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Hot Wheels was born when Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler (shown left, with wife and Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler) challenged his design team, which included a General Motors car designer and a rocket scientist to create a toy car that was cooler and performed better than anything on the market.
Who made the first Hot Wheels?
1968. The original Hot Wheels were made by Elliot Handler.
What was the very first hot wheel ever made?
The very first Hot Wheels car released in 1968 was the Custom Camaro. This redlined classic is now very hard to find.
When were Hot Wheels invented?
Hot Wheels® might be the best-selling toy brand of all time, with a total production of more than 6 billion cars since the brand’s founding in 1968. That doesn’t just amount to 16.5 tiny cars produced every second; it’s more cars than have been sold by the Big Three since the dawn of the auto industry.
Where was Hot Wheels founded?
In 1945, Mr. Handler and his wife, Ruth, founded Mattel out of a garage workshop in Los Angeles with their friend Harold “Matt” Matson. They called it Mattel, a name fashioned from Matson and Elliot.
How many Hot Wheels have ever been made?
HOT WHEELS® FAST FACTS Since 1968, more than 4 billion Hot Wheels® cars have been produced. That’s more than Detroit’s “Big Three” have manufactured, combined, since the start of the auto industry!.
What is the rarest hot wheel in the world?
However, it’s the original prototypes with the surfboards out the back window that are extremely rare, as only Hot Wheels employees had access to them. The pink Beach Bomb prototypes are the rarest of all these models.
What is the rarest Matchbox Car?
The 10 Most Expensive Matchbox Cars Mercury Station Wagon (1969-1973) Mercury Cougar (1968-1970) Ford Kennel Truck (1969-1972) Mercedes Benz 230SL (1967) BP Dodge Wreck Truck (1965) ERF Dropside Lorry. Estimated Value: $9,000. Opal Diplomat (1966) Estimated Value: $9,000. Magirus-Deutz Crane (1961) Estimated Value: $13,000.
What is the most rare hot wheel?
Here are the most valuable Hot Wheels of all time. 1970 Mad Maverick — $15,000. 2008 Diamond-Encrusted 40th Anniversary Special Edition — $60,000. 2008 Diamond-Encrusted 40th Anniversary Special Edition — $60,000. 1969 Pink, Rear-Loading VW Beach Bomb — $100,000. 1969 Pink, Rear-Loading VW Beach Bomb — $100,000.
Who invented Barbie?
Barbie/Inventors.
When did Barbies start?
Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of Mattel, Inc.’s Ruth Handler.
What are the most expensive Hot Wheels?
The Most Expensive Hot Wheels Cars and Trucks Ever Made 1968 “Cheetah” base Python. 1974 Blue Rodger Dodger. 1970 Ed Shaver Custom AMX. 6. 1995 Collector Number 271 Funny Car. 1970 Red Baron (white interior) 1971 Purple Olds 442. 1968 Pink Beatnik Bandit. Ebay / flipnj. 1968 Volkswagen Custom (no sunroof) Ebay / suoth_suoth_2.
What is Hot Wheels slogan?
In 1970, the brand updated its logo and ushered in a new motto. It went for “Go with the winner.” Today, Hot Wheels’ slogan is—It’s not the same without the flame.
Which is better Hot Wheels or Matchbox?
However, I have more Hot Wheels in my collection because they are far more numerous and have a better distribution network. Matchbox tends to be more focused on realism being copies of the cars and lorries (Matchbox has far more lorries than Hot Wheels) that can be seen on the roads.
How Much Is A Hot Wheels Camaro?
A coveted Hot Wheels cars from the 1960s, which originally sold for just 59 cents, has been valued at more than $100,000. Discovered by America’s Toy Scout a.k.a Joel Magee of Pawn Stars fame, the prototype was produced by Mattel back in 1968.
Who has the largest Hot Wheels collection?
But other collectors focus more on breadth than valuation. Mike Zarnock, an auto mechanics teacher in Utica, New York, holds a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of unique Hot Wheels cars — currently 30k.
Can you visit Hot Wheels headquarters?
Enjoy a VIP tour of Hot Wheels Headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Mattel is the largest toy company in the world, born in Southern California and home to beloved brands like Hot Wheels and Barbie. This exclusive tour will take place at the company’s global design headquarters, which is not open to the public.
What are Red Line Hot Wheels?
What is a Redline? A “Redline” Hot Wheels car is one that was manufactured within the first ten years of production, 1968 to 1977. The term “redline” derives from the fact that, during that period, the cars were manufactured with a red stripe on the tire.
What is the coolest Hot Wheel?
Top 10 Most Valuable Hot Wheels Cars Pink Rear-Loading Volkswagen Beach Bomb (1969) “Cheetah” Base Python (1968) 3. “ Red Baron (with white interior, 1970) Custom Volkswagen (without sunroof, 1968) Ed Shaver Custom AMX (1970) Blue Rodger Dodger (1974) Purple Olds 442 (1971).
How many Hot Wheels cars are there to collect?
So, nowadays there are around 250 models (365 in 2017) that you can buy as Mainlines (basic series). Here’s the twist, some of the mainline cars are harder to find, because they were produced in fewer quantities and are called Treasure Hunts.
What is the Holy Grail of Hot Wheels?
The Holy Grail Of Hot Wheels Collectibles Is This 1969 VW Surf Bus.
Are Dinky toys still made?
Dinky Toys was the brand name for a range of die-cast zamac zinc alloy miniature vehicles produced by British toy company Meccano Ltd. They were made in England from 1934 to 1979, at a factory in Binns Road in Liverpool.Dinky Toys. Product type Die cast toys Previous owners Meccano Ltd, Triang, Airfix, Matchbox.
What is the most expensive car in the world?
The most expensive car in the world – officially – is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. With a price tag of $18.7 million after taxes, the one-off Bugatti La Voiture Noire is officially the priciest new car ever.
What model cars are worth money?
Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane (No. 30) – $13,000. Beatnik Bandit Hot Wheels – $15,000. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $18,000. Dinky Pre-war No. Tomica Z432 Datsun – $80,000. 1969 Pink Rear-Loading Volkswagen Beach Bomb – $125,000. 40th-anniversary Diamond – Encrusted Hot Wheels – $140,000. 24K Gold Bugatti Veyron – $2.9 million.