Hot Wheels Price Guide

1968 Redlines

1968 Beatnik Bandit For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Barracuda For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Camaro For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Corvette For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Cougar For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Eldorado For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Firebird For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Fleetside For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Mustang For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom T-Bird For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Custom Volkswagen For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Deora For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Ford J For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Hot Heap For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Python For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1968 Silhouette For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 Redlines

1969 Brabham Repco F1 For Sale Price Guide Price Guide

1969 Chaparral 2G For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 '31 Classic Ford Woody For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 '32 Classic Ford Vicky For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 '36 Ford Coupe For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 Classic '57 T-Bird For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1969 Custom AMX For Sale Just Sold

1969 Custom Continental Mark III For Sale Just Sold

1969 Custom Dodge Charger For Sale Just Sold

1969 Custom Police Cruiser For Sale Just Sold

1969 Ford Mark IV For Sale Just Sold

1969 Indy Eagle For Sale Just Sold

1969 Lola GT70 For Sale Just Sold

1969 Lotus Turbine For Sale Just Sold

1969 Maserati Mistral For Sale Just Sold

1969 McLaren M6A For Sale Just Sold

1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL For Sale Just Sold

1969 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow For Sale Just Sold

1969 Shelby Turbine For Sale Just Sold

1969 Splittin Image For Sale Just Sold

1969 Torero For Sale Just Sold

1969 Turbofire For Sale Just Sold

1969 Twinmill For Sale Just Sold

1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb For Sale Just Sold

1970 Redlines

1970 Ambulance For Sale Just Sold

1970 Boss Hoss Silver Special For Sale Just Sold

1970 Carabo For Sale Just Sold

1970 Cement Mixer For Sale Just Sold

1970 Classic Nomad For Sale Just Sold

1970 Dump Truck For Sale Just Sold

1970 Ferrari 312P For Sale Just Sold

1970 Fire Chief Cruiser For Sale Just Sold

1970 Fire Engine For Sale Just Sold

1970 Heavy Chevy For Sale Just Sold

1970 Jack Rabbit Special For Sale Just Sold

1970 King Cuda For Sale Just Sold

1970 Light My Firebird For Sale Just Sold

1970 Mantis For Sale Just Sold

1970 Mighty Maverick For Sale Just Sold

1970 Mod Quad For Sale Just Sold

1970 Mongoose Funny Car For Sale Just Sold

1970 Moving Van For Sale Just Sold

1970 Nitty Gritty Kitty For Sale Just Sold

1970 Paddy Wagon For Sale Just Sold

1970 Peeping Bomb For Sale Just Sold

1970 Porsche 917 For Sale Just Sold

1970 Power Pad For Sale Just Sold

1970 Red Baron For Sale Just Sold

1970 Sand Crab For Sale Just Sold

1970 Seasider For Sale Just Sold

1970 Skyshow Deora For Sale Just Sold

1970 Skyshow Fleetside For Sale Just Sold

1970 Snake Funny Car For Sale Just Sold

1970 Swingin' Wing For Sale Just Sold

1970 The Demon For Sale Just Sold

1970 TNT Bird For Sale Just Sold

1970 Tow Truck For Sale Just Sold

1970 Tri-Baby For Sale Just Sold

1970 Whip Creamer For Sale Just Sold

1971 Redlines

1971 AMX2 For Sale Just Sold

1971 Boss Hoss For Sale Just Sold

1971 Bugeye For Sale Just Sold

1971 Bye Focal For Sale Just Sold

1971 Classic Cord For Sale Just Sold

1971 Cockney Cab For Sale Just Sold

1971 Evil Weevil For Sale Just Sold

1971 Fuel Tanker For Sale Just Sold

1971 Grass Hopper For Sale Just Sold

1971 Hairy Hauler For Sale Just Sold

1971 Ice T For Sale Just Sold

1971 Jet Threat For Sale Just Sold

1971 Mongoose 2 For Sale Just Sold

1971 Mongoose Rail Dragster For Sale Just Sold

1971 Mutt Mobile For Sale Just Sold

1971 Noodlehead For Sale Just Sold

