In what year were Hot Wheels first introduced?

Hot Wheels were first introduced in 1968. Mattel unveiled the new toy line at the New York Toy Fair, presenting 16 cars that became known as the Original Sweet 16.

The line was developed by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler as a competitor to Matchbox. Handler wanted small cars with a more exciting, customized look, including exaggerated hot-rod shapes, bright paint and oversized rear tires. Engineer Jack Ryan and designer Harry Bentley Bradley helped turn the idea into production models.

Hot Wheels also stood out because of their low-friction wheels, which let the cars run smoothly and quickly on the brand’s orange track sets. This performance-focused design helped distinguish them from contemporary die-cast cars and made racing central to the brand.

Collectors sometimes mention 1967 because some Original Sweet 16 cars were manufactured or prepared during that year. However, the public introduction and launch of Hot Wheels is conventionally dated to 1968. The first cars became the foundation of the long-running Redline era, named for the red stripe around their tires.