10 Most Exciting Hot Wheels Boulevard Legends

That's possible with a strong enough will and some strategies. Just don't walk into any toy store. Don't visit any online shops and forums. Spend your money on something else. It's not impossible! I've immersed myself in yet another "classic" Boulevard series. I already discussed "Ahead of Its Time" and "Big Hits." You'd have to spend between $300 to $17 for the latter.

That seems reasonable enough for a line-up of 17 collectibles. Today, I'm moving on to another part of the 2012 Boulevard series. This one is called "Legends," with 15 different castings to gawk at. These are even more affordable than "Big Hits"; you can get them from eBay for anywhere between $260 and $420, plus shipping costs. But you can always go deeper; all 17 castings add up to over 220 variations. And that's not going to be even remotely as cheap. I had to eliminate five items for today's exercise to form a Top 10 list.

I showcased the Classic Packard in a previous story so that one went first. The Triumph TR6 was part of the 2024 Ultra Hots collection, so here's another one. The Metrorail Nash Metropolitan and the Austin Healey seem out of place here, and I opted to exclude them for now. The only difficult call I had to make was on the '56 Mercury, but I'll get to it later.

1. '41 Willys

The '41 Willys is one of the four Larry Wood-designed castings in the Boulevard Legends series. It debuted in the 2009 New Models collection, and Mattel developed 18 variations until 2021. Although three iterations have had Real Riders wheels, only one featured a metal base.

And you may have guessed that it was the 2012 Boulevard model. The Preferred Series RR rims looked great in grey with chrome lips and matched the Willys's Matte Black and Metalflake Grey paint job. I expect some collectors to name this the best-looking item in the Legends series, but I've got my eyes set on a different vehicle.

2. '49 Drag Merc

Phil Riehlman is the most famous designer in this collection, with five castings to his name. The '49 Drag Merc is one of them. For some reason, it has had a relatively short lifespan. It debuted in 2010 and disappeared 12 iterations later in 2014. It's a 1/4-mile-ready version of a 1949 Mercury Eight, which might remind you of the Purple Passion casting.

In 2012, Mattel fitted this vehicle with Real Riders Steelies, thus revealing the first and only Premium variation in its lineage. I prefer this design over the gassers, but I wouldn't pick it over the funny car castings. You can pick up the '49 Drag Merc for as little as $8, which makes it one of the more affordable items here.

3. '52 Hudson Hornet

The '52 Hudson Hornet is one of only three collectibles in the Boulevards Legends set to have reached Super Treasure Hunt status. It was part of the 2016 STH series and looked fantastic in a mix of Spectraflame Red and Gold. It debuted in 2012 with Boulevard, featuring a Metallic Sky Blue finish, a white roof, and Real Riders Wire Spoke wheels.

But I would forget about it for the 30-car Set variation in blue. And if you'd like something more special in your collection, the RLC Rewards version is the way to go. That will cost between $80 and $160 on its own.

4. '58 Edsel

Ford would probably like to forget the Edsel episode from almost a century ago. But Mattel wasn't about to sit there and do nothing about it. The '58 Edsel showed up in the 2009 Classics (Series 5) collection, sporting a mix of white and Spectraflame Blue. The Chase version even had RR wheels, so that's the one you want.

There are 12 variations of this model on the market, and the 2012 Boulevard Legends model was the 11th one. It's not the most visually appealing item here, but it is part of automotive history, and that's enough to consider it for your collection. It's too bad the diecast manufacturer shelved the project in 2013.

5. '63 Studebaker

At least the '63 Studebaker is still around. It took center stage in 2022 as part of the Super Treasure Hunt series, but there's more to it than that. Five of the 13 variations are Premium models, and they all have something interesting about them.

The Whatchamacallit iteration came up in 2012, but the Legends Studebaker overshadowed it. I love the grey and blue mix of colors, but for some reason, this item is proving hard to find. I've only seen four listings on eBay, ranging from $20 for one vehicle to $32 for two.

6. '67 Pontiac Firebird

The '67 Pontiac Firebird is the first of two castings designed by Brendon Vetuskey on this list. It's also one of the more popular items, with 21 variations between 2010 and 2017. The Legends release showed up with an Orange paint job, a white roof, and RR wheels.

And it's second to no other iteration in its category, with only the Hot Wheels Garage: GM releases coming anywhere near it. It's one of my favorite models on the list, and it's great to know you can buy it for just $11.

7. '70 Pontiac GTO Judge

I don't remember ever walking into a store and finding the '70 Pontiac GTO Judge. Mattel used it in the 2023 American Steel series, but it must have slipped past me. Most of the ten variations showed up between its debut in 2011 and 2012, and then things slowed considerably.

And if you want a Premium variation, there's only one way to go. The diecast manufacturer painted the Pontiac Metalflake Orange for its Boulevard release and gave it a set of five-spoke Real Riders wheels to complete the package. The market value for these items is between $25 to $40 these days, and I'd give it a go.

8. AMC Rebel Machine

Regarding the number of variations, the AMC Rebel Machine is the rarest casting on the list. Brendon Vetuskey designed this vehicle, and Mattel developed only six iterations between 2012 and 2022. It debuted with the Boulevard Legends collection, using a white finish with a blue hood and red pinstripes.

The latest Team Transport version has a similar livery but added Rebel Machine decals on the side. You might enjoy the 2018 Forza Motorsport iteration. Price-wise, it's the same story. Neither of the items here will cost more than $40, while only a handful will cost less than $15.

9. Plymouth AAR Cuda

By the number of releases, the Plymouth AAR Cude is the most popular vehicle, with 28 variations. It debuted in 2009, and I've already seen two models for 2024. If you're not into the Metallic Grey on the 2012 Boulevard Legends Cuda, I'm sure you'll be enthralled by Dan Gurney's Plymouth in Metallic Blue.

To this day, these are two of the most exciting variations you can find. But Mattel has been shifting things into high gear for several years. First, we had the Fast & Furious release in 2020, with another one for 2024. And the Team Transport Cuda should arrive in a store near you just as soon.

10. Plymouth Duster Thruster

Mattel nailed the livery with the Plymouth Duster Thruster. The black, white, and red color combo looks rather menacing, and the big Preferred Series Real Riders wheels on the back amplify that feeling. The 2009 HWC.com Series 8: Real Riders release was much rarer at 6,500 units, but it can be a tad more expensive.

With just 11 variations to remember, this casting won't cause havoc in your bank account. And it's always nice to have a tiny vehicle with a massive exposed V8 upfront. That's about it for my Boulevard Legends review; I'll be back with more Premium Hot Wheels vehicles soon.