10/9/2018 — After months of speculation, it appears the collectors were right. The rumor that the finale car would be a black/gold ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser (in reverse colors of the Dallas Nationals ’55 Bel Air Gasser), turned out to be true! Despite it being the same casting for the finale in Dallas, I don’t think there was one person upset with the choice — or the execution.

The Convention Finale is always a great place to get a really cool car. Finale cars are some of the best, but I feel like the main reason most collectors are excited for the Finale is the sneaks slideshow presented by Mattel. This year, despite the crowd on-hand getting off to a slow start, collectors went crazy on social media as these slides were cross-posted on just about every Hot Wheels site/forum/account out there. Its been exciting to see what collectors are gravitating towards as all the product looks outstanding. With that said, here is my take on all the product, along with some of what was said — and not said — in LA, enjoy!

2019 Hot Wheels Mainline (Basics)

Though it had been seen prior to the convention, the ’88 Honda CRX appears it will have a following when it hits the pegs.

The ’71 Porsche 911 had quite the introduction to us collectors wearing a Magnus Outlaw: Urban Outlaw design in 2018 …. in 2019 it gets a German “POLIZEI” deco which looks great!

You can tell those crazy designers have a lot of fun when it comes to castings like the Diaper Dragger. Check out the Teddy Bear in the back!

A blacked-out ’69 Dodge Charger 500 … yeah, that will fit in my collection just perfectly! Its hard to see, but Hot Wheels Designer Dmitriy (Dima) Shakhmatov said this one has carbon-fiber detailing on it.

We saw the ’16 Honda Civic Type R (hatchback) in 2017, two years later, we get a matching ’18 Honda Civic Type R (sedan).

The Land Rover Series III Pickup looks promising. Check out those new wheels!

This ’15 Mercedes-AMG GT is straight out of Fast & Furious.

One of the first ZAMACs to be shown for 2019, the Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR33) from the 2019 Nissan Series.

Turns out there were a lot of Hot Wheels designers who wanted to work on the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo… Dima won… here is his creation.

Looks like our 2nd ZAMAC has just been revealed: the ’65 Mustang 2+2 Fastback from the 2019 Muscle Mania series.

The Magnus Walker: Urban Outlaw design is sure reaching across a number of Hot Wheels castings, but this Kool Kombi in matte blue may turn out to be the most popular.

The Muscle Bound is a brand-new, 2019 New Model with a super sick introductory deco as part of the 2019 Speed Blur Series.

The 2nd colorway (red) of the ’49 Volkswagen Beetle Pickup from the 2019 Volkswagen series, was shown. Another brand-new casting designed by Dmitriy Shakhmatov.

I am pretty sure I am going to be a fan of the Speed Blur series. There have been some super cool decos shown so far, including this one on the ’18 Ford Mustang GT.

I feel like giving a high-five to the graphic designer that did the flames on this 2018 HW Flames ’66 Chevy Nova. One word: HOT!!!!

Another new casting for 2019, the ’67 Jeepster Commando. It was also shown at Friday’s RLC party.

Something can be said for a nice, clean-white, Porsche. This ’96 Porsche Carrera is no different. What a great way to introduce this 2019 New Model in the Nightburnerz segment.

Exotic car Hot Wheels collectors have been clamoring for the McLaren Senna… Hot Wheels is pleased to bring it to you, despite it being a challenging project for Hot Wheels design, Ryu Asada.

The 2019 Super Chromes was off to a great start with the Custom ’77 Dodge Van I previewed the other day. This Corvette Stingray will be the regular Treasure Hunt, and looks as good as the van!

Super Treasure Hunt alert! You may have seen this one leaked already, but here you can see it with its proper wheels: Real Riders Fifteen52 Outlaw Wheels.

Another Super Treasure Hunt! The Mazda REPU from the 2019 Nightburnerz… what a cool deco!

….and, ANOTHER SUPER TREASURE HUNT: the ’92 Ford Mustang from the 2019 Speed Blur series.

Get your September/October K-Day ’66 Batmobile yet — yeah, neither have I… but here are the Mail-Ins for the next two K-Days: Volkswagen Drag Truck (Nov. 2018) and ’67 Ford Bronco (Feb. 2019).

Walmart “Premium”

’83 Chevy Silverado (Trucks)

’63 Studebaker Champ (Trucks)

Path Beater is back in the Trucks segment

Purple Passion is back in a Walmart “Premium” line that will celebrate 50 years of design for Larry Wood.

Target Throwback

BMW M3 (E36) in a classic BMW livery.

Custom Datsun 240Z is a gnarly ’70s deco.

The Bone Shaker is looking nice in brown. Does that top-hood deco kind of look like a firebird?

The ’70 Camaro hits this line in an awesome, retro-Camaro deco.

Themed Assortment

The ’67 Camaro is back in green in what is being called the Detroit Muscle series.

