Crack Ups - 1984 -1988 | Hot Wheels Newsletter

Crack-Ups Crash ’em! Fix ’em! Bash ’em again!
by Terry Hicks and Jim Garbaczewski.
Crack-Ups first appeared in the Hot Wheels line in 1984 and ran to 1988. These cars have an instant repair feature which is a spring-loaded panel held in place by a small catch. A sudden impact or crash would cause the panel to spin and reveal the “crashed” side. You could rotate the panel back to repair the vehicle. Crack-Ups were popular the first two years and lasted for only five years. Nine different castings are used for the 36 models. Eleven of them were front, ten were side, ten were rear and five were top crashers. They also had a packaging change during the five years they were out, and they were made in either Hong Kong, Malaysia, or France. French models were issued in Mexico with some having tampo colors or design changes. Three playsets were made to accompany the Crack-up cars: Bash ‘N Smash Set, Wipe-Out Set and Bash ‘N Smash Set which featured different way to crash your cars.
The Crack-Ups were also issued in a two-pack with a free stamper. The blistercard was twice as wide as the regular blister, and came with a stamper. There were three different packs, each with two cars and a unique stamp.
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Back Biter – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7578)
This rear crasher pickup truck has a pop-up white plastic camper shell, a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar casting: Bumper Thumper
a. mf red, with orange, white, and yellow stripes on sides, HK $5 – 12
a. mf red, as a, Mal. 20 – 40
Bang Up Job – 78mm – 1985 (Product #7579)
This top crasher concept Cam-Am race car has a red metal base, black canopy, and bw.
Similar castings: Bangster, Top Bopper
a. red, with concave crash, yellow, white, and purple stripes and “ZZ-8” on top, HK $6 – 14
a2. red, as a, convex crash, HK $6 – 14
b. dk. red, as a, concave crash, dark yellow and purple stripes and “ZZ-8” on top, Fr. 9 – 20
b2. dk. red, as b, yellow, white, and blue stripes and “ZZ-8” on top, Fr., Mexico issue 9 – 20
Bangster – 78mm – 1986 (Product #2559)
This top crasher concept Cam-Am race car has a metal base, black canopy, and bw.
Similar castings: Bang Up Job, Top Bopper
a. lt. green, with red, orange, and yellow stripes on top, HK $6 – 14
a2. lt. green, as a, Mal. 7 – 16
Bash Up – 72mm – 1985 (Product #9340)
This front end crasher concept car has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher, Smash Mobile, Sport Crasher, Stocker Smasher
a. green, with yellow and light green stripes and “Cruiser” on sides. Stamper 2-pack $10 – NA
Basher – 72mm – 1985 (Product #7573)
This front crasher concept car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Bash Up, Smash Mobile, Sport Crasher, Stocker Smasher
a. yellow, with blue, black, and orange stripes and “Cruiser” on sides, HK $5 – 7
a2. yellow, as a, Mal. 6 – 12
b. yellow, as a, dark blue, black, and red narrow stripes and ”Cruiser” on sides, Fr., Mexico playset 20 – NA
b2. yellow, as b, black hood, Mex. 15 NA
Basher 2 – 73mm – 1985 (Product #9330)
This side crasher concept Formula GT race car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Blindsider, Sidebanger, Sidegrinder, Sock ’n Roll
a. met gold, with black, white, and dk. red stripes on top and sides, “3” three times on hood, HK. Stamper 2-pack only $10 – 30
Blindsider – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7577)
This side crasher concept Formula GT race car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher 2, Sidebanger, Sidegrinder, Sock ’n Roll
a. white, with blue, yellow, and red design w/stripes on top and sides, “3” three times on hood, HK $5 – 10
a2. white, as a, Mal. 5 – 10
a2. white, as a, lighter blue and yellow, Fr. 8 – 15
a3. white, as a2, no side tampo, Fr. 9 – 18
Bumper Thumper – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7581)
This rear crasher pickup truck has a pop-up white plastic camper shell, a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Back Biter
a. mf blue, with light green, yellow and white stripes and “X-15” on sides, HK $5 – 12
a2. mf blue, as a, Mal. 6 – 14
Cab Cruncher – 81mm – 1987 (Product #1802)
This front crasher dump truck with a white dumper has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Wreckin’ Rig
a. green, with yellow, white, and black design w/“Truckin” and a dump truck on doors, Mal. $6 – 16
Crash Patrol – 77mm – 1984 (Product #7065)
This side crasher police vehicle has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crunch Chief, Exploder, Fire Smasher, Super Blaster
a. white, with white, black, blue, and yellow design w/stripes, “State Police”, and shield on sides, HK $7 – 15
a2. white, as a, Mal. 8 – 16
a3. white, as a, darker blue, Fr. (may be a set only car) 15 – NA
a4. white, as a, lighter blue, darker yellows, yellow “State”, Fr. (may be a set car) 20 – NA
Crash Test Vehicle – 77mm – 1985 (Product #N/A)
This front crasher stock car has metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Front Ender, Hood Basher, Knocker Stocker
a. white, with red, yellow, and black design, “Official Crash Test Vehicle” on sides, “Official Test Vehicle” on hood, Hot Wheels logo on sides and hood, HK, Playset/Mattel store $18 – NA
Crunch Chief – 77mm – 1985 (Product #7572)
This side crasher police vehicle has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Patrol, Exploder, Fire Smasher, Super Blaster
a. lt. blue, with dk. blue, yellow, and lt. blue design, stripes, “State Police” and a shield on sides, HK $7 – 15
a2. lt. blue, as a, Mal. 8 – 16
a3. lt. blue as a, Mex 15 – 25
Deformula 1 – 76mm – 1986 (Product #1731)
This top crasher Indy Racer has a metal base, black interior, and bw.
