Com What is a Redline? A "Redline" Hot Wheels car is one that was manufactured within the first ten years of production, to The term "redline" derives from the fact that, during that period, the cars were manufactured with a red stripe on the tire. Although there were a number of different wheels types and sizes, almost ALL cars made during the redline era have red striped wheels. The exceptions being the Rail Dragsters from , the two motorcycles from and some of the military vehicles However, simply having a red striped wheel does NOT guarantee that a car is a true redline.
These Vintage Hot Wheels Toys Are Worth Thousands of Dollars
These Vintage Hot Wheels Toys Are Worth Thousands of Dollars - HISTORY
Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. Dec 5, Barcroft MediaCar and Driver Hot Wheels celebrated its 50th anniversary in with one of its best years ever. So he knows his stuff. According to Bruce, low-volume models in original condition are the cream of the crop, even when their age is showing. The true diamonds are models with unreleased colors or wheel combinations. Pascal told us Hot Wheels can use as many as 30 different sets of wheels a year.
These fanciful replicas of '60s Muscle Cars were an instant hit and featured "chrome" mag wheels, independent suspension, brilliant "Spectraflame" paint jobs and realistic body and chassis detailing. What more could a young hot-rodder want? Aided by extensive television advertising, which set some trends of its own, and those familiar Orange Track sets, millions of these little toy cars were sold in subsequent years. The earliest Hot Wheels cars are now 33 years old and have become the premier die-cast collectible, achieving incredible prices on eBay and other venues for mint and rare pieces.
It comes down to rarity. In that first year, Mattel zoomed onto the die-cast toy scene, releasing 16 colorful, tricked-out models inspired by custom-built rods and high-performance muscle cars—on the whole, much flashier and fresher feeling than models put out by Brit-based die-cast competitors Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky. Serious Hot Wheels collectors seek mint-condition toys, with little to no sign of use, preferably in their original paperboard-and-plastic blister pack. Even rarer: finding an original model in its blister pack. The same holds true for the other early years of the brand.