TEXAS TOY MAN

Red Porsche Turbo 930 Hot Wheel

The Porsche Turbo 930 was introduced to the US market by Mattel in 1991. This introduction included several different versions with the variations including color, tampos, wheels and both style and shade of the windshields.

The Porsche pictured in this post sported the following features:

• Red in color
• BW — basic wheels
• Turbo tempo on both sides
• Porsche 930 on both sides
• Tinted windshield (gray)
• Metal chassis
• Made in Malaysia
• Mattel Inc. 1989 and Hot Wheel trademark embossed on chassis
• Black plastic interior

Even with the ever-changing world we live in, the collecting of Hot Wheels continues to be one of the most active items in the collector market today.

If you are a beginner in collecting Hot Wheels, always remember to ‘buy mint in the package’ whenever possible – new or old. Your interestment with an eye to future value is – and will be – based on condition of your collection.

Tip: Never store your Hot Wheels collection in a place where it can be subjected to high heat and humidity, ie., the attic in your home, garage or non-climate controlled storage building. Doing so will cause the blister packs to turn yellow and become brittle over time…. and you lose value.

Mattel’s ’57 T-Bird Hot Wheel

Mattel introduced the ’57 T-Bird to the US market in 1978. The original car came in patriotic colors of red, white and blue. It was again offered later that year in the yellow as shown here.

The ’57 T-Bird pictured has the following features:

• Yellow in color
• Basic black wall wheels (bw)
• Port hole on both sides
• Metal base
• Made in Hong Kong
• Thunderbird logo on hood
• Red and blue tampos on roof and hood
• Blue tinted windshields
• Small front tires basic wheels
• Medium rear tires basic wheels

The year 1978 was an interesting year for Mattel with them introducing 12 new models. Ten (10) of these new models were produced in either new colors or with new tampos. It should also be noted, that In 1978, this was the first time that Mattel produced all of the series vehicles with “bw” basic black wall wheels.

In addition, these cars came in a re-designed blister pack featuring seven (7) different cloth patches. However, these patches were only available through the mail. The seven groups of vehicles that come in this category are:

• Super Streeters
• Drag Strippers
• Oldies But Goodies
• Rescue Tteam
• Classy Custom
• Speedway Special
• Heavies

For more information and to get specifics on all of the cars producted in 1978 get Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels – available from Amazon (see left sidebar).

1937 Mercedes 540K Hot Wheels 20th Anniversary

The 1937 Mercedes “20th Anniversary” 540. was introduced as part of a “chrome” three pack in 1988 by Mattel. You’ll find this “anniversary” Hot Wheel was offered in 15 different configurations, depending on which three pack was purchased. Mattel used many different combinations of cars some of which were:

Silver (chrome) and gold Mercedes with 1 other car

Silver (chrome) Mercedes and 2 other cars both in chrome

Silver (chrome) Mercedes with 2 other cards non-chrome

In summary, each one of these “three packs” had two (2) different cars minimum and each had a different pack number for each assortment, and each one of the referenced 15 three-packs were individually numbered.

The Mercedes 540 K. pictured in this post was offered in the “three pack” that included the Baja Bug and Thunderstreak.

This Hot Wheel, Mercedes 540 K as the following features:

• Chrome body
• Metal base
• Plastic convertible top (Tan)
• 20th Anniversary and Hot Wheels logo on the hood top (embossed)
• Clear windshield
• Made in Malaysia
• WW (white walls) wheels

Mattel’s anniversary 1937 Mercedes 540K was available in many different pack combinations and for the serious collector, finding all of them should prove to be quite a challenge. To see the complete list of 20th Anniversary 3-pack combinations available… along with the cars included, get Tomart’s Price Guide to Hot Wheels – available through Amazon.