Sales of Hot Wheels® cars were ten times the first year projection, so Mattel expanded the line to include 24 additional cars. This brought the 1969 model total to 40. The Grand Prix series was introduced along with Indy, Can-Am, and endurance cars. Another popular line was Street Rods which included the Classic ’31 Ford Woody, the Classic ’32 Ford Vicky, and the Classic ’36 Ford Coupe. Two muscle cars were introduced, the Custom AMX and the Custom Charger. Several luxury cars were also included as well as the Classic ’57 T-Bird and the highly sought Volkswagen Beach Bomb in two versions. This is also the first year cars came with paper decals. Models were again produced in both Hong Kong and the USA, although not all models were made in both locations. Designers for 1969 included Ira Gilford and Howard Rees.
Brabham-Repco F1 – 73mm – 1969–1971 (Grand Prix) This Hong Kong made model is based on the Formula 1 racer designed by John Cooper, built by Geoff Brabham, and driven by Jack Brabham. It has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), exposed plastic engine, plastic tailpipe, blue windshield, and rsw. It has been found with plastic detachable fuel tanks. The white-interior version is very difficult to find and is worth about four times the mint price and two times the blisterpack price of the dark-interior version. Note: The real car was painted in British racing green.
Similar casting: Rash 1 (1974)
Chapparal 2G – 60mm – 1969–1971 (Grand Prix) Based on the Can-Am racer built and raced by Jim Hall, this model has a metal base, dark brown or black plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, removable white plastic spoiler in the back, rsw, a lift-up back to reveal a metal engine, and was made in both Hong Kong and the USA. Other than the window and base, the only difference between the two is the exhaust headers on the Hong Kong versions are longer. Also the headers on some USA versions don’t meet at the rear.
Note: The plastic spoiler has been reproduced.
Similar casting: Winnipeg (1974)
Classic ’31 Ford Woody– 62mm –1969–71 This customized 1931 Ford Woody station wagon has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), exposed metal engine, clear or blue windshield, smooth or textured black roof, rsw, and was made in the USA.
Note: This model was so popular Mattel came out with the ’40s Woodie in 1980.
Classic ’32 Ford Vicky – 62mm – 1969–71 This USA made customized 1932 Ford Victoria has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), exposed metal engine, clear windows, smooth black roof, and rsw.
Similar casting: ’32 Ford Vicky (1994)
Classic ’36 Ford Coupe– 65mm – 1969–71 This customized 1936 Ford Coupe has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted dark colors), exposed metal engine, opening rumble seat, clear windows, smooth black roof, rsw, and was made in the USA. This casting was re-tooled in 2004 for re-issue in 2005.
Note: Blue is very common in blisterpack.
Classic ’57 T-Bird – 1969–1971 This 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), lift-up hood to reveal a metal engine, clear windows, rsw, and was made in the USA.
Custom AMX – 70mm – 1969–1971 Based on the American Motors AMX, this model has a metal base, white plastic interior, lift-up hood to reveal a metal engine, clear windows, and rsw. Made in USA.
Note: In 1970 in England this model was driven in races and a special model of the race car driven by Ed Shaver was issued. The model was only issued in blue and had Ed Shaver decals in the pack.
Custom Charger – 80mm – 1969–1971 This USA-made Dodge Charger has a metal base, white plastic interior, lift-up hood to reveal a metal engine, clear windows, and rsw.
Custom Continental Mark III – 80mm – 1969–1971 This USA-made Lincoln features a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), lift-up hood to reveal a metal engine, clear windows, and rsw.
Note: Most cars have white interiors; black-interior models are approximately three times more valuable.
Custom Police Cruiser – 77mm – 1969–72 This USA-made Plymouth Fury police car has a metal base, black hood and trunk, black tampo with star and “Police” on the sides, white plastic interior, clear windows, and rsw.
Note: This was the first model with a tampo. A prototype has been found with black fenders.
Similar casting: Fire Chief Cruiser (1970)
Ford Mark IV – 70mm – 1969–71 (Grand Prix) Based on a Grand Prix race car, this model has a metal base, black and white stickers with “1” and stripes, plastic interior (dark brown or black), lift-up back to reveal a metal engine, clear or blue windows and rsw. The Hong Kong version has blue windows, raised outlines of the lights, gas tanks, etc, and slightly larger tailpipes. The USA version has clear windows and the outlines are inverted.
