2023 Hot Wheels Pop Culture Mix 4 Delivers Tiny Dose of Speed in a Box

I discovered that about myself recently as I walked into one of the big collector stores in my area. With hundreds of diecast cars inside, I decided to step out without buying one. I've focused my Hot Wheels collection around premium Porsches and Mazda RX-7s. That's the best way of avoiding bankruptcy and running out of space in your home.

But occasionally, I hover over the "Add to Cart" button of different online stores, especially when new sets arrive in stock. And guess what: Mattel just released Mix 4 of Pop Culture, a premium collection of five items with a Speedy background. There is a similar vibe to the Vintage Oil series going on here, and deciding between the two could be difficult for most people.

Dairy Delivery

The Dairy Delivery is the first model in the new Speed Graphics set and is the oldest casting here. Phil Riehlman designed this in the late '90s, and it first hit shelves in 1998. As the name suggests, it was modeled after a Divco milk truck. In time, Mattel has come up with just under 100 variations of the casting, so getting them all could prove to be an exciting challenge.

To make things even more tricky, I've seen some of the early releases advertised for $4,000 on eBay, which is a bit much. At least a dozen more variations will set you back more than $200, so this is an expensive undertaking. But let's focus on the iteration at hand for a moment. Mattel has used the Mooneyes graphics on this casting before, in 2004.

There are two different versions of the yellow milk truck, so the 2023 model marks the third appearance of this casting-livery combo. The black and yellow body sits nicely on a set of Moon Disc wheels, which is a rather fitting choice. Ask any Mooneyes livery fan, and they will tell you this is the best item in the Speed Graphics set. And to make things even more exciting, this is the first iteration of the casting since the 2019 Collector Edition Premium model.

Volkswagen Kool Kombi

It has been a while since we last saw the Volkswagen Kool Kombi. This casting featured a Barbie livery in the Mattel Brands Pop Culture release. But Kool Kombi enthusiasts also know that a DC Comics iteration appeared a few years ago, paying tribute to the Green Lantern. The tiny dragster has been around since 2013, and there are about 30 variations on the market for you to look for.

The newest one has a simple white and red combo, with Eibach logos on the sides and the rear spoiler. The Real Riders Aero wheels are reminiscent of more sporty models such as the Porsche 935/78 or the 962, but that's what you would expect from a fast bus, right?

Nissan C10 Skyline Wagon

The Nissan C10 Skyline Wagon is a newer casting in the Hot Wheels Pop Culture set. Jun Imai designed this, and it first appeared in 2018. There's a good chance most people have yet to see one in stores, as it can be rare. It's a Premium-exclusive casting, and there are only five other variations on the market to look for. Still, prices are somewhat accessible, and you can probably get them all for under $150 total.

The Team Transport model is the only one likely to give you a headache, as Hot Wheels cars with Advan liveries are always top-rated among collectors. The new iteration has Toyo Tires logos on the sides and uses the same Classic 4-spoke Real Riders wheels we've grown accustomed to. While even the younger generation will drool over the sight of an old Hakosuka, I'm not sure this wagon can summon as much interest. But only time will tell if Mattel made the right choice concerning the design of this new C10 Skyline.

'65 Mercury Comet Cyclone

If all the cars in this set were real, the '65 Mercury Comet Cyclone might be the fastest. Brendon Vetuskey designed this dragster, which first appeared in 2011. The first nine iterations were all Premium models with Real Riders wheels. But this year, Mattel brought the design to the Mainline series while selecting it for the Super Treasure Hunt series.

Red, white, and blue is the color mix of choice here, as it goes hand in hand with the American Racing logos. I'm still trying to figure out how to feel about the mismatched wheels, as you'll notice the Real Riders Drag Dish ones on the rear and the Mag-Style Real Riders on the front. There are several other exciting variations of this casting, and the 2012 RLC one can cost anywhere between $200 to $900 these days. But it's certainly worth it if you're a big quarter-mile (402 meters) aficionado.

Volvo P220 Amazon Wagon

We're down to the last item in Pop Culture Mix 4, another Volvo. More and more cars from the Swedish brand have made their way into the world of Hot Wheels cars as of late, and everyone is ecstatic about it. The 850 Estate was the first-ever Hot Wheels Volvo, as it appeared in 2020. And the P220 Amazon Wagon arrived soon after, in 2021. There are only six different Volvo castings in the HW line-up right now, with the other four being the XC40 Recharge, the 240 Drift Wagon, the P1800 Gasser, and the 142 GL.

Can we get an S60 Polestar next? The first P220 Amazon was part of the Car Culture: Fast Wagons series and featured a dark green finish with no extra decals. A Cream Yellow variation arrived in Boulevard the following year, and that's about it for this model. Mattel is bound to develop more designs, so this might be the right time to start a new collection.

The latest release features a K&N livery over a black body, which makes it look slightly terrifying if you think of it. If it weren't for the Chrome lips, you would barely notice the Real Riders 5-Spoke Modern wheels, but I love that the car is slammed to the floor. Wheel gap is a horrible thing with these tiny machines sometimes, but it's not something to worry about here. Overall, this is a decent set, but I don't think collectors will be fighting over it anytime soon.