EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel, Inc. announced at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair that Mattel Brick Shop will collaborate with three new partners: Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Toyota in 2026, expanding the Hot Wheels® vehicle line. This in response to the success of recent Mattel Brick Shop launches with brands including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet and Honda. Each of the collaborations will reflect the individual automaker’s unique heritage, identity and design language while Mattel Brick Shop collaborations with Hot Wheels provides real metal parts and customizable elements to each individual car. Debuting throughout the year, the building sets will be available at select retailers globally, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and directly via Mattel Creations. Specific models and product details will be revealed at a later date. 

“Mattel Brick Shop was created to provide adult collectors and automotive enthusiasts a unique way to engage with their favorite vehicles through immersive, hands-on building and collecting” said Ted Wu, Global Head of Vehicles and Building Sets at Mattel. “With Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Toyota joining the lineup, we’re continuing to expand the Mattel Brick Shop garage to include some of the most iconic names in automotive design and history in a tailored and reimagined way.” 

Mattel Brick Shop is Mattel’s building sets brand created for adult builders and collectors. Launched in 2025, Mattel Brick Shop introduces innovative features, materials and techniques including metal parts and accessories that enhance realism of the models. Fans can customize their rides with licensed decals and components turning their vehicles into showcase-worthy builds. Previous collaborations include Audi, Chevrolet, Honda, Maserati and Mercedes Benz models. 

Building fans can stay up to date on the latest information from Mattel Brick Shop at www.MattelBrickShop.com. 

About Mattel: Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. Mattel engages consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, Polly Pocket®, and Barney®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Visit them at mattel.com. 

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Submissions for the 2025 Hot Wheels Legends Tour presented by Mobil 1 are officially open to custom car builders around the world who want a chance to have their car made into a Hot Wheels die-cast car and inducted into the Garage of Legends. The eighth annual world tour kicks off on April 26 in Tampa, Fla. with a live event in partnership with Walmart.

Building off the enthusiasm and drive displayed by Hot Wheels fans and car enthusiasts around the world, the 2025 Hot Wheels Legends Tour has expanded to include new stops in Benelux, Peru and Turkey. In total, this year’s Tour will travel to 16 countries, with 10 events held exclusively at Walmart locations throughout the United States and one event held at the Mattel Headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.

New for 2025, the culmination of the tour will become more global in nature with three distinct regional finals – Europe and the Middle East, Latin America and the United States. At each virtual event, one vehicle will be selected to compete at the Global Grand Finale where the winner, and next Hot Wheels die-cast, will be immortalized in 1:64^th scale.

Hot Wheels will celebrate its ongoing partnership with Walmart by bringing back the U.S. virtual contest where car enthusiasts nationwide can submit their passion projects and participate in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour. Fans can get updates on the virtual tour, learn more and submit their own cars on Walmart.com. One car will be selected to move on to the U.S. Regional finals for a chance to compete in the Global Grand Finale in the fall.

“What began as a series of U.S. events has grown into a global tour for car and Hot Wheels enthusiasts around the world to share their passion projects while competing for a chance to have their creations immortalized in 1:64-scale,” said Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of design for vehicles and building sets at Mattel. “With the inclusion of Benelux, Peru and Turkey this year, we cannot wait to see what these unique countries and cultures bring to the table as we continue to expand the Hot Wheels Legends Tour globally.”

Each of this year’s expected vehicle entries will be assessed by a panel of Hot Wheels designers and local celebrity judges. The vehicles competing to join the prestigious Garage of Legends, a collection of the brand’s most iconic and historic vehicles, will be evaluated based on three key categories:

• Authenticity – Hot Wheels vehicles stand out from the crowd and the judges expect the next entry to the Garage of Legends to continue pushing the boundaries of automotive design.
• Creativity – The judges want to see unique and exciting projects that also exude purpose-built performance.
• Garage Spirit – It should be evident to the judges that early mornings, late nights, grit, and determination went into the project.

The U.S.-based regional events will return to Walmart stores exclusively and feature interactive analysis and coverage from the onsite hosts. Each stop will include activities for fans of all ages, including the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends life-size cars, play spaces where kids can interact with the latest Hot Wheels toys, and Hot Wheels die-cast displays featuring coveted premium and collector cars. Additionally, Hot Wheels enthusiasts can find special edition Hot Wheels Legends products exclusively at select Walmart stores or on Walmart.com.