’68 Chevy Nova

’69 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Check out the card art on this HW Rally series… so awesome! 3 of the 6 are shown here starting with the Ford Escort Rally.

’08 Lancer Evolution

Subaru WRX STi

Replica Entertainment

(Not “Retro Entertainment” anymore… yeah, its been that way for a while) 😉

Another gorgeous car from Project Cars 2: the Acura NSX GT3 … a car that you can actually play in the game!

I know Hot Wheels Designer/Sculptor, Manson Cheung is excited to find his latest creation: the Back to the Future 1955 Time Machine – Railroad! Check out those new wheels!

Kind of strange that someone thought to do the Lamborghini Huracan from Dr. Strange… wait, no its not! This is a wicked-awesome, premium release. Is that new packaging for Replica Entertainment that I see?

Pop Culture

So excited for the next wave of Pop Culture: Street Fighter V! Alternate decos on each side the vehicle — a common occurrence in Pop Culture — but ultra cool as a “versus” screen. Hiway Hauler is shown below with Cammy vs. Zangief.

Blanka vs. Dhalsim on the side of the Honda Odyssey…

…and a waaaaay cool, new casting by Mark Jones in the ’88 Mercedes Unimog U1300 featuring a match between M. Bison and Guile.

Disney is back in Pop Culture for 2019. The new series looks to pick up where the 2018 one left off. Pinocchio graces the sides of this “magical” ’66 Dodge A100.

Dumbo lands on one of my favorite castings, the Bread Box.

The new 3D-Livery is back hosting graphics for the Disney animated story of Robin Hood.

Oh, and by the way… the X-Men are coming to Hot Wheels Pop Culture… starting with the Nissan Skyline Van…

…and the ’64 Chevy Nova Delivery.

Car Culture

Gulf Racing kicks off Car Culture for 2019. All 5 cars from this series were shown, starting off with the ’60s Fiat 500D Modificado.

’69 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Nissan Laurel 2000 SGX

Volkswagen Golf MK7

McLaren F1 GTR

The next series is: Open Track. The Audi R8 is back for 2019. Looks great but a tad reminiscent to 2018’s Eurospeed release. Still cool, nonetheless. Check out that awesome card art. Each car is being trailed by another car from the series.

Acura NSX GT3

’16 Mercedes-AMG GT3

Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 in MOMO deco.

Lastly, the Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32) in a “I can’t believe that got this” HKS Super Oil livery.

The third series is Silhouettes and signifies the return of the ’76 Chevy Monza.

Also, the ’78 Porsche 935 looks exceptionally clean in this PPG livery.

Oh, and then there is the Car Culture version of the RWB Porsche 930… picture of the HWC/RLC version of the casting coming…

Car Culture / Team Transport

(seemed to be the hit of the presentation, you’re not going to want to miss this one)

The “Black Hole” ’66 Super Nova and Retro Rig.

JDM Legends gets another nod as the Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-X (or Hakosuka) and the Sakura Sprinter represent.

Oh, and of course there is a BRE Datsun livery… of course, right? The ’71 Datsun 510 and Fleet Flyer will be eerily popular.

HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) and the Red Line Club (RLC)

The Volkswagen T1 Rockster actually goes on sale TODAY, starting at 9AM PDT.

The 2019 RLC Membership: Custom Camaro looks slick in spectraflame black.

Finally!!! A chameleon painted Hot Wheels car. Collectors have been asking for this for years so it is cool to see Hot Wheels finally pull this off for this Custom ’72 Datsun 240Z release.

The ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser is always popular, and with this design (and the fact that it will come in an ammo canister) may just crash HWC for good — although, I hope that doesn’t happen.

A new gasser casting hits the RLC with new “Cheater Slick Tires” and a front-flippin’ nose. The ’41 Willys Gasser is one, nice casting designed by Brendon Vetuskey… no detail left undone.

For all you Skyline fans, the R34 Skyline gets an opening hood and some detail that includes brake rotors/calipers you’ll be able to see through the wheels!

If you asked for gull-wing doors to return, your prayers have been answered with this super-detailed, smooth-looking ’55 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

If you’re more of a scissor doors person, you’re going to loooove the new ’82 Lamborghini Countach LP500S!

Another new tool with a special (patent pending) feature: adjustable suspension! The ’69 Chevy C-10 Truck has a switch on the bottom that raises (and lowers) the car. I feel bad for all you cardboard collectors as you’ll want to open this one!

As seen in the Friday Night Sneaks article, the RWB Porsche 930 with Akira Nakai figure will have opening doors and rear hood!

In other news, the 2018 50th Anniversary Master Set will go on sale at the end of November for $400 — thats ALL of the HW 50th collection, across all lines. Limited to 1500 pieces.

And of course the 2018 50th Anniversary O16 set will go on sale in November for the modest price of $500.

The Hot Wheels brand thanks collectors for an awesome 50th Anniversary.