1988 Hot Wheels 20th Anniversary Ferrari Testarossa

In 1988, celebrating their 20th Anniversary, Hot Wheels released a series of 12 special collector’s edition 3-packs. Each three pack included two mainline models from previous years as well as a chrome- or gold-plated car with the 20th Anniversary logo embedded in the casting.

The Hot Wheels Ferrari Testarossa was first released in 1987 and has been produced in about 38 different variations up to 1998. This nice example of the chrome 1988 20th Anniversary release is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Other Hot Wheels Ferrari Testarossas in my collection include the 1988 Color Racers version and a very rough red model from the 1988 mainlines.

Hot Wheels | 1988 20^th Anniversary 3-Pack | 4592 | Ferrari Testarossa | chrome with 20^th Anniversary logo cast in top, red interior, clear windows, chrome metal base | Malaysia | Ultra Hots wheels

Other 20th Anniversary Hot Wheels in my collection include a nice Mercedes 540K, and a rough version of the Firebird Funny Car.

1978 Hot Wheels Race Bait 308 with Black Metal Base

The Hot Wheels Race Bait 308 was first released in the 1978 Flying Colors series. It was produced in about 26 different variations – with various names such as Quick Trik, Street Beast and Ferrari 308 GTB – until the casting was retired with the 2004 Final Run series. That first year, the Race Bait 308 could be found with either a black plastic or metal base. This nice example of the metal base variation is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Other example in my collection of the Hot Wheels Race Bait 308 include the plastic base variation from 1978, the shiny release from the 1979 Golden Machines 6-Pack, and a pair of models from the 1988 Color Racers series.

Hot Wheels | 1978 | 2021 | Race Bait 308 | red with yellow, white and black trim, black interior, blue tinted windows, black metal base | Hong Kong | blackwalls

The photo below compares the metal base variation on the left with the plastic base version on the right.

Click here to view photos and links to all of the 1978 Hot Wheels in my collection.

Hot Wheels ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser Recent Variations

The coolest new release from Hot Wheels in 2019 was the ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser. I’ve done my best to nab each of the now 8 variations of this great casting and have recently added a few more. The latest issue is found in the 2022 HW Exposed Engine 5-pack – a fun assortment which also includes the Fiat 500C, the ’68 Gas Monkey Corvette, the Bone Shaker and Rigor Motor. My buddy, Brad, scored one of these 5-packs so he could add to his collection of the Rigor Motor, and he sent me the ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser. It features a nice magenta paint scheme with Hot Wheels Gasser Club livery.

Hot Wheels | HFV90 | 2022 (loose from) HW Exposed Engine 5-Pack | ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser | magenta with orange and silver HW Gasser Club tampo, light blue tint windows, chrome plastic interior and engine, black plastic base | Indonesia | silver 5-spoke wheels

This fun blue variation is from the 2021 Hot Wheels Race Team series and is another item my friend, Brad, sent me.

Hot Wheels | GRY24 | 2021 HW Race Team 7/10 | ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser | blue with orange, red, yellow and white trim, light blue tint windows, chrome interior and engine, black plastic base | Malaysia | gray 5-spoke wheels

I visited my favorite vendor at the Westway Marketplace flea market the other day and came across the light green variation of the ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser from the 2020 Muscle Mania release.

Click here to see the red variation of the 2020 Muscle Mania ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser.

Hot Wheels | GHF17 | 2020 Muscle Mania 2/10 | ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser | light green with black, yellow and white trim, clear windows, chrome interior and engine, black plastic base | Malaysia | dark gray 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the 2019 first-release variations of the ’64 Nova Wagon Gasser.

1995 Hot Wheels Lumina Minivan on #259 Collector Card

The Chevrolet Lumina APV (All Purpose Vehicle), produced from 1990 to 1996, was Chevrolet’s first front-wheel drive minivan. Responding to the success of Chrysler’s front-wheel drive first-generation minvans, General Motors created the Pontiac Trans Sport concept in 1986, which was then developed into the Lumina APV (as well as the Oldsmobile Silhouette and the Pontiac Trans Sport production minvan.)

The Hot Wheels Chevy Lumina (also called Lumina Minivan and Lumina Van) was first released in 1992 and was only produced in about seven different variations up to 1998. This black and yellow version with Taxi livery and blackwalls is the 1995 Collector #259 and is another of the blue cards I picked up back in February from the Facebook Marketplace.

Hot Wheels | 1995 | #259 | Lumina Minivan | yellow with black TAXI trim, red HW logo on front, clear windows with black frame, black interior, yellow plastic base | Malaysia | blackwalls

1995 Hot Wheels Gold Medal Speed Dodge Viper RT/10 on #210 Collector Card

The Dodge Viper is a two-seat sports car manufactured by Chrysler between 1992 and 2017 (although not continuously). It featured a tubular steel frame and fiberglass body panels. Powered by a V10 engine, the first generation SR I could accelerate from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 165 mph.

