Yes, I wasn’t even born when the original Sweet Sixteen set arrived. However, I was already a passionate collector for the 50th anniversary. It was a significant event for the diecast manufacturer, as they released various sets, including the 50th Anniversary Black & Gold Collection, the 50th Anniversary Originals Collection, and the 50th Anniversary Zamac Flames Collection, among others.
But what caught my attention was the 50th Anniversary Favorites release. This collection consists of ten castings, with one of them having two variations. I’ve calculated the cost, and buying the entire set will range from $146 to $544 before shipping. Purchasing them individually can be time-consuming, but there is a solution to that.
You can look for the Factory Sealed Box Set, which includes all the castings. This option will cost you between $250 and $300, saving you from the hassle of dealing with multiple packages. Now, let’s delve into the collection and discover the exciting vehicles it includes.
’56 Chevy – Photo: eBay/User jes3747
For this release, Mattel utilized castings from various designers. The ’56 Chevy is the only one with Larry Wood’s signature and is also the second oldest vehicle on the list, debuting in 2008.
A complete collection comprises 18 variations, with only three featuring Real Riders wheels. The rarest of the bunch is the 2010 10th Annual Nationals Convention edition, with only 2,400 units ever produced. The 50th Anniversary Favorites version made a comeback after a six-year hiatus, showcasing a Maroon finish with white and pink pinstripes, along with an anniversary logo on the rear.
As expected, it rolls on 5-Spoke Mag-Style Real Rider wheels. There hasn’t been any news about an update for this casting since 2018. If there isn’t a new release this year, it’s unlikely that we’ll see it again. In terms of price, this item can be purchased for $10 to $32, depending on the seller.
’71 AMC Javelin AMX – Photo: eBay/User JMREGarage
The ’71 AMC Javelin AMX is Jun Imai’s first of three castings in the Anniversary set. It is also one of the rarest and least-used ones. The most recent iteration was seen in the 2024 Ultra Hots series, and if you’re a completionist, there are only three other Javelins to keep an eye out for.
Until 2024, it was exclusively available as a Premium casting. I personally like the 2012 design in Metallic Dark Grey and Yellow, but the 2018 red, white, and blue variation is also quite appealing. This time, the Anniversary logo is more prominently displayed compared to the ’56 Chevy.
Fortunately, the designer didn’t make the Hot Wheels logo larger than the car itself, which would have been much worse. You can purchase this model individually for as little as $6.
’60s Ford Econoline Pickup – Photo: eBay/User F1 SPEED AUCTIONS
The ’60s Ford Econoline Pickup is the first truck in this particular set. It was designed by Mark Jones and is his only contribution to the series. The Econoline Pickup is the newest casting, making its debut in the 2017 Pop Culture: Star Wars Bounty Hunter set.
In all these years, there have only been four different versions of this exclusive Premium model. The most recent one was released in 2020 as a Collector Edition, and it came with a stunning Spectraflame Purple paint job. Back in 2018, Mattel decided to go for a Metallic Copper finish for the Anniversary model, and the Real Riders Steelies were a fantastic addition to the package.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the black flames, but it’s a trademark move from the manufacturer. Surprisingly, some people are willing to part with their small Econolines for just $4, which is quite a steal.
Out of the ten vehicles included in the set, Mattel only chose to feature two European models, and both happen to be Volkswagens. Both the Custom ’69 Squareback and the T-1 Drag Bus were designed by Phil Riehlman, who also has one more casting at the end of the series.
Between 2010 and 2024, there have been a total of 20 variations of the Squareback. Some of them were decent, but my personal favorite was the 2012 Nostalgic Brands: Hershey edition. However, the 2018 release truly hit the mark with its dark green paint job and VW Service decals, creating the perfect visual blend for this classic vehicle.
I can’t help but imagine a VW Premium Collector Set that includes the Squareback and three other vehicles. On eBay, you can find one of these sets listed for over $70, but I recommend searching for listings under $25 to save some money.
The ’71 Datsun Bluebird 510 Wagon seems to be following me everywhere I go. I keep stumbling upon it every other week, and it serves as a constant reminder of the regret I feel for selling the 50th Anniversary version a few years ago.
Undoubtedly, it’s one of the standout models in this set. However, I must warn you that if you want to collect all 30+ variations, you should set aside a decent budget. Hot Wheels Datsuns tend to be quite pricey. Surprisingly, you can still find the 2018 variation for less than $25, and Mattel kept it simple yet stylish with this Anniversary edition. The metallic light blue paint job complements the white, red, and silver stripes perfectly, and the Classic 4-Spoke Real Riders are the ideal choice for wheels.
Don’t mistake the T-1 Drag Bus for the regular Drag Bus. The latter was introduced in 1996, while the T-1 variation made its debut in 2010. Naturally, there are many similarities between the two, as they were both designed by Phil Riehlman.
This model is another popular one on the list, and it has a cool feature: the body lifts, revealing the engine and chassis. The complete collection includes a total of 13 variations, all of which are Premium models! Two of them are particularly rare, with only 2,000 and 2,600 units available, respectively.
The T-1 Drag Bus is the sole ZAMAC appearance in the 50th Anniversary Favorites collection, and once again, it showcases a flame livery. Given the current circumstances, you can purchase one of these for a price ranging from $10 to $70, and it’s uncertain whether there will be another release of this particular casting in the future.
The ’78 Dodge Li’l Red Express Pickup, in my opinion, is the most uninteresting model in the entire collection. It is the only contribution from Paul DeLorean in this assortment and one of just three Premium variations produced by the factory. It features Mag-Style Real Riders, similar to the 2020 Vintage Oil version. You can acquire it for as little as $12, so it’s best to avoid any listings that exceed $20. Mattel has plans to introduce a new variation later this year, which will be part of a Mopar-themed 5-pack.
The ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser is one of the most popular Hot Wheels vehicles, alongside the Datsun and the Drag Bus. This is evident from the fact that the diecast manufacturer created two variations for the 2018 Anniversary set. The yellow and magenta Gasser can be purchased for prices ranging from $10 to $180. However, things become more challenging with the dark blue and white model. Finding one for less than $70 is a difficult task, and some daring sellers are asking as much as $275 for it. In retrospect, it now makes perfect sense to have paid under $300 for the Factory Sealed Box Set. One could say that it was a significant deal.
Moving on to the oldest casting on the list, we have the ’69 Chevy Camaro, designed by Phil Riehlman for its 2007 Toy Fair release. It later became a Treasure Hunt and Super Treasure Hunt model in 2008. In terms of the number of variations, it is the second most popular casting on the list, with 38 releases (compared to Gasser’s 45). Personally, I have a preference for yellow cars, so I am drawn to the aesthetics of the Anniversary Camaro. The 10-spoke wheels have an appealing depth, and the absence of a busy livery emphasizes that this is a model intended for adult collectors.
The final item in the 2018 Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Favorites collection also originates from the United States. It is Jun Imai’s third casting on the list, with a total of 13 variations available between 2011 and 2022. The First Edition Galaxie remains one of the most attractive options money can buy. Interestingly, I feel that the Team Transport model did not perform as well for some reason. However, Mattel hit the mark with the Gulf Livery on the anniversary model, as it always garners attention from the crowd. Similar to the Ford Econoline, the Galaxie is equipped with Real Riders Steelies. Surprisingly, you can purchase one for less than $10. However, if you wish to acquire the remaining variations, you will need to spend more. Excuse me, I might visit the nearest toy store to check if they have any new collectibles in stock.
According to the Source autoevolution.com