From Barbie to UNO, Mattel has given us some of the most iconic toys that have shaped our childhoods, bringing a breath of fresh air and nostalgia into our adult lives. One of the most iconic toys from the brand is undoubtedly Hot Wheels. Over the years, the miniature car line has had some iconic and surprising collaborations, many being collector favourites that have become more expensive than real four-wheelers. Here are 10 of the best Hot Wheels collaborations of all time.
Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler came up with the idea of Hot Wheels to compete with Matchbox toy cars. And over time, Hot Wheels became more than just a toy car.
Today, it is an admirable empire beloved by thousands of serious collectors all around the world. But while it started as a brand of toy cars, the Hot Wheels craze has now evolved to include accessories, clothes, and more. Here are some of the best collaborations we’ve seen over the years that should be on every collector’s wish list.
Best Hot Wheels collaborations we’ve seen so far
Hot Wheels x Fast & Furious
The Hot Wheels x Fast & Furious collaboration is one of the most iconic and successful in the world of die-cast collectibles. This collaboration features a wide range of vehicles from across the entire Fast & Furious saga. Featuring cars from the very first film to the latest instalments, Hot Wheels meticulously recreates models that any fans of the movie franchise would be able to recognise at a glance. Some of the most popular choices from this collection are the ’70 Dodge Charger R/T, Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34), the ’95 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Lykan HyperSport.
Over the last couple of years, this collaboration has moved beyond toy cars. Now, Hot Wheels has introduced NFTs and video games such as Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, where you can enjoy racing the cars in a virtual environment.
Hot Wheels x Formula 1
Hot Wheels collaborated with Formula 1 to create models of the world’s fastest cars in a 1:64 scale. The new Formula 1 Hot Wheels collection is available worldwide, bringing eight F1 teams (all except Ferrari and Aston Martin) to life in a variety of items spanning Hot Wheels Basics. Single and 5-pack assortments, Premium collectors’ products, and F1 track and play sets are all available, building on the limited edition 1:64 die-cast F1-branded car that was previously released in 2024. Devotees of speed can race the small vehicles on the ultimate home set up featuring lightning-fast F1 track sets, the specifically designed Formula 1 Sprint Circuit and Formula 1 Sprint Race.
The Sprint Circuit track set allows players to duel and overtake their way to the checkered flag, while the Sprint Race set includes a DRS booster to help cars gain an advantage and outperform the opposition. The collection also includes new Premium models with more elements to better resemble F1 cars, such as a metal body and chassis, accurate team liveries, driver numbers, and Pirelli tyres.
Hot Wheels x Ferrari
Long considered two of the most iconic brands in their respective fields, Hot Wheels and Ferrari have collaborated many times, presenting miniatures of some of the most legendary Ferrari figurines. This year, the collaboration has resulted in a new lineup that will expand on past collectible reissues as well as a new lineup of limited edition cars in both die-cast and RC variants.
The already sold-out Hot Wheels x Ferrari Heritage Set comprises a Ferrari 312 P, a tribute to the Hot Wheels brand’s original Ferrari model produced in 1970, and a Ferrari 499P Modificata, the manufacturer’s modern 24 Hours of Le Mans winning racer. Hot Wheels has also reinvented one of Ferrari’s most recent automobiles, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, as a 1:64 scale RC car compatible with Hot Wheels track sets. With full-function controls (forward, reverse, left and right steering), the SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano RC allows Ferrari lovers to operate one of the brand’s most unique road vehicles.
Hot Wheels x Star Wars
The Hot Wheels x Star Wars collaboration is a massively popular partnership between the toy manufacturing company and the beloved movie franchise. This collaboration has given birth to some of the most iconic vehicles, concept cars, and characters from galaxies far, far away, taking the form of die-cast collectibles.
Among others, the collection showcases a multitude of models. These include the X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker car, a model inspired by the R2-D2 droid, a Chewbacca-inspired truck, a small sportscar dedicated to Yoda, the 501st Clone Trooper SUV, an off road inspired by the Tusken Raider, a stunning Darth Vader-inspired car, the Dream Van XGW Panel featuring Princess Leia, and the Volkswagen Drag Truck featuring Luke Skywalker.
Hot Wheels x Tesla Cyber Truck Launch Edition
Soon after the real-world launch of the Tesla Cyber Truck, the car automobile company and Hot Wheels collaborated to bring the highly anticipated and uniquely designed Tesla Cybertruck to life on a smaller scale, specifically as Radio-Controlled (R/C) vehicles. The first release was a standardised, yet fully functional 1:64 Scale R/C model with different speed modes. Later, Hot Wheels released a limited-edition 1:10 Scale R/C model, which was even more detailed than the first one. This edition made Mattel the first company to issue a model of the angular ATV.
Hot Wheels x Supreme
Hot Wheels successfully immersed itself into the street style culture with this iconic collaboration featuring one of the key players of streetwear, Supreme. The most hyped item from this collab was the Supreme Hot Wheels Fleet Flyer + 1992 BMW M3 (E30) Red. It was essentially a “Team Transport” set, composed of a detailed 1:64 scale version of the 1992 BMW M3 (E30) and a Fleet Flyer Transporter hauler truck to carry the car. Both the cars came with Supreme’s signature bold, white-on-red box logo.
Hot Wheels X MSCHF (“Not Wheels”)
Along with Hot Wheels, MSCHF, an American art collective that made headlines last year for making the smallest handbag in the world with Louis Vuitton, created an homage to the beat-up, but reliable 1990s Japanese imports. Named the MSCHF Hot Wheels Not Wheels, the release sported three different wheels (two Real Riders classic tires, a yellow spare tire, and a rusty wheel hub), but with plenty of uniqueness. Completely damaged, corroded, and evidently worked on by amateur hands, the Not Wheels car is an accurate showcase of just how hard it has been driven and how much it has been loved.
Hot Wheels X Barbie
Two of Mattel’s most popular toys have had a collaboration in place for many years. In 1959, Ruth Handler premiered the Barbie doll for the first time at the annual Toy Fair in New York. Handler also founded Mattel with her husband Elliot Handler, who, almost a decade later, created the very first Hot Wheels cars. Over the years, the company has launched many Barbie and Hot Wheels collaborations, including Barbie Extra, Barbie Monster ‘Vette, Barbie Dream Camper, 1956 Corvette, Barbie Ultimate Camper, ’14 Corvette Stingray Convertible, and many others. These Barbie-themed Hot Wheels are definitely one of the most in-demand collectibles for fans of both toy franchises.
(Hero Image: Courtesy formula 1/official website; Featured Image: Courtesy mattel shop/official website)
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