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  • 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.


    Comment


    • 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.


      Comment


      • 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.


        Comment


        • 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.

          Comment


          • 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.



            "Old Casting" Models Reissued
            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.


            Last edited by Monster; December 16, 2011, 06:50 PM.

            Comment


            • Double Header
              One of Mattel's three new castings for 1973, this model features turbine engines on each side, a black plastic ribbed roof and a metal airfoil at the back.

              A model in enamel Red.



              In this view, it is easy to see the open front wheel, with the axle visible in the middle of the wheel.





              Here you can see the original two-piece closed wheel in the back.



              Comment


              • Superfine Turbine
                One of only three new castings for 1973, this model featured a large turbine engine placed between the front fenders and gas tanks that wrapped around the sides of the passenger compartment. The back door opens to reveal two shelves. This model is the rarest of the three new castings.

                A car in Red enamel paint.





                This rear view of a Light Blue enamel car has the rear door partially opened, showing the shelves on the interior.



                This Florescent Lime enamel model is missing the rear door, which clearly shows the two shelves inside.



                Comment


                • Sweet 16
                  Mattel's customized classic roadster was a new casting for 1973 and featured a 16-valve engine, down the center of the car, with eight exhaust pipes on each side. There is a tire cover molded into the opening trunk.

                  A mint Sweet 16 in beautiful Gold enamel with a black interior.



                  An example in Light Green enamel paint.





                  This view shows the trunk in the open position.



                  Comment


                  • Shell Oil Company Promotion
                    In 1973, Mattel teamed up with the Shell Oil Company for a nationwide promotion that involved selling Hot Wheels cars at discounted prices with the purchase of gasoline (Shell customers could purchase a model for 69 cents, with a three dollar purchase of gasoline). Ten cars were included in the promotion, almost half the number of cars Mattel was selling in stores at the time.

                    Unlike the models issued in stores, none of the cars in this series were sold under a new name and they retained their original name (as a cost-cutting move, so Mattel wouldn't have to change the name on the cars' bases) however, they had the same enamel paint jobs of their 1973 retail cousins.

                    1973 "Shell Promotional" Models
                    Bugeye (1971 Model)
                    Ferrari 512S (1972 Model)
                    Jet Threat (1971 Model)
                    Peepin' Bomb (1970 Model)
                    Rocket-Bye-Baby (1971 Model)
                    Short Order (1971 Model)
                    Splittin' Image (1969 Show & Go Series)
                    Strip Teaser (1971 Model)
                    Swingin' Wing (1970 Model)
                    Twin Mill (1969 Show & Go Series)

                    A Light Blue enamel Bugeye in the original Shell Promotion packaging.



                    The cars were issued in seven colors. Six of the enamel colors used in the 1973 regular line were also used for this series. They were dark blue, light blue, fluorescent lime, fluorescent pink, red, and yellow. One enamel color, fluorescent green, issued in this series was not used in the regular line. For all ten models, dark blue, light blue, and red are the most common. Not all cars were issued in all colors.

                    The only color not used in the regular line, was Fluorescent Green enamel, like this Strip Teaser.



                    Although Mattel did not change the names on the bottom of the cars, there were changes to the cars themselves. In keeping with the cost-cutting measures Mattel was implementing on their regular line of Hot Wheels cars, seven of the ten Shell promotional castings were altered to reduce the amount of materials and assembly time.

                    The Twin Mill base was left bare metal this time and not painted black like the original issue.



                    The cars were packaged differently than the regular line. They came in plastic bags with dark blue header cards which showed the Shell and Hot Wheels logos on the front, with a listing of all ten of the models available through Shell gas stations on the back.

                    A rear view of this Rocket-Bye-Baby Shell promotion package, lists the models available.



                    Some of the cars offered through Shell have been found in regular packaging. More likely than not, Mattel had left-over inventory and sold the remaining cars in stores with the regular line.

                    A Dark Blue enamel Strip Teaser model, with a 49-cent price sticker.



                    The promotion was successful for the Shell Oil Company, selling millions of cars through their chain gas stations. It did not appear to provide any positive results for the Hot Wheels line. Sales of the regular line continued to decline during 1973. This was Mattel's largest Hot Wheels promotion during the Redline era.

                    Some models this year were issued with the new "open" wheels in both front and back, like this Yellow enamel Short Order.


