10 Most Exciting Hot Wheels Cars of the Decades

You'll learn about the hobby by actively following enthusiast groups on various social media platforms. People complain about scalpers, the Red Line Club, supply issues, tedious recolors, etc. But thankfully, there are plenty of exciting things to see: vintage collectibles, good deals, display ideas, scammer alerts, and custom diecast models.

Earlier today, someone was looking for a few older cars, and half the group had no idea those existed. I realized this may be the case for anyone who's been part of the game for less than five years. So I decided to do something about it. Mattel and Wal-Mart have collaborated for many years, leading to some awesome releases.

Even though I mainly focus on Premium items, I can still appreciate basic Hot Wheels given the right circumstances. In 2011 and 2012, collectors could seek out a special series named "Cars of the Decades." The idea was simple: Mattel chose vehicles representing the '30s, '40s, and so on and made a series.

There are four cars for each decade, which adds up to 32 items for 2011 and another 32 for 2012. I've selected the ten most exciting cars for this story, five from each year. If you would have opted for a different lineup, let me know in the comments below! It has all been mostly an American affair, with some minor exceptions.

Series 1 featured the McLaren F1 GTR and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. Series 2 only included the '65 Volkswagen Fastback and the Toyota AE-86. I've discussed three of these four in previous stories, so I won't include them here today (although the first two supercars would always be at the top of my list). Let's see what Cars of the Decades was made of without further ado.

'33 Ford 

The '33 Ford casting is 20 years old already! Larry Wood designed it, and its first appearance was in the Auto Affinity: Great 8s collection. Mattel released three color variations for that set in 2004, before the Mainline debut in 2005. A

complete set of '33 Ford will include 23 items, most of which have a plastic base and regular wheels. The 2011 Cars of the Decades '33 Ford looked decent enough in Dark Yellow with a minimal livery and 5-spoke wheels. The best part is that it won't cost more than $13.

'41 Willys

I'm not big on cars from the '30s or '40s, but the '41 Willys caught my attention due to its 1/4-mile (402 meters) warrior stance. Phil Riehlman designed this one for its 2000 debut, and it's no longer around, as Mattel shelved the project in 2014.

Some variations can easily cost $70, but that's rarely the case. The metallic green and tan color combo looks great for this casting, but if you prefer the first color, look up the 2010 model.

The exposed engine featured a gold finish, matching the 5-spoke wheels. On the side, the El Segundo Shaker decals pay tribute to the city where the diecast manufacturer has its HQ.

'77 Corvette F/C

I skipped the '50s and '60s entirely for 2011, as I've already reviewed some of those models. But it's also because I'd rather start a '77 Corvette F/C collection more than anything else.

Rob Matthes designed this Dragstrip Demon (its debut collection), and we saw 11 variations between 2009 and 2015. Six of those were Premiums, and I wonder how much the 2013 MEA Dinner Dance version is worth these days.

The model we're looking at today featured a yellow paint job and a livery that reminds me of the '71 Mustang Funny Car Treasure Hunt. This time, you might need a budget of up to $20.

Pro Stock Firebird

By looking at this list, can you tell I'm still in love with drag racing? I've seen several Hot Wheels Firebirds before, but somehow, I missed the Pro Stock model. It's one of the two models on this list that Greg Padginton designed alongside the Chevy Pro Stock Truck.

It's a shame that Mattel never released a premium version of the Pro Stock Firebird, but there are still a few interesting iterations. The 2011 Cars of the Decades release featured a Leeway Racing livery with a purple finish, and it was the last but final variation of the casting. It is also one of the cheapest items here, with prices as low as $3.

Mustang Cobra

After so many drag-racing monsters, seeing an IMSA GT race car feels like a relief. I'm sure many young collectors aren't even aware that this Mark Jones-designed casting exists. The Mustang Cobra debuted in the 1998 First Editions series, and that black and green iteration is one of the best ones money can buy.

Well, at least that's true from a visual perspective. Otherwise, most collectors will probably be on the hunt for the 2012 HW Racing: Muscle premium edition.

It's great that you can still find those for $30 or less. The livery of the 2011 Cars of the Decades version reminds me of the Ultra Hots series, and the black and yellow combo is just what this car needs. I'm adding this to my bucket list as we speak.

Custom '59 Cadillac

Starting with the Custom '59 Cadillac, we've switched to the 2012 Cars of the Decades series. This modified Eldorado debuted in the 2002 First Editions series. Seventeen variations later, it reached the end of the road, and the series we are talking about today was its final showing. Mattel inducted it into the Hall of Fame: Greatest Rides in 2003 and used it as a Treasure Hunt item in 2006.

I'd rate the look of the Final Edition at least 9/10, as that dark shade of Metallic Green is a good fit for a classic car such as this one. But maybe stay away from the people asking almost $30 for one.

'69 Corvette

I know; I added another Corvette to this list (and I'm not done yet). I can't help but say it's my favorite piece of American motoring. And my most recent test at Tsukuba has intensified my lust for one.

This casting is still around, although we haven't seen a new version for 2024. It debuted in 2006 and reached Super Treasure Hunt status in 2014. But it makes me sad that Mattel doesn't have a Premium variation for it! In 2012, collectors could look for the Regular Treasure Hunt '69 Corvette.

However, I would opt for the Cars of the Decades release instead. It looked glorious in Metaflake Red with a black roof, and I can't understand why I could only find one listing for it on eBay.

Chevy Pro Stock Truck

As much as I would like to see more drift-spec and hillclimb-spec vehicles in Mattel's portfolio, I must be patient. Meanwhile, there are probably over 100 castings that will remind you of the drag strip.

And the Chevy Pro Stock Truck is just one of them. The designer drew inspiration from John Lingenfelter's Chevrolet S-10, with the official debut happening in 2000. It all ended 15 variations later as part of the 2012 Cars of the Decades lineup.

The Metalflake Green body features white and yellow on the outside and a matching interior. Five-spoke wheels have always been the Chevy Pro Stock Truck standard, and I'd fit a set of Mag-style Real Riders just for the kicks.

Customized C3500

The Customized C3500 could easily fit the role of a hauler for the Pro Stock Truck. I can already imagine the set. I'd love to see this Phil Riehlman-designed casting next to some smaller Hot Wheels cars like the Fiat 500e. I bet that would be hilarious. However, Mattel stopped the project in 2019 after 25 variations.

Four or five are genuinely exciting, but be careful if you're only hunting for the metal-based models, as they're rarer. The 2012 C3500 is unexpectedly good in purple, rolling on PR5 wheels.

'09 Corvette ZR1

The last car on the list is the '09 Corvette ZR1. I think this is my go-to option if I can ever afford to spend that kind of money on a fun car. I recommend reading my interview with Jim Mero to learn more about the ZR1 and its Nurburgring adventures.

Until then, there are 20 variations of the Hot Wheels '09 ZR1 to look for. The 2013 Super Treasure Hunt model is still one of the most coveted releases, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the other iterations. Metalflake Pale Blue was an interesting finish for the Cars of the Decades variation and somehow manages to make the car look even more menacing if you're using the proper lighting.

Seeing this series makes me think that I should go all in and buy the 64 models. But I'm afraid that will tempt me into buying more variations from each one, which could end up in a 1,000+ Hot Wheels collection.