1979 Hot Wheels

This page lists all of the 1979 Hot Wheels, with a photo of each one that I have in my collection. The name of each car that I have links to a page with more information and photos. As I acquire the remaining cars in the list, I will add photos and links to this page.

NEW CASTINGS

1979 | 2500 | Upfront 924 | yellow with red orange & black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2501 | Royal Flash | white with red and blue Union flag trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2502 | Greased Gremlin | red with blue, white, yellow trim | MY | bs

1979 | 2503 | Spacer Racer | red w/yellow, white, black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2504 | Hare Splitter | white with red, purple & black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2505 | Auburn 852 | red with dk brown plastic fenders | HK | bs

1979 | 2506 | Flat Out 442 | orange w/red, blue, white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2507 | Dumpin’ A | yellow w/orange dumper, brown fenders | HK | bs

1979 | 2508 | Vetty Funny | gray w/ black, red and yellow trim (no rivet?) | HK | bs

1979 | 2509 | Bywayman | lt. blue w/ white, black and yellow trim, black bed | HK | bs

A 1979 | 2510 | Inside Story | gray, black plastic base, blue, red & yellow trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2511 | Bubble Gunner | magenta with yellow, orange, white stripes w/stars | HK | bs
HEROES

1979 | 2877 | Spider-Man | black, raised bar on base, red & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2878 | The Incredible Hulk (Spoiler Sport) | yellow, two small rear windows | HK | bs

1979 | 2879 | Captain America | white, red and blue trim, red interior | HK | bs

1979 | 2880 | Thor | yellow | HK | bs

1979 | 2881 | Human Torch | black with yellow and red trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2882 | The Thing | dark blue with black, white and orange trim | HK | bs
SCENE MACHINES

1979 | 2850 | Incredible Hulk Truck (Scene Machines) | white with black, blue & red trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2851 | Captain America Van (Scene Machines) | white with green, black & red trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2852 | Spider-Man (Scene Machines) | white w/blue, red & black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2853 | Motocross Team (Scene Machines) | red w/yellow, black & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2854 | S.W.A.T. Van (Scene Machines) | dark enamel blue with white & orange trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2855 | Space Van (Scene Machines) | gray with white plastic top | HK | bs

 

GOLDEN MACHINES 6-PACK

1979 | 2012 | Jaguar XJS | gold chrome with red & black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2014 | Hot Bird | gold chrome with orange & blue trim | HK | bs

1979 | 2021 | Race Bait 308 | gold chrome with white & black trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9241 | Corvette Stingray | gold chrome with black, orange and white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9639 | Z-Whiz | gold chrome with orange, white & blue trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9641 | Spoiler Sport | gold chrome with black, red, orange trim, two small rear windows | HK | bs

REPAINTS AND BASE CHANGES

1979 | 2639 | Fire Chaser | red with black, yellow & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 7647 | Torino Stocker | black with yellow, white & orange trim | HK | bs

1979 | 7660 | Monte Carlo Stocker | dark blue with yellow, white & green trim | HK | bs

1979 | 7660 | Monte Carlo Stocker | dark blue with yellow, white & green trim, Chevrolet on sides | HK | bs

1979 | 8272 | Large Charge | orange with maroon, purple & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9205 | California Cruisin’ (Super Van) | chrome metalflake with orange, yellow & black trim | MY | bs

1979 | 9241 | Corvette Stingray | yellow with black, orange, yellow & white trim | MY | bs

1979 | 9643 | Letter Getter | white, black plastic base, red & blue trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9645 | GMC Motorhome | orange with blue, white & yellow trim, chrome plastic base | HK | bs

1979 | 9646 | Show Hoss II | light green with black, blue & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9646 | Show Hoss II | yellow with dark red, black & white trim | HK | bs

1979 | 9647 | ’56 Hi-Tail Hauler | light blue with yellow & red trim, yellow motorcycles | HK | bs

1979 | 9647 | ’56 Hi-Tail Hauler | light blue with yellow & red trim, black motorcycles | HK | bs

1979 | 9648 | T-Totaller | brown with orange, blue & white trim | HK | bs

M2 Machines 2014 Auto-Drivers 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS

M2 Machines often makes two color versions of their 1/64 scale models. I found both variations of the 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS M2 Machines Auto-Drivers Release 28 at a Dillon’s store. I actually passed over one of these the first time, thinking that all of the several black models hanging there were the same. After getting home and realizing both versions of this release had black paint, I went back for a second look. Sure enough, the first car I took home has gold interior and whitewall tires, but on my return I found the version with black interior and redline tires. The two versions have different wheels as well.

2014 Auto-Drivers R28 | 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS | black with gold interior, whitewall tires

2014 Auto-Drivers R28 | 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS | black with black interior, redline tires

Other versions of the M2 Machines 1967 Nova in my collection include the Foose release 1 and Foose release 2, as well as the Auto-Drivers release 6 and release 15.

M2 Machines Auto-Haulers 1958 Chevrolet LCF and 1958 Chevrolet Impala

The Auto-Haulers series from M2 Machines is one of my favorite series. Though I’ve only added two of them to my collection, I always enjoy looking at them when I see them in the stores. I found this 1958 Impala stretch limousine/1958 Chevy LCF at a Toys R Us the other day. It’s an interesting combination, with the audaciously flamed-out gold and black limo sitting atop a fairly understated black LCF flatbed – although the wide whitewalls that they both wear tie them together nicely.