                    Last edited by Monster; December 19, 2011, 08:13 AM.

                    Comment


                    • Model Casting Differences - Shell Promotion
                      Although Mattel did not change the names on the bottom of the cars for the Shell Promotion, there were changes to the cars themselves. Mattel implemented cost-cutting measures on seven out of the ten promotional castings, which were altered to reduce the amount of materials used and assembly time on the production line. The Bugeye, Short Order and Strip Teaser models, all from 1971, had no casting differences from their original issue other than the change to enamel paints.

                      A Bugeye in Blue enamel.



                      This Bugeye is sporting the rare Fluorescent Green enamel paint color that was not issue in the regular 1973 Hot Wheels line-up.



                      Short Order model in Light Blue enamel.



                      A Short Order car in Light Green enamel.





                      The metal base of a Short Order.



                      A Red enamel Strip Teaser.



                      A Strip Teaser in Light Blue enamel.





                      With one of the few "working" parts left, not to mention removable interior parts.



                      Comment


                      • Ferrari 512S - Shell Promotion Model Casting Differences
                        This was an easy one for Mattel, they just didn't paint the louvers on the engine cover of this promotional release black, like the original 1972 model.

                        The top view of a this 1972 Spectraflame Green car, shows the black painted louvers on the rear engine cover.



                        A Dark Blue enamel model from the 1973 Shell promotion.



                        This Ferrari has the rare Florescent Green paint job, not found on any cars in the regular 1973 line-up, in addition to the new, one-piece "open" wheels on both the front and rear axles.


                        Last edited by Monster; December 21, 2011, 07:03 AM.

                        Comment


                        • Jet Threat - Shell Promotion Model Casting Differences
                          The change to this model, took the "fun" out of it. Mattel eliminated the movable orange plastic turbine piece, that spun when you blew on it. The opening, metal cover over the turbine engine was cast shut and it no longer came with a decal sheet, as the 1971 model.

                          This top shot of a 1971 Spectraflame Light Green car clearly shows the engine cover open, revealing the moving orange plastic turbine. The stickers that came with the car can also be seen applied to the side of the vehicle.



                          This Florescent Pink car is from the 1973 Shell promotion.



                          ... and a rear view in the rare Florescent Green paint job, not found on any models in the regular line-up, showing the cast-shut turbine cover.


                          Comment


                          • Peepin' Bomb - Shell Promotion Model Casting Differences
                            Another easy change for Mattel to save operation costs. The black plastic piece that operated the adjustable headlight covers on the original 1970 models were removed and the headlights were cast shut.

                            This 1973 promotion Yellow enamel car has the headlights molded into the body, in the closed position.



                            This original 1970 Spectraflame Light Green model shows the headlight covers in the closed, "blacked-out" position.



                            .. and this Spectraflame Blue car shows the covers open, displaying bright chrome "on" headlights.


                            Comment


                            • Rocket-Bye-Baby - Shell Promotion Model Casting Differences
                              For this promotional release, Mattel eliminated the movable, black plastic exhaust pipe / air intake cover piece and cast shut the openings, molding vents into the body.

                              This 1971 Spectraflame Aqua model shows the black exhaust pipes sticking out at the back and the large black plastic, air intake cover on the side of the vehicle.



                              This rear view of a played-with car, shows the black plastic exhaust pipes at the back, which when pulled out, slid back the two large covers on each side of the vehicle, opening the rocket's air intakes.



                              This Florescent Green car clearly shows the molded vents where the air intakes were located.



                              This rear view of a Light Blue enamel model, shows the molded vents where the black plastic exhaust pipes were located.



                              A Yellow enamel Rocket-Bye-Baby in the original Shell Promotion packaging.


                              Comment


                              • Splittin' Image - Shell Promotion Model Casting Differences
                                The cost-cutting change for this model's promotional issue was brilliant and should have been implemented on all Hot Wheels cars. This 1969 Show & Go Series model had the entire plastic interior eliminated and the clear, see-through canopy windows were replaced with dark black plastic, so the inside couldn't be seen.

                                This nice example of a 1969 Spectraflame Gold car, has clear canope windows and a detailed white interior.



                                This 1973 promotional Red enamel model has the "blacked-out" windows.



                                A Blue enamel Splittin' Image model in the original Shell Promotion packaging.


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