1970 - THIRD TIME’S A CHARM

1970 brought with it a total of thirty-three new castings, two new series and a Club Kit that could be purchased for just $1.00 through a mail-in offer.  The first series Mattel introduced this year was the ever popular Spoilers series. These souped up muscle cars originated from some of the original sixteen Custom castings and were modified to include powerful exposed engines, large racing wheels in the rear, air spoilers and door numbers and stripes for a super fast racing look. These Spoilers were on their own blister card that featured art work of a Boss Hoss against a yellow background with the Hot Wheels flamed logo above. The second series folded into the mix of castings offered was the Heavyweights series. These futuristic work horses were similar to each other in style but very different in function. The Heavyweights also had their own blister cards featuring the art work of either a tow truck, a cement mixer or a fire truck. Mattel sponsored two legendary race car drivers, Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen, whose funny cars “The Snake” and “The Mongoose” were scaled down into the 1970 lineup. They also had their very own blister card featuring art work of their two funny cars. Two new castings were introduced to the Grand Prix series making for a total of eleven to choose from in 1970. This year Mattel offered membership to the Hot Wheels Club. Each member received a Club Kit which included an iron-on patch, annual newsletter and one of three chrome Spoiler castings, the Boss Hoss, Heavy Chevy or the King ‘Kuda. 

MORE ON THE SPOILERS SERIES

Mattel introduced the Spoilers series in 1970 with the release of five new castings. Three more were released in 1971 making for a total of eight to collect. It is believed that the U.S. tooling that made the 1968 Custom castings was modified slightly for each of the Spoilers castings. For example, the tooling of the Custom Mustang was the basis for the tooling of the Boss Hoss. The hood was removed allowing for an exposed engine bay and blown engine, and the rear panel that was cast onto the body was removed to allow for a new rear panel cast onto the base with a large spoiler. The same is true for the other Spoiler castings including the Light-My-Firebird, where in addition to the removal of the hood, door lines were added to the Custom Firebird tooling for change and more detail to the exterior. All Spoilers castings exhibited the same characteristics which included large front and rear spoilers (airfoils), large rear wheels, exposed blown engines, stripes over the cowl, roof and trunk and door numbers. Each Spoiler also included a water slide decal sheet that consisted of sponsor emblems. The Spoilers series of 1970 consisted of the Heavy Chevy, King ‘Kuda, Light-My-Firebird, Nitty Gritty Kitty and the TNT-Bird. The Boss Hoss, Evil Weevil and the Sugar Caddy joined in 1971. For further details on any of the Spoilers, please see their respective casting essentials found under the 1970 or 1971 sections. 

MORE ON THE HEAVYWHEIGHTS SERIES

Similar in style, different in function, and heavy are what these trucks are all about. The Heavyweights design comes in three forms, each having a sleek cab that is similar to one another. First, the shortest of the three, is an attached cab and body design where either a tow truck bed, an open trailer bed, an ambulance or a cherry picker are fastened onto the rear. Second, a slightly longer attached cab and body design with either a fuel tank, cement mixer, dumper or waste container are fastened onto the rear. Lastly, there is a two-part cab and trailer combination where either a moving van, hook and ladder, a flat bed or a camper trailer connects to the rear of the cab by a swivel making these the longest of the Heavyweights. Each casting was on one of three blister cards. The shorter Heavyweights were packaged with art work of a tow truck. The medium sized packaging had a cement mixer and the two-part cab and trailer Heavyweights had art work of a hook and ladder fire truck. The first six Heavyweights introduced in 1970 and an additional seven in 1971 made for a total of thirteen exclusive to this series. 

One Heavyweight that stood out from the crowd was the S’Cool Bus. This casting, released in 1971, was based on a model kit that Tom Daniels designed for Monogram. This yellow school bus features a pop-up body to reveal an orange air scoop on top of twin blown engines. 

Although the Funny Money casting released in 1972 was to be a part of the Heavyweights series, Mattel discontinued this series prior to its introduction. For further details on any of the Heavyweights, please see their respective casting details found under the 1970 or 1971 sections.

