The Monte Carlo Concept Car was designed by Hot Wheels designer Phil Riehlman and was based off of the Monte Carlo “Intimidator” show car. The show car itself, was built in 1997 by GM and featured a glimpse of the 6th generation Monte Carlo styling that was used by Chevrolet from 2000 to 2007. The “Intimidator” badge on this Monte Carlo was named after Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was NASCAR’s most prolific driver at the time. On the actual show car you can see his trademark #3 ghosted across the door and trunk along with sponsor logos along the bottom. The Monte Carlo “Intimidator” was sold at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona for $148,500.

Early Hot Wheels 1999 First Editions packaging displayed this car as the “Monte Carlo Intimidator” on the back, but by the time the car was released, the name had been changed to “Monte Carlo Concept Car” due to what was perceived as NASCAR licensing issues (which is also why you don’t see the ghosted graphics). The casting itself debuted in the 1999 First Editions in Red (shown below) and Metalflake Dark Red, and ran until 2007–just like the 6th generation Monte Carlo.

In 2006, the Monte Carlo Concept Car received an ill-fated casting change. The new re-tooled base lifted the car up for its inclusion as part of the Hi-Rakers Series, which was a series of vehicles that resembled the Hi-Riser-style vehicles–or as the local kids like to call them, “donks“. In 2007, the last Monte Carlo Concept Car appeared as an Easter Egg-clusive (which was a donk with off-road tires).

RELEASE DETAILS: Red Enamel Body (metal). Tinted Windows. Gray Interior. Chrome 5-Spoke (5SP) Wheels. Silver-Painted Base (metal). Made in Malaysia. Toy# 21057. Released in 1999 as #6 of 26 in the 1999 First Editions.