1982 Hot Wheels The Hot Ones Mercedes 380 SEL

The Hot Wheels Mercedes 380 SEL was first released in the 1982 The Hot Ones series and has been produced in about 33 different variations up until it was included in the 1999 Final Run series. This metalflake silver model with gold Hot Ones is one of three variations (it was also found with gray paint and gold Hot Ones, or with metalflake silver paint and blackwalls) from that first year of release. It is another one of my R&S Resale finds.

The only other example of the Hot Wheels Mercedes 380 SEL that I have in my collection is the glittery Collector #229 from 1993.

Hot Wheels | 1982 Hot Ones | 3261 | Mercedes 380 SEL | metalflake silver | HK | gho

Click here to see photos and links to my entire collection of 1982 Hot Wheels.

1980 and 1988 Hot Wheels Corvette Stingrays

I added two more Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray variations to my collection out of the recent haul from R&S Resale. The popular casting, which first appeared in the 1976 Flying Color series and was produced in about 70 different variations, has been a favorite of mine since childhood – click here to see the redline first-casting that I still have from when I was a kid.

This metalflake gray model with colorful tampo is from 1988.

Hot Wheels | 1988 | 1448 | Corvette Stingray | metalflake gray with yellow, orange and magenta trim | MY | bw

This well-worn orange model with gold Hot Ones wheels is from 1980 and will be a placeholder in my collection until I find one in better shape. Click here to see the blackwall version from 1980 that has identical paint and tampo.

Hot Wheels | 1980 | 9241 | Corvette Stingray | orange with black, yellow and magenta trim | HK | gold Hot Ones

Other Hot Wheels Corvette Stingrays in my collection include the yellow variation from 1979, the shiny example from the 1979 Golden Machines 6-Pack, the metalflake red model from 1983, the fun white version with racing graphics from 1985, another shiny one from the 1992 Gleam Team series, and two variations from the 2006 Flying Customs.

1987 Hot Wheels Nissan 300ZX

The Nissan 300ZX, the successor to the 280ZX, was produced from 1983 to 2000 in two generations; the Z31 (1983-1989) and the Z32 (1989-2000). Called the Fairlady Z in Japan, the Z31 was first sold in the U.S. as the Nissan/Datsun 300ZX until 1985, when the Datsun badge was dropped. Engine options ranged from an inline 2.0 L 6-cylinder, to a 3.0 L V6, with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.

The Hot Wheels Nissan 300ZX, based on the Z31, was first released in 1985 and can be found in about a dozen variations up to 1997. This yellow model with gold Hot Ones from the 1987 Speed Fleet series is one of the cars from my recent eBay binge and is the first of this casting that I’ve added to my collection.

Not only does this casting have opening doors, but if you peer into the rear window you can see that it’s set up to spend the day on the tennis court.

Hot Wheels | 1987 Speed Fleet | 1454 | Nissan 300ZX | yellow with red, white and blue trim | MY | gho

1984 Hot Wheels Camaro Z-28

Continuing the recent trend of adding Hot Wheels Camaro Z-28s to my collection, I found another variation of the casting in the box of toys from my friend, Leslie. This rough metalflake red version is from the 1984 Hot Ones series.

Including my recent find that included 5 Camaro Z-28s, as well as one from the 1988 Color Racers, this make the 7th example of this model in my collection.

Hot Wheels | 1984 | 5182 | Camaro Z28 | metalflake dark red with white, yellow and blue trim | MY | gho

Instant Hot Wheels Camaro Z-28 Collection

The most recent lot of cars that my friend, Chris, found for me on the Facebook Marketplace out of St. Louis included 8 different variations of the Hot Wheels Camaro Z-28. I didn’t grab all of them, but I took five that had either blackwalls or gold hot ones wheels. In addition to one that I already have, this makes 6 in total, which may be the most of any one casting that I have in my vintage collection.

This first example is the first-casting, which was released in the 1982 Hot Ones series.

Apparently, there is also a version with identical paint, tampo and wheels which does not have ‘Camaro’ stamped into the base like mine.

Hot Wheels | 1982 | 5182 | Camaro Z-28 | white with purple, red and yellow trim, ‘Camaro’ on base | HK | gho

This 1983 variation – also released in the Hot Ones series – is one of three from that year. They all have the same tampo and wheels, but one is enamel gray cast in Hong Kong, the other two in metalflake gray cast in either Malaysia or Hong Kong like this one.

Hot Wheels | 1983 | 5182 | Camaro Z-28 | metalflake gray with orange and red trim | HK | gho

And from the 1986 Hot Ones series, this red model with blue, black and yellow trim.

Hot Wheels | 1986 | 5182 | Camaro Z-28 | red with blue, black and yellow trim, unpainted metal base | HK | gho

These next two blackwall examples from 1991 could be found in either the #33 Collector card or as McDonald’s promotionals.