MORE ON THE CLUB KIT

Mattel offered the Hot Wheels Club in 1970 and membership was just a dollar. Included in the kit you received was a club magazine, an iron-on club patch, a club certificate and a chrome club car exclusive to this offer. Originally the special chrome car included was the Boss Hoss, the first time this casting was released. A little later, two castings from the Spoilers series, a chrome version of the Heavy Chevy and King ‘Kuda, would join the Boss Hoss, making three exclusive castings available to the Club Kit. In 1971, the Boss Hoss would join the Spoilers series and was available in several different Spectraflame colors. All club cars came with a white or dark interior and had black stripes across the cowl, roof and trunk and white circles on the doors printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9. It appears that Mattel overproduced the Club Kit as they did make their way into stores. Plus, due to the abundance of chrome cars produced, you can occasionally find an “over chrome” example in any of the three castings. The term “over chrome” refers to a Club Kit car that has Spectraflame paint applied over the chrome. These are typically easy to spot as they have a real vibrant, reflective shine compared to the same casting that is not painted over chrome. Furthermore, these “over chrome” cars will not have any toning. For details on any of the three Club Kit castings, please see their respective casting details found under the 1970 or 1971 sections.

MORE ON THE SKY SHOW AND FLYIN’ CIRCUS TRACK SETS

Two very well-liked and quite exciting track sets introduced in 1970 and in 1971 were the Sky Show and Flyin’ Circus sets respectively. The Sky Show set that sold in Canada came only with a Deora, while all other sets sold elsewhere came only with the Fleetside. The 1968 Deora and Fleetside castings were slightly modified by the addition of an orange ramp mounted to their rear beds. This orange ramp has a slot in the middle that will secure a stunt plane by a launching tab located on the bottom of each plane. Mounted on front of the ramp is a rubber band which is secured to a notch on the launching tab and is what propels the plane when the stunt tab is triggered by the track trigger. The Sky Show set comes with a total of six planes, two blue, two green and two yellow. Each color plane will perform a different stunt such as a barrel roll, loop-de-loop or a soaring glide. The Flyin’ Circus set comes with only three planes, one each of blue, green and yellow and includes a Zoptet-Port with two Zopters which happen to be stunt helicopters. Mattel also made available the Zopter Pak which was sold separately. Both the Sky Show and Flyin’ Circus track sets are difficult to find complete and are popular sets among collectors. For further details on the Sky Show set, Flyin’ Circus set or the Zopter Pak, please see the Track Sets & Track Accessories section. 

Casting Details: 

Part of the Heavyweights series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, a white plastic shell on the rear with blue tinted windows and blue translucent light on top, a rear door that opens upward and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. A cross is embossed on the sides and rear door and is painted red.  Some examples can be found without the red on the cross of the rear door.

 H.K.

Aqua

Green

Blue

Red

Lime

Olive

Orange

Copper

Light Green

Purple

Yellow

Magenta

Rose

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted windshield, a black painted louvered rear window, twin black stripes that run across the cowl, roof and rear deck, black stripes along the side rocker panels, a white circle printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9 on the doors and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. The engine bay is painted flat black.  

H.K.   

Chrome

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Carabo has a clear windshield, opening gull wing doors, a matte black painted rear louver, a glossy black painted base, an orange stripe across the nose and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted windshield, opening gull wing doors, a matte black painted rear louver, a glossy black painted base, a yellow stripe painted across the nose and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

Casting Details: 

U.S. and Hong Kong castings with a white interior are harder to find and a premium is added to value. 

Note:

Please note that light blue examples are fades or a light application of blue - true light blue does not exist.

U.S.                      H.K.            

Light Green         Blue

Blue                      Light Green

Yellow                  Magenta

Magenta              Yellow   

Red                       Aqua

Green                   Red

Rose                     Green

Aqua

Hot Pink

Casting Details: 

Part of the Heavyweights series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, a yellow or orange mixer drum that rotates mounted to the rear and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. A clear label that is placed across the mixer drum has the Hot Wheels logo and the words “CEMENT CO.” printed on it. 

H.K.

Aqua

Green

Blue

Lime

Light Green

Red

Orange

Copper

Olive

Yellow

Purple

White Enamel

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in the U.S. and has clear windows, an opening hood, and the interior was only available in white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. The gold Classic Nomad is believed to be a preproduction color and was never released in a blister pack. A water slide decal sheet was included which consisted of multi colored flowers in various sizes.

U.S.    

Red

Aqua

Blue

Green

Lime

Orange

Light Green

Rose

Magenta

Yellow

Purple

Olive

Hot Pink

Gold (proto only)

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted windshield, a smooth matte black roof, a chrome plastic dual carburetor motor that is removable from the body, and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. Castings with a white interior are harder to find and a premium is added to value.

H.K.

Green

Blue

Red

Aqua

Lime

Purple

Olive

Light Green

Copper

Orange

Yellow

Brown

Magenta

Casting Details: 

Part of the Heavyweights series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, an orange or brown bed with a yellow plastic dumper that lifts upward, a door on the rear that can raise and lower and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

H.K.

