Hot Wheels - Car of the Day !!!

[Monster]

Waste Wagon
Mattel's first sanitation truck features a yellow plastic trailer bed and container with a large square opening in the roof near the front. It has a large black plastic square dumper at the rear of the truck that is attached on each side over the rear wheels. The dumper could be tilted forward so that kids could toss play "trash" into the container. There are clear stickers on each side with "DEPT. OF SANITATION" in black.

A nice Spectraflame Aqua truck.





This top view shows the large square opening in the roof of the yellow plastic trailer container.



The "dumper" in the raised position.

[Monster]

Spoilers
In 1971, Mattel expanded the Spoilers line-up with two new models; the Evil Weevil (based on the Volkswagon Beetle) and Sugar Caddy (based on the Cadillac Eldorado), plus the retail introduction of the Boss Hoss in Spectraflame colors, for a total of eight models.

1971 Spoilers
Boss Hoss
Evil Weevil
Sugar Caddy

The new Evil Weevil in Spectraflame Green.



The Spoilers series of cars all featured exposed engines in open engine compartments, large front and rear airfoils (spoilers), white numbered circular stickers on each door and striped stickers across the roof, hood, trunk, etc. Each Spoilers also came with decals that had various sponsor's emblems and company logos the kids could apply to the cars. All models were manufactured in Hong Kong with transparent blue windows, black painted grilles, red painted tail lights and were issued with matching metal Collector's Buttons.

[Monster]

Boss Hoss
This casting first appeared as a "Chrome" Club Kit car in 1970 and was introduced into the regular Spoilers lineup in Spectraflame colors this year. This model has two thick black stripes from the engine, over the roof and onto the trunk. On some models the roof is painted black instead of having black stripes. A white circular sticker with a black number printed inside (assorted) is on each door. A thin black stripe appears on each side beneath the door line. Models with a black roof are less common and are priced 150% higher.

This Spectraflame Blue car is in pretty good condition, but is missing the black stripes.















Since the Boss Hoss was so popular, it was usually played with more than other models ... lots more !!!



A reproduction louvered glass piece.

[Monster]

Evil Weavil
This model is based on the Volkswagen Beetle. It is the only model that has an exposed engine in both the front and back. A white circular sticker with a black number printed inside (assorted) is on each door. This model also features an opening sunroof.

This front view of a Spectraflame Lime ("Antifreeze") shows the front "bumper" gas tank and headlights molded into the fenders.



An open sunroof shows the white interior.



This rear view highlights the rear exposed engine.



Some shots of a nice Spectraflame Magenta car.







The metal Collector's Button.

[Monster]

Sugar Caddy
This model is based on the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado two-door hardtop sport coupe. It is the only model that has an opening hood and an exposed engine. A white circular sticker with a black number printed inside (assorted) is on each door.

A Spectraflame Purple car.



The open hood and exposed engine.





A Spectraflame Pink (Hot Pink) model in very nice condition.





An original Blister Pack with a Spectraflame Lime (Antifreeze) car and metal Collector's Button.



Close-up of the mint "Antifreeze" Sugar Caddy.



A reproduction glass replacement piece.

[Monster]

1972
Since sales had begun to slow in 1971, Mattel decided to discontinue the Grand Prix, Heavyweights, and Spoilers series' before introducing the 1972 lineup. Also, all models introduced before 1970 (except for the Red Baron & Paddy Wagon), and several models from 1971 were discontinued.

Mattel introduced only 7 new castings and all new models issued this year were only available in 1972. As the cost of producing cars continued to rise, production of all models produced for the remainder of the Redline era, was moved to Hong Kong.

New 1972 Models
Ferrari 512S
Funny Money
Mercedes-Benz C111
Open Fire
Side Kick

A new issue model, Side Kick, in Spectraflame Copper with the seat slid out.



There were only 26 models available this year, with 19 models being carried over from 1971, a stark contrast from just a year earlier. One Spoiler managed to survive into 1972, the Evil Weevil (most likely due to excess inventory).

