As a young collector in 1997, the #First Edition of the Hot Wheels Mercedes C-Class brought me a new appreciation for great design. It also taught me that color combination & graphics must fit the product — this was something that curated my love for design and led me down the path to become a Graphic Designer professionally.

The gloss-black on this Mercedes with minimal silver graphics and #3 gives this car a simply elegant design that says luxury and screams race car. The contrast in the gold wire-spoke wheels is nice and clean as well. While this one was a pegwarmer in 1997 and probably one of the least popular #1997 First Editions, the race-inspired C-Class would fly off the pegs of today. Collectors have been clamoring for more licensed racing designs whereas the pegs of today are loaded with #Unlicensed Hot Wheels and a bevy of Mustangs and Camaros.

Hot Wheels collectors that are fans of Mercedes are definitely deprived as Hot Wheels has not produced a Mercedes since 2009! …the AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM in the Dream Garage Series. According to a 2013 article from The Lamley Group, Mercedes wanted Hot Wheels to include a licensed holographic sticker on the packaging of each Mercedes Hot Wheels release. Hot Wheels would not oblige, leading to the absence of Mercedes in the Hot Wheels lines.

The Hot Wheels Mercedes C-Class had several releases from this release in 1997 to its final release in 2003 — none of which were nicer that this 1997 First Editions release.

RELEASE DETAILS: Gloss Black Body (metal). Clear Windows. Gray Interior. Gold Wire-Spoke/Lace Wheels. Gray Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# 16669. Released in 1997 as #10 of 12 in the 1997 First Editions.