Happy 50th Birthday, Hot Wheels

Matchbox cars may be neat, but Hot Wheels are cool.

From the original sweet sixteen to Sizzlers, and from the welt-inducing orange track to the iconic logo, we love you Hot Wheels. In celebration of your 50th anniversary, we've collected some of our favorite vintage Mattel Hot Wheels TV adverts for your viewing pleasure:

Fun Fact: The 1st Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention was held in Toledo, Ohio, in 1987 and returned at least four additional times in the ensuing decade. The 5th Annual Collectors convention was held in nearby Maumee, Ohio.

Jeep Wagoneer for 1966: Vigilante V-8 or High-Torque Six?

"Only the new Jeep Wagoneer offers all of today's Turnpike features plus the gripping power and safety of 4-Wheel Drive." Jeep really plays up the whole storming the beaches of Normandy association in this clip. We get that. But why is it autonomous? And is it true that the little kid in the video is a young Jon Stainbrook?

Jamie Farr, Toledo's Favorite Son

Not content to simply sit back and enjoy the spoils of his success, Toledo native and solid gold superstar Jamie Farr, aka Jameel Farah, is leveraging his legacy with Klinger Kreations, a can't miss entry in the highly competitive celebrity condiment arena. Try some today!


*Art and concept courtesy of comedic genius and talented illustrator Cris Shapan.