Aqua 

Green

Lime

Blue

Red

Light Green

Orange

Copper

Olive

Yellow

Purple

White Enamel

Casting Comparison: 

Part of the Grand Prix series, the U.S. version of the Ferrari 312P has a clear windshield, exposed metal exhaust pipes in the rear, an opening rear engine hatch, a flat black painted tail light panel, vents with grid lines and the interior was available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted windshield, exposed metal exhaust pipes in the rear, an opening rear engine hatch, a gloss black painted tail light panel, vents without grid lines and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

Casting Details: 

The U.S. casting included an adhesive sticker sheet that consisted of four white circles with the number “60” printed on them and two Ferrari logos in white. The Hong Kong castings came with stickers already applied which consisted of three circles in white printed with the number “60” and a Ferrari logo in yellow on the nose. In addition, a white interior version of the Hong Kong casting in Spectraflame red only can be found.  Some Hong Kong examples can be found with raised door lines in varying colors and command a premium in value.  The more common castings have recessed lines.

U.S.                         H.K.

Red Enamel           Green 

Lime                        Blue

Yellow                     Red

Rose                        Red Enamel

Green                      Aqua

Magenta                Orange

Blue                        Purple

Light Green           Olive

Red                         Copper

Hot Pink                 Rose

Salmon Pink          Brown

Orange                    Hot Pink

Purple                     Red Spec./White Int.

Aqua

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in the U.S. and has clear windows, a blue translucent dome light, and the interior was only available in white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. The word “CHIEF” and a badge are printed on the sides while the words “FIRE DEPT.” are printed across the trunk. This casting can be found in two shades of Spectraflame red, one being darker then the other. Both are valued the same. However, there is an enamel red version that is very rare, has not been found in a blister pack and is thought to be a prototype.

U.S.

Red

Red Enamel

Casting Details: 

Part of the Heavyweights series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, a red plastic trailer that connects to the cab by a swivel and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. A clear label that is placed along the both sides of the trailer has the words “FIRE DEPT.” and a badge printed on them. The trailer is equipped with a fold out black plastic ladder that can be inserted into two holes in the rear bumper.

H.K.

Red

Red Enamel 

Casting Details: 

Part of the Spoilers series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has blue tinted windows, twin white stripes that run across the cowl, roof and rear deck, a white circle printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9 on the doors and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. A water slide decal sheet was included which consisted of sponsor logos.

Note:

This casting can be found “over chrome.” The result of Spectraflame paint being applied over a chrome Club Kit car. 

H.K.

Green

Blue

Red

Aqua

Copper

Purple

Orange

Brown

Olive

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has blue tinted windows, twin black stripes that run across the cowl, roof and rear deck, black stripes along the side rocker panels, a white circle printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9 on the doors and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. The engine bay is painted flat black.  

H.K.

Chrome

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Jack “Rabbit” Special has a clear wrap-around windshield, opening rear engine cover, a blue stripe that runs down the center of the nose and rear and the interior was available in black or white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, opening rear engine cover, a blue stripe that runs down the center of the nose and rear and the interior was available in black or white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

Casting Details: 

There is no difference in value for black versus white interiors. In addition, this casting was used in a promotion for the Jack in the Box restaurant chain and included an exclusive decal sheet. This water slide decal sheet consisted of red stripes for the sides, a red circle printed with the number 1 for the rear and the Jack in the Box logo to be placed on the nose. These were mostly packaged in a baggie but some can be found in blister pack with the decal sheet stapled to the card back. The easiest way to tell the difference between an original decal sheet and a reproduction is by the color of the Jack in the Box logo. An original has a clear background where a reproduction has a blue background. The added value for the Jack in the Box promotion is merely in the decal sheet.  

U.S.                         H.K.

White Enamel        White Enamel

Casting Details: 

Part of the Spoilers series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has blue tinted windows, two thin white stripes that run over the rear deck and down the sides, a white circle printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9 on the doors and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. All colors came with or without a smooth matte black roof. However, those with black roofs are more difficult to find and are valued higher. A water slide decal sheet was included which consisted of sponsor logos.

Note:

This casting can be found “over chrome.” The result of Spectraflame paint being applied over a chrome Club Kit car. 

Without Black Roof            With Black Roof

H.K.                                       H.K.

Green                                    Green

Blue                                       Blue

Red                                        Olive

Aqua                                      Purple

Copper                                  Copper

Olive                                      Aqua

Purple                                   Red 

Orange                                  Orange

Casting Details: 

 This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has blue tinted windows, twin black stripes that run across the cowl, roof and rear deck, black stripes along the side rocker panels, a white circle printed with a number ranging from 1 through 9 on the doors and the interior was available in assorted colors in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. The engine bay is painted flat black.  

H.K.

Chrome