Mattel introduced thirty-five new models. There were two new Spoilers, seven new Heavyweights, and new Snake and Mongoose funny cars. Also available were two new front-engine dragsters which were issued together, either in their own blisterpack or the Wild Wheelie set. As in previous years, some models were made in both the USA and Hong Kong. But this was the last year Hot Wheels® cars were made in the USA.
AMX/2 – 67mm – 1971
Based on an American Motors experimental show car, this USA made model has a metal base, two black plastic pop-up engine covers, tinted windows, black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar castings: Xploder (1973), Warpath (1975), Redliner (1985), Road Torch (1987)
Boss Hoss – 72mm – 1971 (Spoilers)
Based on a ’68-’69 Ford Mustang Boss 302, this model has a metal base, exposed metal engine, blue windows, ribbed rear window, plastic interior (assorted colors), rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. It comes with either two black stripes on top or a black roof. This casting was re-tooled in 2004.
Similar castings: Boss Hoss (1970), Mustang Stocker (1975)
Bugeye – 74mm – 1971–1972
Designed by Larry Wood, this concept car has a metal base, lift-up rear hood (two variations) to expose a metal engine, plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw. The Hong Kong version has tinted windows and a dark interior. The USA version has clear windows and a light interior.
Similar casting: Bugeye (1973 Shell Promo)
Bye-Focal – 75mm – 1971–1972
This concept car is based on a Dodge Challenger. Designed by Larry Wood, it has a metal base, clear or blue-tinted plastic lift-up engine cover to reveal two metal engines, blue windows, light or dark brown plastic interior, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. It also has red, black, and white stickers with “Bye Focal” and eyes in glasses between the words. This casting was re-tooled in 2003.
Similar casting: Show Off (1973)
Note: This model is not difficult to find in lesser condition but mint or packaged models are extremely rare.
Classic Cord – 76mm – 1971–1972
Based on the 1937 Cord 812, this Hong Kong made model was designed by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, metal engine sticking through a lift-up hood, removable black plastic roof, clear windows, black plastic interior, and rsw. This casting was re-tooled in 2004 for re-issue in 2005.
Note: This is a favorite among collectors. The plastic roof has been reproduced.
Cockney Cab – 63mm – 1971–1972
This model is based on an English Austin Taxi Cab. Designed by Howard Rees, it has a metal base, metal engine sticking through the hood, no door on the left side, a sticker with the British flag and “Cockney Cab” on the back, a plastic interior, and rsw. The Hong Kong version has tinted windows, a slightly smaller rear window and a slightly lower interior. The USA version has clear windows.
Evil Weevil® – 70mm – 1971–72 (Spoilers)
This Volkswagen-based concept car designed by Paul Tam has a metal base, two exposed metal engines (front and back), blue windows, sun roof, plastic interior (assorted colors), rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. This casting was re-tooled in 2003 for re-issue in 2004.
Fuel Tanker – 85mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This Hong Kong made concept model was designed by Ira Gilford. It has a metal base, plastic fuel tank with two retractable black plastic hoses, blue windshield, a sticker with the Hot Wheels logo and “Racing Fuel” on the sides, plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw.
Grass Hopper – 65mm – 1971
This USA made Jeep-style concept car designed by Larry Wood has a metal base, front and rear mounted metal engines, removable white plastic roof covering the interior and rear engine, gray windshield, black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar casting: Grass Hopper (1974)
Hairy Hauler – 75mm – 1971
This USA made concept car designed by Paul Tam has a metal base, exposed metal engine in back, opening canopy with a clear windshield, white plastic interior, and rsw.
Hood, The – 70mm – 1971–1972
This concept car was designed by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, exposed metal engine, black plastic retractable roof, dark plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw. The Hong Kong version has a blue windshield and smaller side windows. The USA version has a clear windshield.
Similar casting: Hiway Robber (1973)
Ice “T” – 70mm – 1971–1972
This Hong Kong-made model is based on Tom Daniel’s show-car design for Monogram. It has a metal base, yellow plastic roof with an embossed “Ice T” in black and two ice blocks in the back, exposed metal engine, black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar casting: Ice “T” (1973)
Jet Threat® – 81mm – 1971–1972
Designed by Larry Wood, this Hong Kong-made concept car has a metal base, lift-up cover on a metal engine to reveal an orange plastic turbine blade, blue windshield, unpainted metal interior, stickers in orange, black and white with “15” in a circle, and rsw.
Similar castings: Jet Threat (1973 Shell Promo), Jet Threat 2 (1976)
Note: Stickers on the sides demand a 10% premium.
Mongoose 2 – 79mm – 1971–1972
This model is based on Tom McEwen’s Plymouth Duster funny car sponsored by Mattel. It has a metal base, lift-up body to reveal a metal engine, black plastic interior, black body-support struts, and rsw. It comes with white stickers on the sides with the Hot Wheels logo, “Tom McEwen” and “the Mongoose II,” red flame stickers on top, “Plymouth” on the hood, and “Coca Cola” on the trunk.
Similar casting: Mongoose (1970), Mongoose (1994)
Note: The Snake 2 and Mongoose 2 have their own blistercards. A lot of Mongoose 2 cars have mottled spots under the paint and deteriorating glue tends to ruin the stickers. This even happens to blisterpacked cars.
Mongoose Rail Dragster – 106mm – 1971–1972
This model is based on Tom McEwen’s front-engine dragster. It has a metal base, plastic nose, exposed metal engine, separate wheelie wheels, a white sticker on the nose with the Hot Wheels logo, “Tom McEwen” and “Mongoose I”. A white sticker on the front of the cockpit with “Tom McEwen” and “Mongoose I,” a white driver in the cockpit, bw in the back, sw in front, and was made in the USA.
Similar casting: Snake Rail Dragster 1971
Note: The Mongoose and Snake Rail Dragsters were only available together in their own blisterpack. (See multi-packs)
Mutt Mobile– 72mm – 1971–1972
Designed by Larry Wood, this Hong Kong-made concept car has a metal base, exposed metal engine, white plastic top with “Mutt Mobile” embossed on the sides, two white plastic dogs in a black plastic cage in back, black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar castings: Odd Job (1973), Mutt Mobile (1994)
Noodle Head – 80mm – 1971–1972
This concept car was designed by Howard Rees. It has a metal base, enormous exposed metal engine, hidden lift-up headlights, plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw. The Hong Kong version has a blue windshield, smaller pipes, and the back does not extend to the pipes. The USA version has a clear windshield and the back extends to the pipes.
Olds 442 – 75mm – 1971
This USA made model is based on the 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Coupe as customized and reproportioned by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, lift-up hood with a metal engine, soft removable plastic spoiler in back, clear windows, white stickers with blue stars, a plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw. This casting was re-tooled in 2003 for re-issue in 2004.
Similar castings: Police Cruiser (1973), Chief’s Special (1975), Maxi Taxi (1976), Army Staff Car (1976)
Pit Crew Car – 75mm – 1971–1972
This Hong Kong-made concept car designed by Larry Wood and Howard Rees has a metal base, opening trunk with embossed assorted tools, stickers with the Hot Wheels logo and “Pit Crew” on the sides, blue stripes and yellow stars on top, blue windows, plastic interior (assorted colors), and rsw.
Racer Rig – 110mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This vehicle is a concept race car hauler. The detachable cab was designed by Ira Gilford and the trailer was designed by Larry Wood. The cab has an unpainted metal base, blue windshield, black plastic interior, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. The trailer has an opening tool box in front and a sticker with the Hot Wheels logo on the sides.
Rocket-Bye-Baby – 80mm – 1971–72
This Hong Kong-made concept car was designed by Bob Lovejoy. It has a metal base, metal rocket on the roof, plastic interior (assorted colors), black plastic pull-out tailpipes, pop-up engine covers, blue windshield, and rsw.
Note: Almost all the metal rockets are tarnished. This does not detract from the value because they are easily cleaned.
S’Cool Bus® – 77mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This is Tom Daniel’s design of a funny-car dragster based on a school bus. It has a metal base, lift-up body to reveal a metal engine with orange plastic air scoop, black plastic interior, black struts to support the body, “S’Cool Bus” tampo on the sides, stickers (black stripes), sun roof, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong.
Similar casting: S’Cool Bus (1994)
Note: Tom Daniels worked for Monogram (owned by Mattel) and several of his designs were used for the Hot Wheels line, but he never worked in the Hot Wheels design department.