1971 Olds 442 For Sale Just Sold

1971 Pit Crew Car For Sale Just Sold

1971 Racer Rig For Sale Just Sold

1971 Rocket Bye Baby For Sale Just Sold

1971 S'Cool Bus For Sale Just Sold

1971 Scooper For Sale Just Sold

1971 Short Order For Sale Just Sold

1971 Six Shooter For Sale Just Sold

1971 Snake II For Sale Just Sold

1971 Snake Rail Dragster For Sale Just Sold

1971 Snorkel For Sale Just Sold

1971 Special Delivery For Sale Just Sold

1971 Strip Teaser For Sale Just Sold

1971 Sugar Caddy For Sale Just Sold

1971 T42 For Sale Just Sold

1971 Team Trailer For Sale Just Sold

1971 The Hood For Sale Just Sold

1971 Waste Wagon For Sale Just Sold

1971 What 4 For Sale Just Sold

1972 Redlines

1972 Ferrari 512S For Sale Just Sold

1972 Funny Money For Sale Just Sold

1972 Mercedes Benz C111 For Sale Just Sold

1972 Mongoose Rear Engine Dragster For Sale Just Sold

1972 Open Fire For Sale Just Sold

1972 Sidekick For Sale Just Sold

1972 Snake Rear Engine Dragster For Sale Just Sold

1972 Drivin' Gear For Sale Just Sold

1973 Redlines

1973 Alive 55 For Sale Just Sold

1973 Buzz Off For Sale Just Sold

1973 Double Header For Sale Just Sold

1973 Double Vision For Sale Just Sold

1973 Dune Daddy For Sale Just Sold

1973 Ferrari 312P For Sale Just Sold

1973 Hiway Robber For Sale Just Sold

1973 Ice T For Sale Just Sold

1973 Mercedes Benz 280 SL For Sale Just Sold

1973 Mercedes Benz C111 For Sale Just Sold

1973 Mongoose Funny Car For Sale Just Sold

1973 Odd Job For Sale Just Sold

1973 Paddy Wagon For Sale Just Sold

1973 Police Cruiser For Sale Just Sold

1973 Porsche 917 For Sale Just Sold

1973 Prowler For Sale Just Sold

1973 Red Baron For Sale Just Sold

1973 Sand Witch For Sale Just Sold

1973 Show Off For Sale Just Sold

1973 Snake Funny Car For Sale Just Sold

1973 Street Snorter For Sale Just Sold

1973 Superfine Turbine For Sale Just Sold

1973 Sweet 16 For Sale Just Sold

1973 Xploder For Sale Just Sold

1974 Redlines

1974 Alive 55 For Sale Price Guide Price Guide

1974 Baja Bruiser For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Breakaway Bucket For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Buzz Off For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Carabo For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 El Rey Special For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Ferrari 312P For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Funny Money For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Grasshopper For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Heavy Chevy For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Ice T For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Mercedes C111 For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Police Cruiser For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Porche 917 For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Prowler For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Rash 1 For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Red Baron For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Road King Truck For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Rodger Dodger For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Sir Rodney Roadster For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Steam Roller For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Top Eliminator For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Volkswagen For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1974 Winnipeg For Sale Just Sold Price Guide

1975 Redlines

1975 American Victory For Sale Just Sold

1975 Backwood Bombs For Sale Just Sold

1975 Chevy Monza For Sale Just Sold

1975 Chief's Special For Sale Just Sold

1975 Dune Daddy For Sale Just Sold

1975 Emergency Squad For Sale Just Sold

1975 Gremlin Grinder For Sale Just Sold

Hot Wheels Redlines are the original series of die-cast toy cars produced by Mattel from 1968 to 1977, marking the debut and early years of the Hot Wheels brand. They’re named for the distinctive red stripe on their wheels, a feature that became iconic among collectors and enthusiasts. Redlines are celebrated for their innovative design, vibrant colors, and historical significance in the toy and automotive world.