Similar casting: Indentor
a. red, with white, yellow, and black design w/“5” and racing decals on sides, stripes on wing, Mal. $6 – 14
Exploder – 77mm – 1985 (Product #9331)
This side crasher police vehicle has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Patrol, Crunch Chief, Fire Smasher, Super Blaster
a. black, with white stripes, black “State Police” and yellow shield on sides, HK. Stamper 2-pack $10 – 30
a2. black, as a, Mal. Not known to exist.
Fire Smasher – 77mm – 1984 (Product #7068)
This side crasher Fire Chief vehicle has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Patrol, Crunch Chief, Exploder, Super Blaster
a. red, with black, yellow, and white “Fire Dept. Chief” on sides, HK $7 – 15
a2. red, as a, w/black, yellow, and white “Fire Chief” added to roof, “Fire Dept.” on
hood. 6 – 12
a3. red, as a2, Mal. 8 – 15
Front Ender – 77mm – 1985 (Product #9038)
This front crasher stock car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Test Vehicle, Hood Basher, Knocker Stocker
a. red, with yellow, white and black stripes, “50” on sides and hood, HK $7 – 16
a2. dk. red, as, a, Mal. 10 – 25
Hatch Popper – 73mm – 1984 (Product #7069)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, black windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Rear Ender, Ringer, Slammer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. yellow, with orange, red, and purple stripes on top, HK $5 – 10
Hood Basher – 77mm – 1985 (Product #9155)
This front crasher stock car has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Test Vehicle, Front Ender, Knocker Stocker
a. magenta, with yellow, orange, and black stripes w/“Turbo” on sides and twice on hood, HK $7 – 16
b. red, yellow, orange, and black stripes w/“Turbo” on sides and twice on hood, Mex. 10 – 20
c. red, yellow, orange, and black stripes w/”Turbo” on sides, Mex. 10 – 20
Indentor – 76mm – 1986 (Product #1803)
This top crasher Indy Racer has a metal base, black interior, and bw.
Similar casting: Deformula 1
a. white, with red, yellow, and black design, “13”, Hot Wheels logo and racing decals on sides, stripes on top, Hot Wheels logo on wing, Mal. $6 – 14
Knocker Stocker – 77mm – 1986 (Product #2557)
This front crasher stock car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Test Vehicle, Front Ender, Hood Basher
a. white, with purple, orange and yellow lightning bolt design on hood and sides, “Zap” on sides, HK $8 – 17
a2. white, as a, Mal. 9 – 18
Rear Ender – 73mm – 1985 (Product #9332)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, gray windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Ringer, Slammer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. met blue, with white and lt. green stripes on top, HK. Stamper 2-pack $10 – 30
Ringer – 73mm – 1985 (Product #9333)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, gray windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Slammer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. met red, with white and blue stripes on top, “Turbo” twice on hood, HK. Stamper 2-pack $10 – 30
Sidebanger – 73mm – 1985-1987 (Product #7580)
This side crasher concept Formula GT race car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher 2, Blindsider, Sidegrinder, Sock ’n Roll
a. yellow, with red, black, and white design w/flames on top and sides, “5” on hood, HK $5 – 10
a2. yellow, as a, Mal. $10 – 20
Sidegrinder – 73mm – 1987 (Product #2558)
This side crasher concept Formula GT race car has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher 2, Blindsider, Sidebanger, Sock ’n Roll
a. black, with red, orange, and purple stripes, orange “Z-1” on top and sides, HK $6 – 12
a2. black, as a, Mal. 7 – 14
Slammer – 73mm – 1986-1988 (Product #2555)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, gray windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Ringer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. black, with red, yellow, and blue flames on sides and hood, HK $6 – 12
a2. black, as a, Mal. 8 – 15
Smak Bak – 73mm – 1984 (Product #7066)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, black windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Ringer, Slammer, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. white, with red and blue stripes on top, “Turbo” twice on hood, HK $5 – 10
a2. white, as a, dk. red and lt. blue in design, Fr. 9 – 20
b. yellow, as a, HK 50 – NA (This is believed to be a prototype, not production.)
