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For 1971, changes were in the air. This would be the last year that any Hot Wheels would be produced in the United States, with the operation moving solely overseas. Also, this was the year that Mattel began to phase out the metal button, in favor of the plastic button. 35 new models were introduced in 1971, and three of them stand out as the heaviest hitters in a collector's arsenal today: The Olds 442, the Bye Focal and Classic Cord. Finding these in ANY condition today is both difficult AND expensive. Even lower-quality versions will sell for a robust price on the secondary market. Also available in 1971 were the front-engine dragsters, issued in a 2-pack or in the Wild Wheelie set. The Spoilers and Heavyweights series continued as well, with 2 new Spoilers and 7 new Heavyweights. This year also marked the era where Larry Wood made his designer presence felt in full force, as he would continue to do so for decades later before "retiring". Quoted values are for LOOSE, NM examples. Cars less than NM will obviously command a lesser value than listed, depending on overall condition. Also, since some collectors like to add new replica wheels to replace their beat-up originals, I've added the sizes of the tires to the far right for each car. Note that the NCHWA utilizes a pricing method called "Star Value©." Instead of specific dollar values, each car will be assigned a Star Value© to indicate rarity and potential price range. There are simply too many variables to place a "set" value on any model, so a range will be used instead to indicate where that particular model may fall on the secondary price scale. A +/- indicates where on that scale the value is approximated, while a number by itself would indicate the value falls in the middle of the Star Value. This is also an easy-glance method to determine rarity; the higher the number, the rarer the car. The value chart will be placed at the bottom of each page |
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Option: Click the button to the left to download a printable copy of the Star Chart for easy reference (Microsoft Word or equivalent program required for viewing/download). It beats scrolling up and down when you're pricing your cars! |
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AMX/2  Designer: Existing Design Production Run: 1971 only Note: Produced only in AThe U.S. Featured a black interior and 2 black engine covers that could be opened to expose the engine. Based on an AMC prototype that was built, but never even had an engine installed. |
Light Green Rose Yellow Red Green Magenta Purple Hot Pink Salmon Blue |
3 3+ 3+ 3+ 4- 5 5 6 13 |
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Boss Hoss  Designer: Ira Gilford Production Run: 1971 only Note: Spoilers Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. Features a louvred rear window, door numbers ranging from 1-9 and a decal sheet with assorted sponsor logos. The black roof version is very rare, and will command a higher value. |
Aqua Green Blue Red Copper Rose Orange Purple Pink Aqua (black roof) Green (black roof) Olive (black roof) Red (black roof) Purple (black roof) Copper (black roof) Blue (black roof) Brown (black roof) |
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9 11 12+ 14+ 15 16+ 18+ 27+ 13 15 16 16 23 25 25+ 32+ |
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Bugeye  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: U.S. versions came with white interiors, while Hong Kong versions came only with black. Look for a rear hood variation with or without hood vents. The value is not affected with either version. |
Blue Red Light Green Green Rose Aqua Magenta Yellow Gold Hot Pink Purple |
2+ 3- 3- 3 3+ 3+ 4- 8 9+ -- |
3 2+ 4- -- 4 5 4+ -- -- 17 |
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Bye Focal  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1970-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Features either a black or brown interior, an opening plastic hood revealing a set of twin engines. There is a motor variation that has missing injectors, and they are more difficult to find. Came with a decal sheet that had an additional eye logo. The passenger-side door was already applied from the factory. This model's chassis is notorious for being a "crumbler", as it appears low-quality metal was used in production. Affected models WILL be valued LESS. |
Aqua Magenta Light Green Blue Green Yellow Red Light Blue Purple Green (no injectors) Aqua (no injectors) Magenta (no injectors) Blue (no injectors) Red (no injectors) |
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9- 11- 13- 15- 25 26 26+ 37+ 13- 15 16 18 36 | ||
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Classic Cord  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in the U.S. One of the most collectible castings from the Redline era today. Came with a plastic roof (which must be present in order for this model to be considered complete), an opening hood and a black interior. Beware of reproduction parts for this model, as they are plentiful. |
Magenta Light Green Blue Red Yellow Rose Green Gold Purple Light Blue Salmon Hot Pink |
6 12- 14 13- 13 14 15- 18+ 26+ 26 30 |
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Cockney Cab  Designer: Howard Rees Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: U.S. versions have black interior, while Hong Kong will have brown. Rear decal has the British flag and "Cockney Cab" below it. |
Light Green Red Green Yellow Blue Magenta Rose Aqua Hot Pink |
4+ 5 5+ 6 6+ 7 10 13+ |
5 5+ -- 7- 8+ -- 7 -- |
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Crew Car  Designer: Howard Rees / Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: (or "Pit Crew Car") Produced only in Hong Kong. Started by Howard Rees and finished by Larry Wood. This model has an opening trunk that reveals a tool tray, and comes with a decal sheet with stripes and side decals that say "Pit Crew". |
White Enamel |
