Four years have passed since we last saw the Hot Wheels #8 Crate. It sure doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I was finding the 2016 Stars & Stripes release on the pegs. There have been several #Station Wagon castings that have been released since, but none as cool as the 8 Crate — in my opinion.
A common misconception when it comes to the Hot Wheels #8 Crate is that it is an #Unlicensed Hot Wheels car. Believe it or not, this Custom ’50s Ford Wagon is actually licensed by #Ford. It was actually released as “Custom ’50s Ford Wagon” in 2003 as part of the 100% Hot Wheels Preferred line and has been under the Ford umbrella since. Typically, you can find the Ford licensing information on the blister card. You can see it on the #2020 Hot Wheels release below.
Speaking of that #2020 Hot Wheels release, the #8 Crate is back in the mainline since it was a super treasure hunt in 2015. This time, it is in the Rod Squad segment, appearing in silver for its first release (of hopefully a couple more) in 2020.
As you can see below, there have been 38 variants of the Hot Wheels #8 Crate since it was initially released in 2003. Aside from base variants, this is the complete collection which consists of the 8 Crate and 8 Crate Delivery. The delivery version of the casting — for all intents and purposes — is the same casting, its just paneled where the windows are. The reason the “delivery version” of the casting was created was to create more real estate for graphics for use in the 2010 HW Delivery / Slick Rides series. Beyond that, the casting would ultimately see several releases in the #Pop Culture line.
Hot Wheels 8 Crate Casting Collection (Family Photo, December 2019)
Of all the releases of the Hot Wheels #8 Crate, the hardest one to track down would probably be the black & gold variant of the 2003 First Edition release (seen next to it in picture above). It was exclusive to an alternate version of the Hot Wheels: 35 Years of Speed, Power, Performance and Attitude book in 2003.
There were several reasons that went into my decision to collect the #8 Crate. The first being that I loved the gothic look of the initial #First Edition release. The black over metalflake dark gray mixed with purple windows set the attitude for this casting from the very beginning. The second reason was the initial premium usage of this casting. I don’t think the decision to collect this casting was ultimately decided until 2004. I recall it was the primer gray over primer dark gray variant below that appeared in the Auto Affinity / Special Delivery series that made me want to grab them all.
Hot Wheels 8 Crate from the 2004 Auto Affinity / Special Delivery series
Hot Wheels collectors that have been collecting since 2003 may recall that premium cars didn’t always come with premium bases and/or real riders. The initial premium releases of the #8 Crate — all four variants in 2003 & 2004 — actually had chrome plastic bases, yet two of the four remain my favorite releases of the casting. I really like color and deco on the Auto Affinity release, but absolutely love the decision to tampo the windows with “Midnight Auto Parts”.
There were two variants of the #8 Crate in the 2003 100% Hot Wheels Preferred / Ford Series II. The second of the two was this very classic teal/aqua & white seen below. Even the turquoise pin-striping was a nice touch, but it was the decision to detail those taillights that gives the release a really cool & smooth look from the rear.
Hot Wheels 8 Crate from the 2003 100% Hot Wheels Preferred line
The Hot Wheels #8 Crate is just cool. This classic Custom ’50s Ford Wagon looks like a car that you’d see at your neighborhood classic car show, but that monstrous V8 crate engine in the back really gives this classic car a powerful persona. It has been a fun casting to collect as it was released just about every year for 10+ years and none were hard or expensive to track down. Hopefully you enjoyed this #Collection Update. Let me know your favorite 8 Crate of the bunch in the comments section below.
Categories: Collection Update
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
This casting is interesting as the front, from the 55-ish grill to the rear of the “B” pillar is 55-56. (The vent window is the deciding factor here) The rear of this wagon, however is all 57 Ford wagon! I don’t know who the designer is, but the effect is very pleasing and makes for a great model. I don’t collect each one of this casting, but my favorite is the yellow Mooneyes version. I really like the gray primer version for Midnight Auto Supply too, and neglected to buy it when I could have. Thank you for this excellent post!
Awesome collection Brad. Such a cool casting! Very ‘Kustom’. I think my favourite is either the FE or white/maroon one.
Love the 8 Crate.Thanks for all your effort in putting these together. Would love to see the Porsche 993 GT2 featured in a future collection update.
The 8 Crate is one of my favorites! I wish it came out more often.
This is one of those castings I forget how much I like until a new one comes out. Well done!