The new kid on the block as far as Hot Wheels product lines are concerned is the #Hot Wheels Monster Trucks (HWMT) line. Oddly enough, the end of 2022 completes the fifth year — already?!?!? — of the line. Thus far we have seen some pretty cool things from HWMT like premium graphics introducing new techniques, throwback licensed vehicles like #Bigfoot, some new castings (in addition to some added favorites), and even #Treasure Hunts.
QUICK LINK! Find the HWMT Treasure Hunts on eBay now
Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with HWMT #Treasure Hunts. They haven’t been particularly easy for me to find: I’ve found zero over the last 2 years. Compare that to Super Treasure Hunts from the mainline where I’ve at least found 5 or so on the pegs or in shippers. But I digress…
HWMT #Treasure Hunts have their own version of the #Flame Logo along with redlines on the tires. Those are the two ways to identify them at retail. And, to be sure you found one, you can always check the card backing behind the truck and you’ll the flame logo and the words: “Congratulations, you just found a Treasure Hunt truck!”
The latest HWMT #Treasure Hunt is the #Volkswagen Drag Bus Monster Truck. The #Hot Wheels Monster Trucks casting has been produced several times already,, but this release is special. This one throws it back to the original deco of the #First Edition #Volkswagen Drag Bus from 1996. As someone who collected at the time, I remember the commotion at local diecast shows as collectors would tell stories of the hauls (or lack there of). Sound familiar?
The original 1996 First Editions: VW Bus was limited in cases as I remember there being only one to a case, spanning one case code — which if you collected in the ’90s, you’ll recall how several releases spanned several case assortments. This one was definitely hard to find! In addition to that, the original VW Bus was the release that started the “VW Bus craze” …. yes, I am giving the casting its own “craze” as its one of the top Hot Wheels castings of all-time.
QUICK LINK! Buy the Treasure Hunt HWMT Volkswagen Drag Bus on eBay now
So to now have the #Volkswagen Drag Bus Monster Truck in this deco, in my collection, hits the nostalgia factor on so many levels! I couldn’t wait to get this one loose, and break out its OG friend.
When I talk about the #Hot Wheels Monster Trucks doing cool things, this is definitely one of them: “monsterifying” a nostalgic classic! The #Volkswagen Drag Bus is a casting you’ll never see return to basics again, fortunately, the modified casting has returned to retail via Hot Wheels premium. But to now have a HWMT #Volkswagen Drag Bus Monster Truck is pretty cool as it makes a great fictional truck design. I would love to see this one in the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show, and if that ever happens, this nostalgic deco totally needs to happen! Having a HWMT version of the classic Hot Wheels casting also presents future opportunities to see some old VW Bus decos re-released just like this one. The only down side? This #Treasure Hunt variant will not be easy to find. Look for it at retail now. Happy Hunting!
Categories: Showcase
ORANGE TRACK DIECAST 
This is way cool to have a new version pf a VW , definitely hot wheels is doing a great job on those castings.
Thanks for sharing Brad 👍🏽
Is this TH Drag Bus going to command scalpers to grab them up like everything else? Surely, these were designed for children and collectors alike and I know I’m stating the obvious, but when I read about this low volume piece.. I’m seeing scabs flying into stores to rip them from shelves to turn them around at an extremely high mark up.. just my three cents.
If I happen to see on, i’ll freak!