Origins and Launch (1968)

Introduction: Hot Wheels hit the market in 1968, created by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler to compete with Matchbox cars. Handler wanted faster, flashier cars with an American hot-rod vibe.
The "Sweet 16": The first 16 models, released in 1968, are known as the "Sweet 16" and include the Beatnik Bandit, Custom Camaro, Deora, and others. These are the holy grail for collectors.
Design Team: The cars were designed by automotive legends like Harry Bentley Bradley (a former GM designer) and Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, blending real car culture with toy innovation.

Key Features of Redlines

Redline Wheels:
- The defining trait: a thin red stripe around the edge of the chrome-plated wheel hubs, paired with rubber-like tires.
- These wheels were designed for speed on Hot Wheels tracks, using low-friction bearings—a leap forward from Matchbox’s simpler designs.
Spectraflame Paint:
- Redlines feature a unique, translucent metallic paint called Spectraflame, applied over a polished zinc-plated body. This gave them a shimmering, jewel-like finish.
- Colors ranged from common (red, blue, green) to rare (pink, purple, copper), with variations within shades (e.g., light blue vs. ice blue).
Construction:
- Made with die-cast metal bodies and bases, often unpainted on the bottom.
- Early models (1968-1970) were manufactured in the U.S., stamped "U.S.A." on the base. Later production shifted to Hong Kong (around 1970-1977), marked "Hong Kong."
- Interiors were typically plastic, in colors like white, black, or grey.
Packaging:
- Sold in blister packs with a cardboard backing and a plastic bubble.
- Included a collector’s button (badge) with the car’s image or Hot Wheels logo, now a prized accessory for collectors.
Realistic Details:
- Many Redlines were based on real custom cars or production models (e.g., Beatnik Bandit by Ed Roth, Custom Mustang).
- Features like exposed engines, hood scoops, and chrome accents mirrored the hot-rod and muscle-car craze of the late 1960s.

Evolution and Production (1968-1977)

1968-1970 (Early Years):
- U.S.-made, premium quality, Spectraflame paint dominant.
- Models often had opening hoods or detailed interiors.
1970-1973 (Transitional Period):
- Production moved to Hong Kong for cost savings, though quality remained high.
- Some models retained Spectraflame, while others shifted to enamel paints.
1974-1977 (Late Redlines):
- Spectraflame was phased out in favor of cheaper enamel finishes.
- Redline wheels gave way to blackwall tires by 1977, marking the end of the Redline era as Mattel adapted to rising costs and competition.

Popular Models

Besides the Beatnik Bandit, notable Redlines include:

Custom Camaro: One of the first and rarest, especially in pink.
Deora: A futuristic cab-forward pickup based on a real custom Dodge.
Python: Known for its sleek, snake-inspired design.
Heavy Chevy: A beefy Camaro variant from later years.

Collectibility and Value

Redlines are a cornerstone of Hot Wheels collecting due to their rarity, nostalgia, and craftsmanship. Values depend on condition, color, and packaging:

Mint in Blister Pack (MIB): Rare originals can fetch hundreds or thousands. For example, a pink Rear-Loading Beach Bomb (a prototype) sold for over $100,000.
Loose, Near-Mint: Common colors might go for $50-$200, rare ones $300-$1,000+ (e.g., a pink Beatnik Bandit at $350).
Played-With: Worn cars still sell for $10-$50 due to demand.
Rare Variants: Colors like pink, antifreeze green, or purple, especially from 1968-1970, command premiums. Prototypes or errors (e.g., wrong wheels) are even pricier.

Why They’re Special

Innovation: Redlines introduced low-friction wheels and track play, revolutionizing die-cast toys.
Cultural Tie-In: They captured the 1960s car culture—hot rods, customs, and muscle cars—appealing to kids and adults.
Nostalgia: For many, Redlines were a childhood treasure, driving today’s collector market.

End of the Redline Era

By 1977, rising production costs and competition from cheaper toys led Mattel to ditch Spectraflame paint and redline wheels. The brand evolved with blackwall tires and modern designs, but the Redline era remains the most revered chapter in Hot Wheels history.

Modern Legacy

Mattel has reissued Redlines in various forms (e.g., Redline Club exclusives), but purists focus on originals. The Redline name still evokes the golden age of Hot Wheels, and vintage examples are hunted on eBay, at toy shows, and in personal collections.