Do you ever buy a release solely because of its graphics or color combination? I know I do. Even before my days as a graphic designer, I had admired car art. Its one of several factors that got me into collecting Hot Wheels at a very young age. With the Hot Wheels brand, you definitely get to collect cars with loads of personality through their graphics. I can’t even tell you the number of times I was turned onto a casting because of its graphics and/or color combination.

So, suffice to say, I have an affection for cars with lots of graphics whereas a lot of collectors prefer the minimalist approach. Thats okay. But even most of those collectors are willing to admit a time when they came across a Hot Wheels release where the graphics made it simply, “look cool”. Such was the case when I came across the #2008 All Stars edition of the #’65 Chevy Impala. It didn’t really fit into my collection at the time, but man, I had to have it!

Hot Wheels ’65 Chevy Impala from the 2008 HW All Stars Series (all 4 colorways)

Somewhere between 2008 and 2015 (NOTE: December 31, 2015 was when I wrote the first draft of this article), I sold off these cars during a collection purge OR have simply misplaced them among my abundant collection. Either way, after years of establishing that I don’t know what the heck happened to them, I purchased all four colorways once again (May 2018).

Hot Wheels ’65 Chevy Impala from the 2008 HW All Stars Series (Black and Pink Colorways, Head-to-Head, Side View)

Hot Wheels ’65 Chevy Impala from the 2008 HW All Stars Series (Blue and Silver Colorways, Head-to-Head, Side View)

I was never into #Lowriders, but the Hot Wheels brand did a good amount of them in the 2000s. Of the several great lowrider castings that Hot Wheels has, #’65 Chevy Impala was one of my favorites, but I never collected it in any capacity — never HAD to have a release. That changed when I saw the black #2008 All Stars release, I found myself trying to obtain every colorway of it. The sinister-looking, “head-on” impala head on the front, combined with the side-profile impala skull on the sides, surrounded by what I call “barbed flames” is a pretty menacing look. I had visions of this being used in a fictitious movie, being driven by a villain or some sort of edgy protagonist.

Hot Wheels ’65 Chevy Impala from the 2008 HW All Stars Series (all 4 colorways)

New Years Eve 2015, Hot Wheels Graphic Designer Steven Vandervate (known as “HWCVan” on the HotWheelsCollectors.com forums) posted an article written by former Hot Wheels Graphic Designer, Jason Goad. In the article (written on his blog), Jason talks about his time at Hot Wheels (2005-2012). Remember the “Monsters” #Pop Culture series? He did that. How about the “Nose Art/Pin-Up” Pop Culture series? He did that too. Surely you’ve seen the 2007 Toy Fair #Bone Shaker … another one of his creations. His blog article is still up, so make sure you visit IN GOAD WE TRUST to see we had had to say about some of his creations.

Hot Wheels ’65 Chevy Impala from the 2008 HW All Stars Series (all 4 colorways)

What was Jason’s favorite project? Judging by this article I’m sure you could venture an educated guess. Well, I was delighted to find out (at the time) that it was the Hot Wheels #’65 Chevy Impala from the #2008 All Stars series. So cool!

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Magenta Body (metal). Orange Tinted Windows. Black Interior. Orange Wire-Spoke Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# M6924. Released in 2008 as part of the 2008 All Stars Series (#058/196 in the 2008 mainline).

RELEASE DETAILS: Metalflake Silver Body (metal). Dark Tinted Windows. Gray Interior. Chrome Wire-Spoke Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# M6924. Released in 2008 as part of the 2008 All Stars Series (#058/196 in the 2008 mainline) — Kmart Collector’s Day Exclusive.

RELEASE DETAILS: Matte Black Body (metal). Green Tinted Windows. Gray Interior. White-Rim, Black Open-Hole 5-Spoke (OH5) Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# M6924. Released in 2008 as part of the 2008 All Stars Series (#058/196 in the 2008 mainline).

RELEASE DETAILS: Matte Blue Body (metal). Light Blue Tinted Windows. Black Interior. Blue-Chrome Rim, Black Open-Hole 5-Spoke (OH5) Wheels. Chrome Base (plastic). Made in Malaysia. Toy# M6924. Released in 2008 as part of the 2008 All Stars Series (#058/196 in the 2008 mainline).