Smash Hit – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7821)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, gray windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Ringer, Slammer, Smak Bak, Speed Crasher, Super Dentor
a. magenta, orange and blue stripes on top, “7” on hood, HK $7 – 14
b. green, as a, lt. green and yellow design 5 – 10
c. dk. green, as c, dk. blue and yellow design, Fr. 9 – 20
c2. dk. green, as c, dk. blue and orange design, Fr., Mexico issue 20 – 50
Smash Mobile – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7823)
This front crasher concept car has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher, Bash Up, Sport Crasher, Stocker Smasher
a. blue, with yellow, lt. blue, and white stripes on the sides, HK $5 – 10
a2. blue, as a, Mal. 6 – 12
b. magenta, orange and yellow stripes on sides, HK (1985) 5 – 10
b2. magenta, as b, Mal. (1985) 8 – 15
Sock & Roll – 73mm – 1985 (Product #9329)
This side crasher concept Formula GT race car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher 2, Blindsider, Sidebanger, Sidegrinder
a. zamac, with red, yellow, and purple flames on top and sides, “5” on hood, sides, and top, HK. Stamper 2-pack $10 – 30
Speed Crasher – 73mm – 1985 (Product #7824)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, black windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Ringer, Slammer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Super Dentor
a. met magenta, with white, yellow, and orange stripes and flames on top, HK $7 – 14
Sport Crasher – 72mm – 1984 (Product #7070)
This front crasher concept car has a metal base, gray windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher, Bash Up, Smash Mobile, Stocker Smasher
a. black, with white, purple, and red design w/flames, “Super-X” and stripes on sides, HK $5 – 10
a2. black, as a, Mal. (1984) 6 – 12
a3. black, darker narrow flames and stripes, lt. violet “Super X” on sides. Fr. (may be a set car) 20 – NA
Stocker Smasher – 72mm – 1984 (Product #7067)
This front crasher concept car has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Basher, Bash Up, Smash Mobile, Sport Crasher
a. red, with white, yellow, and black stripes and “Cruiser” on sides, HK $5 – 10
a2. red, as a, Mal. 6 – 12
a3. dk. red, as a, wider white, narrower yellow and black stripes and “Cruiser” on sides, Mex. 20 – NA
a4. dk. red, as a3, silver windows Fr. Mexico issue 50 – NA
b. black, silver windows, with red, yellow, and white stripes and “Cruiser” on sides, Fr., Mexico issue 20 – 40
Super Blaster – 77mm – 1985 (Product #7827)
This side crasher taxi has a metal base, black windows, and bw.
Similar castings: Crash Patrol, Crunch Chief, Exploder, Fire Smasher
a. yellow, with red, black, and white design, Hot Wheels logo and “City Taxi” on sides, HK $7 – 15
a2. yellow, as a, checkerboard and “Taxi” added on roof, and “24 Hour Taxi” and checkerboard on hood 7 – 15
a3. yellow, as a2, Mal. 8 – 17
Super Dentor – 73mm – 1986 (Product #2556)
This rear end crasher two-door hatchback sports car has a metal base, gray windows and pop-up hatchback, and bw.
Similar castings: Hatch Popper, Rear Ender, Ringer, Slammer, Smak Bak, Smash Hit, Speed Crasher
a. met lt. blue, with yellow, orange, and white stripes on top and sides, racing decals on sides, and “Racing Team” on hood, “14” on hood and sides. HK $5 – 10
b. met dk. blue, Mal. 10 – 20
Top Bopper – 78mm – 1985 (Product #7582)
This top crasher concept Cam-Am race car has a metal base, black canopy, and bw.
Similar castings: Bang Up Job, Bangster
a. met gray, concave crash, black, red, and blue circuit board design, striping and “Turbo” on top, HK $5 – 12
a2. met gray, convex crash, HK 7 – 15
a3. mf silver, as a, Mal. 20 – 40
Wreckin’ Rig – 81mm – 1987 (Product #1730)
This front crasher auto hauler has a metal base, black windows, a yellow ramp in back, and bw.
Similar castings: Cab Cruncher
a. yellow, with red, blue, and white design, Hot Wheels logo, “Auto Wrecking”, and “You Wreck Um-We Fix Um” on sides of cab, Mal. $12 – 15

Play sets
Crack-up Crash Course (Product #9637)
Playset that includes Crack-Up Crash Master car (Crash Test Vehicle). Interactive playset where you can back your car in a door and the car would automatically fix itself along with crashing into walls and missing cones. There are several language variations of this set. $60

Bash ‘N Smash Set (Product #7196)
Playset where cars are launched into an X pattern where they can crash in the center. Set includes the Crack-Up Basher and Crunch Chief. There are several language variations of this set. $50

Wipe-Out Set (Product #7820)
This set is a figure 8 were the cars crash at the intersection. You can control the speed with the drive wheel power booster. The set includes a Smak Back, Sport Crasher.
Gift Pack
Smash & Tow 4-car set (Product #2817)
Set includes 3 Crack-Ups (Top Bopper, Bumper Thumper, Fire Smasher) and Yellow Ramblin Wrecker BW $75
Stamper 2-Pack
Comes with 2 special color cars and a stamper. 3 different packages were avaiable.
Red stamper – Sock `N Roll / Bash Up
Green stamper – Basher II / Rear Ender
Blue stamper – Exploder / RingerHot Wheels Crack-Ups Crash Pak 4415 Free Car! Buy 2, Get One Free!
3-Pack of 2 assorted carded Crack-Ups & I carded Flip Outs