * MOMC * |
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$17.79 $17.97 |
33m | |
FLAME STOPPER CORROSIVE |
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- | $0.55 | 33m | |
HOT WHEELS CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' 10 CAR SET W DRAG BUS |
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$39.97 | 33m | |
HOT WHEELS MUTANT BIOTRONIC KINGDOM 20 CAR SET V.H.T.F. |
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$55.97 | 33m | |
HOT WHEELS 2006 ACCELERACERS NICE LOT OF SIX CARS MOMC |
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$39.97 | 34m |
