Speed, power and performance. If there are three things the Hot Wheels brand does better (through design) than anyone else, its these elements. So leave it to Hot Wheels designer Abe Lugo to take this food truck to the next level. Abe, who also designed the Matchbox Food Truck, gave this “roach coach” a #Blown Engine, rear wing, side exhaust and wheelie bar in the back. This food service drag racer was dubbed as the Smokin’ Grille.

Hot Wheels Smokin’ Grille from the 2011 Nostalgic Brands / Pop Culture line, featuring Hershey’s Almond Joy graphics.

As you can see by the pictures above and below, the Hot Wheels Smokin’ Grille has two distinct sides. The one side features several items a la carte, and the other side is closed off with plenty of billboard space for the vendor’s logo — typical of most food trucks around the world.

This release of the Smokin’ Grille is its #First Edition which appeared in 2011 as part of the #Pop Culture line (called #Nostalgic Brands at the time). As part of the Hershey’s brands series, the Smokin’ Grille featured an Almond Joy paint scheme which was the only downside of this version (to me) as the brand of coconut-flavored candy bars reminds me of my grandma who ate them for many years.

So far we’ve seen four versions of the Smokin’ Grille. Of the four releases, three have been food brands (Almond Joy, M&M’s, Frute Brute cereal) and 1 was for the band, The Who — most likely as a “merchandise truck”. All four have appeared in the line currently known as Hot Wheels #Pop Culture. With so much more room for detail in the casting, thanks to the solid-color a la carte side, collectors can only dream of the day we see this casting at the #HWC/#RLC level of premium.

RELEASE DETAILS: Blue Body (metal). Light Blue Tinted Windows. White Interior. Chrome Engine. Chrome Real Riders Preferred Wheels. Unpainted Metal Base. Made in Thailand. Toy#V6861. Released in 2011 as part of the Hershey’s mix of vehicles in the Hot Wheels Pop Culture line (formerly the Nostalgic Brands line).