Hot Wheels Ferrari – What could the future look like based on the past?
This year it's official: Hot Wheels is delivering the first Ferrari models to the shops and they are proving very popular. Unfortunately a little too big for collectors, because the new mainline models in particular are a favourite with scalpers. Exactly the people who profit from the most popular Hot Wheels models. In other words: taking absolutely every model from the shop and offering it online at a higher price. As a result, many collectors like us are left empty-handed and find practically all the current mainline models on the shelves except for the Ferraris. This started with the SF90, the first mainline model from Hot Wheels, and continued with the next models. These include the Ferrari F40 as a Competizione and the 365 GTB, also as a Competizione. Of course, the choice of colour also contributes to this, as red and Ferrari are known to go hand in hand. The first premium model from Ferrari has also already been released.
As a Circuit Legends racing car, the 499P was a very interesting choice and immediately popular with collectors. What is striking is that all the models released to date have practically never been released as Hot Wheels models in previous years. We are therefore talking about new castings and not re-releases with an adapted design. With the Ferrari La Ferrari, however, we will have a first direct comparison. Back in 2014 as a Mainliner model, the La Ferrari is now being re-released in 2025 as the Euro Speed II. Although as a premium, some adjustments can already be recognised from the pictures, such as the fact that the different wheel sizes at the front and rear have disappeared. The design was still different in 2014.
In this article, we take a closer look at what we can expect in the future in terms of the old models that can be reissued in a new form. Not just models, but also typical series from the past. The one or other collector from past decades will certainly remember one or the other vehicle!
Ferrari as Hot Wheels Mainliners
Who doesn't know them, the flagship par excellence of Hot Wheels: The Mainliners.
The main series, which can be found practically everywhere in shops all over the world and the price/performance ratio is simply unbeatable.
Hot Wheels Mainliners have characterised the collector's image for decades.
This also applies to us, because the Ferrari Mainliners have always been extremely popular.
Whether 1990s, 2000s, 2010s... the models and the packaging design are cult, right up to the end of 2014 with the LaFerrari and F12 where the journey has ended.
2025 also shows: Hot Wheels is starting like a fire engine and has released most Ferrari models as mainliners so far.
Further recolours of the SF90 (silver) and the F40 Competizione and 365C (yellow) have already been announced.
It will be interesting to see what other vehicles are in store for us, as several new Ferrari models have also been launched on the market between 2014 and 2025. F80, Purosangue, 488, 812 Superfast... The list is incredibly long!
Here in particular, an uncertain look into the crystal ball is called for.
Ferrari as Hot Wheels Speed Machines
Who doesn't know them, the Speed Machines? Between 2010 and 2013, many different Hot Wheels models in this series were released in waves, all with great details, iconic packaging design, the signature CM6 rims and more. In addition, many models were announced brand new, including the 2010 Ferrari 599xx in yellow, red and Zamac silver. The prices of these models absolutely went through the roof. Back then just under $5, today between $25 and $400 in their original packaging. Especially the Bugatti Veyron or the aforementioned Ferrari 599xx in Zamac Silver as well as the Lamborghini Murcielago SV were priced in absolutely insane spheres! In 2023, another 6 vehicles were released, with moderate success. One reason for this was certainly the choice of models, which were really not very imaginative, and the fact that they were priced at exactly the same level as the Car Culture Premium models with rubber tyres. It is doubtful whether the Speed Machines will try again with Ferrari. But it would certainly be more exciting with one or the other Ferrari model than back in 2023.
Ferrari as Hot Wheels Racers 60th Anniversary
Another series that is more than cult are the 60th Anniversary Ferrari Racers from 2007 to 2009. The CM6 rims were also used exclusively in this series. In one wave per year, numerous Ferraris from new to old were the absolute highlight, including a golden Enzo Ferrari or Ferrari F40 with opening bonnet in silver or red with the tricolore stripes. Street versions with an interesting choice of colours were included, as well as racing versions with numbers and colourful paintwork. Each model was also supplied with a sticker showing a picture of the model and the serial number. This series was an absolute collector's item, not least because of the stickers, which people swapped with each other when they were at school.
In our region in Germany and Switzerland, a large poster was available free of charge in the shops. If you had collected all the models in the series and stuck the stickers on the poster, you could send the poster to Mattel Germany and later receive an exclusive Ferrari collector's case. In the days before social media, these promotions were the non plus ultra! In 2027-2029, in our eyes it would therefore be appropriate to launch a new edition for the 80th anniversary. An 80th Anniversary Ferrari Racers set with stickers and selected Ferrari models as a nod to the series 20 years ago!
Ferrari at Hall of Fame / Phil's Garage
The Phil's Garage and Hall of Fame Series also achieved cult status among Hot Wheels collectors. In 2003, Hot Wheels launched a whole series of special vehicles that shed light on the history of the founders of the car brands through the cars themselves. These included greats such as Enzo Ferrari, Carroll Shelby, Henry Ford, Steve Saleen and many more. Racing successes were also highlighted. Here, too, the series could be resurrected and the historical significance in motor racing and the automotive sector in general could be emphasised using specific vehicles! Ferrari offers more than enough material for this.
Phil's Garage also had extreme collector potential. The 288 GTO models from 2010 are still absolute eye-catchers. Incidentally, Phil's Garage 2010 was the successor to Larry's Garage in 2009, the legendary designer from Mattel who retired in 2009. Phil's Garage refers to selected pieces by Hot Wheels designer Phil Riehlman and graphics guru Wayne Scott, who sadly passed away in 2017. Selected Ferrari models that were particularly popular with the Mattel designers are also available here. Especially as it is still common practice today to immortalise yourself on the models with your name, logo or other little eastereggs.
Ferrari at Hot Wheels Elite Series
Elite64 should already be familiar to the collectors among us who have only recently started collecting. A series on Mattelcreations.com with quite detailed models available for purchase on their website. Every month or so there is a new model to buy, some even have openable parts! However, the more die-hard collectors of the past decades are particularly familiar with the pure ELITE series as well as the 100% models. Hot Wheels Elite was a subset of Hot Wheels owned by Mattel, specialising in detailed 1:18, 1:24 and 1:43 scale models, while 100% Hot Wheels was also featuring tons of 1:64 scaled high detailed masterpieces, diorama sets, double sets and much much more! Hot Wheels Elite were quite expensive and definitely not toys, but pure collector models. Mattel has been back in the 1:43 game with Hot Wheels for a few years now, but the focus is clearly on the 1:64 range. 1:18 is still out of the question. Not yet? In any case, Mattel likes to set its priorities elsewhere. This is also new in the brick sector, where the Mattel Brick Shop Elite Series is a fresh attempt to combine model car fans with bricks and win over a new clientele.
Ferrari at Grand Prix Series
A topic with great appeal, where a lot of money and time is invested in licences and marketing: Formula 1. Back in the 2000s, the popular Hot Wheels Grand Prix were part of almost every collection. There were some (not all) of the F1 teams of the time to collect, including the various drivers and their starting numbers. Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso...you just had to have them all! Now with the F1 Licence 2025, the first models are available in stores as Mainliner and Premium, with the current drivers, teams and sponsors. But what is still missing: Ferrari and Aston Martin. Whether it's licence issues or other problems that are preventing a release, we don't know. At least the premium manufacturer BBR has only just managed to release the Ferrari SF-23 from 2023. So it is at least feasible that Hot Wheels will also bring us a Ferrari Formula 1 car from the 2024 season in 1:64 scale!
What do you think? Where do you see great potential for a revival of old series and models? Which Ferrari vehicles would you like to see in the future? Feel free to use our comments column down below.
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