The United States of America turns another year old and while Hot Wheels were not made back in 1776, nor was the automobile, we take you back to 1997. Why 1997? Well thats the year the patriotic Humvee you see below was produced as a promotional piece for U.S. Charities Racing Team–hence the name on the hood! One can’t help but be drawn to “Old Glory” tatted all over this vehicle as well as the Off-Road Real Rider Wheels. This under-appreciated release was designed to look like the actual Hummer that ran the DAKAR race which was actually shown on the blister card.

The Humvee casting has been a perennial mainstay in the Hot Wheels lines since its introduction in the Desert Storm days of 1992. Originally featured in military garb and with a turret on top, the casting now serves as more of a recreational Hummer after it lost its turret in 1996. Shortly after its turret was removed, it was featured in the Mod Bod Series as a pink “love & peace machine“. Never an incredibly popular Hot Wheels casting (most likely due to its plastic body), the Humvee was put up in a Red Line Club sELECTIONS Bracket (where RLC members vote for cars to receive the “RLC Treatment”) and it lost in the first round after it was said that if the Humvee won, it would finally get a metal body to go along with the metal base.

There have been some great Humvee releases over the years including the one showcased in this article (seen below) and none have been as patriotic. So as America is one year older we salute this great country of ours the Diecast Motorsports way, with a Diecast vehicle! Cheers to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Now go out and spend time with family and friends, have some BBQ, drink some beer and enjoy a fireworks show! Happy 4th of July!

RELEASE DETAILS: Dark Blue Pearl Body (plastic). Black Windows. Chrome Off-Road Real Rider (ORRR) Wheels. Black Base (metal). Made in Malaysia. Toy# 16814. Released in 1997 as a Promotional Vehicle for U.S. Charities Racing Team (DAKAR).

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