Hot Wheels

Hot Wheels is a brand of die-cast toy cars introduced by American toy maker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1997, when Mattel bought Tyco Toys, former owner of Matchbox.

History

The original Hot Wheels were made by Elliot Handler. Hot Wheels were conceived to be more like "hot rod" (i.e.customized/modified or even caricaturized or fantasy cars, often with big rear tires, superchargers, flame paint-jobs, outlandish proportions, etc.) cars, as compared to Matchbox cars which were generally small-scale models of production cars. "Sweet 16" was the first line of Hot Wheels cars which includes custom models such as the Dodge Deora and the Chevrolet Camaro.

Design

Hot Wheels cars are known for their sleek and innovative designs. The cars are often modeled after real cars, but they also release models that are purely imaginative. The cars are made from die-cast metal and have tires made from hard plastic. The cars are often brightly colored and feature intricate detailing.

Popularity

Hot Wheels has become a popular collectible, with older models, especially limited editions and special models, being the most sought after by collectors. The brand has also expanded to include other products such as clothing, accessories, and video games.

See also

• List of 1968 Hot Wheels
• List of 1969 Hot Wheels
• List of 1970 Hot Wheels