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This is a very limited and rare 2003 Happy Holidays Mattel Model Shop Christmas Set hand signed by Elliot Handler founder of Mattel.

What matchbox model had wheels molded into the body of the model? Could his memory be faulty?

The story is at odds to other stories of why 'Hot Wheels' came into existance and I am not sure what he means by "wheels moulded into the body" and that they did not rotate, all Matchbox models had rotating wheels, didn't they!

Ghosthunter.

It's also reported that the name Hot Wheels was coined when Elliot Handler saw a Southern California Hot Rod in the car park that belonged to designer Harry Bradley and said "Man, those are some hot wheels."

The model he was observing was the MB08 Mustang Regular Wheels. Maybe because with the steering mechanism, it did not roll fast or freely in a straight line? This model was not at all good on a track due to it's realism steering. (Which I really liked) Anyones guess. Maybe he was misquoted or confused?

...ironic then that the very first 'Hot Wheels' car was a 'Prototype' mocked up on just such a model, the #8 Ford Mustang!!

Ghosthunter.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:...ironic then that the very first 'Hot Wheels' car was a 'Prototype' mocked up on just such a model, the #8 Ford Mustang!!

Ghosthunter.

...and here are two pictures of the car in focus......




Kay

Here is the other side showing the cut-out for the steering control when it was a Matcbox model.
Ghosthunter.

It does look good , maybe it was the inspiration for the #8 wild cat with that tail up stance

fixer wrote:It does look good , maybe it was the inspiration for the #8 wild cat with that tail up stance

Yes it could have been...

..."Anything you can do, we can do better"...

Ghosthunter.