Light My Firebird

Casting Details: 

Part of the Spoilers series, this casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has a blue tinted windshield, a thin white stripe that runs parallel to the rocker panel on each side, 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.

H.K.

Blue

Aqua

Red

Green

Olive

Orange

Copper

Purple

Light Green

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Mantis has a clear lift-up windshield, an exposed metal engine in the rear, and the interior was available in white in which the dashboard and a steering rod are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted lift-up windshield, an exposed metal engine in the rear, and the interior was mostly available in brown in which the dashboard and a steering rod are molded.

Casting Details: 

The U.S. casting has a little wider nose than the Hong Kong and the sides of the nose stop along the body line and fender. The nose on the Hong Kong casting wraps around to the base. Some Hong Kong castings can be found with a white interior which are less common and a premium is added to value. It is common for the windshield to not close completely due to the steering rod. 

U.S.                         H.K.   

Red                          Light Green

Green                      Yellow

Lime                        Blue

Yellow                     Red

Light Green            Aqua

Rose                        Green  

Magenta                 Orange

Aqua                       Copper

Salmon Pink          Hot Pink

Hot Pink                 Purple

Purple

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Mighty Maverick has clear windows, an opening hood, a wide painted white stripe across the roof and the interior was available in black in which the dashboard, steering wheel and rear wing are molded.

The Hong Kong version has blue tinted windows, an opening hood, a thin white stripe that is a sticker across the roof and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard, steering wheel and rear wing are molded.

Casting Details: 

The front grille and headlights on the U.S. castings are painted matte black where the Hong Kong has just the grille painted. Some Hong Kong castings can be found with a brown interior and wing which are quite rare and are listed below. In addition, some Hong Kong castings can be found with a painted matte black roof and are also listed below. No U.S. castings have been found with a brown interior or painted black roof however, some have been found with a black painted stripe and are considered prototypes. These are very rare and values are very speculative. This casting was originally called the Mad Maverick but it is said that another company was using this name consequently the name changed to Mighty Maverick. There are very few castings with the Mad Maverick base and prices are again highly speculative.   

Black Interior & Wing                         Brown Interior & Wing

U.S.                      H.K.                          H.K.

Blue                     Green                        Copper

Yellow                  Blue                          Orange 

Light Green         Red

Aqua                    Aqua   

Magenta              Orange

Green                   Copper                     Black Roof

Red                       Olive                         H.K.

Lime                     Light Green             Green

Hot Pink               Purple                      Blue

Purple                   Hot Pink                  Aqua

Salmon Pink                                         Olive

Rose                                                       Red

Gold                                                       Orange

                                                                Light Green

                                                               Copper

                                                               Purple

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Mod Quad has a clear canopy which opens to the driver’s side and the interior was available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted canopy which opens to the driver’s side and the interior was available in brown in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

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.

Blue                       Light Green

Lime                      Yellow

Green                    Green

Yellow                   Red

Red                        Blue

Gold                      Magenta

Light Green          Hot Pink  

Rose

Aqua

Magenta

Salmon Pink

Purple

Hot Pink

Casting Comparison: 

While this casting was produced in both the U.S. and Hong Kong, there are no major differences between the two other then those made in Hong Kong have blue tinted windows while the U. S. have clear.

Casting Details: 

Both the U.S. and Hong Kong versions are a flip-up body hinged at the rear to the chassis. The roll cage and body prop are made of black plastic and are independent of each other. A self adhesive sticker sheet was included and consisted of stripes with stars for the hood, roof and rear deck and side stickers with the Hot Wheels logo, a Mongoose and “Tom McEwen.” The right side had the sticker pre-applied at the factory so that it could be seen through the blister. 

U.S.                       H.K.    

Red Enamel          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 grey or white 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. Both trailers have a rear door the can be lowered and raised and have a gold label printed with the Hot Wheels logo and the words “VAN LINES” on both sides. There is a variation to the grey trailer only that consists of a smooth rear door and there are no running lights. It is believed that this version is an early run and a premium is added to value. In addition, the white trailer only has painted red tail lights.

H.K.