2025 Hot Wheels Legends Tour dates include:

• April 26: Event at Walmart in Tampa, Fla.
• April 19: Event in the United Arab Emirates
• May 3: Event at Walmart in Atlanta, Georgia
• May 17: Event at Walmart in Charlotte, North Carolina
• May 31: Event at Walmart in Detroit, Michigan
• June 6: Event in France
• June 27: Event in Germany
• June 28: Event at Walmart in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• July 12: Event at Walmart in Kansas City, KS
• July 26: Event at Walmart in Austin, Texas
• August 2: Event at Walmart in Houston, Texas
• September 12: Event in Benelux
• September 20: Event at Walmart in Las Vegas, Nevada
• September 20: Event in Spain/Portugal
• September 27: Event at Walmart in San Diego, California
• October 4: Event at Hot Wheels Headquarters in El Segundo, California

More events in Europe and Latin and South America will be announced as the tour continues. Fans may register or learn more about the Hot Wheels Legends Tour by visiting www.HotWheelsLegends.com.

Previous champions include the inaugural 2018-winning 2 JetZ, 2019-winning THE NASH, 2020-winning 1970 Pontiac® Firebird, 2021-winning 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser, 2022-winning “Texas Toot” 1992 Autozam Scrum micro truck, 2023-winning “Chimera”1990 Mazda MX-5 roadster, and last year’s 2024 winner, a 1968 Baufer-Ford Falcon Sport Prototype nicknamed “La Liebre.”

Custom car builders can enter now for a chance to have their passion projects forever immortalized as a Hot Wheels car and celebrated by fans globally. Vehicles can be submitted at www.HotWheels.com/Legends.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit them at mattel.com.

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Leading the brand-new Hot Wheels “mainline” cars coming out for 2024 is an all-new, approximately 1:64-scale casting of the famous 1951 Mercury custom built in 1952 by Sam and George Barris with Frank Sonzogni of LA’s Barris Kustoms for owner Bob Hirohata. It was not the first bathtub Mercury Club Coupe to get the top-chop treatment—heck, Sam Barris had already chopped the top on his own 1949 Merc before he dropped the Hirohata’s top—but it is believed to be the first 1951 Merc to get a top chop (1951 Mercs had a unique roof that differed from the otherwise-similar 1949 and ‘50s Mercurys). With its innovative hardtop-style side window treatment on a chopped top, unique trim components and numerous other modifications, the Hirohata Merc quickly became the quintessential lowered custom Merc. In the decades that followed, its swagger was copied over and over on Mercurys across the United States, from its Buick side trim to its simple “floating” grille bar to its frenched ’52 Lincoln taillamps in extended rear fenders—all before James Dean appeared on the big screen in 1955 with a mildly customized 1949 Merc coupe.

A Merc becomes famous

Americans became well-acquainted with Bob Hirohata’s Merc through many magazines of the day. (It’s so famous, it’s still appearing in magazines, including Old Cars.) The Ice Green and Organic Green Transparent-painted Merc plastered the covers of the March 1953 issues of Hop Up and Motor Trend. Later that year, in the October 1953 issue of Rod & Custom magazine, Hirohata’s cross-country road trip from California to the Indianapolis Custom Show in the Merc gained the car more attention. Shortly thereafter, it hit the big screen with an appearance with Mamie Van Doren in the 1955 motion picture “Running Wild,” now repainted in a “gold lime mist” color, as Hirohata once described it.

Hirohata sold the car in 1955 or so and it passed through a few other owners. It also received at least one more color change before Jim McNeil bought it in 1959 or 1960. McNeil drove the car until 1964 and then parked it until one-time Rod & Custom Editor Pat Ganahl tracked down the thought-to-be-lost car in McNeil’s garage during the late 1980s. Ganahl gathered many leading and legendary customizers to restore the car with McNeil, some of whom had originally worked on the car, and it was beautifully restored. The “Hirohata Merc” was sold at Mecum Auction’s 2022 Kissimmee sale by McNeil’s family a few years after his 2018 death.

