Just a little over a decade ago, Volkswagens were all the rage. It seemed as though whenever Hot Wheels put a new #VW out, collectors were all over it, leaving none behind. Newer collectors got a glimpse of that this year with the release of the #Volkswagen T2 Pickup, but back then the demand persisted for years. Hot Wheels designer Phil Riehlman was the man behind many of these custom Volkswagens that seemed to feed off of the success of the casting he is best known for — the #Volkswagen Drag Bus.

In 2008, the #’65 Volkswagen Fastback made its debut as part of the #2008 New Models. Collectors waited all year for Phil’s latest VW design as it was released in one of the last case codes — in a limited supply. Just like Phil’s #Volkswagen Karmann Ghia released two years earlier, this new mainline casting had a limited release because it was destined for the premium lines.

Hot Wheels ’65 Volkswagen Fastback from the 2008 New Models (rear view)

Just like Phil’s 1996 First Edition VW Bus, this #2008 New Models #’65 Volkswagen Fastback had a flip-forward body with an interior roll cage and a metalflake blue body. While it certainly didn’t cause the mass-hysteria the VW Bus caused in ’96, the VW Fastback was a hard one to track down.

Hot Wheels ’65 Volkswagen Fastback from the 2008 New Models (opened up, top off)

Nowadays, demand has waned as the #2008 New Models #’65 Volkswagen Fastback just doesn’t command the high prices. They can usually be purchased between $5 and $10 despite their more limited supply. The car has had several premium releases over the last decade, that are readily available on the secondary market, which has helped keep prices on the #First Edition down. Even still, the casting still moves fast when released at retail as its #Pop Culture and Cool Classics releases seemed to fly off the pegs.

The #’65 Volkswagen Fastback casting itself is based off of the 1600 Fastback level of the Volkswagen Type 3, which was produced from 1965 until 1973. Obviously, Phil’s custom approach adapts more of a pro-stock mentality. On the exterior it may be harder to tell because of the not too exaggerated (by Hot Wheels standards) raked wheels and large spoiler, but with the flip-forward body that opens up to a roll cage and a single seat centered in the middle, you can make no mistake that this car was meant for an orange track drag race.

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Blue Body (metal). Tinted Windows. Light Blue Roll Cage. Unpainted Metal Interior/Base. Made in Malaysia. Toy# L9954. Released in 2008 as #39 of 40 in the 2008 New Models (#039/196 in the 2008 mainline).

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