The Hot Wheels #Car Culture / Team Transport line has been a crazy successful line since it debuted in 2018. This is in large part due to the racing liveries the cars and transporters have featured. The mixes tend to be pretty balanced by encompassing many facets of car culture — not just racing. With that said, the first mix of 2024 may be the most cohesive mix we’ve seen thus far. It certainly has me feeling the Hot Wheels #Vintage Racing vibes as the cars could have easily fit into the 2011 line — in fact, one was in the line!

I received my case from 1 Stop Diecast and am impressed to say the least. Make sure you check out my unboxing video below to see my initial response to opening the case. In addition, I have written a full #Series Profile of this mix (A) below the video where I even brought out some old favorites for the photos.

Case Contents

• 1x #62 – OLIO FIAT – Fiat 131 Abarth / Second Story Lorry
• 2x #63 – Dan Gurney’s Plymouth – ’70 Plymouth AAR Cuda / Sakura Sprinter
• 1x #64 – Vintage Chevy Racing – ’66 Chevelle / ’72 Chevy Ramp Truck

#62 – OLIO FIAT

Hot Wheels #Vintage Racing was full of iconic liveries, however, even that line had it’s limitations as most were classic American liveries along with some unlicensed ones. This mix of Team Transport has the Olio Fiat #Fiat 131 Abarth which was an iconic livery in Group 4 racing from 1975 to 1977, and ultimately winning the manufacturer’s World Rally Championship in 1977. The car’s success would lead to a new sponsor (Alitalia) in 1978 which you have to feel is also coming from Hot Wheels. Despite success in both liveries, the Olio Fiat livery with it’s block lettering and navy & gold color scheme feels more iconic as it pertains to the Fiat 131 Abarth.

What makes replica vintage liveries in #Team Transport better than a stand-alone line like #Vintage Racing is that you also get a team hauler to accompany your diecast vehicle. The Hot Wheels #Second Story Lorry has only been used once before with a #Gulf livery, but this Olio Fiat livery feels more natural on it.

The #Fiat 131 Abarth fits nicely on the bottom level but backing it up down the ramp presents a challenge as the roof of the 131 gets hung up. That is merely an afterthought though as this one displays wonderfully. The only problem is that we only have one other Fiat 131 Abarth at this time — 2023 Modern Classics in red — so we will have to wait until the one in Gulf livery comes out later this year as part of the Car Culture 2-Packs to completely fill our Olio Fiat #Second Story Lorry. There are no other Olio Fiat liveried Hot Wheels at this time.

#63 – Dan Gurney’s Plymouth

Judging by the fact that this one comes two per case, the #Dan Gurney #Plymouth set is the intended star. The #’70 Plymouth AAR Cuda in this livery makes it’s triumphant return as it is essentially a re-release of the 2011 Vintage Racing despite the number shifting from #48 to #42 and the paint goes from metalflake blue to a dark blue enamel. You could argue your case for either one being the better of the two, but you shouldn’t have to as they are both great, and now I’m searching for the #’70 Plymouth Barracuda in this livery from the Sports Car Club of America promotion (2000) and Hall of Fame (2003) release to add to the collection.

Again, the highlight of this classic car & livery being released in #Team Transport is the fact that you get the accompanying truck. The Japanese-style box truck, #Sakura Sprinter was used. It may not have been the best choice for this classic American race car but the billboard sides give us some great real estate to proudly display this race team.

Perhaps not having the more American hauler opens the door for us to see this livery on another hauler in the future as well. From what I can tell, the Dan Gurney AAR Cuda was originally hauled in a semi-truck which would obviously be too big for the #Team Transport line. A vintage ramp truck could have also worked but there is already one of those in this mix, and it’s a Chevy (not a Dodge) which poses a problem from a licensing standpoint. Also noting that the #Retro Rig could have worked here as well.

#64 – Vintage Chevy Racing

Speaking of that vintage ramp truck, the #’72 Chevy Ramp Truck makes it’s sophomore appearance — this time in blue. The truck/cab portion of the casting is outstanding and definitely overshadows the ramp which has a plain, plastic look to it with no side detail. Fortunately, the #’66 Chevelle sits on the back and really pulls this set together.

Apart from the 2011 #Vintage Racing ’66 Chevelle done in a Smokey Yunick tribute deco — which I do not own — this is my favorite release of the #’66 Chevelle thus far. The casting has been around for 13 years, but has only been released 6 times, and 3 of which are shown below. The yellow & blue Hot Wheels Racing: Stockcar (2012) release previously held that honor.

For me, it’s the red, white, and blue color scheme that really sets it off. The main sponsor is “South Bay Racing Fuel” which appears to be fictitious, but the way the gold is carried into the pinstriping definitely gives this one an authentic replica look. The more I look at this #’66 Chevelle, the more I like it! I seriously hope we see this livery on another car or hauler in the near future.