TEXAS TOY MAN

Hot Wheels Ice-T Redline

FYI:
This Yellow Hot Wheels Ice-T was manufactured in Hong Kong and only produced during the period of 1971 – 1972 .

This uniquely designed Hot Wheel was the brain child of Tom Daniels. He derived his design for the Ice-T from a real show car that he had designed for Monogram.

While the Ice-T Hot Wheels of 1971-72 were only produced in yellow, Mattel did produce other Ice-T cars in 1973 that came in a variety of colors. The original Ice-T of the 1971-72 period all came with a low plastic roof and with the words Ice-T embossed on both sides of the roof. In the rear seat area it had two plastic ice blocks. It also had an exposed metal engine and a black plastic interior. The tires were redlines (RSW).

In my opinion, the value of the original Hot Wheel Ice-T car will be in the range of $150-$200 – if in excelent condition.

Hot Wheels 1967 Custom Mustang Redline

 

My 1967 Custom Mustang was issued in 1968 and became the hottest sought after Hot Wheel in the market.

The Ford Mustang Fastback has a metal base, plastic interior and came in assorted colors along with red striped wheels. It also had a lift hood, black interior. The scoops came in only two variations- open or closed; and with smooth or louvered rear windows.

The Hong Kong version has a flat dashboard and a large black steering wheel. The US version has a raise dashboard — and a small steering wheel.

The open scoop model from Hong Kong was only found in red or gold and it’s been classified as very rare. The value for the 1968 Custom Mustang is in the range of $120- $260 in the retail market.

 

Hot Wheel Nightmares!

	While visiting a few friends in Austin this past weekend, I was asked about the value of old Hot Wheels – like the old Red Lines made back in the 1960′s and 70′s
The conversation started out as a question and answer type session – they asked the questions, I provided the answers – which naturally led to values and how much would those old Hot Wheels be worth today. It quickly became obvious that most of the guys were expressing remorse as to what had happened to their favorite Hot Wheels. One said he had used his cars like a baseball and batted them just to see how far they could ‘fly’. Another said he remembers his brother stomping his Hot Wheels into the ground. Everyone seemed to have a story to tell as to why they didn’t have their cars in a collection today
I asked if any had bought the VW Beach Bomb – you know, the Hot Wheel that had the 2 surf boards that stuck out the rear windows. Two or three said, ‘Yeah, I remember having that car.” I then told them that if they still had that car today (in Mint condition) it could sell for as much as $6,000-8,000, and possibly topping out at as much as $10,000 if it were still carded.
This was the first time I’d ever seen grown men ‘cry’ over childhood toys. As the group broke up I heard all of them saying they were going to check with ‘mom’ to see if she had kept any of their old toys – followed by a small prayer that she had kept at least a few. If there is a moral to this story, guess it would be “to keep your children’s toys because you never know what’s going to become valuable”.
If you have questions or are looking for values on Hot Wheels or other toys, please visit my sites – Texas Antique Mall and David’s Hot Wheels

Look at what I found – Hot Wheels

Was searching for Hot Wheels this week and I came across a couple of sites that I would like to share with you. Many people are looking for an inexpensive hobby and in my opinion, HOt Wheels is the way to go.

While new Hot Wheels can be purchased at the store typically for under a dollar, Hot Wheels ‘Redlines’ are the most challenging to put in your collection and can be hard to find. And, there are those collectors out there that like to customize their cars. For more information on how some collectors ‘destroy’ to create visit East Volusia News.

For additional pictures of Hot Wheels, I found a good catalog site. Check out ToyCars Inv.

Let The Treasure Hunt Begin!

Don’t forget – with the beginning of the new year January, 2009 – Mattel began issuing the new Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt cars – like the ’55 Chevrolet.

2009 Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt 55′ Chevy « Just JDM 2009 Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt 55′ Chevy. Saturday, January 31, 2009 by realmz1. The Treasure Hunt series from Hot Wheels is getting way better. This Super Treasure Hunt 55 Chevy is on point! From the THICK white walls to the flame …

HOT WHEELS – MORE VINTAGE RED LINES

These are 4 of my favorite red line Hot Wheels that came out during the period of 1968-1969.  

The 3 from 1968 are the Custom Mustang, Silhouette and Python.   Hot Wheels are my favorite of all the diecast cars and I’m always on the hunt.

Even though they were designed originally for play-racing, they have turned out to be a favorite collectible for boys of any age.  And, I’m still hunting for that Volkswagon Beach Bomb – surf boards out the rear window.  Anyone with one of those is lucky in deed!!

BIRTH OF HOT WHEELS ‘RED LINES’ !

In 1966 Jack Ryan, Harvey LaBranch and Howard Newman were Mattel’s top designers selected to form the Toy-Car Development Team.  They then recruited Harry Bradley designer of the Deora Show car to join them thus completing the Mattel Toy Design Team.

 

WHAT WERE THE 5 MAIN POINTS OF DESIGN MATTEL REQUIRED FOR THIS NEW TOY?

 

1.  Must have a California look – “rake” big rear tire, smaller front tire

2.  Hood scoops

3.  Exposed and chromed exhaust headers

4.  Mag wheels / red stripes

5.  Exciting ‘candy-colored’ paint jobs

 

Upon completion of several proto-type cars, Mattel staff members were used to test race these new diecast cars to confirm which one would meet the goal of ‘fastest car on the market’.  

 

The team soon found that the key components to having the fastest cars were the plastic wheels and metal axel design.  Not only did this give the cars speed but also gave them durability.  The team had not only met the first 5 requirements but also met their overall goal of designing and producing a new toy that would be the fastest diecast car on the market. 

 

The result was the birth of Hot Wheels – pretty much as we know them today – with the name Hot Wheels being coined by team-member Jack Ryan.  All of this took place in 1967 with actual production and delivery to the retail market taking place in 1968.

 

CAUTION:  KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING!!!

 

The original Hot Wheels ‘Red Lines’ are extremely collectible with some bringing a very high price.  If ‘Red Line’ Hot Wheels are your passion, enjoy but exercise caution when buying cars since the original ‘Red Line’ Hot Wheels of 1968 are now being re-issued with little to tell them apart.