By Brad Bannach
The one group of Hot Wheels vehicles that has seen the most growth (both in popularity and casting variety) over the last 5 years is European cars. European vehicles from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s are leading this renaissance in particular. Generally speaking, the 1:1 versions have a unique feel, combining classic curves with raw racing prowess.
Below you’ll find a list of the top 4 classic European vehicles made into Hot Wheels. Since so many great castings could have been on this list, I’ve arbitrarily set the limit at anything pre-1980 to give you that classic Euro vibe.
1. ‘71 De Tomaso Mangusta
This one may come as a shock to Hot Wheels collectors and to car enthusiasts. The Mangusta always seems to play second fiddle to the more popular Pantera, both created by the Italian automaker De Tomaso. That could be because the Pantera had a greater reach due to the sheer amount of vehicles produced. But there are other reasons to give the Mangusta the nod here.
The roots of the Mangusta are rumored to be intertwined with legendary automotive designer Carroll Shelby. Shelby, of course, is closely identified with the “Cobra” race cars developed in the early ‘60s. The name “Mangusta” translates to “mongoose” in Italian – an animal known to kill cobras – and was said to be named in retaliation for a failed deal years prior between De Tomaso and Shelby.
The Mangusta looks every bit the predator it is. With only 400 produced between 1967 and 1971, they’re a rare breed. Add the gull-wing doors and a rear engine bay holding a V8 Ford 302, and you’ve got one of the most unique European cars ever made.
The Hot Wheels De Tomaso Mangusta made its debut as a Red Line Club exclusive in 2021, and another release in Spectraflame green with a racing-inspired deco is imminent. This ultra-premium Hot Wheels vehicle faithfully recreates those signature gull-wing doors, the V8 Ford 302 engine, and its charismatic design.
2. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Speaking of gull-wing doors, another classic European design is the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. The coupe was produced between 1954 and 1957 and is often considered one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. And the vehicle has racing DNA. Its lightweight construction – the complete car with spare tire, tools, and fuel weighed only 1,295 kg (about 2,855 pounds) – led to the sensational driving performance of the 300 SL, achieving up to 260 kph (161.6 mph).
Today, the car is a symbol of wealth, as any that come up for sale have a price tag well into the millions – yes, MILLIONS – of dollars. They’re usually confined to protective storage or displayed in auto museums; yet at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England every year, they always seem to come out to play.
There are two Hot Wheels castings of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL: the ‘55 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Though the names don’t bear much difference beyond the year, the castings are quite unique. The ‘55 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was designed for ultra-premium use in the Red Line Club and has since been used for high-end collaborations. It’s the closer-to-stock version of the car and features opening gull-wing doors. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is based on the IWC race team’s car (driven at the 1955 Mille Miglia competition) and appears in Hot Wheels premium and basics. The gull-wing doors on this casting are static. Both are signature Hot Wheels castings that should be in every collection.
3. Morris Mini (aka the Mini Cooper)
The Mini is a pop culture icon – especially in Great Britain. It’s been seen in various movies and TV shows, and its unique size and shape is said to have influenced many space-saving, passenger-centric car designs in the 20th century. In addition to being an economy-tier version of a passenger car, the Mini was quite the stout little English racer. It has a championship pedigree, winning the Monte Carlo Rally from 1964 to 1967.
The Hot Wheels version debuted as the “Mini Cooper” as part of the 2000 First Editions and was later renamed as the Morris Mini. The casting is best known for its feature where a switch in the chassis allows you to remove the body. It was developed by Hot Wheels designer Phil Reihlman to allow kids and collectors to better see the Mini’s racing interior. Check out a previous story on the Mini here.
4. Porsche 356
The first production car from Porsche was the Type 356 in 1948. Safe to say, it was the foundation of the automobile manufacturer. The 356 had four generations until it was succeeded by the 901 – later renamed to the 911 – in the mid '60s. The 356 was lighter and faster than many other cars at the time, because the design was refined for performance. The engine was placed in the rear, the body was made from lightweight aluminum, and the car had an arched, aerodynamic silhouette. The 356 Cabriolet and Speedster became even more popular with enthusiasts and racers, as they featured the same power plant with even less weight.
The first Hot Wheels Porsche 356 was released in 2016 as part of the basics line in the HW Showroom mini collection. The very next year, the casting got a metal base when tooled for release in Hot Wheels Car Culture. Meanwhile, the Porsche 356 Speedster arrived as an all-metal casting in the Replica Entertainment line.
Do you agree with this list of the Top 4 classic European Hot Wheels castings? What would you change? Share your top 4 (pre-1980) in the comments below.
The MINI trademarks used are licensed by BMW AG.
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