Speed Machines - 1983
Speed Machines were released for most of one year (1983) as a non Hot Wheels labeled car with cost cutting features to compete with lower cost cars, such as Yatming and Zee Toys. These were shipped to drug stores and other non-traditional sellers. They did manage to get some of the most desirable castings of the day which has made them very collectible. Also, there are some hard to find variations for several castings, most of which we do not have yet, so stay tuned!! Not in the Hoard yet: the Poison Pinto and the Inside Story.
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Vette VanThis was a hi-rakers version in the mainline. This version has that mechanism removed. We think there is an interior color variation, but right now we can only remember blue.
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Spoiler SportThis one comes in two variations, a black base and a blue base. A favorite of ours from the Flying Colors era.
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T-TotallerAnother favorite, this was the last version of the T-Totaller. This one has a tan interior. There was a Mexican version of this later on, but the casting left the mainline after that.
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Z-WhizThe Z-whiz did make it to a french variation after this and also a very short run Italian version. This one has a plastic base, a change from the original metal base. One of the three or four that have gone way up in value.
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American Victory
Another that made it to a french version, then stopped production. Pretty common in blister pack still.
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Bubble GunnerThe Bubble Gunner has a base variation, this one is black, there is another color, chrome we think. Recently redone in the 2015 Hot Ones line.
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Show Hoss IIAnother collector favorite, the Show Hoss II moved to french production and then ended soon after. Very sought after.
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Second WindThe Second Wind in orange was and is a cool color! After this, it moved to India/Leo production.
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Hemi HaulerAnother sought after car, they removed the tampos and the hood prop.
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Custom MustangVery desirable, this was the last appearance of the casting.
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Hare SplitterThis one has a roof rack and a tire on the top in the main line. Moved to India/Leo production after this.
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Spacer RacerThe Spacer Racer had a plastic gun on the top in the two versions in the mainline. Last appearance of the casting.
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Dumpin' AThe mainline version was much more detailed with tampos. A mexican version exists, then it left the mainline. Recently redone in the Hot Ones series.
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Vega BombAnother collector favorite, the casting moved to Europe for French and Italian production. No interior and no tampos on the Speed Machines version.
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More to come!Definitely more to come, we are pursuing the Inside Story variations and any others we are missing!
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