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  • Heavyweights
    The "hard-working, fast-moving" Hot Wheels truck series featuring futuristic, aerodynamic styling and moving parts, continued to grow in 1971 and an additional seven models were issued. All six models from the previous year were carried over, for a total of 13 available models.

    1971 Heavyweights
    Fuel Tanker
    Racer Rig
    S'Cool Bus
    Scooper
    Snorkel
    Team Trailer
    Waste Wagon

    The shortest of the three styles was a one-piece body and cab, where the final piece snapped in behind the cab determined the model. These included a cherry picker (Snorkel), and open trailer (Scooper).

    A Spectraflame Red Snorkel.



    The mid-sized model also had a one-piece body and cab, with the final snapped in piece determining the model. These included a fuel tank (Fuel Tanker), and container (Waste Wagon).

    The white enamel Fuel Tanker vehicle.



    The largest model, a two-piece vehicle with a separate cab and trailer where all issued with the same cab, with the trailer determining the model. These included a flat-bed trailer (Racer Rig), and camper (Team Trailer). The Racer Rig had a unique casting for the trailer's chassis. The other three models' trailers shared the same chassis with the snap-on attachment determining the style of trailer.

    The Team Trailer in white enamel paint.



    There was one model in the Heavyweights line-up that was not based on one of the three basic styles. It was the S'Cool Bus, based on a Monogram model of the same name created by Tom Daniel. This model is the most popular and sought-after casting in the Heavyweights line.

    The S'Cool Bus in Yellow enamel paint.



    At the end of 1971, the Heavyweights series and all 13 castings were discontinued.

    Comment


    • Fuel Tanker
      This model has a white plastic fuel tank on the trailer with a blue stripe down the center of the roofline, resembling a walkway. There are two openings at the rear of the tank that house two black plastic extendable hoses. On each side of the fuel tank is a yellow sticker that has the Hot Wheels logo and "RACING FUEL" in red. This model was issued only in white enamel paint.





      The blue stripe down the center of the roofline, resembling a walkway.





      These views show the two openings at the rear of the tank that house two black plastic extendable hoses.




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      • Racer Rig
        This model features a detachable cab and trailer which are joined by a swivel joint The trailer is a flat bed design with a white plastic bed. The bed has tracks molded into the white plastic with wheel supports near the front of the trailer that help hold other Hot Wheels cars in place on the bed. At the rear of the bed is a retractable white plastic ramp with similarly molded tracks. At the front of the trailer is a square tool box with opening lid. The chassis of this trailer was not shared with any other Heavyweights models. The bottom of the trailer is made of unpainted metal and has a sticker with a blue stripe and the Hot Wheels logo on each side. It was manufactured in both Spectraflame Red or White enamel paint.







        The retractable white plastic ramp with tracks molded into the white plastic with wheel supports near the front, that helps hold other Hot Wheels cars in place.





        A rear view, showing the bed details.


        Comment


        • S'Cool Bus
          This is one of several Hot Wheels cars that Mattel based on Monogram model kits that were designed by Tom Daniel. This school bus funny car features a metal chassis and body that are hinged at the rear, allowing it to be opened to reveal twin metal engines with a large orange plastic air scoop, one-piece black plastic roll cage, and folding body support. It was issued only in Yellow enamel paint with black stripe stickers and clear stickers with 'S'COOL BUS" in black for the sides. There were also three stickers for the hood, a white circle with "S'COOL BUS" in black, and two rectangular white stickers with "854 C.I." in black. The rectangular stickers are placed over each fender, and the circular sticker is placed on the center of the hood near the back.













          This model has not had the hood stickers applied.


          Comment


          • Scooper
            This model has a yellow plastic trailer bed with notches near the back which hold the scooper, which is also molded in yellow plastic and has white plastic arms that are mounted to the front of the trailer bed on each side. It can be raised and lowered to the ground in front of the cab. The scooper also rotates on its arms so that kids could actually scoop up dirt and dump it into the trailer bed.

            A Spectraflame Aqua model.









            Front view of the scooper in the "up" raised position.



            Rear view of scooper bucket.



            A Spectraflame Lime (Antifreeze) car with the plastic Collector's Button.


            Comment


            • Snorkel
              This model is a stylized version of a telephone or electric company repair truck. It features a white trailer bed with molded levers and gauges, and a red plastic extendable arm, commonly referred to as a "cherry picker." The extendable arm has a swivel base and is jointed in three places that allows it to be moved in a variety of positions. At the end of the arm is an open basket. A surprisingly large number of Snorkels appear to have chassis that were made with poor quality metal, that deteriorates over time and cannot be stopped, which Collectors refer to as "Crumblers".

              A nice Spectraflame Red truck.



              A Spectraflame Aqua truck with the "cherry picker" in the raised position.



              A White enamel truck with the "arm" in the fully up position.



              The original 1971 issue Blister Pack.



              Close-up of a white enamel truck in an original Blister Pack.



              A reproduction white plastic bed with swivel piece, both arm sections and the basket.



              A plastic Collector's Button.


              Comment


              • Team Trailer
                This model features a detachable cab and trailer which are joined by a swivel joint. The trailer is a white plastic camper with blue side windows and a light blue opening door on the passenger side. The light blue door is actually part of the light blue plastic molded floor which features a loft bedroom visible through the side windows and opened side door. The molded floor also features a dining area complete with a set table and two benches which is visible through a large bay window at the rear of the trailer. This model was issued with cabs in both Spectraflame Red or White enamel.

                On the driver side behind the large side window, there is a yellow and white square sticker with the Hot Wheels logo in red and "RACING TEAM" in blue.



                On the passenger side, beneath the side and back windows is a slender yellow and white rectangular sticker with a similar design.



                Down the center of the roof of the trailer is a blue stripe sticker with yellow stars. The design is continued with a smaller sticker on the back of the trailer.



                This truck has the Sectraflame Red cab.





                The same blue stripe sticker with yellow stars design is continued with a smaller sticker on the back of the trailer.


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                • 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.


                  Comment


                  • 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.

                    Comment


                    • Boss Hoss (Spectraflame colors)
                      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.


                      Comment


                      • 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.


                        Comment


                        • 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.


                          Comment


                          • 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.


                            Last edited by Monster; December 8, 2011, 06:49 AM.

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                            • 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.


                              Comment


                              • 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.


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