The first sixteen Hot Wheels cars were introduced into the market. They featured redline tires, spectraflame paint, and some had roofs painted black to look like vinyl. The Hot Wheels Custom Corvette came out before the actual car.
Twenty four new cars were released, one of which was the Volkswagen Beach Bomb with rear mounted surf boards. Today this is one of the rarest and most valuable cars.
This was the first year the Snake and Mongoose cars were produced. Mattel's first promotional cars were made for Jack in the Box this year.
Inflation caused Mattel to cut costs. This year's cars would only be issued for one year due to poor quality. Spectraflame paint was discontinued and they began to use enamel paint.
Mattel started using tampos on the Hot Wheels, beginning with a series called Flying Colors.
This was the last year Mattel would use the redline tire.
The Heroes and Scene Machines were introduced this year.
Hot Wheels were issued at Mc Donald's for the first time. Mattel moved production to a plant in Malaysia.
The 15th Anniversary of Hot Wheels. Real Riders were introduced and would become very popular with collectors.
Ultra Hot wheels were introduced as the fastest Hot Wheels ever made.
Speed Demons and Flip-Outs were introduced. The Real Riders series was discontinued.
