Hot Wheels - Car of the Day !!!

[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]

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]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

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.

[Monster]

Snake Rail Dragster
Mattel based this 1971 model on a front-engine dragster. It features large blackwall tires in back and smaller, black or clear plastic lace wheels in the front. This model and its Mongoose counterpart were the only models in the Spectraflame era issued without Redlines. It featured a large, exposed engine with curling exhaust pipes on each side in front of the cockpit. This model was not issued with a collector button. It was sold only as part of the Wild Wheelie set, or on a special Dragster Pak with the Mongoose Rail Dragster. This model was never sold individually and was manufactured only in the United States in only White enamel.

This view shows the wheelie bar in the raised position and clear laced front wheels.



The model also features a metal, black painted stabilizer in the back with small, clear wheels. When the stabilizer is folded into the model, it performs a wheelie. With the stabilizer down, the model rolls on all four wheels.



The Dragster was issued with a small square blue paper sticker in front of the cockpit which had "Don Prudhomme" and "Snake I" printed in blue. It had a wrap-around sticker for the body with the Hot Wheels logo in red, and "Don Prudhomme" and "Snake I" printed in yellow.



This shot shows clear front wheels.



Don "Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "Mongoose" McEwen, a most popular rivalry, especially considering they were good friends.

[Monster]

Mongoose Rail Dragster
Mattel based this 1971 model on the front engine dragster. It features large blackwall tires in back and smaller, black or clear plastic lace wheels in the front. This model and its Snake counterpart were the only models in the Spectraflame era issued without Redlines. It featured a large, exposed engine with curling exhaust pipes on each side in front of the cockpit. This model was not issued with a collector button. It was sold only as part of the Wild Wheelie set, or on a special Dragster Pak with the Snake Rail Dragster. This model was never sold individually.



The model also features a metal, black painted stabilizer in the back with small, clear wheels. When the stabilizer is folded into the model, it performs a wheelie. With the stabilizer down, the model rolls on all four wheels. The Dragster was issued with a small square white paper sticker in front of the cockpit which had "Tom McEwen" and "MONGOOSE I" printed in blue. It had a white wrap around sticker for the body with the Hot Wheels logo in red, and "Tom McEwen" and "MONGOOSE I" printed in blue.
This model was manufactured only in the United States in Blue enamel.

These models show clear front wheels and a packaged parachute.



The real Mongoose I rail dragster, driven by Tom McEwen.

[Monster]

Snake II Funny Car
Mattel based this 1971 model on the Plymouth Barracuda funny car driven by Don "Snake" Prudhomme, which features a metal chassis and body that are hinged at the rear, allowing it to be opened to reveal the metal engine, a one-piece black plastic roll cage, and a black plastic folding body support. It was issued only in White enamel paint.









The open chassis, showing the metal engine, a one-piece black plastic roll cage, and a black plastic folding body support.





The "Snake" model came with paper stickers that kids could apply to the sides, hood, roof, and trunk to make it resemble the real car. One side sticker was pre-applied at the factory and was placed on the passenger side of the car so it could be seen through the blister.



A model kit of the same car.



The rare Snake II plastic Collector's Button.

[Monster]

Mongoose II Funny Car
Mattel based this 1971 model on the Plymouth Duster funny car driven by Tom "Mongoose" McEwen, which features a metal chassis and body that are hinged at the rear, allowing it to be opened to reveal the metal engine, a one-piece black plastic roll cage, and a black plastic folding body support. This model was issued in both Spectraflame Blue & Spectraflame Light Blue.

This Spectraflame Blue metal body is hinged open at the rear, revealling the metal engine, one-piece black plastic roll cage, and black plastic folding body support.



This Spectraflame Light Blue car is shown as it came in the Blister Pack, with only the factory applied decal on the passenger door (which is visible through the blister pack).



A blank canvas ... if you have the original decal sheet !!!



In order to make a Hot Wheels car shine, the metal bodies were polished before being painted with a translucent "Spectraflame" color paint. When there are imperfections in the body, discolorations, which collectors call mottle spots, begin to appear beneath the paint job. This model appears to suffer from mottle spots more than any other car in the Spectraflame era.

These pictures of a Spectraflame Blue car, show "mottle" spots in the paint.





A 1993 Anniversary issue Blister Pack.



The real Mongoose II Funny Car driven by Tom McEwen.



This model came with paper stickers kids could apply to the sides, hood, roof, and trunk to make it resemble the real car. Stickers on this model are usually defective, as the adhesive has broken down over the years, discoloring the stickers.

The original Mongoose II decal sheet.

[Monster]

Wild Wheelie Set
This racing set was issued with 16 track pieces, 4 parachutes, 2 factory sealed Rail Dragster cars (1 Mongoose and 1 Snake), an instruction booklet, decal sheet, a red "staging lane" starting line piece, a blue "drag lights" starter piece and green "finish line" piece.

The original Hot Wheels Wild Wheelie Set box.



The Set contents; here we see the red "staging lane" starting line piece, with Big Belter speed control.



A copy of the "Wheels & Wings" 1971 International Collector's Catalog.



The blue "drag lights" starter piece, with the original decal sheet.



The cars, still mint in their factory sealed packaging.







Brand new parachutes !!!



The Finish Line piece, that triggers a checkered flag to raise, when the car passes through.



Nobody's Perfect Warranty and Registration cards and additional decal "sticker" sheets.



No set is complete without the instructions ...

[Monster]

Snake vs. Mongoose - Part 2
Mattel continued to sponsor both the Don "Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "Mongoose" McEwen racing teams and in 1971, Mattel introduced the Snake II and Mongoose II funny cars, which were sold separately on special blister cards which showed the new models beneath the Hot Wheels logo. They both feature a metal chassis and body that are hinged at the rear, allowing it to be opened to reveal metal engine, a one-piece black plastic roll cage, and a black plastic folding body support.

An open view of the Mongoose II Funny Car in Spectraflame blue (this model was also issued in Spectraflame light blue).



That year Mattel also introduced the Snake and Mongoose rail dragsters, which were sold in the "Mongoose and Snake Wild Wheelie Set" or as a pair in the "Mongoose & Snake Dragster Pak" (with the same artwork on the "Wild Wheelie Set"). They were never sold separately.

Here is the pair of Rail Dragsters, the Mongoose in blue enamel in front, with the Snake dragster in white enamel, in back.



All models came with the paper stickers that kids could apply to the vehicles to make them resemble the real car. One side sticker was pre-applied at the factory and was placed on the passenger side of the car so it could be seen through the blister.