Hot Wheels are die-cast model toy cars popular with children and adult collectors alike. The line was introduced in 1968 by the toy manufacturing giant Mattel, to compete with the leading Matchbox-brand cars. Hot Wheels' authentic styling, working suspensions, "fast" wheels and other features quickly made them a staple of the boy's toy market.
Race Tracks
Hotwheels have never included an electrical propulsion system, like the Tyco-brand cars of the late 1970s, but Mattel has long marketed flexible "race tracks" that the cars can be pushed along. Some of these sets have entered a realm of pure fantasy that contrasts with the authentic designs of the cars: 2005's Gorilla Attack set is a roller coaster themed track stalked by an angry gorilla figurine.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Introduced in 1968
-
Fact:
Designed by Rick Irons
-
Fact:
Originally featured only "souped-up" custom hot rods, but later included stock models
-
Fact:
Price of approximately $1 has remained relatively constant over 40 years
-
Fact:
Date of each car's design copyright is etched into base
-
Fact:
