TEXAS TOY MAN

Hot Wheels “34″ 3-Window Ford Coupe – 1980

Hot Wheels “34″ 3-Window Ford Coupe – 1980

The first of several Hi-Rakers cars produced by Mattel was the ’34 3-Window Ford Coupe . The Hi- Rakers cars were produced with a built-in attachment (in the base) that allow you to raise or lower the rear end of the car.

The first 3 -Window Ford Coupe had the following -

Metal chassis

Lightly tinted windshields (plastic)

Plastic engine-sticking out the sides

Scoop sticking center of hood

Brown plastic interior and fendors

Red and yellow flame tempo on trunk

Hot Rod and yellow line on roof

Black rectangle on roof

Basic wheels (BW)

Made in Hong Kong

Hi- Rakers attachment in chassis (gray plastic)

Red paint job

The ’34 Ford Coupe had many variations and would make a very good collector Hot Wheels for the Ford enthusiast as well as the Hot Wheels collector.

Check out the new Hot Wheel collector books on Amazon.com. For your convenience there’s an Amazon ‘search’ box in the left side bar.

Custom AMX Hot Wheels Redline

The Hot Wheels Custom AMX was based on the real American Motors AMX which began production circa 1968-69. The introduction of this Mattel Hot Wheel was in 1969 with production only being in the United States. Before production ended in 1971 Mattel had produced the AMX in fourteen (14) different colors.

The Custom AMX 6267 had the following features:

• Metal chassis
• Lift up hood
• Metal engine
• Clear windshield
• Redlines (RSW)
• White plastic interior
• Underside of the hood was embossed with 6267
• Made in USA (exclusively)
• Produced in 14 colors

If you are a collector of Hot Wheels keep your eye out for the 1970 version produced along with decals for the English driver, Ed Shaver. Mattel produced this specific AMX in a non-metallic blue-color and included in the package decals of Ed Shaver.

However, if you’re lucky enough to find this packaged Hot Wheel, it will make your day. In today’s market, it would be worth more than $1,000.00. Be aware that find must be in the original package because this is the only place you will find the decals. They are not on the car!

Classic ’31 Ford Woody No.6251 Redline

The Classic ’31 Ford Woody was one of the most popular models issued by Mattel Hot Wheels in 1969-1971. This popularity was primarily due to nothing more than demand.

The customize Woody station wagon came with the following features:

• Black roof-smooth or textured
• Metal base
• Plastic interior (assorted colors)
• Exposed metal engine
• Redlines (rsw)
• Made in USA
• Clear or blue windshield
• 18 different colors

If you are one of those who are collecting Mattel’s Hot Wheels today, it is my opinion that the best way to collect for possible future “value” is to start with those cars issued from 1968 through 1977. These cars are not only of an earlier production but also should have a quicker return on monies invested. And one of my cardinal rules: “always, buy the best you can afford, never buy down only by up”.

One last thought, Hot Wheels are graded on the “1 to 10 scale” with 10 beinging Mint in the package (MIP) – and sometimes referred to C-10. If you buying for future value it is my opinion that you don’t buy anything below C-8.

Hot Wheels ‘Original’ Neet Streeter…1936 Ford Coupe

The Hot Wheels, Number 9244, 1936 Ford Coupe Neet Streeter is a customized, drag racing style car. It was first manufactured and introduced to the market in 1976.

The first Neet Streeter of 1976 was issued with Redlines (rsw). The car was then reissued in 1977 with Basic wheels (bw).

The original Neet Streeter cars came with the following features:

• Light blue in color
• Black plastic scoop on hood
• Redlines (1976) | Basic wheels (1977)
• Made in Hong Kong
• Logo on rear trunk: “Ford…Oldie but a Goodie”
• Red, white and blue stripe on top
• Black plastic interior

The original Neet Streeter cars also have more than average information embossed on the metal base. That information included:

• HOT WHEELS ®
• NEET STREETER ™
• Hong Kong
• © Mattel Inc. 1975
• US and Foreign Patented
• Patented Canada 1973

This 1936 Ford customized Hot Wheel was one of the best models true to the “Original Car Style” made by Mattel. That being said. . . after 1977 Mattel continued to produce many different versions of the Neet Streeter – all the way into the 2000’s. All of these ‘new’ Neet Streeter cars were manufactured and can be found in different colors, and with different wheel types, logos, tampos and bases.

Check out all the versions of this Hot Wheel either in Tomart’s or O’Brian’s price guides.

Hot Wheels ‘ 57 T-Bird -1977

Mattel produced many different variations of the 57 T-Bird. Some of the variations included

• Different colors
• Tampos
• Wheel types
• Windshield color

The Hot Wheels T-Bird featured in the picture above has the following:

• Yellow in color
• Clear windshield
• Basic wheels
• Plastic chrome base
• Hot Wheels logo on rear Window (tampo)
• No porthole
• Chrome interior

There are so many variations of T-Birds that collecting all the variations of this car would be a challenge in itself.

Note:

If you don’t know wheel variations, or find them confusing, I suggest purchasing Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels. It has excellent pictures for you to ID all wheel types.

Mustang-Show Hoss II-1977 Hot Wheel

The Mustang-Show Hoss ll was based on the original Mustang ll funny car dragster. This Hot Wheel was manufactured with the following features:

• Metal chassis
• Black plastic interior *
• Lift-up body “funny car style”
• Metal-unpainted engine
• Basic or redline wheels
• Yellow in color
• Dark-red, white and black tampo – Show Horse ll racing decal on hood
• Manufactured in Hong Kong only

* The French version had a tan interior/1983

Remember, if you are beginning to collect Hot Wheels, I highly recommend your getting a good reference/price guide. My favorites have always been Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels: Volume 1: 1968 – 1996 and Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels, Vol. 2: 1997 to 2008, 6th Edition . They are both very easy to use and have great information – as well as good pictures.

“Tip of the Week”

Become familiar with the various types of tires, i.e., wheels used on the different Hot Wheels that you are planning on buying. Wheel variations is one of the keys to the value of certain Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels “Buzz Off”

The “Buzz Off” Hot Wheel was manufactured by the Mattel Company. It was first introduced into the market in 1970, and was call the “Tri-Baby. Mattel made several variations of this Hot Wheel but changed the name to “Buzz Off” in 1973.

In spite of there being several variations introduced to the market, the changes were very subtle.

For example, In 1970, the models had the following features:

• Metal base
• Swing-up rear engine cover
• Blue Windows
• Plastic interior
• Redline-(RSW)
• Hong Kong-MFG
• Original name (Tri-Baby) -US/HK
• Six different colors

The later versions produced in 1973-77 had the following features:

• Redline or Basic Wheels
• Gold chrome color (as seen in the picture)
• Black base
• Red, dark red and black tempo “The Gold One”

With so many variations available, it’s easy to understand why so many people make Hot Wheels their collector hobby!

Not only can it be fun but also very challenging to be a Hot Wheel collector. Remember when buying for your collection – or any

collection, it is always smart to buy the best you can afford.

Don “The Snake” Prudhomme’s Funny Car

….

This U.S. Army sponsored “Funny Car” was manufactured by Hot Wheelsin 1978 – but only in Hong Kong. This car is called a ‘Funny Car’ because of its racing style. One of the more sought after Hot Wheels out there “The Snake” was produced in four different colors:

• White
• Red
• Black
• Blue

The tampos on the sides were printed with “Don ‘Snake’ Prudhomme”.   In addition, Army was also printed on the sides and hood . This Army “Funny Car” came with two different styles of tires. The front tires are basic wheels (bw); the rear tires – while also basic – are large basic wheels (blw).

Some other features you will find on the pictured car are listed below:

• Metal base
• Metal interior
• Lift up body
• Basic wheels front (bw)
• Rear wheels large basic (blw)
• White enamel paint
• Sides and hood tampo
• Made in Hong Kong

There were many versions of the “Funny Car” and having all of them would make a cool collection, if you are willing to take the time to look for them . . . and are able to  find all the different variations.

If you need a good Hot Wheels reference guide, I recommend Tomart’s Price Guide.

PS – For those that collect and enjoy vintage cap guns, I’ve just uploaded a price guide for vintage toy guns – regular-sized, miniatures and a few others that did fit those two categories.  You can check them out from this link – www.txantiquemall.com/toypriceguide.html – visit ‘Cap Guns – Regular’,  ‘Cap Guns – Miniatures’ and ’Cap Guns – Other’.  Thanks!

Hot Wheels ’57 Classic T-Bird 1969-Redline

This Classic Hot Wheels T-Bird was only manufactured in the USA and came in 18 different colors.  The color of this car is gold.

The ’57  T-Bird was produced with the following features:

• Lift- up hood to show engine
• Engine was metal
• Metal base
• Plastic interior
• Redlines wheels
• Made in USA
• Clear windows
• Produced  in 1969
• Cut-down windshield
• Painted red tail lights

 The ’57 classic T-Bird was one of the better modified original redlines.

Custom Fleetside El Camino 1968 – 1969 Redline!

Harry Bradley’s Custom El Camino was the first car he designed for Mattel. It was modeled after his own ‘custom truck’ which he drove to work every day.

This Custom Fleetside El Camino was produced in both the US and Hong Kong. The US version can easily be identified by the mold mark on the black plastic bed cover. Another identifying mark is the very small steering wheel. Below you will find some more design features:

• Produced in 11 different colors
• Metal chassis
• Plastic interior
• Black roof
• Black plastic cover on the truck
• Horizontal taillights (US only)
• Carburetor pipes extending out of hood
• Mold mark on truck bed cover (US only)
• Small steering wheel (US only)
• Raised dashboard (US only)
• Redline wheels

This was one of the original ‘redline’ Hot Wheel cars produced by Mattel and still remains a hot collectible today.

If you are looking for a good Hot Wheels book I recommend Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels. This is my favorite guide book for identifying Hot Wheels.