In 1988, Mattel introduced Color Racers. These cars had a second coat of paint that was thermochromic – sensitive to temperature. This paint could only be seen when the vehicle was cold, otherwise it remained invisible. The basic color that these cars maintain depends on the thickness of the second coat of paint. Originally, “warm” was considered when the vehicle was between 70 to 80 degrees or higher, and “cold” was below 40 degrees.
Each model would change into two different colors, although there were varying shades of each color. Also, the tampos would change or sometimes disappear, depending on the temperature of the car. Within about eight years’ time most of the Color Racers did not change anymore, and the rest need extensive heat or cold to change color.
The normally corrosive metal parts of the cars were treated to prevent damage from water play, and because of the rather thick paint jobs, body detail was diminished.
The international line consisted of several models that were not available in the U.S. Also, with all international packages, except Color Racers II, either a sponge or a magic pen was included, to use on models to make them change colors.
The models were known in the U.S. as Color Racers and they were issued in two different style three-car blisterpacks. In the international market Color Racers were known as “Automagic”, “Automagic II”, “Color Racers”, and “Color Racers II” and were sold in single packs.
Not included in this list are the plastic body Color FX or Color Shifters.
’55 Chevy – 72mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
a. Warm: yellow, yellow flames on hood, yellow and red flames, yellow “55”, blue Chevy bowtie and yellow stripes on sides. (Cold: red) $8 – NA
a2. as a, orange stripes, red replaces orange tampo 10 – NA
b. Warm: pink, white flames on hood, dk. blue and white flames, white “55”, orange Chevy bowtie and stripes on sides. (Cold: purple) 8 – NA
c. Warm: mf pink, white flames on hood, red and white flames, white “55”, and Chevy bowtie w/blue stripes on sides. (Cold: mf purple) 8 – NA
c2. as c, no hood tampo 10 – NA
c3. as c, with blue and white flames on the sides. 10 – NA
d. Warm: lt. pink, white flames on hood, red and white flames, white “55”, blue Chevy bowtie and stripes on sides. (Cold: bright pink) 8 – NA
d2. Warm: lt. pink, white flames on hood, purple and white flames, white “55”, blue Chevy bowtie and stripe on sides, (Cold: lt. purple) 12 – NA
e. Warm: gray, yellow flames on hood, dk. red and yellow flames, yellow “55”, orange and blue Chevy bowtie, w/blue stripe on sides. (Cold: olive) 10 – NA
f. Warm: white, as a. (Cold: blue) 15 – NA
g. Warm: lt. orange, as a. (Cold: magenta) 15 – NA
’57 Chevy – 73mm – 1997
This model has a plastic base, blue tinted windows and interior, and bw.
a. Warm: pink, blue and magenta design on sides. (Cold: purple, pink and magenta design on sides) $15 – NA
’57 T-Bird – 70mm – 1978
This model has a black interior, gray windows, and bw.
a. Warm: red-orange, orange and yellow design on hood, roof, and trunk, “T-Bird” on hood. (Cold: purple) $5 – NA
b. Warm: yellow, yellow and dk. green design on hood, roof, and trunk, red outlined “T-Bird” on hood. (Cold: dk. green) 15 – NA
c. Warm: gray. (Cold: burgundy purple) 8 – NA
d. Warm: white, as a. (Cold: blue) 15 – NA
e. Warm: lt. brown, white and purple design on hood, roof, and trunk, blue outlined “T-Bird” on hood. (Cold: dk. brown) 15 – NA
’65 Mustang – 87mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, tan interior, blue tinted windshield, and ww.
a. Warm: blue, yellow stripe on sides, purple flames, white “GT”, and “Mustang” on sides. (Cold: purple) $15 – NA
a2. as a, pink flames 15 – NA
’80s Firebird – 75mm – 1983
This model has a red interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: bright pink, dk. blue firebird on hood. (Cold: magenta) $10 – NA
b. Warm: yellow, green firebird on hood. (Cold: dk. green) 15 – NA
c. Warm: orange, red firebird on hood. (Cold: dk. green) 15 – NA
d. Warm: lt. pink, red firebird on hood. (Cold: red) 15 – NA
’82 Supra – 75mm – 1983
This model has a black metal base, black interior, light tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. pink, purple and white stripes, white and red “Toyota” on sides. (Cold: magenta) $5 – NA
a2. Warm: lt. pink, as a, tan interior 7 – NA
Auburn 852 – 78mm – 1979
This model has a white interior, white plastic fenders, clear windows with chrome edges, and ww.