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Evil Weevil  Designer: Paul Tam Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Spoilers Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. This model has door stickers with numbers ranging from 1-9, along with a decal shee with assorted sponsor logos. Assorted interior colors. |
Blue Green Yellow Red Light Green Aqua Magenta Purple |
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- |
7 7 9- 12- 16 28 34 |
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Fuel Tanker  Designer: Ira Gilford Production Run: 1971 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. Long-bed truck with a metal and plastic tanker trailer that had twin retractable hoses from the rear. Sticker on both sides of the trailer with the Hot Wheels logo and "Racing Fuel." |
White Enamel | |
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Grass Hopper  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971 only Note: Produced only in the U.S. Model has a removable white top (which must be present in order to be considered complete), front and rear engines and a black interior. |
Light Green Red Rose Magenta Blue Green Purple Salmon Hot Pink Yellow Aqua Light Blue |
3 3 3 3 3+ 4 5- 6 6 7- 7+ |
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Hairy Hauler  Designer: Paul Tam Production Run: 1971 only Note: Produced only in the U.S. Came with an opening cockpit canopy, white interior and a metal engine with exhaust pipes mounted to the top. |
Light Green Yellow Red Green Magenta Rose Blue Salmon Hot Pink Aqua Purple Light Blue |
3 3 3+ 3+ 3+ 4 5- 5+ 6 11- 14- |
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The Hood  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: The Hong Kong version has smaller side windows than the U.S. Both had slide-out plastic roofs that would extend to the windshield. There is a Hong Kong variation with a painted black roof, which does add a premium. |
Red Blue Light Green Yellow Green Magenta Rose Aqua Purple Hot Pink Gold |
3 3 4- 4- 4+ 5- 5 5+ 16- -- |
4- 3 3 4- 15 -- 4 5+ -- 16- |
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Ice "T"  Designer: Tom Daniel Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Model has a removable yellow top that is embossed with "Ice T" in black on both sides. Also has a black interior and 2 translucent blue ice blocks in the rear hatch. Both the top and the ice must be present in order for this model to be considered complete. |
Yellow Enamel |
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Jet Threat  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Blue plastic canopy with black interior. Engine cover opens up to reveal an orange turbine. Came with a decal sheet for the sides that had the number 15 on them. |
Light Green Aqua Yellow Green Blue Gold Red Magenta Purple |
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3- 3 3 4- 4- 5+ 7+ 13- |
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Mongoose 2  Designer: Existing Design Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: The only difference between the U.S. and Hong Kong versions is the blue tinted windows on the Hong Kong model. The U.S. has a clear window. Came with a decal sheet, but the passenger side was already applied at the factory. |
Blue |
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Mongoose Rail Dragster  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in the U.S. Was sold only as a two-pack with the Snake Rail Dragster. Came with a sticker with "Tom McEwen" and "Mongoose 1." |
Blue |
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Mutt Mobile  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Has a removable white top with "Mutt Mobile" embossed in black on both sides. Issued with a black interior, a black plastic rear gate, and white molded dogs on the inside. Top, gate and dogs must be present for this model to be considered complete. |
Aqua Blue Gold Red Light Blue Magenta Rose |
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4- 5- 7- 7- 9- 13 |
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Noodlehead  Designer: Howard Rees Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Considered a terror in downhill racing due to its weight and balance. U.S. versions came with a white interior, while Hong Kong came with brown or white. The hood had an opening panel which exposed the headlights. |
Red Light Green Blue Magenta Yellow Salmon Aqua Green Hot Pink Light Blue |
4 4+ 4+ 5- 5+ 6 7 8 9- |
4+ 5+ 9- 6 -- 7 8 -- -- |
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Olds 442  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971 only Note: Produced only in the U.S. This model has a white interior, a removable black plastic spoiler and came with a decal sheet that had stripes for the hood and roof. There is a black interior version with a red paint job. It has never been found in blisterpack, and is considered a prototype. The spoiler must be present in order to consider this model complete. Beware of reproduction spoilers. |
Magenta Yellow Rose Blue Green Red Light Green Salmon Light Blue Hot Pink Purple Red (black interior) |
14 14- 16 14+ 17 19 29- 18 27+ 40+ 26 |
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Racer Rig  Designer: Ira Gilford / Larry Wood Production Run: 1971 only Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Gilford designed the cab, while Wood designed the trailer. The white plastic portion of the trailer is retractable, and there is a Hot Wheels logo decal on the metal front portion. |
Red White Enamel |
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7 |
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Rocket-Bye Baby  Designer: Bob Lovejoy Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Comes with a mounted metal rocket and twin black plastic air scoops that could be retracted by pulling the black tailpipes located at the rear. |
Aqua Blue Green Lime Magenta Yellow Red Light Green Rose |
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3+ 4+ 5 7 7+ 10 11- 13- |