The Hot Wheels Dodge Viper RT/10 was first released in 1993 and has been produced in about 64 variations, recently included in the 2018 50th Anniversary – Throwback series. This metalflake dark aqua Collector #210 with gold Ultra Hot wheels is from the 1995 Gold Medal Speed segment and is another of the blue cards I picked up back in February from the Facebook Marketplace.

The other Hot Wheels Dodge Viper RT/10 in my collection is the yellow variation of the 1995 Gold Medal Speed Collector #210.

Hot Wheels | 1995 Gold Medal Speed | #210 |Dodge Viper RT/10 | metalflake dark aqua with red HW logo on windshield, black interior, black plastic base | Malaysia | gold Ultra Hots wheels

Other examples in my collection from the Hot Wheels Gold Medal Speed segment include the 1994 Ferrari F40, the 1994 Nissan Custom “Z”, the 1994 Sol-Aire CX4, and the 1994 BMW 850i.

1995 Hot Wheels Vampyra on #166 Collector Card

In 1986, Hot Wheels introduced the Speed Demons, a series of creature cars that were inspired by the stuff of nightmares. Vampyra is a blood-sucking hot rod bat and was among the original first six Speed Demons castings. These models seem to be either loved or hated, but Vampyra went on to be produced in about 25 different variations, appearing most recently in the 2018 Street Beasts series. This black version with no tampo on the wings is the Collector #166 from 1995 and another of the blue cards I picked up back in February from the Facebook Marketplace.

Other Hot Wheels castings in my collection that were originally from the Speed Demons series include Rodzilla and Ratmobile, Turboa and Zombot, and Fangster and Sharkcruiser.

Hot Wheels | 1995 | #166 | Vampyra | black with no tampo, light green and yellow eyes, gold chrome interior, unpainted metal base | Malaysia | Ultra Hots wheels

1994 Hot Wheels Gold Medal Speed BMW 850i on #255 Collector Card

The BMW E31 was the first generation 8 Series grand tourer built from 1990 to 1999. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 2-door coupe was powered by either a V8 or V12 (850i) engine with either a 4- or 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

The Hot Wheels BMW 850i was first released in 1991 and has been produced in about 16 different variations up to the 2001 Final Run series. This carded example of one variant of the 1994 Gold Medal Speed Collector #255 is another of several blue cards I picked up in February from the Facebook Marketplace.

Click here to see my other Hot Wheels BMW 850i, the 1991 Collector #149.

Hot Wheels | 1994 Gold Medal Speed | #255 | BMW 850i | metalflake dark blue with orange HW logo on rear window, red interior, tinted windows, black plastic base | Malaysia | gold Ultra Hot wheels

1992 Hot Wheels Pontiac Fiero 2M4 on #181 Collector Card

The Pontiac Fiero, which featured composite panels and hidden headlamps, was the first mid-engine sports car mass-produced by a U.S. manufacturer. It was built by GM for the 1984-1988 model years. The Fiero was on Car and Driver‘s Ten Best list and was also named the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500 in 1984.

The Hot Wheels Pontiac Fiero 2M4 made its debut in the 1985 Hot Wheels The Hot Ones series. It has been produced in about 27 variations up to as recently as 2013. The 1992 Collector #181 was light green with gold glitter flakes and could be found with either Ultra Hot wheels (click here to see my example) or with Hot Ones wheels as you see here. I scored this example back in February when I picked up several Collector Number Hot Wheels from a local seller on the Facebook Marketplace.

Other Hot Wheels Pontiac Fiero 2M4s in my collection include a Hong Kong casting from 1985, the 1987 red, white and blue version and a black variation of the Collector #114 from 1991.

Hot Wheels | 1992 | #181 | Pontiac Fiero 2M4 | light green with gold glitter, yellow interior, unpainted metal base | Malaysia | Hot Ones wheels

1989 Hot Wheels ’32 Ford Delivery

The Hot Wheels ’32 Ford Delivery is a very popular casting that was first released in the 1989 Classics series. It has been produced in over 70 variations, most recently included in the 2014 HW Road Trippin’ series. This yellow model with blackwalls and Hot Wheels Delivery tampo is the 1989 first casting and another car I added to take advantage of combined shipping when I scored the Oshkosh Cement Mixer on eBay.

Other examples of this casting in my collection include the 1991 Collector #135, the 1994 Malt-O-Meal promotional model, the variation included in the 1995 Little Debbie Bakery 3-pack promo and the 1998 30th Anniversary replica of the first release.

Hot Wheels | 1989 | 7672 | ’32 Ford Delivery | yellow with orange, red and blue Hot Wheels Delivery trim, clear windows, yellow interior, unpainted metal base | Malaysia | blackwalls

1987 Hot Wheels Gulch Stepper

The Hot Wheels Gulch Stepper was first released in 1985. The Larry Wood designed off-roader has been produced in about 25 variations up until it was included in the Final Run series of 2001. This red model with fun racing livery was a car I added to take advantage of combined shipping when I scored the Oshkosh Cement Mixer on eBay.

Click here to see my other Hot Wheels Gulch Stepper, the 1995 Collector #251.

Hot Wheels | 1987 | 1516 | Gulch Stepper | red with white, light blue and yellow trim, black windows, unpainted metal base | Malaysia | construction tires