Ask any veteran Hot Wheels collector about the possibility of your favorite Hot Wheels casting returning. If it’s a casting that hasn’t appeared for several years, that collector will most likely bring up the 6-year mark. Under 6 years, and there is a good chance you’ll see it again. Over 6 years, and the possibility of that casting returning drops off. Toolings (or dies) used to cast — hence, the “DIE-CAST” — your favorite Hot Wheels vehicle corrode, warp, and erode when not used. This is especially so in the humid climates of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia where the bulk of Hot Wheels are produced. The internal team at Mattel is mindful of this and make efforts every year to put expiring tools into use if it’s a Hot Wheels casting worth saving.

The premium #’71 AMC Javelin AMX casting differs from the basics #AMC Javelin AMX. This race car version of the Javelin sits lower, and has an interior roll cage, front chin spoiler, and a metal chassis. It’s a solid piece that has only been used twice since it’s first release in Vintage Racing (2011) and this #Ultra Hots (2024) release.

Most collectors will eye that Marc Donohue #Javelin above from Vintage Racing — it’s a highly-desired piece. The very next year, the #’71 AMC Javelin AMX was released in the Hot Wheels Racing: Muscle series (2012). After that, the next two releases were released in 6-year increments: HW 50th Favorites (2018) and Ultra Hots (2024) — most likely as a way to save the tooling from being scrapped, and the casting fading out of existence.

The #Ultra Hots line is a #Target Exclusive one that the retailer hasn’t started pegging the 2024 mixes yet. I was able to get my hands on this #2024 Hot Wheels release early while I was in Los Angeles for the Hot Wheels convention last month. While there, I took a trip to the Mattel store on the ground floor of the Mattel corporate building in El Segundo, and found several 2024 releases. Unfortunately, the whole 1st mix of 2024 Ultra Hots was not hanging at the time I went, so I was only able to grab this one and the #Front Runnin’ Fairmont — another much-more nostalgic favorite that hadn’t been used for 6 years either.

I assume the whole mix was put out and was surprised to see the #’71 AMC Javelin AMX and the Fairmont hanging. Perhaps, those that left the Javelin had no idea of the casting’s Vintage Racing roots, and how superior this one is to the basics version.

As with the other Ultra Hots, this #’71 AMC Javelin AMX receives full detail: front and back. The black painted grille with yellow fog lights even sets it apart from the previous releases of this casting. Yes, #Real Riders would have been cool but the #Ultra Hots are a nostalgic line, so the use of #Ultra-Hot Wheels is appropriate here — just like the very noisy deco. The #Spectraflame Paint is always a great look for nostalgic Hot Wheels even though the spectraflame blue here is not as vibrant as other colors in the lineup.

If you’re still a fan of nostalgic, metal (body) / metal (chassis) Hot Wheels, make sure to grab the #’71 AMC Javelin AMX when the 1st mix of 2024 #Ultra Hots hits Target stores very soon. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the return of this casting which was clearly made for Hot Wheels premium. My plea to the Hot Wheels team: Please don’t wait for it to go another 6 years without a release!