Hi Woodsy,
The American toy company Mattel was founded in 1945, and 2025 is their 80th Anniversary. To celebrate, they have produced special Anniversary editions of various toys.
The first toy car ever made by Mattel was a large, friction-powered plastic Dream Car. This appeared in 1953, and was a 1950s version of what the cars of the future might look like.
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Mattel in 2020, a die-cast version of the Dream Car, now called the Mattel Dream Mobile, was released in the Hot Wheels range.
At first, this came in colours that matched the original, 1950s toy – red, blue, and green, all with silver trim. The Hot Wheels version is about a quarter the size of the original toy.
In later years the model was included in the Color Shifters and Color Reveal ranges. Color Shifters change colour when dipped in hot or cold water; while the Color Reveal models have an additional coat of paint over the top, which washes off when first dipped in water.
This 80th Anniversary model is in two-tone metallic red. The areas that are dark metallic red were silver on previous releases. The model has the word MATTEL inside the number 80 below the windscreen, and the date 1945 at the rear.
The interior appears to be grey, with smoke-tinted windows; and a chromed base, which includes the bumpers. Copyright date is 2019.
This Anniversary model is included in the HW Celebration Racers series for 2025, which usually covers things like Valentine's Day or Halloween. The Mattel 80 logo appears in the upper left hand corner of the card.
The Long Card style of packaging is the most commonly seen style in New Zealand, but Woolworths (previously Countdown) supermarkets have the Short Card versions. I managed to find both, which have slightly different graphics.
Do you like Dream cars?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
I'm not familiar with any of that. I think Hot Wheels are a little small for me to like today. Although I suppose it might be cool to have my favorite cars from my childhood again. And I always thought it'd be kinda neat to have a Hot Wheel (or Matchbox) of every car I've owned. Any of you guys do that?
ReplyDeleteOf the six types of car we've leased or owned in the last 22 years not one has turned up as a diecast. Of the London taxis I owned back in the UK I have numerous models of both types.
DeleteBaron, it is fun to reacquire the diecasts we had as kids. I've had a blast over the last few years. I was OK with loosely examples myself, with the odd paint scuff which I could retouch. Mint boxed is a different way to go, too expensive for me but very satisfying I bet.
DeleteTerran, are the cars you've had unusual?
DeleteI've thought about collecting toys of the cars I've had but they're not all available. Matchbox have yet to do a Daihatsu Charade!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of that Kev! A 1980's motor?
DeletePretty much, we got it in the 80's but it was old then. Nice car but so uncommon at the time that if it needed a part it took ages to find one!
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