2014 Auto-Haulers R11 | 1958 Chevrolet LCF & 1958 Chevrolet Impala | gold with black & white flames

The other Auto-Haulers model that I have is part of the Chevrolet 100th anniversary series from 2011. As sharp as this pair is in pearl white and silver, there is also a chase car version that’s trimmed in gold.

2011 Auto-Haulers R3 | 1959 Chevrolet Viking LCF & 1958 Chevrolet Impala | pearl white and silver, 100 year. graphics

1979 The Thing (Poison Pinto)

The Thing was part of 1979’s The Heroes series, which included several other Marvel character cars such as Human Torch, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man and Thor. The Thing is based on the Poison Pinto, first cast in 1976. I got mine on eBay.

1979 | 2882 | The Thing | dark blue with black, white and orange trim | Hong Kong | blackwalls

2014 Mission Madness ’66 Chevy Nova

I was pretty excited when my son and I found the Mystery Model ’66 Chevy Nova a few weeks ago, thinking the foil-packaged metalflake purple variation was pretty unique. Well, it turns out there’s an almost identical version in the Mission Madness series, which is exclusive to Kroger stores. The back of the package describes it as “one of 4 special scavenger hunt edition vehicles!” But it’s difficult to find information on this series, so I’m not sure how hard-to-find they really are. While the paint and deco are the same, the Thailand-made Mystery Model has a shiny chrome base, while this Malaysian-made Mission Madness version – which I found at a Dillons store –  has a dark chrome base.

BFV69 | 2014 Mission Madness #03/04 Kroger Exclusive | ’66 Chevy Nova | metalflake purple with white & orange trim | chrome/black PR5

The other castings in the Mission Madness series are Bone Shaker, ’06 Dodge Viper SRT10 and Triumph TR6.

LEGENDARY CHEVY II FIBERGLASS FASTBACK | BILL THOMAS’ BADASS BUILD FOR CKC RACING

This gallery contains 17 photos.

Originally posted on The Selvedge Yard:
The amazing story of Bill Thomas’ Race Cars badass (pre-Charger) Chevy II / Nova Fastback, bought by CKC Racing Team back in 1964 for $2500! Supposedly it has survived and resides somewhere in PA…

1979 Scene Machines S.W.A.T. Van

The S.W.A.T. van is another of the Hot Wheels Scene Machines from 1979. The casting is a reworking of the Letter Getter from 1977, made more imposing with the dark blue paint and the bold lettering and shield on the sides. The effect is supported with the image inside; heavily-armed officers and a vicious, fang-baring German shepherd look ready to take any measures necessary to keep order.

1979 | 2854 | S.W.A.T. Van (Scene Machines) | dark enamel blue with white & orange trim | Hong Kong | blackwalls

1979 California Criusin’ Super Van

The Hot Wheels Super Van – one of the castings I’ve owned one since I was a kid –  is a favorite of mine. Introduced in 1975, the original tool was used until 1985. It was retooled in 2003 and is continuing to enjoy another long run. The chrome metalflake 1979 version shown here is from the cars I bought from The Dealer. The hot rod painted on the side appears to share the same back wheel as the van itself.

1979 | 9205 | California Cruisin’ (Super Van) | chrome metalflake with orange, yellow & black trim | Malaysia | blackwalls

Other Super Vans I have in my collection include Thor, and Paramedic. I also have two of the retooled versions, one from the General Mills series and the other features an Archie Comics theme.

1979 Scene Machines Space Van

In 1979, Hot Wheels created a special series of vehicles called Scene Machines. Each model had a lens on the back, through which a picture inside the vehicle could be viewed. I was at first skeptical of what seemed like a gimmick, until I took ownership of the Motocross Team and became an instant fan. I have since acquired Spider Man, S.W.A.T. Van and now, the Space Van.

Space Van is an imposing, 6-wheeled wedge in metallic gray, white and silver. Peek through the porthole in the back and you’ll get a glimpse of the exciting adventures of its occupants. A similar casting appeared again in 1981 as Rescue Squad, in red and red plastic. The casting was reworked another time for 1982’s Tac-Com.

1979 | 285 | Space Van (Scene Machines) | gray with white plastic top | Hong Kong | blackwalls

1979 GMC Motor Home

During his later years, my friend Van was part of a camping club, a group of friends who would caravan around the country in motorhomes. Van was the fix-it guy in the club, always happy to help his camping club friends with mechanical or maintenance issues, or even cosmetic improvements to their motor homes. Even after they were too old to drive these cumbersome vehicles around the country, the camping club continued to meet once a month at a local restaurant for lunch. At some point, one of his beloved camping club friends gave Van this Hot Wheels Motor Home, hand-painted to match his own rig.

I have to admit, when Van first gave me his Hot Wheels Motor Home, I was a little disappointed that it had been painted over. But since Van has been gone a few years, I’m appreciating his customized version a lot more. Besides, based on the chrome plastic base, the blackwall tires, and the bits of original orange paint still peeking out under the wheel wells, I’m pretty sure Van’s Hot Wheels Motor Home was the same 1979 variation of which I also have a really nice example.

1979 | 9645 | GMC Motor Home | orange, chrome plastic base | Hong Kong | blackwalls