Scooper – 79mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This Hong Kong-made concept front-loading dump truck was designed by Ira Gilford. It has a metal base, yellow plastic bed, moveable yellow plastic scoop on white arms, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw.
Short Order – 70mm – 1971-1972
Howard Rees designed this Hong Kong made ’50s Ford pickup concept model. It has a metal base, exposed metal engine, shortened pickup bed with an orange plastic tailgate, blue windows, black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar casting: Short Order (1973 Shell Promo)
Six Shooter – 76mm – 1971–1972
This Hong Kong-made concept car designed by Paul Tam has a metal base, two exposed metal engines in back, six wheels, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw.
Snake 2 – 73mm – 1971–1972
This model is based on Don Prudhomme’s funny car sponsored by Mattel. It has a metal base, lift-up body to reveal a metal engine, black plastic interior, body-support struts, blue stickers on the sides with “Don Prudhomme,” the Hot Wheels logo and “the Snake II,” red flame stickers on top, “Plymouth” on the hood, “Coca Cola” on the trunk, and rsw.
Similar castings: Snake (1970), Snake (1973), Top Eliminator (1974), Snake (1974), Mongoose (1974), ’70 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car (1997).
Note: Snake 2 and Mongoose 2 had their own blistercards.
Snake Rail Dragster – 106mm – 1971–72
This model is based on Don Prudhomme’s front-engine dragster. It has a plastic nose, exposed metal engine, separate wheelie wheels, a blue sticker on the nose with “Don Prudhomme,” the Hot Wheels logo and “Snake I,” a white sticker in front of the cockpit with “Don Prudhomme” and “Snake I,” a white driver in the cockpit, bw in back, bicycle-type wheels in front, and was made in the USA.
Note: The Mongoose and Snake Rail Dragsters were only available together in their own blisterpack.
Similar casting: Mongoose Rail Dragster
Snorkel – 74mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This concept cherry picker or telephone repair truck was designed by Ira Gilford and Larry Wood. It has a metal base, white plastic bed with red plastic hydraulic arms, a red plastic basket, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw. Made in Hong Kong.
Note: The metal will deteriorate and corrode, it just falls apart, even in blisterpacks. This is especially true of the white enamel version.
Special Delivery – 65mm – 1971–1972
This concept mail car was designed by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, two exposed metal engines, black grille, no tampo, red, white, and blue stickers with “U.S. Mail” on the sides, white plastic interior, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong.
Note: Without complete stickers this model is worth 25% less.
Strip Teaser – 79mm – 1971–1972
Larry Wood designed this Hong Kong made concept model. It has a metal base, exposed metal engine with exhaust headers, a driver’s compartment with lift-up lid, black stickers with “7” on the sides and hood, a black plastic interior, and rsw.
Similar casting: Strip Teaser (1973 Shell Promos)
Sugar Caddy – 76mm – 1971 (Spoilers)
This Hong Kong made model is based on the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado. Designed by Ira Gilford, it has a metal base, exposed metal engine sticking through the lift-up hood, stickers with numbers on the sides, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windows, and rsw.
T-4-2 – 62mm – 1971–1972
This Hong Kong-made concept car of two Model T Ford front ends stuck together was designed by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, two exposed metal engines (front & back) with black grille s, “?” cast on the sides, dark plastic interior, blue windows and rsw.
Team Trailer – 108mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
This concept racing-team camper has rsw and was made in Hong Kong. The detachable cab was designed by Ira Gilford and has a metal base, blue windshield, and a black plastic interior. The white plastic trailer was designed by Larry Wood and has a light blue interior, blue windows, a metal base, sticker with the Hot Wheels logo and “Racing Team” on the sides, and a light blue opening door.
Waste Wagon – 85mm – 1971 (Heavyweights)
A Hong Kong-made concept trash truck, the cab was designed by Ira Gilford and the orange plastic container with moveable black plastic scoop was designed by Larry Wood. It has a metal base, sticker with “Dept. of Sanitation” in black on the sides, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw.
What-4 – 79mm – 1971–1972
Designed by Bob Lovejoy, this Hong Kong-made concept car has a metal base, four exposed metal engines (two on each side), blue cockpit window, plastic interior (assorted colors), moveable white plastic fin in back, and rsw.