Hot Wheels
Toy Car
1973 (manufactured)
1973 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Introduced in 1968, Hot Wheels were the US competitor to Matchbox. Although there are roughly 10,000 models to date, the brand is famous for its custom hot rods and muscle cars. Elliot and Ruth Handler, co-founders of Mattel, wanted to make a range of cool cars for children. One of the design team members was Harry Bradley from General Motors. When Elliot first saw Bradley's classic Southern California hot rod in the parking lot he said, "Man those are some hot wheels" and so the Hot Wheels brand name was born.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hot Wheels (series title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted die-cast metal, plastic |
| Brief description | Toy car, metal and plastic truck with motorcycles, made by Mattel, Hong Kong, 1973 |
| Physical description | Blue truck with red and yellow flame design on the bonnet. It has two yellow plastic motorcycles in the back, yellow seats, four black plastic wheels and a silver bottom. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Hot Wheels. 1973 Mattel inc. Hong Kong. U.S. patented. Other U.S & foreign pats. pend.'
|
| Object history | Purchased as part of a group of 6 Hot Wheels cars (B.112-2004 - B.117-2004), see purchase price |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Introduced in 1968, Hot Wheels were the US competitor to Matchbox. Although there are roughly 10,000 models to date, the brand is famous for its custom hot rods and muscle cars. Elliot and Ruth Handler, co-founders of Mattel, wanted to make a range of cool cars for children. One of the design team members was Harry Bradley from General Motors. When Elliot first saw Bradley's classic Southern California hot rod in the parking lot he said, "Man those are some hot wheels" and so the Hot Wheels brand name was born. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.116-2004 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 31, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
