What do you do with something at forty? What significance does it hold? It’s obviously a major milestone when it’s four decades, but how do you properly celebrate it? We decided that we’d start our 40th anniversary celebration in the purest Hot Wheels® way -- by creating a line of the coolest die-cast toy cars, both old and new, that anyone can hope to get their hands on!
Beginning to show up at retailers -- any time now! -- are cars from the new Since ’68™ series we’ve been telling you about since the end of last year. The series consists of four segments, and the first one that will be represented on the shelves is the Top 40 segment, which you numbered for us earlier this year!
In order to make this series the prime objective for serious collectors, we went all-out! We grabbed old favorites, new favorites, classic castings and top-notch designs. Then we restored a few old friends, added a few new ones, and modified a few others. The result is a series of mind-blowing cars that boldly state what we all know: Even after forty years, Hot Wheels® cars are here to stay!
A very special feature will return on cars within this series - the basic wheels with blackwalls, whitewalls, and -- yes -- even with red stripes! These wheels haven't been seen for a decade or more, and should add the perfect touch to this line as a true 40th anniversary salute to the most collectible die-cast cars of all time.
The Top 40 cars consist of a selection of some of the most popular and collector-favored castings from the inaugural year of Hot Wheels® releases right through to the modern day. These are special vehicles that everyone knows and loves, and two favorites will make their first re-appearance in this segment: the A-OK™ and the Neet Streeter™! View the Top 40 segment cars
The second of the four segments will also start appearing soon -- the ten-car Muscle segment. This segment should cause some extra excitement, as it features several brand-new castings, including several modified favorites with blown engines: the ’69 Dodge Charger (Large And In Charger), the 1970 Chevelle® SS (SS Express™), a convertible version of the Custom Mustang, plus the new ’72 Plymouth® Duster (Plymouth® Duster Thruster) will all bring back memories of the “Spoilers" series! View the Muscle segment cars
UPDATE:The remaining two segments are coming soon! Here's the info and the line lists:
The Hot Rods segment features at least eight of the most radical rods to roll out of the factory. Oh, and at least two of them are modified favorites as well! View the Hot Rods segment cars
The final segment is the Originals, consisting of ten of the most clever and outstanding original designs created by the Hot Wheels® gurus over the years. Think of it as a little tribute to the genius that has kept this brand fresh and exciting and relevant for the last four decades! View the Originals segment cars
The Since ’68™ series will roll out from now on through 2008 as part of our special 40th anniversary celebration. Each of these cars should be available at retailers everywhere.