With the start of the Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary celebration only a couple months away, we know one thing is for sure: Hot Wheels will be “making them like they used to”. There have been many successful Hot Wheels lines over the last 50 years and there are many indicators hinting at the return of some of these in 2018. Since “making them like we used to” was the original slogan of the HotWheelsCollectors.com (#HWC) Red Line Club (#RLC), many of the releases through the online collector’s club — that originated in 2002 — have adhered to the early brand standards of #Spectraflame Paint and Neo-Classic #Redline Wheels.

Taking the replication of redline-era Hot Wheels models a step further was the introduction of the #HWC Original 16 series. Since its introduction in 2011, this series that spans several years has released 8 of the 16 cars, with plans to release the last 8 by the end of 2018. These cars have not only been terrific tributes in their #Spectraflame Paint and Neo-Classic #Redline Wheels, but have been as close to the originals as we probably will ever get — the packaging is so close to the original 1968 packaging that legally Hot Wheels had to stamp “REPLICA” and “REPLICA PACKAGE” all over it. Heck, the packaging even features a replica of the original metal button as well. To top it all off, the car and blister card packaging come in protective “black box” packaging that enhances the display of these.

Hot Wheels Dodge Deora Concept from the 2015 HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) Original 16 “Black Box” Series (outer “black box” packaging) … picture courtesy of KMJ Diecast on HobbyDB.com

The only hard part? Well, its keeping it in the packaging…

Hot Wheels Dodge Deora Concept from the 2015 HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) Original 16 “Black Box” Series (package, front)

As you can see, the packaging (front & back) features the original artwork by the late, Otto Kuhni. It was Otto’s packaging that was credited with setting these cars apart at retail, prompting the brand for immediate success and creating last memories in the minds of kids for 50 years.

Hot Wheels Dodge Deora Concept from the 2015 HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) Original 16 “Black Box” Series (package, back)

Originally designed after the Dodge Deora Concept, the #Harry Bradley Designed, #Deora has been a collector favorite since it was originally released in 1968. Its removable #Surfboards really helped sell this one as one of the true “California Custom Miniatures” and continues to be released to this day. This casting has also inspired the Sky Show line in 1970, the #Nathan Proch Designed, #Deora II in 2000, and the #Mark Jones’ Designed, ‘Tooned Deora in 2004.

Hot Wheels Dodge Deora Concept from the 2015 HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) Original 16 “Black Box” Series (rear view)

This release of the Hot Wheels #Deora came at a time in #HWC/#RLC history when all vehicles receiving the high-end #Spectraflame Paint treatment had (what is referred to by HWC nerds as) the Mirrorized Zamac Spectraflame process. This spectraflame paint process is different from the previous (and now current) process as that one is known as the Hand-Polished Chrome Spectraflame process. The “mirrorized process” this Deora features was essentially replaced due to the factory’s long backorder times and its inferior quality which sometimes caused an “orange peel effect” in the paint.

Hot Wheels Dodge Deora Concept from the 2015 HotWheelsCollectors.com (HWC) Original 16 “Black Box” Series (base view)

Fortunately, as you can see, this #HWC Original 16 #Deora came out very crisp in terms of its #Spectraflame Paint finish. That chrome-plated base looks like a mirror and those skinny neo-classic #Redlines look very true to the original wheels.

Though the #Deora saw its release in the #HWC Original 16 in 2015, there have been rumors circulating as of late that it could be back in 2018. With the 50th Anniversary of Hot Wheels and the Original 16 cars, many folks are expecting a high-end set that recreates of the famous store display from 1968. The rumors only got louder after the 17th Annual Hot Wheels Nationals Convention in Pittsburgh this last April as several 3D printed cars previously released in the #HWC Original 16 were brought by Hot Wheels and were on display. For fans of the Deora, we can only hope to see this one for the 50th wearing #Spectraflame Paint and neo-classic #Redlines once again!

RELEASE DETAILS: Spectraflame Red Body (metal). Light Blue Tinted Windows. White Interior. Neo-Classsic Redline Wheels. Chrome-Plated Metal Base. Made in Thailand. Toy# BLR24. Sold October 20, 2015 on HotWheelsCollectors.com as part of the HWC Original 16 Series (limited to 2,500 pcs).

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