a. Warm: off-white. (Cold: dk. blue) $8 – NA
Baja Bug – 57mm – 1984
This model has a red interior and bw.
a. Warm: yellow, blue design on hood, red “Blazin’ Bug” on sides. (Cold: red, w/blue design on hood, yellow flames on sides) $10 – NA
b. Warm: gold, as a. (Cold: mf dk. red) 10 – NA
c. Warm: gray, as a. (Cold: burgundy) 10 – NA
d. Warm: pale blue, as a. (Cold: purple) 10 – NA
e. Warm: lt. pink, as a. (Cold: dk. blue) 10 – NA
BMW M1 – 78mm – 1983
This model has a metal base, black interior and windows, and bw.
a. Warm: yellow. Automagic. (Cold: dk. burgundy) $5 – 10
b. Warm: lt. orange. Automagic. (Cold: pale orange) 5 – 10
Camaro Z-28 – 77mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
a. Warm: blue, orange and magenta stripes, design on hood and roof, “Camaro” on roof. (Cold: purple, w/lt. blue stripes and orange stripe on hood and roof, lt. blue “Z-28” twice on hood) $10 – NA
b. Warm: blue, dk. blue and orange stripes on roof, dk. blue “Z-28” on hood. (Cold: purple) 10 – NA
c. Warm: red, red and yellow stripes on hood and roof. (Cold: reddish purple, w/red and yellow stripes on hood and roof, red “Z-28” twice on hood) 10 – NA
d. Warm: lt. orange, orange and yellow stripes on roof, orange “Z-28” twice on hood. (Cold: red) 10 – NA
Corvette Stingray – 76mm – 1976
This model has a metal base, black interior, dark gray windows, and bw.
a. Warm: off-white, red flames, blue arrow, white “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: bright orange) $15 – NA
a2. as a, blue flames 15 – NA
b. Warm: mf blue, purple flames, yellow arrow, and blue-green “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: mf purple) 15 – NA
c. Warm: blue, purple flames, yellow arrow and blue-green “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: purple) 15 – NA
d. Warm: mf orange, red flames, yellow arrow, and blue “Corvette” on
hood. (Cold: mf bronze) 15 – NA
e. Warm: orange, red flames, yellow arrow, and blue “Corvette” on
hood. (Cold: lt. brown) 15 – NA
e2. Warm: orange, as e. (Cold: red) 15 – NA
f. Warm: olive, green flames, yellow arrow, and yellow “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: dk. green) 15 – NA
g. Warm: dk. pink, pink flames, purple arrow, and white “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: magenta) 15 – NA
h. Warm: white, blue flames and white arrow design, w/white “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: blue) 15 – NA
Custom Corvette – 74mm – 1989
This model has a black plastic base, tan interior, and blue windshield.
a. Warm: lt. blue. Automagic. (Cold: purple) $5 – 10
Datsun 200SX – 76mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, tan interior, lightly tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: gray, black and white winners flag design on hood and roof, blue and white “3” on hood. (Cold: dk. purple) $5 – NA
Delivery Van – 70mm – 1975
This model has a metal base, black interior, blue windows, and bw.
a. Warm: pink. Automagic. (Cold: purple) $5 – 10
Emergency Squad (Rescue Ranger) – 77mm – 1975
This model has a chrome plastic base, dark gray interior and windows, yellow plastic dome lights and equipment, and bw.