Indy Eagle – 75mm – 1969–71 (Grand Prix) Based on Dan Gurney’s Eagle racer, this model has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), exposed chrome plastic engine, rear spoiler, blue windshield, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. It has been found with plastic detachable fuel tanks. The white interior version is very difficult to find and is worth about four times the mint price and two times the blisterpack price of the dark interior version.
Note: Mattel issued a gold-chrome version. Although not rare, it’s very collectible.
LolaGT70 – 70mm – 1969–71 (Grand Prix) Based on a Grand Prix racer, this model has a metal base, plastic interior (dark brown or black), lift-up back to reveal a metal engine, clear or blue windows, and rsw. The Hong Kong version has a different engine compartment, larger taillights and mroe shallow outlines of lights, doors, etc. (some lines are barely noticeable or completely gone). The car looks like it was painted after the lines were made. The USA version has clearly defined lines. The lines look like they were made after painting.
Note: The real car was British racing green.
Lotus Turbine – 68mm – 1969–1971 (Grand Prix) This Hong Kong made Indy-style race car has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw. It has been found with plastic detachable fuel tanks. The white interior version is very difficult to find and is worth about five times the mint price and three times the blisterpack price of the dark interior version.
Maserati Mistral – 70mm – 1969–1971 This Hong Kong-made model has a metal base & engine, lift-up hood, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw. Some models come with a black roof.
McLaren M6A – 68mm – 1969–1971 (Grand Prix) Based on a Can-Am racer, this model has a metal base, lift-up back to reveal a metal engine, plastic interior (dark brown or black), clear or blue windshield, and rsw. The Hong Kong version has small taillights, poorly-defined door-lines and no fender vents. The USA version has flat taillights, more noticeable door-lines and rectangular fender vents.
Note: The real car was painted in orange enamel.
Mercedes-Benz 280SL – 67mm – 1969-71 This model has a metal base and engine, lift-up hood, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windows, rsw, and was made in Hong Kong. Some models come with a black roof.
Similar casting: Mercedes 280SL (1973, enamel colors)
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow – 82mm – 1969–1971 This model has a metal base and engine, lift-up hood, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windows, rsw and was made in Hong Kong. Some come with a black roof.
Note: The gray enamel version is very common. The ratio of gray cars to all other colors combined is about two to one.
Shelby Turbine – 66mm – 1969–1971 (Grand Prix) Based on the turbine-powered racer driven by Mario Andretti, this Hong Kong made model has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windshield, and rsw. It has been found with plastic detachable fuel tanks. The white interior version is very difficult to find and is worth about five times the mint price and three times the blisterpack price of the dark interior version.
Splittin’ Image®– 75mm – 1969–1971 This USA-made concept car was designed by Ira Gilford. It has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), clear windows, and rsw. Similar castings: Splittin’ Image (1973 Shell Promo), Splittin’ Image (1993)
Torero – 70mm – 1969–1971 This concept car was designed by Ira Gilford. It has a metal base and engine, lift-up hood, plastic interior (assorted colors), clear windows, rsw, and was made in the USA.
Turbofire® – 72mm – 1969–1971 Designed by Ira Gilford, this USA-made concept car has a metal base, lift-up rear hood to reveal a metal engine, plastic interior (assorted colors), clear windows, and rsw.
TwinMill®– 72mm – 1969–1971 This concept car was designed by Ira Gilford. It has a metal base, two chrome plastic engines, plastic interior (assorted colors), clear windows, rsw, and was made in the USA.
Similar castings: TwinMill (1973 Shell Promo), TwinMill 2 (1976), TwinMill (1993)
Volkswagen Beach Bomb – 65mm – 1969–1971 This Hong Kong made customized van has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windows, an orange and a yellow plastic surfboard in side slots, and rsw. This casting was re-tooled in 2002 and re-named Beach Bomb Too for re-issue in 2003.
Note: The surfboards have been reproduced.
Volkswagen Beach Bomb – 65mm – 1969–1971 (rear-loading) This Hong Kong made customized van has a metal base, plastic interior (assorted colors), blue windows, an orange and a yellow plastic surfboard sticking through the rear window, and rsw. This might be a pre-production model and may not have been sold in stores. It has never been found in blisterpack. This casting was re-tooled in 2002 and re-named Beach Bomb Too for re-issue in 2003.
Note: This model is the most desired vehicle and is easily the most expensive.
