Hot Wheels Cars: Then and Now

From their beginnings in 1968 to today, Hot Wheels cars have undergone some changes. And they are still going strong.

The Hot Wheels brand now has a lot more than just die-cast metal cars. There are monster trucks, race tracks, remote control vehicles, garages, city play sets, movies, television shows, and even a video game!

In other words, Mattel is definitely keeping up with the times...

Image Credits: All Images on this page were taken by Belinda342

Please do not use images without permission of author.

In 1968 Hot Wheels started out with 16 models. These included such awesome classics as the Python, the Beatnik Bandit, and custom models of the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro. As Matchbox was currently in the die-cast car market and concentrating on the look of real cars, Hot Wheels made their models into totally tripped-out versions of real life cars.

It worked. Sales were 10 times what they had anticipated! The next year, 1969, Mattel greatly increased its line of models and the brand was well on its way to fame and fortune.

1972 and 1973 model years can be the hardest for the collector to find. Due to slower sales, they just didn't produce as many...leading to the shortage of cars that lasted to today. If you are lucky enough to find them, chances are that you will pay extra to add them to your collection. (This is where a book listing values comes in really, really handy!)

By the 1980s Hot Wheels was going strong again, and a couple of big names started promoting them. As you've probably guessed, one of them was McDonald's. Kids do love their Happy Meals! The other big name promoter was Kellogg's Cereal.

This time frame also held the beginning of the "Real Riders" cars that had rubber-like tires. They also brought out the "Ultra Hots". These were said to be the fastest Hot Wheels ever made...at least at the time. My personal favorite innovation of the 80's though, was the thermal color-changing paint. It was like having two cars in one!

I bought one of these for my son when he was young. He loved the changing colors! (And of course the excuse to play with water.) For him it was simply a win-win game.

In the mid 1990's Hot Wheels began splitting their cars up into different series. First Editions and the Treasure Hunt Series were two notables from this era.

The 90's also brought Mattel and Nascar together, and Nascar Hot Wheels began being produced. In 1999, they even added Formula One cars.

In August of 2009, the Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 television show began airing on the Cartoon Network in the United States. A new era was born.

That isn't to say that the die-cast car production had slowed down. In 2012, Hot Wheels released 250 cars! While collecting these very cute (and very detailed) little cars used to be the realm of children, adults are now getting into the fun as well. Of course that could just be that the adults of today grew up collecting them! And why on earth stop now?

Awarded to Hot Wheels Wall Tracks!

Every year the Toy Industry Association names the toys of the year. Well, for 2012, Hot Wheels got the honor of the Innovative Toy of the Year for the Wall Tracks series. If you aren't familiar with this type of track system, feel free to check out the detailed review below from YouTube. They really are awesome, and well deserving of the award.

Here's a really big hint: Looking for a great Christmas or Birthday gift for a boy? How about the Hot Wheels Dark Night Rises Wall Track System? This set combines Batman with Hot Wheels racing...what could be better?

Image Credits: All Images on this page were taken by Belinda342

Please do not use images without permission of author.

Hot Wheels cars aren't the only collectible toys out there. I have a pretty hefty puppet collection that grows each year at Christmas. Is there a toy that you simply can't get enough of?