a. Warm: red, yellow stripes and red “Rescue” on sides. (Cold: purple, red and yellow design on sides, “Sons of Danger” on doors) $8 – NA
b. Warm: lt. green, as a. (Cold: dk. green) 8 – NA
c. Warm: yellow, as a. (Cold: green) 8 – NA
Ferrari Testarossa – 71mm – 1987
This model has a metal base, red and white interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: off-white, white, red, and blue design on roof and hood, “Ferrari” and “4” on hood. (Cold: red-orange) $8 – NA
a2. Warm: off-white, as a, tan interior. 8 – NA
b. Warm: lt. pink, red, white, and blue stripes on roof and hood, “Ferrari” and “4” on hood. (Cold: red-orange) 8 – NA
b2. as b, tan and white int. 8 – NA
c. Warm: orange, tan, and red int., red, yellow, and dark blue stripes ending with an arrow, “4” and “Ferrari” on
hood. (Cold: dk. red) 10 – NA
c2. as c, red int. 10 – NA
c3. as c, red and white int. 10 – NA
c4. as c, yellow and red int. 10 – NA
d. Warm: orange, red and black int., no design (Cold: red) 10 – NA
d2. as d, red and tan int. 10 – NA
Fiero 2M4 – 68mm – 1985
This model has a metal base, black interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. pink, red, white, and orange design on sides and hood. (Cold:
red) $5 – NA
Flame Runner – 67mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, blacked out windows, and bw.
a. Warm: green-yellow, yellow and green head of an eagle on sides. (Cold: dk. green) $10 – NA
Ford Fairmont (Race Ace) – 76mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: pale gray, black and white checkerboard design on roof and hood, blue “3” on hood (Cold: dk. gray-blue) $10 – NA
Hot Bird – 74mm – 1978
This model has a metal base, tan interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. pink, lt. purple outline of a bird on hood. (Cold: dk. purple) $15 – NA
Jeep CJ-7 – 68mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black interior, clear windows, roll bar, and spare tire, and bw.
a. Warm: yellow, dk. green design and yellow “Jeep” and star on hood. (Cold: dk. green) $8 – NA
b. Warm: mf yellow, as a. (Cold: mf green) 8 – NA
c. Warm: olive, as a. (Cold: dk. green) 8 – NA
Lamborghini Countach – 70mm – 1988
This model has a metal base, red interior, dark blue tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. pink, white, blue, and red design stripes and “31” on hood and on sides, “Countach” on sides. (Cold: pink) $6 – NA
a2. Warm: lt. pink, as a, purple replaces red in design. (Cold: pink) 6 – NA
a3. Warm: lt. pink, as a, pink stripes, magenta border, purple “31”. 6 – NA
b. Warm: white, red int., tinted windows, no design (Cold: pink) 6 – NA
b2. Warm: off-white, red int., blue windows, blue and white design stripes, magenta “31” on hood and sides, “Countach” on sides. (Cold: pink) 6 – NA
b3. as b2, red windows 6 – NA
c. Warm: lt. pink, red int., tinted windows. (Cold: purple) 6 – NA
c2. as c, white int., blue windows. 6 – NA
c3. as c, white int., tinted windows. 6 – NA
Large Charge – 75mm – 1975
This model has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
a. Warm: dk. blue, yellow dotted arrow on roof and dk. blue “15” on rear deck and front fenders. (Cold: dk. purple, white “U” on roof and “LeMans” on sides) 5 – NA
b. Warm: mf blue, as a. (Cold: mf dk. purple) 5 – NA
c. Warm: white, yellow dotted arrow on roof, dk. blue “15” on rear deck and front fenders. (Cold: blue, white “U” on roof and “LeMans” on sides) 5 – NA
Mercedes 540K – 80mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, tan interior, clear windshield, plastic roof, and ww.
a. Warm: grayish white. Automagic (Cold: dk. maroon) $5 – 10
Mustang S.V.O. – 73mm – 1985
This model has a black metal base, red interior, black tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: gray-brown, blue and purple stripes and white “S.V.O. Mustang” on sides. (Cold: purple) $15 – NA
Path Beater – 73mm – 1986
This model has a metal base, yellow interior, clear windows, light bar, and bed floor, and bw.
