Leave it to the team at Hot Wheels to know how to move a stagnant line. The #Mystery Models have been a #Walmart Exclusive line for a number of years now, but there has never been as must collector interest as there is now. #Mystery Models Series 1 is a slight revamp of the Mystery Models line for 2018, featuring 12 vehicles (with a good mix of licensed and unlicensed vehicles) and three #Chase cars — yes, three.
The #2 #Ford GT LM, #5 Corvette Grand Sport and #10 Mazda RX-7 are called out as #Chase cars on the U.S. packaged #Mystery Models, due to their gold and silver designations. NOTE: This does vary with international assortments where they aren’t highlighted in gold and silver. As it turns out, each master case of these contains two boxes of these cars. Each box contains one of each of the Mazda RX-7 and Corvette Grand Sport (silver chase cars), whereas the Ford GT LM (gold chase car) only comes one per master case.
For collectors, it takes a little more than thumbing through the pegs to find these as you have to look under the flap on the rear of the packaging to find the vehicle’s corresponding number.
Hot Wheels Ford GT LM from the Walmart Exclusive, 2018 Mystery Models Series 1 (side view)
Speaking of numbers, one very cool thing about the 12 cars in the #Mystery Models Series 1 is that they all feature the number they are in the series in their graphics scheme. Since the #Ford GT LM is #2 of 12, you’ll notice the “2” all over the car. Another number you see on this release is what most collectors will recognize as a toy number, or SKU. This one has “DHR78” on the sides, but that isn’t the toy number for this release (which is FKX28). Rather, “DHR78” pertains to the tool (or version of the casting) that is used. Since this version of the Ford GT LM casting (w/ metal spoiler, plastic base) was first used in the 2016 HW Speed Graphics Series, the tool adapts that release’s toy number — hence, why you see it on the side of this car. NOTE: It is also seen as part of the base.
As if being the gold #Chase car for the #2018 Hot Wheels #Mystery Models Series 1 wasn’t enough, this #John Violette Designed, #Ford GT LM is easily the best car in the series. The extensive graphics on this one almost make it seem like a premium release given the way they wrap with every contour of the body. The gold, red and white tampos pop off that matte black canvas creating one sleek #Race Car.
If you’ve found the #Mystery Models Series 1 #Ford GT LM, congratulations! It isn’t a rare car by any means, but it does likely mean that you were the first collector to the box of these as they are being grabbed left and right. As they become a little more plentiful, expect that demand to diminish a little, but as long as there is a profit to be made on said #Chase car, you’ll have to hunt a little harder if you are indeed still chasing this one.
RELEASE DETAILS: Matte Black Body (metal). Tinted Windows. Red Interior. Red-Chrome Rim, Black PR5 (front) and Gold-Chrome Rim, Black PR5 (rear) Wheels. Gold Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# FKX28. Released in 2018 as #2 of 12 in the Walmart Exclusive, Mystery Models Series 1.
Categories: Showcase
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
The biggest reason why mystery cars haven’t been selling well the past couple of years is due to the fact that they have been lacking real cars.
I think the “chase” element is the attention grabber, and the licensed cars seal the deal. Given that they go hand-in-hand in this case, its hard for me to attribute the change to one of those specifically.
I managed to find the “mystery” Ford GT LM right before Christmas… so it became one of my stocking stuffers. 🙂
The livery and tampo work ARE quite nice – especially for this price point.
In the event Mattel notices this post, I agree with John’s comment: interest in the mystery cars could certainly be increased by offering a larger number of licensed castings.
Also, I really enjoyed the photos you took of this car for this post – very nice work!
Thank you for the kind words! Hopefully they do take note and insert more licensed cars in favorable decos when this series continues. Side note: the car I absolutely had to have was the Pass’n Gasser (since I collect that casting). Great unlicensed car. Ended up buying a couple of those hoping for a variation.
Thank you for this! I have both the Mazda’s in Series 1, and I don’t really WANT the Corvette. I really want the Ford though!