Counting Down! The Toy Peddler’s Anita Smith’s Top-10 Hot Wheels of All-Time

Anita Smith knows a thing or two when it comes to collecting vintage Hot Wheels models and celebrating its rich history. Today she shares 10 of her favorite Hot Wheels models from decades of collecting.

Here she is counting down  –

10. The 1968 Watermelon Store Display Mustang

While not impossible to find, it’s not easy to find one in good condition. When you do, they are amazingly beautiful!

The Watermelon Mustang is unique to the 1968 Store Display set sent to stores to show off the brand new Mattel Hot Wheels cars.

You won’t find this color in any other set or blister.

9. The 1970 Blue Chrome King Kuda Blister

The Chrome King Kuda was offered as part of a mail-in “Hot Wheels Club” in 1970.

Mattel overproduced the Club Cars and leftovers were painted Spectraflame colors and sold in stores. Nothing was ever wasted at Mattel!

This car is special as it was given to me by a fellow collector when my mother passed.

8. 1968 Brown Custom Camaro

Another Redline that is not extremely difficult to find, but it is not easy to find in good shape. I just love the color of this casting.

Brown is one of two unique colors to the 1968 store display color as well as some track sets.

7. 1971 Salmon Pink 442

Who doesn’t love the 442? Hot pink and salmon colors rule, but so does the purple… I prefer salmon, though!

It’s alllllllll about condition.

6. 1973 Rrrumbler BONESHAKER

‘73 Rrrumbers are the only year I collect. Most Hotwheel Redlines era collectors also enjoy them. We put some of these right up there with Redline Hot Wheels in collectability.

This one is a favorite as it was a ‘gift’ for assisting someone with a collection purchase. After receiving this, I found it to be a prototype lime “FIN” rider, very very rare.

He’s cruising on a clear proto-track guide too!

5. 1968 Hot Pink VW Bug

A car I had as a child of the 1960s, and always a collector favorite. Boys of the late 60s and early 70s didn’t want girly pink cars at the time, but that has definitely changed now!

A tough car to get in good shape.

4. 1968 Blue Deora

One of the “First 16” Hot Wheels in 1968, the Deora is a customized “surfer truck” designed by Mattel‘s first Hot Wheels designer Harry Bentley Bradley. Blue is the hardest color to come by, especially in good shape.

This particular car came back to me after a very long time and will definitely stay with me this time!

3. 1968 Custom Camaro

Ugly car, but a very unique piece.

This Camaro is a ‘hybrid’ and an odd shade of orange. US clear glass, with a HK body and base. Black interior, no steering wheel, non-painted tail. Very early wheels with no “PATS PENDING” base. These features have been only found on early blue/black roof HK cars.

An ugly oddity, and was a great eBay score many years ago.

2. (a tie) Two 1968 Custom Camaro Over-Chrome Commercial Car Blisters

These two are a tie as they are the exact same car.

“Over-Chrome Commercial Cars” are the most desirable Redlines behind the coveted “Pink Rear-Load Beach Bomb” owned by Bruce Pascal.

These cars were made specifically for the 1968 Hot Wheels TV commercials by Mattel. They have a very special finish that made them “POP” on the TV screen.

Very few of these were made, and only eight castings of the original “Sweet 16.”

There are only 3 Over-Chrome Commercial cars known in blister.

1. 1968 Strawberry Over-Chrome Custom Mustang Commercial Car Blister

My favorite car in my collection. I was extremely lucky to be chosen to purchase a special collection with an amazing history.

Of all the known “Over-Chrome Commercial Cars,” the watermelon OHS Mustang is the most popular.

These cars were made specifically for the 1968 Hot Wheels TV commercials by Mattel. They have a very special finish that made them “POP” on the TV screen. Very few of these were made, and only eight castings of the original “Sweet 16” (it is also featured in this list).

Again, there are only 3 Over-Chrome Commercial cars known in blister, one of which is this Mustang.