a. Warm: lime green, red “U”, and “5”, dk. green block design on hood, red and dk. green stripes and “Mean Green” on sides. (Cold: gray-green, red and lime green design on hood, red stripe and lime green stripes w/“Racing Team” on sides) $5 – NA
b. Warm: olive, blue replaces red in design. (Cold: dk. blue-green) 5 – NA
c. Warm: yellow, lime green “U” and dk. blue block design and stripes. (Cold: dk. olive green) 5 – NA
Porsche 911 – 70mm – 1975
This model has a metal base, black interior, dark gray tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: mf white, red, white, and blue stripes and “Turbo” and “2” on roof, hood, and sides. (Cold: mf pink) $5 – NA
a2. Warm: mf white, as a, black replaces blue in design. (Cold: mf pink) 5 – NA
a3. Warm: white, tampo, as a2. (Cold: pink) 5 – NA
b. Warm: bright pink, purple, orange, and yellow stripes on hood, roof, and sides, “Turbo” and “2” on sides and hood. (Cold: purple) 5 – NA
b2. Warm: lt. pink, purple, dk. pink, and white stripes on hood, roof, and sides, “Turbo” and “2” on sides and hood. (Cold: dk. purple) 5 – NA
c. Warm: mf silver, black, white, and blue stripes and “Turbo” and “2” on roof, hood, and sides. (Cold: mf dk. gray) 5 – NA
d. Warm: lt. gray, as c. (Cold: olive) 5 – NA
d2. as d, no hood tampo 5 – NA
d3. as d, no side tampo 5 – NA
e. Warm: orange, red, brown, and yellow stripes and “Turbo” and “2” on roof, hood, and sides. (Cold: red) 8 – NA
f. Warm: red, as e. (Cold: off- white) 8 – NA
Porsche 928 – 75mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black windows, and bw. It was issued in the Factory Paint Set.
a. Warm: white, red, white, and blue stripes on roof, blue arrow w/red “Turbo”, and white “928-S” on hood. (Cold: magenta) $8 – NA
a2. Warm: white, as a, yellow arrow. 8 – NA
a3. Warm: white, yellow and blue stripes on roof and hood, white “928” on hood and sides. (Cold: magenta) 8 – NA
b. Warm: blue, yellow, blue, and dk. red stripes on roof, yellow stripe w/dk. red “Turbo” and blue “928-S” on hood. (Cold: deep purple) 8 – NA
c. Warm: pink, as b, white “928-S” on hood, no turbo. (Cold: purple) 8 – NA
d. Warm: lt. orange, as b, white “928-S” on hood. (Cold: purple) 8 – NA
Porsche 959 – 70mm – 1988
This model has a metal base, yellow interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: yellow, white, red, and blue stripes on hood and roof, “959” and “Porsche” on hood and sides. (Cold: red) $5 – NA
b. Warm: off-white, orange, red, and blue stripes on hood and roof, “959” and white “Porsche” on hood and sides. (Cold: orange) 5 – NA
c. Warm: lt. blue, as a. (Cold: dk. blue) 5 – NA
d. Warm: mf off-white, black int., red, white, and blue stripes, “959” and “Porsche” on sides. (Cold: mf pink) 5 – NA
d2. as d, no roof design, black int. 5 – NA
d3. as d, no side design, black int. 5 – NA
e. Warm: yellow, red and blue stripes on hood and roof, “959” and white “Porsche” on hood and sides. (Cold: pink) 10 – NA
f. Warm: yellow-green, black int., black spots and blue stripes on hood and roof.
(Cold: yellow-green) 10 – NA
Race Bait 308 – 70mm – 1978
This model has a black metal base, tan interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: red, yellow and black stripes on hood and roof, “308” and “Ferrari” on hood, “308” on roof. (Cold: brown) $5 – NA
b. Warm: off-white, blue, white, and purple stripes on hood and roof, dk. red “Ferrari” twice and “308” on roof, double. (Cold: magenta) 5 – NA
b2. Warm: off-white, as b, thick magenta and white stripes on hood and roof, blue “Ferrari” twice and “308” on hood and roof. 5 – NA
b3. as b2, thin magenta stripe. 6 – NA
c. Warm: off-white, blue and white stripes on hood and roof, “308” and design on hood. (Cold: lt. blue) 5 – NA
d. Warm: pink, as c. (Cold: pale pink) 5 – NA
e. Warm: mf lt. orange, yellow and black stripes on hood and roof, “308” and “Ferrari” on hood, “308” on roof. (Cold: mf purple) 5 – NA
f. Warm: red, no tampo. (Cold: brown) 5 – NA
g. Warm: yellow, yellow and black stripes, red “308” on hood and roof. (Cold: red) 5 – NA
Shadow Jet – 75mm – 1988
This model has a metal base, tinted windows, yellow nose, and bw.