Hot Wheels | 1991 | 33 or McDonald’s | Camaro Z-28 | purple with orange, light green and yellow trim, black plastic base | MY | bw

Hot Wheels | 1991 | 33 or McDonald’s | Camaro Z-28 | orange with yellow, magenta and blue trim, black plastic base | MY | bw

The other Hot Wheels Camaro Z-28 in my collection is from the 1988 Color Racers series.

1982 Hot Wheels P-911 Hong Kong-cast

I have heard cars that are in very poor condition described as “placeholders,” meaning that you will keep them only until you find an identical car in better shape. I think this is an interesting way to look at it, but even well-worn cars have a certain charm. And I have a fair amount of “placeholders” in my collection.

This Hot Wheels P-911 is one such car. It is one of the “keepers” from my recent Facebook Marketplace purchase of a Matchbox garage and 30 cars – and was one of the models that stood out to me in the original online photo. I couldn’t tell from the photo, of course, that it was in such poor condition. On the plus side, it is the gold Hot Ones variation from 1982 that will make a nice companion to the blackwall version I already have.

The popular Hot Wheels P-911 was first cast in 1975 and can be found in about 35 variations up to the Final Run series in 2001. In my collection, I also have a mint example (not a placeholder) of the white 1989 Ziploc promo.

Hot Wheels | 1982 | 7648 | P-911 | black with white, yellow and red trim | HK | gho

1983 Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray

Back in January, when my friend, Chris, sent me a link to a Facebook Marketplace listing of a bunch of nice, blackwall-era Hot Wheels, this metalflake red Corvette Stingray from 1983 was the first model that caught my eye. I had found a rough one of these last year and I said then that I would keep my eyes out for a cleaner example. Well, here it is.

I still have the 1976 first-release Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray from my childhood and it is a favorite casting of mine. The Corvette Stingray has been produced in about 70 different variations and I have relatively few in my collection, including the shiny model from the 1979 Golden Machines 6-Pack, the orange 1980 version, the white variation from 1985 with a fun racing livery, and the laser-engraved plastic model from the 1992 Gleam Team series.

Hot Wheels | 1983 | 9241 | Corvette Stingray | metalflake red with white, orange and yellow trim | HK | gho

1982 Hot Wheels Metalflake Red Front Runnin’ Fairmont

The Fairmont was a compact car produced by Ford in North America for the model years 1978-1983. Available as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon, the base model Fairmont had a 2.3 L inline 4-cylinder and a 3-speed manual transmission (upgraded to a 4-speed in 1979). In 1980, a turbocharged version of the engine was offered, bumping the horsepower rating from 88 up to 120. The Fairmont actually did have NHRA Pro Stock success when, in 1978, Bob Glidden’s Cleveland V8-powered Fairmont went undefeated in five nationals, bringing him his third national championship.

The Hot Wheels Front Runnin’ Fairmont was first released in 1982 and can be found in about 5 different variations up to the blue version from the 1995 Sto&Go Gas Station. (The 1986 release is called Race Ace, and in 2013 the casting was retooled for the Flying Customs series and renamed ’81 Ford Fairmont.) In my collection, I already have a nice red version from 1982, but this model – which was one of 10 Hot Wheels my friend, Chris, found for me on the Facebook Marketplace in St. Louis – is actually the metalflake red variant.

Hot Wheels | 1982 | 3257 | Front Runnin’ Fairmont | metalflake red with yellow, white, orange and black trim | HK | gho

1982 Hot Wheels Mirada Stocker

The Hot Wheels Mirada Stocker, based on the mid-sized sporty luxury car which was only produced by Dodge from 1980-1983, was first released in 1981. It can be found in about 8 different variations up to 1985. This red model from 1983 is one of 10 Hot Wheels that my buddy, Chris, found for me on the Facebook Marketplace in St. Louis.

The only other Mirada Stocker in my collection is a nice metallic gold variation from 1983.

Hot Wheels | 1982 | 1700 | Mirada Stocker | red with black, yellow and white trim | HK | gho

1983 Hot Wheels Flat Out 442

While antiquing in Ardmore, OK, for my Birthday weekend in late July, we visited the 3rd Ave Flea Market. The place is full of interesting items and has an entire yard full of architectural salvage. I spent most of my time there, however, near the front of the store where one vendor had a large assortment of diecast cars.

I found this Hot Wheels Flat Out 442 by itself in a little ziploc baggie for $2. The Flat Out 442 is a racing version of the fourth generation Oldmobile 442 fastback. It was first cast in 1979 and has made about 9 appearances up to 1984. It was retooled for the 2012 The Hot Ones series. This metalflake gold variation wearing gold Hot Ones wheels is from 1983.

This Flat Out 442 makes a nice companion for my Mirada Stocker, also from the 1983 Hot Ones series.

Hot Wheels | 1983 Hot Ones | 2506 | Flat Out 442 | metalflake gold with red, blue and orange trim | HK | gho