Hot Wheels’ First ‘Hirohata Merc’

Shortly after the “Hirohata Merc” was restored in 1997, it was featured in numerous publications (again). At the same time, it was crafted as a true 1:64-scale model in Hot Wheels’ Legends series as part of a set that included three other Barris Kustoms: the “Ala Kart,” Elvis Cadillac and another Barris-kustomized Merc coupe. The set was expensive at $119.96 (or four monthly installments of $29.99 each), but the scale cars were crafted to such a high quality they transcended being toys. The tiny bumpers, grille bar and side trim were separate chrome-looking pieces; the Lincoln taillamps were transparent red lenses; and the Sombrero wheel covers were authentic and even chrome-looking. The interiors and chassis were likewise extremely detailed—much more so than a standard $1 Hot Wheels car swinging on the pegs of the local Kmart. These cars couldn’t be bought at the local Kmart or Target store, either, but had to be ordered by mail.

The Hot Wheels Legends Series marked the pinnacle of the level of detail that Mattel would instill in its pocket-size Hot Wheels cars. There were other four-car sets in the Hot Wheels Legends series and even 1:24 and 1:64 pairings of an individual car, such as a custom 1949 Mercury in both scales, and the ZZ Top “CadZZilla” custom 1948 Cadillac fastback in both scales.

When the Hot Wheels Legends series ceased, the toymaker’s “Hirohata Merc” casting continued on in its 100% Collectibles line and then its Kalifornia Kustoms series, each time with a unique paint scheme that never appeared on the actual “Hirohata Merc.” The 100% Collectibles and Kalifornia Kustoms series priced cars at about $10 each ($20 for a set of two), a much lower price point than the Hot Wheels Legends’ $29.99-per-car price point. These series are now out of production, and along with it, Hot Wheels’ original “Hirohata Merc” casting stopped being cast.

Getting personal with the ‘Hirohata Merc’

Already a fan of the “Hirohata Merc,” I was literally giddy when I saw Hot Wheels first offering the Hirohata Merc in 1:64 scale. The moment back in 1997 when I began seeing magazine ads for the Hot Wheels Legends Barris Kustom Series, I traded my hard-earned greenbacks for the two-tone green Merc and the other three cars in the set. Writing a check for the full $119.96 was a bit painful—that was a lot of bread for a college student like me— but when the set arrived, there wasn’t a moment of regret. I very well remember the summer day the set containing the tiny “Hirohata Merc” arrived. I was sitting in the shade of my parents’ garage during their garage sale when the delivery driver pulled up. We rarely received packages, so I knew what he had to be delivering. Sure enough, the package had my name on it and I immediately tore into the box. The set has since held a special place in my embarrassingly large toy car collection. On one of the occasions where I saw the “Hirohata Merc” in person, George Barris was present and I had him sign the acrylic cover to my Hot Wheels Legends set, although the signature faded with time. My colleagues have joked that items with Barris’ prolific signature are probably worth less than those without it, but it holds a special memory for me. I’ve since collected Hot Wheels’ “Hirohata Merc” in nearly all of its other appearances (100% Collectibles, Kalifornia Kustoms, etc.).

‘Hirohata Merc’s’ triumphant return in 2024

The new “Hirohata Merc” Hot Wheels car is a big deal, because it’s only the second time the famous car has been crafted in 1:64 scale, and it will be widely available wherever mainline Hot Wheels cars are sold (those cars priced at about $1.25 at stores). At that low price point, the new “Hirohata Merc” Hot Wheels car is much more financially available to all car enthusiasts, regardless of age and income, especially when compared to the previous and more detailed Hot Wheels Legends “Hirohata Merc” that retailed for almost $30 in 1997 money. While hanging on pegwall displays at Target, Walmart and grocery stores, the new Hot Wheels “Hirohata Merc” casting will bring custom cars (or kustom cars) within reach of young and old, and most importantly to the hobby, expose more people to that legendary car and custom car culture in general.

Hot Wheels’ new 2024 “Hirohata Mercury” was designed by Mattel designer Brendon Vetuskey, who is said to have worked with legendary retired Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood in creating the new mainline version for 2024. Wood reportedly loaned Vetuskey the resin model that he used to create the earlier Hot Wheels Legend “Hirohata Merc,” and that model was 3D scanned for the new mainline edition. But make no mistake, these are truly two different 1:64 models of the same car from the same company.

The 2024 “Hirohata Merc” Hot Wheels mainline casting lacks the separate chrome trim and other highly detailed components of the Hot Wheels Legends version, as well as even several tampos (Hot Wheels’ “decals”) for the taillamps, window trim, grille, etc. The only tampos on the car are those for the Barris emblem on the front fenders and the headlamps.