a. Warm: dk. yellow, orange “Inter” and “Cooled”, purple “F-3” twice on
top. (Cold: purple) $5 – NA
a2. Warm: dk. yellow, as a, bright yellow “Inter” and “Cooled” (Cold: purple) 5 – NA
Sharkruiser – 75mm – 1987
This model has a painted metal base that changes color, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. gray. (Cold: dk. blue) $10 – NA
Sheriff Patrol – 75mm – 1982
This model has a metal base, black interior, gray tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. green, “Police” on hood and side front doors, yellow star on hood, a star and bar on sides. (Cold: dk. olive-brown, white “Star Taxi” on hood, “Taxi” and a design on rear side doors) $5 – NA
a2. Warm: lt. green, as a, blue star on hood 8 – NA
b. Warm: pink, tan interior, blue windows, no design. Automagic (Cold: dk. burgundy) 5 – 10
Sol-Aire CX4 – 75mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
a. Warm pink, purple and orange stripe design w/“13” and pink “GTS” on sides. (Cold: magenta) $10 – NA
a2. as a, magenta replaces purple in
design 10 – NA
b. Warm red, orange, plum, and yellow stripe design w/“13” and orange “GTS” on sides, uh. (Cold: purple) 10 – NA
Speed Seeker – 75mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, black tinted dome, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. blue, dk. blue magenta and white snake design on hood. (Cold: purple) $8 – NA
Split Window ’63 – 70mm – 1980
This model has a metal base, tan interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lime green, dk. green and orange stripes, flames on hood and roof, dk. green “Corvette” on
hood. (Cold: dk. blue) $8 – NA
a2. Warm: lime green, as a, dk. green in tampo goes to lt. green 8 – NA
b. Warm: lt. orange, dk. green and red stripes, flames on hood and roof, red “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: red) 10 – NA
c. Warm: blue, no tampo. (Cold: white) 15 – NA
d. Warm: lt. pink, orange and red stripes, white flames on hood and roof, red “Corvette” on hood. (Cold: red) 15 – NA
Street Beast – 70mm – 1985
This model has a metal base, black interior, dark tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: pink. Automagic. (Cold: purple) $5 – 10
Street Roader – 68mm – 1989
This model has a metal base, black interior and truck bed, clear windows, and ct.
a. Warm: lt. green, green, lime green and yellow design w/“4×4” on sides and hood. (Cold: dk. green) $8 – NA
a2. Warm: lt. green, as a, cts 8 – NA
b. Warm: mf lt. green, as a. (Cold: mf dk. green) 8 – NA
c. Warm: burgundy, blue, purple, and white design w/“4×4” on sides and hood. (Cold: gray blue) 8 – NA
c2. Warm: burgundy, as c, cts. 8 – NA
Talbot Lago – 83mm – 1988
This model has a metal base, chrome interior, blue tinted windows, and ww.
a. Warm: orange. Automagic. (Cold: dk. brown) $5 – 10
Tall Ryder – 66mm – 1985
This model has a metal base, black windows, and ct.
a. Warm: yellow-green, yellow and dk. green stripes and “Tall Ryder” on sides. (Cold: dk. green) $5 – NA
a2. Warm: yellow-green,,as a, cts. 8 – NA
b. Warm: off-white, red and dk. blue stripes and “Tall Ryder” on
sides. (Cold: dk. blue) 8 – NA
Thunderbird Stocker (Thunderburner) – 78mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, black interior, tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. green, red, yellow, and blue stripe, “4” on doors and hood, “Hot Wheels” on doors. (Cold: gray/blue) $5 – NA
b. Warm: mf pink, blue and pink design w/stripes, “1” and “725 H.P.”, blue stripe, “1” and decals on sides. (Cold: mf rose) 5 – NA
c. Warm: pink, as b. (Cold: purple) 5 – NA
d. Warm: yellow, red, yellow, and blue design, “4” on doors and hood, “Hot Wheels” on doors. (Cold: green) 5 – NA
VW Bug – 60mm – 1989
This model has a metal base, tan interior, clear windows, and bw.
a. Warm: pink, purple, yellow, and white design on sides and roof. (Cold: purple) $20 – NA
b. Warm: pink, white, pink, and purple tampo on side and roof. (Cold: magenta) 20 – NA
Wind Splitter – 78mm – 1984
This model has a metal base, black interior, black tinted windows, and bw.
a. Warm: lt. pink, red and white lightning bolt design on roof and hood. (Cold: dk. pink) $5 – NA