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S'Cool Bus  Designer: Tom Daniel Production Run: 1971 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. Dragster-style school bus with decals on the sides that say "S'Cool Bus." Came with a decal sheet consisting of black stripes for the rocker panels and hood stickers. |
Yellow Enamel | |
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Scooper  Designer: Ira Gilford Production Run: 1970 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. Yellow plastic bucket/bed, with white rail arms. |
Green Blue Lime Red Aqua Yellow Light Green Magenta Rose Purple White Enamel Hot Pink |
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5 5+ 5+ 6 7 7+ 8- 9 9+ 14 16 |
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Short Order  Designer: Howard Rees Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Came with a black interior and an orange, slideout plastic bed. Based on an old Ford pickup. |
Light Green Aqua Yellow Red Gold Green Magenta Blue Purple |
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3 4- 4- 4 7 13 14 18 |
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Six Shooter  Designer: Paul Tam Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Has a black interior, although there are some rare variations with a white interior. This does add a premium. The only exception is the yellow casting, which is commonly issued with a white interior. |
Aqua Blue Magenta Light Blue Yellow Light Green |
-- -- -- -- -- |
4 4+ 5 7- 24 |
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Snake II  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: The only difference between the U.S. and Hong Kong versions is the blue windows on the Hong Kong model. Came with a sticker sheet that had flame logos of "Plymouth" and "Coca Cola". The passenger-side decale was already applied. |
White Enamel | |
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Snake Rail Dragster  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in the U.S. Was sold only as a two-pack with the Mongoose Rail Dragster. Came with a sticker with "Don Prudhomme" and "Snake 1." |
White Enamel |
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Snorkel  Designer: Ira Gilford / Larry Wood Production Run: 1971 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. The cab was designed by Gilford, and the bed/arm/basket was designed by Wood. This casting is susceptible to "crumbling", rendering it virtually worthless, if applicable. |
Green Blue Lime Red Aqua Yellow Light Green Magenta Rose Purple White Enamel Hot Pink |
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5 5+ 5+ 6 6+ 7 8- 9 9+ 14+ 16+ |
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Special Delivery  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Model has twin front engines, a white interior and set of 5 decals that must be present in order to consider this model pristine. |
Blue Light Blue |
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3+ |
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Strip Teaser  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Model has a rear canopy that can be raised to reveal a black interior with a parachute. Came with a sticker sheet with a nose stripe and side stickers with "7" on them. Interior is easily removed, and should be present in order to consider this model complete. |
Aqua Blue Lime Gold Light Blue Yellow Light Green Magenta Red |
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7- 8- 9+ 11 13- 13 14 18+ |
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Sugar Caddy  Designer: Ira Gilford Production Run: 1971 only Note: Spoilers Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. Came with a black interior, although there are white interior variations that command a slight premium, as they're harder to find. Red and blue models with a white interior are worth even more. Came with door decals ranging from 1-9, and a decal sheet with assorted sponsor logos. |
Green Blue Yellow Aqua Red Light Green Purple Copper Orange Olive Hot Pink Magenta |
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5 5+ 5+ 7- 8- 9+ 9+ 11- 24- 19 36 |
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T-4-2  Designer: Larry Wood Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Model is basically 2 Model T Fords placed back-to-back. The plastic black roof is easily removed, but should be present in order to consider this model complete. Has a black plastic interior. |
Lime Light Green Yellow Green Blue Red Aqua Magenta |
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3 3+ 3+ 4 4+ 5 7 |
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Team Trailer  Designer: Ira Gilford / Larry Wood Production Run: 1971 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced in Hong Kong only. The cab was designed by Gilford, and the trailer was designed by Wood. The trailer has decals on the sides that have the Hot Wheels logo, and "Racing Team", along with stripes for the top and rear. |
Red White Enamel |
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7 |
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Waste Wagon  Designer: Ira Gilford Production Run: 1971 only Note: Heavyweights Series. Produced only in Hong Kong. The cab was designed by Gilford, and the yellow bucket/black scoop by Wood. Sticker on both sides says "Dept. of Sanitation." |
Lime Aqua Blue Green Light Green Red Orange Copper Olive Magenta Yellow Purple |
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4 4+ 4+ 5- 5- 5 5 5+ 6- 7- 7+ |
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What-4  Designer: Bob Lovejoy Production Run: 1971-1972 Note: Produced only in Hong Kong. Model has a moveable white plastic fin, and an interior that was available in assorted colors. This model is susceptible to "crumbling", rendering it value-less if applicable. |
Aqua Green Blue Lime Yellow Magenta Purple Red Light Green |
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3 3+ 5 6 9 11 13 13+ |
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 What Events Defined 1971? |
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