Hot Wheels 1969 Camaro Coupe and Convertible

One of my all-time favorite cars is the 1969 Camaro because unlike the first two years the 1969 model features a more aggressive look that looks much better on the first-generation Camaro's.  I have a few 1:24 M2 versions that I'll likely review later on, along with countless versions from different diecast manufacturers, but for now i'll just focus on the Hot Wheels version, both offered as a coupe and convertible.

Click for Photo Gallery

The second on the list

The very first Hot Wheels car in 1968 was called the Custom Camaro, basically a 1967 Camaro modified for the proper custom Hot Wheels look of the early Redline era.  After a mild revision in 1983 as the '67 Camaro, the casting still continues to this day with the opening hood and metal base still staying put!  Yet after a while you wonder what other Camaro's can you make, so in 2006 the 1969 convertible was introduced.  The car looks stock, but has a raked rear end with a small rear fascia (one part that bugs me about this casting).  The front has an egg-crate grille with a blank spot for the logo since this car has been an RS, SS, and Z-28 in different variations.  The headlights feature the slotted covers (one of my favorite 1969 features) and foglights at the bottom.  The hood has the proper cowl stance, the hockey stripes on the sides, rear spoiler, and tri-taillights.

Click for Photo Gallery

Inside the interior features the proper details on the seats and dashboard.  Look close and you can see the four-pack auxiliary gauges just ahead of the shifter.  The base has the usual drivetrain details, but only the earlier models have the 2006-unique Hot Wheels logo molded from the interior piece and poking out through the base; later models have either a stamped logo or a blank space for additional information.

Click for Photo Gallery

The variations

The colors for 2006 include metallic red, black, and purple.  The black version also includes the new for 2006 FTE wheels, which are the gold 5-spoke wheels intended to make the car faster with nickel-plated axles.  In 2007 a new body style appeared in the Classics series, the coupe.  Aside from the addition of a roof and a modified interior to match the new roof, the '69 gains the first metal base.  The metallic red paint looks nice, so does the redline tires and the white pinstripping.

Click for Photo Gallery

However, the coupe seems to spend more time in the line than the convertible.  After countless appearances that include the adult collectible lines and a Treasure Hunt, the coupe arrives in 2010 with Hotckiss on the doors.  These variations were popular because One: anything with hugger orange on a Camaro is a hit.  Two: The purple version was a 10-pack only and also in-demand.  Three:  The yellow version was Wal-Mart only and popular as well.  Why all three was that popular?  I dunno, but they look great doing it!

Click for Photo Gallery

Finally is the first initialization of the Z-28 models, with the first in 2011 as a dark brown with dual white stripes and logos and lights on the side, including the Z-28 badge.  It is one of my favorite versions, yet I don't understand why Hot Wheels didn't multiply the variations on this version like they do on other models.  However, I think they may have answered with the multi-pack exclusive version in black.  The only change is the lack of the racing stripes, but otherwise it's the same as the 2011 version.

Click for Photo Gallery

Heck, the one I got has a neat manufacturing error:  They forgot to press the rivet at the rear of the car.  Result:  The car comes apart to reveal the parts and can be reassembled with a snug fit back into the rivet hole in the base.  It's not often that I run into things like this, but other collectors have and they call it "unspun rivets".  Cool isn't it?

Click for Photo Gallery

While not one of my favorite 1969 Camaro castings, i'm glad Hot Wheels was able to put these versions in the line and create sweet variations like the 2006 First Edition, 2010 Hotckiss, or 2011 and 2013 Z-28, and I hope they continue to make more into the future!

Click for Photo Gallery