Construction of the new mainline Hirohata Merc is also different than most other Hot Wheels, and rather ingenious. The new Hirohata Merc is built in such a way to keep the cost of production low while offering an impressive amount of detail in a $1-or-so toy. The upper Ice Green portion of the toy’s metal body has been cast as one part, with the lower Organic Green part of the body cast as part of the plastic chassis. Wedged between them is a silver tampo that adds silver to the swooping Buick side trim that divides the two greens. The dual spotlights are formed as part of this silver-plated interior pan and poke up through holes in the hood. The bumpers are also formed as part of the silver-plated interior pan and are wedged between the body and base. This method of construction keeps the new Hirohata Merc toy car within the five main components incorporated in a mainline Hot Wheels car (body, windows, interior, chassis, wheels), thereby allowing Mattel to keep this mainline Hot Wheels toy cars at such a low price.

Fans of this new Hot Wheels car will reportedly see two different-colored versions; the Ice Green and Organic Green version pictured here (the Hirohata Merc’s original and current paint scheme), and the Gold Lime Mist upper body as the car featured in “Running Wild.”

The Hot Wheels 2024 “Hirohata Merc” mainline car pictured here is probably an early production version that wasn’t completely assembled; it’s what Hot Wheels collectors call an “unspun” or “unriveted” version without the rivets installed to complete the assembly process. The car was also not fitted with the production wheels, but instead has Real Rider rubber tires and chrome five-spoke wheels that will not appear on production versions. The production version will likely come with plastic whitewall five-spoke wheels with black wheel spokes (WW5SP). Watch for it to swing on pegs at your local Hot Wheels-selling retailer in the Rod Squad series in late winter or spring 2024—I know I will be hunting for it.

UPDATE: The Hot Wheels casting of the Hirohata Merc in its original sea foam green upper body color and darker green lower body color debuted in early to mid 2024 in Case Code G and followed up in Case Code H. The later, lime green version appeared toward the end of 2024 in Case Code M and N. To end 2024 and lead into 2025, Hot Wheels put its own spin on the Hirohata Merc by coloring the body metallic purple with a white base that extended up the body sides, beneath the ’53 Buick side trim, to give it a two-tone look again. The purple version appeared in 2025 Case Codes B and C, and the version in some B cases was a Super Treasure Hunt with Spectraflame purple paint and silver wheels and Real Rider rubber tires (type WWMD). 

Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column “Hot Wheels Hunting” for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including “Hot Wheels 40 Years,” “Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era” and “Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation.” His 2023 book “Inside the Duesenberg SSJ” is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com

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MONTEREY, Calif., — Prized automobiles in six classes with motorcycles of vintage and contemporary design to be part of the Concours. There will also be a  juried selection of alumni vehicles as well as rare and unique collections of Hot Wheels. 

The third annual Concours at Pasadera on Friday, Aug. 6. will be set against the backdrop of a luxurious private country club and the Jack Nicklaus-designed Signature golf course.

Event snapshot

Presented by The Club at Pasadera, this eclectic auto show features up-close-and-personal experiences with more than 100 beautiful cars and motorcycles in three categories and six award classes.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s back-to-back 24-hour endurance wins at Le Mans and Daytona, the event will feature six juried classes: Modern Classics, Modified, Domestic, International, Vintage, Commercial. The featured marque is Porsche.

Monterey Motorsports owner Rick Barnett will serve as master of ceremonies. Guests will vote for the People’s Choice Award from the Modern Classic category and returning exhibitors will exhibit a juried selection of Alumni vehicles from the 2019 Concours.

VIP tickets: Invited guests may obtain admission to the event by visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/the-concours-at-pasadera-2021-tickets-140871818401. Children 9 and under are complimentary with a ticket bearing adult.

Schedule of events

Thursday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m.

Press Party (limited to sponsors, exhibitors and media), Tribute to LeMans, The Decade of Champions. Scenes from movie “Ford vs. Ferrari” and “Le Mans.” Note: Exhibitors are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. with their Concours vehicle (parking in the main courtyard).

Friday, Aug. 6, Concours Day

· 11 a.m. — Exhibitors gather at Ryan Ranch for the Kick Off (continental Breakfast served)

· Noon — Drive through South Boundary Road, enter Pasadera from rear gate

· 12:30 p.m. — Placement onto Exhibition Area

· 1 p.m. — Exhibitor Champagne welcome

· 2 p.m.— Event opens to club members

· 3 p.m. — Event opens to ticket holders

· 6 p.m. — Event concludes

· 6 p.m. — Club 100 dinner party (exhibitors, sponsors and guests), by invitation only

Exhibitor information

Applications available at https://pasaderaconcours.com/vehicle-registration/.