Red

Green

Blue

Aqua

Olive

Light Green

Yellow

Orange

Purple

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. Only the blue came with a black painted roof. Key elements that depict a true blue with black roof casting are capped wheels in the rear and bushing wheels on the front and the interior can be either white or grey.

H.K.

Aqua

Green

Blue

Red

Orange

Olive

Copper

Purple

Brown

Blue/Black Painted Roof

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Paddy Wagon has a clear windshield, a removable roof with the word “POLICE” and the number “3” embossed on the sides in gold or silver, the words “1912 Fuzz” are stamped on the radiator and the bench seat and truck bed are cast into the base and painted copper.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted windshield, a removable roof with the word “POLICE” and the number “3” embossed on the sides in gold or silver, the words “1912 Fuzz” are stamped on the radiator and the bench seat and truck bed are cast into the base and painted copper.

Casting Details: 

The Paddy Wagon was manufactured in the U.S. from 1970 through 1971. From 1972 through 1979 the same tooling was used but manufactured in Hong  Kong. This casting was used in the Great Getaway track set, however the removable roof was altered and louvers were added which replaced the word “POLICE” and the number “3” along the sides. For further details on the Great Getaway set, please see the Track Sets & Track Accessories section. In addition, there are two pre-production variations of the Paddy Wagon, one in Spectraflame orange and the other in Spectraflame light blue. Both were never released to production.

U.S.                         H.K.

Dark Blue               Dark Blue

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Peepin’ Bomb has a clear wrap-around windshield, a black lever that opens and closes the headlight covers, an exposed metal engine with exhaust pipes in the rear and the interior was available mostly in black in which the dashboard and console are molded.

The Hong Kong version has a blue tinted wrap-around windshield, a black lever that opens and closes the headlight covers, an exposed metal engine with exhaust pipes in the rear and the interior was available mostly in black in which the dashboard and console are molded.

Casting Details: 

Early production U.S. and Hong Kong castings painted in purple and orange only can be found with orange painted headlights. These are harder to find compared to the more common chrome headlights and are listed below. In addition, U.S. and Hong Kong castings can be found with a white interior which are considered rare and a premium is added to value. A very rare variation of this casting where the lever that operates the headlight covers is an orange-red color and the interior is white can be found and the value is quite speculative as it is believed this is a prototype. 

U.S.                        H.K.

Blue                        Aqua

Light Green           Magenta

Green                     Light Green

Lime                      Green

Red                        Red

Orange                  Blue

Yellow                   Yellow

Rose                      Orange/Orange Painted Headlights  

Aqua                      Purple/Orange Painted Headlights 

Magenta

Purple

Hot Pink

Orange/Orange Painted Headlights 

Purple/Orange Painted Headlights 

Casting Comparison: 

Part of the Grand Prix series, the U.S. version of the Porsche 917 has clear windows, an opening rear engine hatch with a clear window over the engine, a flat black painted tail light panel, small headlights and exhaust pipes and the interior was available in white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

The Hong Kong version has blue tinted windows, an opening rear engine hatch with a blue tinted window over the engine, a glossy black painted tail light panel, larger headlights and exhaust pipes and the interior was available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

Casting Details: 

Both the U.S. and Hong Kong castings included an adhesive sticker sheet that consisted of three white circles with the number “18” printed on them and two Porsche logos with black stripes for the rocker panels. 

U.S.                      H.K.

Grey Enamel       Blue    

Lime                     Grey Enamel

Light Green         Light Grenn

Yellow                  Lime

Red                      Green

Magenta             Yellow

Rose                    Hot Pink

Blue                     Red

Green                  Aqua

Hot Pink              Hot Pink

Salmon Pink

Aqua

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in the U.S. and has clear windows, a white removable camper in the rear, an exposed metal engine in the front and the interior was only available in black in which the roll bar, dashboard and steering wheel are molded. 

Note:

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

U.S.

Yellow

Light Green

Red

Green

Rose

Magenta

Hot Pink

Blue

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in Hong Kong and has an exposed metal engine in the front, an unpainted metal helmet with an iron cross on both sides and a spike on top and the interior was mostly available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. Some castings can be found with a white interior which are quite rare and a value is listed below. Monogram, who was owned by Mattel at the time, released a model kit of the Red Baron which included a free Hot Wheels Red Baron. It is said that the white interior Red Baron was exclusive to this model kit only however, the examples found to date have come from former Mattel employees. 