Snake & Mongoose
Mattel continued to sponsor Tom McEwen and Don Prudhomme this year, releasing the Snake and Mongoose rear engine dragsters, similar in size to the rail dragsters from a year before. There was no matching set, they were sold only on regular, individual Hot Wheels blister cards.

The Mongoose Rear Engine Dragster (below left in blue) and the Snake Rear Engine Dragster (below right in yellow)



Collector's Buttons
By 1972, Mattel discontinued collector buttons altogether. Instead of buttons, Mattel made the cars ready for "Drivin' Gear" by including a few strips of double-sided adhesive tape in the package. The tape was used to attach the car to a "Drivin' Gear" accessory, sold separately. This accessory was a wired remote steering wheel and gear shift which allowed kids to drive a Hot Wheels car.

A 1972 issue Blister Pack, with the Bugeye model under the "Hot Wheels" logo, advertising Mattel's new "Drivin' Gear" in the lower right-hand corner, where the Collector's Button used to be.

[Monster]

Ferrari 512S
This model is based on the 1969 Pininfarina designed Ferrari 512S show car and features a black painted, louvered engine cover that tilts backward to reveal a detailed engine compartment. This model also has a metal, forward opening canopy with a single, large window covering the passenger compartment. It was not issued with a Collector's Button and was available only in 1972.

Front views of these Spectraflame Magenta, Green and Blue cars, show the sleek, low-profile of this model.







This played-with Spectraflame Blue car, with both covers raised, reveals the detailed passenger compartment.



A Spectraflame Magenta car, with both covers raised, showing the detailed engine compartment.



The race car models always seem to be played with more, because they usually ran faster on the track. This Spectraflame Gold model is missing the large windshield and louvered engine cover.

[Monster]

Funny Money
Mattel based this funny car on an armored truck, which featured a metal chassis and body that are hinged at the rear, allowing it to be opened to reveal twin metal engines and a one-piece black plastic roll cage. At the front of the model is a large orange plastic bumber. When closed the twin engines are visible through openings in the front window. A safe door is cast into the back of the model. It was manufactured only in gray enamel paint, was not issued with a Collector's Button and was only available in 1972.



This car is in the open position, showing the twin metal engines and black roll cage.



This Blister Pack shows the lack of a Collector's Button and advertisement for "Drivin' Gear" in the lower right corner.



This close-up of the bottom of the Blister Pack shows the adhesive strips for attaching the car to the "Drivin"Gear" accessory.



This rear view of a 1977 Brinks model (same casting), shows the safe door is cast into the back of the body.

[Monster]

Mercedes-Benz C-111
Mattel based this model on the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 show car. It features gull wing doors that open. This model also has a black painted metal base. It was not issued with a collectors button and was only available in 1972.

This Spectraflame Light Blue car is in very nice condition.





This top view shows the excellent detail molded into the hood and dash of the black interior.



An example of a Spectraflame Blue model with gull wing doors open, revealing a detailed white interior.





The front of this Spectraflame Magenta car highlights the Mercedes-Benz logo on the front of the hood.





This model's bottom side shows the uncommon black painted metal base.

[BOOOGHAR]

I got a email today telling me of a certain hot wheels vehicle thats been mailed to me ....... awsumness will be here in a few days and pics will follow, im not even ready for this, beyond excited !

[Monster]

Sounds cool, can't wait to see what this "mystery" car turns out to be.

[Monster]

Open Fire
Mattel based this model on the 1970 AMC Gremlin two-door sedan. Mattel's designers stretched out the hood, added a long exposed engine and a second axle in front. This model was not issued with a collector button and was only available in 1972.

This near mint example of a Spectraflame Gold car shows the stretched out hood and large, exposed engine.



Well, the Mattel designers did it again ... What's better than Redlines ?
More Redlines !!!
This time adding another axle up front.



This rear view shows the classic back end of the '70 Gremlin ...



... and this front view shows the front grill detail.



This Spectraflame Light Blue car is in really nice condition, but is showing some paint mottling.

[Monster]

Side Kick
This Mattel-designed concept model features a metal slide-out passenger compartment that is opened by pulling on the plastic exhaust pipes at the rear of the vehicle. On the roof is a large exposed engine. This model was not issued with a collector button and was only available in 1972.