· Exhibition Fee: $250 (includes 2 entry tickets, Tiffany Exhibitor Award, vehicle bio, photo shoot). Additional entries (if accepted) are priced at $200 each. Note: To guarantee review of entry by jury, exhibitor must apply by July 6.

· Alumni Exhibitors: $250 (includes 2 entry tickets, Sterling Silver Tiffany 2019 Alumni Pin, vehicle bio, and photo). Note: To guarantee review of entry by jury, exhibitor must apply by July 6.

· Elite Exhibitor: $350 (Includes Alumni and Exhibitor entries, 2 event tickets, and both Exhibitor and Alumni Awards). To guarantee review of entry by jury, Alumni exhibitor must apply by July 1.

Rare and unique Hot Wheels

This year’s event includes inspired collections of Hot Wheels by Mattel. Aficionados of all ages can exhibit, with five classes available to present their collection. Proceeds from the program will benefit CASA of Monterey County.

Among the participants is Bruce Pascal, who owns one of the most valuable collections in the world. Pascal will show off his prized item, a pink Volkswagen Beach Bomb prototype valued at $175,000.

Exhibitors of all ages and exhibition categories welcome. For an application and additional details visit here.

Concours Poster

The 2020 Concours at Pasadera official poster (Ford vs. Ferrari, 18×24) by artist Simon Bull will be available the day of the event at $45, signed for $75. Or available online at www.pasaderaconcours.com/2020poster. It is a limited edition with 500 pieces.

The 2021 poster will be unveiled and sold at the event.

Additional information

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Rick Barnett at rick@montereymotorsports.com.

The Club at Pasadera is at 100 Pasadera Drive in Monterey, between Monterey and Salinas off Highway 68.

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif./PRNewswire/ — Hot Wheels announced the return of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour, a national traveling car show searching for a life-size custom car worthy of being made into a Hot Wheels toy car. This epic tour will kick-off in Miami on March 16th and makes 18 stops looking for cars that embody the high standards of performance and design of Hot Wheels.

“Our first Hot Wheels Legends Tour set the bar high, bringing together tens of thousands of passionate, brand fans and car enthusiasts of all ages in a first-of-its-kind tour experience to celebrate our 50th anniversary,” said Chris Down, Global Head of Hot Wheels. “It was invigorating to see fans and families showcase and celebrate car culture in a way only the Hot Wheels brand can and now we’re ready to take year two to the next level by expanding the tour with new partners and stops.”

Attracting over 3,600 cars and 65,000 fans, the inaugural Hot Wheels Legends Tour – held in 2018 to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary – brought together car fans of all ages from across the country. Partnering with brands like Mobil 1, Dickies, Honda, Microsoft Xbox and Mechanix, the second annual tour will expand with additional and new stops in the U.S. to give even more fans a shot at seeing their custom car become an iconic 1:64 die-cast toy car. The winning vehicle will also be inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends, a collection of one-of-a-kind cars that embody the brand’s challenger spirit and legendary design.

“We’re proud to support the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in its second year, giving fans of such an iconic and nostalgic brand yet another opportunity to experience this unique event,” said Michele Biamonte, Consumer Brand Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil. “The chance to celebrate car enthusiasts of all ages throughout the year and help ignite the automotive passion in today’s youth is something Mobil 1 is honored and excited to be a part of, and we can’t wait to make this year’s tour even bigger and better.”

At each stop, fans will show off their unique custom builds to a talented team of judges consisting of Hot Wheels designers, automotive experts and influencers, who will select one finalist based on the criteria of authenticity, creativity and garage spirit. At the end of the tour, one finalist from each of the 18 stops will win a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where their custom creations will be judged side-by-side to determine which one will be made into a die-cast car sold around the world.

This tour is much more than a car show; each tour stop will also include on-site experiences such as racing simulations, pit stop challenges, Hot Wheels Kid Zone, photo opportunities, and a chance to check out the rest of the Hot Wheels life-size fleet. And to keep the fun rolling between stops, Hot Wheels will send a custom “vending machine + play” truck to over 75 additional Walmart stores so fans of all ages can get their hands on their own Hot Wheels toys and exclusive merchandise.