H.K.

Red 

Casting Comparison: 

The U.S. version of the Sand Crab has a clear windshield and canopy 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 and canopy and the interior was available in white in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded.

Casting Details: 

Early production Hong Kong castings can be found where the base is printed with “Made In U.S.A.” and considered by some as a hybrid. Others state that the tooling was not corrected by blocking out “U.S.A.” and replacing it with “Hong Kong.” Regardless there is still a premium added to value. It is common for the Hong  Kong canopies to have a “warp” to them and does not detract from value. A water slide decal sheet was included which consisted of multi colored flowers in various sizes.

U.S.                         H.K.

Light Green            Blue

Lime                       Aqua

Blue                        Green

Yellow                    Light Green

Red                         Magenta

Green                     Lime

Rose                      Red

Magenta

Hot Pink

Salmon Pink

Aqua

Orange

Casting Details: 

This casting was only produced in the U.S. and has clear windows, an exposed metal engine in the front, flat black or gloss black paint below a body line that runs along the sides and the interior was available in black in which the dashboard and steering wheel are molded. Castings found in orange with white interior and have single exhaust pipes and are believed to be a prototype and have not been found in a blister pack. It does appear that the single exhaust pipes did carry over to production as some castings painted in lime have been found in a blister pack; however, the single exhaust pipes were quickly changed to the more common dual exhaust pipes.  The boat included with the Seasider can be either orange on top and white on the bottom or white on top and orange on the bottom. There is no difference in value between the two. A water slide decal sheet was included which consisted of multi colored flowers in various sizes.

U.S.                         

Light Green

Lime

Yellow

Rose

Red

Green

Magenta

Blue

Hot Pink

Aqua

Purple

Orange

Light Blue

Casting Details: 

The Deora used in the Sky Show Track Set was a modified version of the 1968 Hong Kong Deora casting which consisted of the addition of an orange plastic ramp that was riveted to the rear bed. The Deora was only found in the Canadian version of the Sky Show Track Set and included an adhesive sticker sheet with stickers for both the Deora and the six planes. For further details on the Sky Show track set please see the Track Sets & Track Accessories section. 

H.K.

Aqua

Purple

Casting Details: 

The Fleetside used in the Sky Show and Flyin’ Circus Track Sets sold in the U.S. and most of Europe was a modified version of the 1968 U.S. Fleetside casting which consisted of the removal of the black painted roof and the addition of an orange plastic ramp that was snapped into place of the rear bed replacing the tonnaeu cover. The Fleetside in the Sky Show Set sold in Italy only was an aqua Hong Kong casting with a painted matte black roof and the orange plastic ramp was glued to the black plastic tonnaeu cover. An adhesive sticker sheet was included with stickers for both the Fleetside and the six planes. There are two different ramps that were issued, one being without angled ridges in front of the ramp slot which was used for the Sky Show set and one with two angled ridges in front of the ramp slot used for the Flyin’ Circus set. In addition, the ramp used for the Flyin’ Circus set has two half circle extensions to the rear of the ramp to better support the plane. For further details on the Sky Show and Flyin’ Circus track sets please see the Track Sets & Track Accessories section.

U.S.                                             H.K.

Light Green                               Aqua/Painted Black Roof

Lime

Yellow

Red

Rose

Aqua

Blue

Gold

Green

Orange

Magenta

Purple

Hot Pink

Casting Comparison: 

While this casting was produced in both the U.S. and Hong Kong, there are no major differences between the two other then those made in Hong Kong have blue tinted windows while the U. S. have clear.

Casting Details: 

Both the U.S. and Hong Kong versions are a flip-up body hinged at the rear to the chassis. The roll cage and body prop are made of black plastic and are independent of each other. A self adhesive sticker sheet was included and consisted of stripes with stars for the hood, roof and rear deck and side stickers with the Hot Wheels logo, a Snake and “Don Prudhomme.” The right side had the sticker pre-applied at the factory so that it could be seen through the blister. 

U.S.                                 H.K.

Yellow Enamel               Yellow Enamel