Hot Wheels were made famous by their low-friction wheels and flashy designs, and are now the most popular brand of diecast model car. Over 10,000 models have been released by Mattel since they were first introduced in 1968, and hundreds of new models are released every year. Mattel now dominates the business by owning other famous brands like Matchbox, and their Hot Wheels logo is one of the most recognized toy brands.
Hot Wheel History
Mattel made a brave decision in 1968 to compete with the Lesney’s popular Matchbox cars, but in less than thirty years they had bought the Matchbox brand. This was due in part to the popularity of Hot Wheel’s low-friction wheels that made the cars go faster and further. Matchbox eventually adopted low-friction wheels but it was too late, and the brand was sold in 1982.
Hot Wheels Collecting
Today, there are many Hot Wheels collectors, along with websites, clubs, and conventions. Trading on eBay is intense with over 20,000 Hot Wheels items being auctioned at any time. There are several lines made especially for collectors including Hot Wheels Classics, Sizzlers, and Dropstars.
Value of Hot Wheels Cars
The majority of cars sell for less than $10 on eBay but the rare models sell for hundreds of dollars. There are many websites that have a Hot Wheels price guide, along with lists of rare cars. There have even been a few price guide books released over the years.