The Legends Tour will stop at select Walmart stores in the following U.S. cities: Miami (March 16), Houston (March 30), Dallas (April 13), Atlanta (April 27), Bentonville (May 11), Charlotte (May 25), Philadelphia (June 1), New York City (June 15), Detroit (June 29), Chicago (July 13), St. Louis (July 27), Denver (August 10), Seattle (August 24), Phoenix (September 7), San Jose (September 21), San Diego (October 5), Los Angeles (October 19). The tour will also make a special stop at Hot Wheels headquarters in El Segundo, CA on May 15th to celebrate the brand’s 51st birthday. International stops will be announced later in 2019.

To learn more about how the Hot Wheels Legends Tour visit www.HotWheels.comand follow #HotWheelsLegendsTour. To check out the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends visit www.HotWheels.com/GarageofLegends.

About Mattel Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. They create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. They engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, American Girl, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends and Mega, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Their offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit them online at www.mattel.com.

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FORT WORTH, TX — In celebration of Hot Wheels’ 50th Anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service issued a pane of 20 Forever stamps showcasing some of the classic toy car’s most outrageous designs. The stamps were issued during the Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway.

For the first time, Hot Wheels are commemorated on Forever stamps for fans of all ages to enjoy. Arranged in diagonal rows, the 20 stamps showcase photographer Len Rizzi’s images of 10 Hot Wheels cars — two of each design — speeding along the recognizable bright orange track.

“Today, we make history as the Postal Service and our partners at Mattel are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels with these dynamic stamps showcasing the iconic toys that were a part of my childhood and that of my children,” said USPS Marketing Vice President Steve Monteith, who served as the dedicating official. “These miniature works of art truly capture the thrill and excitement of these legendary vehicles and now will speed their way as Forever stamps on millions of cards and letters.”

Joining Monteith at the ceremony were Harry Davies, vice president, Event Operations, Goodguys Rod and Custom Association; Ricardo Briceno, director, Global Brand Marketing, Hot Wheels; and Deborah Ferguson, “NBC5 Today” anchor.

Each stamp features the name of the vehicle shown in one of the top corners and the words “USA” and “Forever” in one of the bottom corners. The well-known Hot Wheels logo appears in the top right corner of the pane. The back of the pane displays the Hot Wheels’ 50th anniversary logo.

The Hot Wheels cars depicted are:
Top row (left to right):

• The aptly named Purple Passion (1990), a super sleek metallic purple and green model. The car remains a favorite of collectors.

• Equipped with a roof-mounted rocket, the Rocket-Bye-Baby (1971) is one of the most aggressive racers in Hot Wheels history.

• Perfect for Halloween, the spooky Rigor Motor (1994) is a coffin-shaped hot rod that is powered by a huge engine adorned with two skulls.

• A spectacularly powerful version of a classic muscle car, the Rodger Dodger (1974) has a giant engine bursting out of its hood.

• With a twin turbo V6 hybrid engine and wide front air intakes built to look like a predatory fish, the Mach Speeder (2018) is a true 21st-century racer.

Bottom row (left to right):

• The Twin Mill (1969) is one of the most iconic Hot Wheels cars of all-time. The speed machine features dual big-block engines.

• The distinctive Bone Shaker (2006) is a hot rod with a fierce-looking skull for a grille. The car has a massive short-block engine made to rattle your bones.

• The HW40 (2008), a car introduced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, features a jet turbine engine. The space-age vehicle features a futuristic glass hood.

• The original surfboard-toting Deora (1968) was included in the first Hot Wheels line. The souped up Deora II, showcased on the stamp, came out in 2000.

• The Sharkruiser (1987) is a carnivore on wheels. The completely unique design features fins, a tail, a sharp-toothed grille and a roaring V8 engine.

William J. Gicker was the project’s art director. Greg Breeding designed the stamps.

Hot Wheels History

Hot Wheels was born when Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler challenged his design team — which included a General Motors car designer and a rocket scientist — to create a toy car that was cooler and performed better than anything on the market. Mattel soon introduced its bright orange tracks, which provided children unlimited ways to test out stunts and racing skills. The Hot Wheels toy line expanded rapidly. Since the inception of Hot Wheels, Mattel has produced thousands of varieties of cars. In 2011, Hot Wheels was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Today, children and parents alike still love racing the eye-poppin’, colorful, lightning-fast cars.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shopunder “Collectors.” A video of the ceremony will be available on Facebook.com/usps.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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