Anyone here collect Redline Hot Wheels?

[Phirewriter]

Just curious if there's any builders here who collects and/or restores vintage Hot Wheels?  I know there's some amazing 1/25 tribute builds by one of the members, RestoModGuy I believe. Just picked up a nice Pit Crew Car to complete my race team, shown here with the rest of the racing team Heavyweights and a hot pink 917.

Edited December 26, 2017 by Phirewriter

[MrObsessive]

Michael, I've LOVED redline Hot Wheels ever since they made the scene in 1968! Practically EVERY kid I knew who lived in my neighborhood back then (even girls) had Hot Wheels. Some were lucky enough to have ALL the sets that were available up to that point. I was just glad enough to get practically all 16 original ones that came out that year.

I'm not as avid a collector as I was years ago, but here are just a few of what I have..................

I'm also a HUGE fan of these..........you remember "Sizzlers"??

It's interesting that you can still get parts for those Sizzlers..............replacement chassis' along with batteries, and even decals can be found on eBay by certain sellers. A few of my Sizzlers still run, however a number of them have suffered from battery corrosion over the years, and are due for new chassis with clean contacts and all.

I've got the "Juice Machine", as well as a repro Power Pit. One of my dream builds somewhere down the road is a build up of Tom Daniels 'Lil Van, and turn it into the Sand Crab........my all time favorite Hot Wheel! I have the original kit (built up along with the box), but I'm gonna leave that as is,

Here's a sneak peak at making my own redline sidewalls for those huge rear tires..............

Just a practice try for sure...........some body changes (to the roll bar) would be in order, and I'd like to make two different windscreens-----a low cut one, and a taller one to suit the removable top that's in a similar shape to the Hot Wheels one. I'd maybe paint it purple with a white removable top.

Hmmm..........now I'm of a mind to get out my "Fat Track" and race the Sizzlers that do run!

[Phirewriter]

Very sweet collection!! I do indeed not only remember Sizzlers but still race them when time permits (slot cars too) Usually a group of us get together this time of year to race both Fat Track, orange track layouts and set up a Hot Line train for the kids. Unfortunately everyone has been so busy with their jobs this season we haven't been able to arrange anything.

[Dave Van]

I was a tester for Mattel during the Hot Wheels development. I was at a mall in So Cal shopping with my Mom. A lady walked up and asked my Mom if I could look at some toy cars and give my opinion.  We said yes and we went to a large room were they had the basic HW track set up along with the Mattel cars and a equal number of Matchbox cars.  They had me look and play with all the cars and then they asked me about them. I had all the Matchbox cars they were using and was blown away by the Hot Wheels. Needless to say I gave the HW two thumbs up!!  About 2 months later I got a box with that orange track, clamp and a Firebird conv.....I still have the car....that early track tended to split and was tossed when the production stuff was made. I still have all my original cars.....and more than I care to admit to. We gave Samaritans Purse Christmas Child project 3000 mint cars last year.....and my son is now the collector and gave him half my collection for Christmas this year.  I still have too many!!!!

[Phirewriter]

Whaaaa????? Too many? Seriously though I know what you mean. Giving that amount of cars in a really nice thing to do.  Nice story of your brush with Hot Wheels development. At one of the last HW conventions I attended I ran into a number of collectors who were child models for the catalogs and ads in the first years HW's were on the market.

I still collect on a casual basis, and then only for my interest and not as an investment. That's the one thing that's turned me off to Diecast message boards; too much focus on $$$$ and not what truly interested people as far as cars go. I also collect Lesney Matchbox stuff along with anything else that sparks interest. But since I also build models (why would I be here otherwise?)  I wanted to see if there's others that collect similar stuff. I don't buy new alot of new diecast anymore and concentrate more on vintage releases. 

Being a newly minted grandfather I'm hoping my grandson will have some interest in cars. My son-in-law has motorcycles and is a pilot so he'll be in good hands to foster interest in things mechanical. Has definitely changed plans for what happens to my stuff when I go room temperature.

Edited December 27, 2017 by Phirewriter

[randyc]

I still have a couple of redlines from my childhood, but do not collect themm as they are too expensive.  I have started sollecting nice, realistic 1/64 cars more seriously lately.  been selling off 1/18 diecasts to reclaim the room they take.   I still love building a plastic kit, but it takes a lot of space too and is in the outbuilding, which is cold in the winter.   There are some good resto vids on youtube.   I still get excited by "toy cars", as most of us here do.  I say "toy cars" becasue that's how most folks see them.  You say 1/64 and they go blank.   Say HotWheels and everyone knows what size you are referring to.  

[Mercuryman54]

I still have all my original redline Hot Wheels. Not bad shape, but they were played with a lot. they still look pretty good. I still remember the first one I got. 1968 Ford Mustang, Blue Fastback bought at a 5 and dime store {don't remember the exact store, also bought a AMT 1963 Ford Pickup with the camper shell at the same time} in Chattanooga, TN while on vacation. {Like it was yesterday}. I'll try and dig them out and get a few pics maybe this weekend.

Dennis

[Junkman]

I have one left from my childhood.

[Phirewriter]

Nice Street Snorter. That and the Mighty Maverick are some of my favourite castings.

[Tom Geiger]

Here's some survivors from my youth.  The VWs were my race team. They were heavy and dropped like rocks!   I have more, this was the photo I had handy.

Back in 1967 I was involved with the Pinewood Derby in Cub Scouts.  I thought it was a lot of fun, and I turned to my father and said it would be fun to have the same kind of track for my Matchbox cars.  So I flipped out when that happened the next year.  

And that's when I got a keen interest in helping my mother grocery shop. Acme had a rack of Hot Wheels and I could always get away with tossing a car or two in the shopping cart!   

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Tom Geiger

[MrObsessive]

13 hours ago, Phirewriter said:

Nice Street Snorter. That and the Mighty Maverick are some of my favourite castings.

Yup! Got one of those too!

The rear wing airfoil is taped on..........I hear there's replacements available, but this just stays in its Hot Wheels case so no biggie.

[Drag Monster]

I had quite a collection at one time. I liquidated just before the prices started to drop, around 2006-07. I kept the ones I really liked.