Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels cars have been very popular over the years as toys and are also collector items. Hot Wheels is a brand of toy automobiles that are manufactured by Mattel toys. Hot wheels were introduced in US, in 1968 by Elliot Handler the co-founder of Mattel toys.

The first release of Hot Wheels cars was in the year 1968. A total of sixteen cars were released fifteen of which were designed by Harry Bentley Bradley. The only exception was the Custom Volkswagen, which was designed by Ira Gilford. All the cars had working suspensions, Delrin bearings, and Redline wheels. They were colored with Spectraflame paint. The Delrin bearings were placed between the axel and wheel; this resulted in the cars touching a top speed of 200mph at 1:64 scales on the plastic tracks. The era of Hot Wheels Redlines, got their name from the redline design that was stamped around the face of the wheels. Some of the most notable Hot Wheels models that have become collector's items are the VW Drag Bus, the Excavator, the Vector WX-3, and the Rear Loading Beach Bomb. Models with the Screecher Wheels, Lime Hub Wheels, and Real Rider Wheels are also very popular.

Hot Wheels cars have been very popular amongst both kids as well as adults. Mike Strauss is called the father of Hot Wheels collectors. He has organized two Hot Wheels collectors' events each year ever since 1986. Mike is also the author to the Tomart's Guide to Hot Wheels.