The authentic manufacturing run was 10,000 of every automobile worldwide; that number has since risen due to the increasing demand for and recognition of Hot Wheels as a collector’s item. However, in recognition of the fortieth anniversary there have been two packaging variations obtainable – fashions came with a collectible metal badge or had been offered alone as in the earlier three sequence. Models included a VW Karmann Ghia, a ’68 hot wheels Mercury Cougar, and the “Red Baron” hot rod. For its fortieth anniversary in 2008, Hot Wheels celebrated the making of its four billionth automotive with the production of a diamond-studded model price US$140,000. It had 2,seven-hundred diamond chips, a complete of virtually 23 karats, and was cast in white gold, with rubies serving as taillights. Series 1 from 2005 consisted of 25 models, every with all-metal body and chassis, decked out with Spectraflame paint, in packages similar to these used from 1968 to 1972.
The blister card stated “Treasure Hunt” or “T-Hunt” on a green bar, typically with an illustration of a treasure chest. Since 2013, Treasure Hunts wouldn’t have the green stripe anymore; as a substitute, the vehicles are recognizable with a “flame in a circle logo” on the car and behind it on the cardboard. The automobiles had been embellished with flashy designs and particular hot wheels collectors “rubber” wheels before 2007. For the primary time, there are chase vehicles within the classics sequence. A few models included are Copper Stopper, 1970 Pontiac GTO, and Hammer Sled. 2013 noticed the release of 250 automobiles together with Stunt, Racing, Imagination, City, and Showroom, all of which include sub-series.
Over 111,000 individuals attend and about 5,000 vehicles are entered at those events. At each occasion, one automotive is picked to be recreated as a potential new Hot Wheels casting. After all of the occasions for that year conclude, one finalist is then picked to be the winner, and their automobile then will get recreated as a new Hot Wheels casting subsequent yr. Hot Wheels are in search of vehicles that embody the fun and creative spirit of Hot Wheels, which is their main selling level.
In 2006, a Series three line of Classics was launched, once more containing 30 fashions with multiple colours of each vehicle. Models included the ’69 Pontiac Firebird, a Meyers Manx dune buggy, and the Richard Petty ’70 Plymouth “Superbird”. This automotive was designed by the employees of Car Craft Magazine in 1961.
The value has not changed much in almost 40 years, though in actual terms the fashions have dropped significantly in value (a Hot Wheels automobile cost $0.98 in 1968 and prices $0.ninety eight at present, despite inflation). After the automobiles are now not obtainable at retail the fee can vary considerably. A widespread hot wheels garage automotive could sell for less than retail, whereas some of the more difficult automobiles can promote for a lot of hundred and even hundreds of dollars. The highest worth paid for a Hot Wheels automotive was near $70,000 in 2000 for a pre-production version of a Volkswagen Rear Loader Beach Bomb (the asking value was $72,000).
In 2008, all of the series and automobiles have been comparatively just like 2007’s automobiles. Also in 2001, Mattel issued 240 mainline releases consisting of 12 Treasure Hunts, 36 First Editions, 12 Segment Series with 4 vehicles each, and one hundred forty four open stock vehicles. Popular fashions that debuted embody the HyperMite and FrightBike. In 1974, Hot Wheels introduced its ‘Flying Colors’ line, and added flashy decals and “tampo-printed” paint designs which helped revitalize gross sales. Hot Wheels is a partner and sponsor of the Australian stunt rider Matt Mingay’s Stuntz Inc staff, and in addition sponsors him within the Stadium Super Trucks.
A Hot Wheels “50th anniversary” emblem was additionally positioned beside the set’s name on the packaging. In 2016, Hot Wheels launched a particular assortment for the fiftieth anniversary of the Beatles’ 1966 music “Yellow Submarine.” The collections consists of five automobiles, a VW microbus and a yellow submarine. Hot Wheels has produced many duplicate scale fashions within the trade commonplace 1/43, 1/24 and 1/18 scales. In 2004, it released a 1/12 scale reproduction of the C6 Corvette. General Motors additionally released a particular Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition, which was a blue convertible that provided numerous Hot-Wheels-themed decorations all through the automotive. In 2009, Mattel released 42 New Models, 12 Treasure Hunts, 12 Track Stars, 24 Mystery Cars, 10 Segment Series of 10 automobiles, and introduced the Indy Car Series drivers.