Hot Wheels has once again released a new late ’60s Dodge Charger casting. This time, its via the #Fast & Furious premium line as the newest #Charger is straight out of F9: The Fast Saga (2021) which premieres in theaters in just a couple of weeks. This entirely new casting is named “Dodge Charger” on its Fast & Furious / Fast Stars series blister card, but the base casts it as: #’68 Dodge Charger — lets go with that for disambiguation purposes. Universal actually lists it as a 500 for you other classic Charger fans out there.
Hot Wheels already has a wealth of #’69 Dodge Charger castings as I wrote an article showcasing them all a couple months ago on HWC supporting the release of the RLC Exclusive: ’69 Dodge Charger R/T. There is also the Hot Wheels #’67 Dodge Charger, so its nice to finally have a ’68. There isn’t much that separates the ’68 from the ’69 — apart from the grill and taillights — but with this car being specific to the movie, it does pack a little something extra.
What really makes this new #’68 Dodge Charger casting cool is the heft. Break this one out of the package and you’ll feel how heavy it is thanks to the metal/metal base/body combo, and the widebody nature of the design. Some collectors have mentioned that this is the premium version of the restomod ’69 Dodge Charger R/T from the Red Line Club — its not. This brand-new casting is clearly different than just the name implies.
As you peer through the rear window, you’ll notice what looks like an engine embraced by a separate roll bar piece. Thanks to the latest F9 trailer, we now know that this Charger will have some sort of super magnet in it, obliterating cars up and down the street. And, as Fast Stars implies, this Charger will have a starring role in the movie.
QUICK LINK! Find Fast & Furious / FAST STARS for sale on eBay.
The only negative? Since this casting is licensed by Universal (in addition to Dodge), you probably won’t be seeing it outside of Fast & Furious premium, bummer huh? I love Chargers, I love bright colors. Sadly, this casting will probably never be released with a deco that strays from this on — double bummer.
Either way, Fast & Furious premium nets us another Charger from the saga. The casting is one of the nicest Chargers Hot Wheels has done and is reason enough for this line to persist. I know there may be some fatigue from collectors coupled with the fact that some are overwhelmed by #Fast & Furious Hot Wheels in general, but for me, Hot Wheels could release a 100 Charger castings from this era and I probably would buy every single one. Keep ’em coming, Mattel. Now, to see what other treasures from F9 come our way…
QUICK LINK! Find Fast & Furious / FAST STARS for sale on eBay.
Categories: Showcase
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
Looks way better than the one I bought 20 years ago.
Great pics, it’s a shame the grill and back bumper are part of the interior and VUM’d plastic.
Like that casting though for sure.
Gonna have to pass on this one because of the wheels.
I am wondering if this base will be reused for an actual ’68 Charger down the road, and that is why it is labeled as such. That would be some serious forward thinking on the part of Mattel, but I could see them going that route. I have not had the luxury of finding this one, so I have not taken it apart yet to see how the front grill and tail lights are worked into the casting, but those could possibly be reused as well. All Mattel would have to do is come up with different casting for the body and they could have a plain ’68 Charger. I’d be all over that. I’ll be all over this version as well. I think it is a nice looking car.
Side note: I could see why Universal has it listed as a 500 by looking at the rear window. The flush window was exclusive to the 500 line as it increased the aerodynamics of the car, making it faster on race day. FnF has taken many liberties with the Chargers they have used over the years. The iconic ’70 Charger from the first film has undergone a few changes along the way as well. Between modifications, ride height, and even a change to flat black from gloss black, that car has had somewhat of an identity crisis over the years. In F5, Dom switched up to a grey ’68, but it was only in a few scenes before being crushed by Hobbs truck. The off-road Charger is credited as being a ’70 Charger, which would imply that Dom used his own to make that monster, but it had characteristics of the ’68 as well. The circle tail lights, and the circle marker lights in the front fenders are exclusive to the ’68. We really can’t rely on either Mattel or Universal to get things right when it comes to labeling these cars, but as long as they keep making us wonderful toys, I’ll be happy.
Thanks Brad. Always glad to see any Charger added to the line and this 68 is really a great one to add.
Great article
Now the need to release a two-pack with a bare zamac Charger and a white Supra driving off into the sunset.
After seeing the movie, I wish they would have had said something about it, like a building montage or something… It’s called Hellacious and it was built by Speedcore. Interesting read. https://www.motortrend.com/features/speedkore-1968-dodge-charger-hellacious-carbon-fiber/