Hot Wheels Set of Six Cars Pays Tribute to Simpler Times

And then it all started coming back to me. One by one, I remembered at least a dozen different shows I used to love in the '90s. Think "Wacky Racers," "Captain Caveman," "Cow and Chicken," "Courage the Cowardly Dog," "Dexter's Laboratory," and even "Ed, Edd'n Eddy." Those were simpler times, and I was fortunate enough to have a loving family that worked hard to make my life easier.

I remember watching all those shows with great interest, without any worries in the back of my mind. Before I got access to a PC, cartoons took up at least 50% of my life. I would often try to speak like my favorite characters, and I can still whistle around most of the intros to this day. And I can already feel nostalgia slowly taking over. And Mattel has got just the thing for that.

"Nostalgic Brands," they called it upon its debut in 2011. This Premium Hot Wheels collectibles series ran for two years, enough time for 12 mixes. Each mix featured six to 12 vehicles, depending on the year and theme. In 2011, you could choose from the Masters of the Universe, DC Comics, General Mills, and Hershey's models. But today's story takes us back to the first mix for 2012: Hanna-Barbera.

William Hanna and Joseph Barbera worked together to create several successful shows, some of which you may have forgotten about (The Quick Draw McGraw Show/The Huckleberry Hound Show, for instance). Since its inception, the El Segundo-based diecast manufacturer has often paid tribute to the cartoon legends. So, let's get to it and see what the 2012 set looks like.

'34 Ford Sedan Delivery

"Hong Kong Phooey, number one super guy! Hong Kong Phooey, quicker than the human eye!" If this doesn't bring back memories of Penrod "Penry" Pooch, I don't know what will. Hanna-Barbera launched this show in 1974, and it was about 20 years old when I watched it for the first time.

It would have been great if Mattel had used the Phooeymobile for this set, but it might not have had that big of an impact on existing collectors. So, the '34 Ford Sedan had to fill in the spot. Larry Wood designed this casting, and it's the only one on this list that isn't around anymore.

Nine iterations came out of El Segundo between 2010 and 2014, and the 2012 Nostalgic Brands model was the second and final one to use Moon Disc wheels. The card art is so good on these models that you'd be tempted to avoid opening them up. Prices on the open market vary between $7 to $36, making it accessible to most collectors regardless of age.

'56 Ford F-100 Panel

If you can't remember the theme song for the Flinstones, "The Modern Stone-age Family, " just think about Fred shouting "yabba-dabba-doo" as soon as he finished his shift at the Slate Rock and Gravel company was over. With 166 episodes airing from September 1960 to April 1966, it's arguably one of the greatest cartoons ever.

You'll find two Hot Wheels Flintmobile castings from previous years, and a third one is coming up as part of the Monster Trucks line-up. But again, Mattel wanted to use a regular vehicle for the Nostalgic Brands set. And it opted for the '56 Ford F-100 Panel. Phil Riehlman's design has been around since 1999, and there are about 70 variations to look for.

This classic truck looks great in Metallic Purple with yellow accents, and it's interesting to see the two protagonists riding in Barney's car instead of the Flintmobile. Paying between $6 to $18 for an item with an opening hood sounds like an absolute bargain.

'64 GMC Panel

I'm having a tough time remembering much from Yogi Bear. The few words that come to mind are "Picnic basket" and "Boo-Boo". I was perhaps too young when I first saw this show, which may explain the memory gap. The '64 GMC Panel is a nice throwback to the series.

The copper finish works well with the white roof; you can see Yogi's face on the front doors. You'll also notice the Jellystone National Park decals on the sides. It doesn't take long for nostalgia to hit hard, and I can't wait to rewatch all these shows once I have kids.

The 5-Spoke Mag-Style, Real Riders wheels, are the cherry on top for this collectible, and then there's the green-tinted window to match the theme. Interestingly enough, Mattel used this casting for a Captain Caveman iteration the following year! As for the Yogi Bear special release, you'll have to pay between $5 to $35 for a single item.

Custom '77 Dodge Van

Not long ago, I reviewed the Hot Wheels Mystery Machine line-up. And I discovered that you'd need roughly $1,200 for the entire collection of 16 iterations. If you're a big "Scooby Doo" fan, that won't cover all of Mattel's related castings. Jun Imai's Custom '77 Dodge Van debuted in 2009, and we have seen 36 iterations up until 2023.

It served as a Treasure Hunt twice and was also part of the Super Treasure Hunt series in 2015. One could argue that the 2012 Scooby-Doo variation is one of the best in the series. It could have been perfect without the orange-tinted windows, but I assume using matching colors was an important part of the brief.

The Preferred Series Real Riders wheels are a good match for the van, and Mattel has used them on other iterations, too. Interestingly enough, you'll see all five of the show's main characters on the card art. Price-wise, it's the same story: $13 to $35 will seal the deal for this casting.

Hiway Hauler

The designers in El Segundo thought this casting up when I started watching cartoons (1992). Yes, it's over 30 years old and still going! I didn't find it exciting enough to include in any of my two "Hot Wheels Six Wheelers" stories.

But it does have an appeal of its own once you look closely at it. I noticed someone trying to sell one of the early models for $1,300 on eBay, but the model we're looking at today is not quite as expensive. Most adults still remember seeing Tom & Jerry at some point.

The card art is a nostalgic throwback to some of the most hilarious chases in cinema history, but the two main characters seem more friendly on the sides of the Hiway Hauler. From a budget point of view, this collectible is no different from the others before it. With patience, you could buy the whole set for a smidge over $50.

Surfin' School Bus

Growing up with "The Jetsons" and "Back to the Future," it's no wonder I love Sci-Fi novels and films. "Meet George Jetson. His son, Elroy. Daughter Judy. Jane, his wife." It felt like watching a futuristic version of "The Flintstones," and I guess this show also played a role in developing my imagination.

Another fun thing is that it portrayed the "old" vision of the future. Flying cars are here yet, but can you identify any other predictions that came true? Let's focus on the Surfin' School Bus for a minute. Phil Riehlman designed this one at the start of the 21st century, and we saw a new variation recently.

Judging by the casting alone, it's probably the least desirable model by my standards. But the card art alone may be enough to persuade anyone into buying. After all, $5 isn't expensive for a premium collectible, right?