Redlines
Mattel started shipping Hot Wheels to the USA in 1968. The cars were distinctive for several reasons, but the easiest styling cue to pick out quickly are the Red Lines on the tires. This ended in 1977, and as time progressed, it became the term used by collectors and later, non collectors and resellers. Mattel has since reissued cars with many versions of redline tires, so it is harder for the non collector to pick out the originals. Throughout the redline era, the cars where only made in the USA and Hong Kong, so any cars with redline tires made elsewhere (Malaysia, China and Thailand) are newer non original redlines.
1968-1972The first five years of production saw some of the best Hot Wheels ever. Most models came in MANY different colors, but some colors are harder to find and most models did not come in every color, so definitely a challenge to collect, especially as prices have really escalated for truly mint models.
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1973 Enamels1973 saw the end of the spectra flame paint. Sales were very soft for these cars, and they are hard to find in decent condition as the paint is pretty easy to scratch.
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1974-1977 Flying ColorsAfter the plain enamel cars of 1973, these new cars, with wild new packaging, were very bright and fun and revived the line. Mixed in was a subset called Super Chromes later in the run.
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1972 farbsA small series of four cars that are surprisingly collectible!
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