Hot New Toy Trends: Collectible Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels cars are a classic American toy. Since the introduction in of the first 16 hot wheels cars (including the 1969 Corvette) in 1968, millions of kids have driven the brightly colored small die cast cars throughout houses, backyards and sidewalks.

Now, over 40 years after the first Hot Wheel rolled off the production line, they have become a popular collectable (although still popular kid toys). Older cars in good condition can sell for over 300 dollars. Even more recent models can still sell for significant amounts. Collectors of Hot Wheels usually divide their collection into three main categories; Vintage, Modern and Contemporary.

Vintage Hot Wheels are the most sought after by collectors. They were produced prior to 1978 and started with the original 16 vehicles. These original cars were painted with bright metallic paints called Spectraflame and also had tires with a thin red stripe. These models are known as “Redline” cars. They were the cool toys for kids of that era and designed to compete with the older Matchbox cars.

Modern Hot Wheels are models that were produced between 1978 and 1989. In 1978 all models produced had only black tires with no red line. This was to continue, except for reissues of older cars, to the present day. During this period, Mattel started producing many more models and different lines of Hot Wheels, such as the Real Riders, cars that had rubber tires.

The contemporary era for Hot Wheels covers the last 20 years and has seen a large increase in the number of models produced as well as the reissue of classic cars. Hot Wheels also became part of real world pro racing by signing a licensing contract with Kyle Petty during this period.