This mint example of a Spectraflame Light Green car shows the large, exposed engine located on the roof next to the passenger compartment.



This side view shows the metal slide-out passenger compartment in the opened position.



Top view with the car all buttoned up and ready for racing !



This mint example of a Spectraflame Yellow car, further shows the features of this model.



Right-side view of a closed-up car.



This top view shows the exquisite detail of the engine components, seat and the pulled out exhaust pipes at the rear of the vehicle.

[Monster]

By the end of 1972, Mattel decided to make drastic cuts to the 1973 Hot Wheels line, forever changing their look and design; the golden era of "Spectraflame" Hot Wheels cars had come to a bitter end.

[Monster]

1973
Mattel made drastic changes to the entire 1973 Hot Wheels line, in an effort to reduce production costs, which would change their look for the rest of the Redline era. The cost-cutting measures included;

- changed the eye-catching Spectraflame paint to plain enamels.

- eliminated most stickers and decals.

- removed wings, engines, and other pieces to decrease the amount of materials and assembly that went into producing the cars.

- replaced the classic two-piece closed or "capped" wheel with an "open" wheel, where the axle is visible through a hole in the center of the wheel.

Mattel introduced a new, dark blue blister pack and renamed most models in an attempt to make the mostly recycled lineup appear fresh and new. It did not work.

The 1973 Blister Pack, with a Lemon Yellow enamel painted Show-Off (Bye-Focal) model.



There would be only 24 cars available this year, with all but three models based on older castings. Sales continued to fall, making all models made in 1973 hard to find today. As a result, cars from this year are priced higher, relatively speaking, than cars from any other single year in Hot Wheels history.

New 1973 Models
Double Header
Superfine Turbine
Sweet 16

The Double Header in Red enamel.



1973 "Old Castings" Models
Alive '55 (Classic Nomad)
Buzz Off (TriBaby)
Double Vision (Mantis)
Dune Daddy (Sand Crab)
Ferrari 312P
Highway Robber (The Hood)
Ice 'T'
Mercedes-Benz 280SL
Mercedes-Benz C111
Odd Job (Mutt Mobile)
Paddy Wagon
Police Cruiser (Olds 442)
Porsche 917
Prowler (The Demon)
Red Baron
Sand Witch (Jack "Rabbit" Special)
Show-Off (Bye-Focal)
Street Snorter (Mighty Maverick)
Xploder (AMX/2)

The Dune Daddy (Sand Crab) in Florescent Lime enamel paint.



The two-piece closed or "capped" wheel would be phased out this year. By 1974, all wheels would be "open", meaning the axle is visible through a hole in the center of the wheel. Most 1973 models will have the new open wheels in front, with the original closed wheels in back.

This Short Order model clearly shows the original, two-piece "closed" wheel in back, with a new, "open" wheel in front.



1973 Shell Promotion
During this year, Mattel teamed up with the Shell Oil Company for a nationwide Hot Wheels promotion. Buyers of gasoline could purchase one of ten models for 69 cents, with a three dollar purchase of gasoline. Shell offered ten different Hot Wheels cars in the newly adopted enamel colors. All ten models were older castings. The cars were primarily packaged in a clear plastic bag with a dark blue header card, although some were distributed on the new dark blue blister pack. This promotion was successful for Shell, who distributed millions of these cars through their chain of gas stations. However, it was a failure for Mattel, as the promotion did nothing to increase sales of Hot Wheels cars in retail stores.

1973 "Shell Promotional" Models
Bugeye
Ferrari 512S
Jet Threat
Peepin' Bomb
Rocket-Bye-Baby
Short Order
Splittin' Image
Strip Teaser
Swingin' Wing
Twin Mill

A Florescent Green Shell Promotion Bugeye, still in the original clear packaging.



This year could easily have been the end of the road for Hot Wheels cars. With three years of declining sales, Mattel could have made the decision to end production of its line of die-cast metal cars. Fortunately for us, Mattel still had faith in the line.

The 1973 Collector's Race Case.



A 1973 issue plastic lunch box thermos.