Ranking System: Cars are given a score based on a 0-10 scale. A car can score as low as a 0 or as high as 10. Points are awarded across four different categories. Three points each are given for the following categories: Heritage and History, describes the pedigree of the car, it's role in automotive history, and the backstory of the 1/1 and or the 1/64. Production and Finishing, describes how well the car was produced and its overall execution on paint, printing, assembly, and quality. Cool Factor, describes how eye catching and unique the car is. Lastly, one final 'Price Point' is given if the car is worth the MSRP. *This does not take into account the second-hand market price.*  The VW from São Palo |
 Stock photo: Wikipedia.org | In 1973, German tech magazine Hobby called the SP2 the most beautiful car in the world. Sharing a chassis with a Volkswagen Type 3, the revolutionary Brazilian sports car was born from the desire to create a car that be competitive and revolutionary. It was the first Volkswagen to display the shark like nose now named the 'Leiding face.' The Hot Wheels mould aptly captured the character of this Brazilian exotic sports car and the car is a nice reflection of this 70's era speedster. 10,205 were produced. |
Production and Finishing: (3/3)
At first glance, I love the spectraflame paint. Hot Wheels today are primarily of a glossy or metal flake paint finish so this is a welcome offering. This unique paint style certainly goes back to the finishing style used on Hot Wheels from the early 80's and 90's. The manufacturing process involves a shiny vacuum-metalized finish covered in a semi-transparent, water-based lacquer.
At first glance, I love the spectraflame paint. Hot Wheels today are primarily of a glossy or metal flake paint finish so this is a welcome offering. This unique paint style certainly goes back to the finishing style used on Hot Wheels from the early 80's and 90's. The manufacturing process involves a shiny vacuum-metalized finish covered in a semi-transparent, water-based lacquer.
The SP2 mould has been used by Hot Wheels nearly a dozen times, if not more. It's not a newer mould, but the casting is superb. When looking at the mould, all the important details such as door size, window size, bumper angles, and canopy lines are proportionate. I know that the wheel set is another classic Hot Wheels detail, but I do have to say it's not the best pairing for this mould, but that's just a personal preference.
Cool Factor: (2/3)
It's always nice when non-premium Hot Wheels have added details like rear tail lights, and license plate details. Here we have nice little anagram in the namesake of this special line. The car also features dozens of 1/1 scale accuracies, wipers, door handles, transmission lines, tail pipes, a steering wheel, head lamps, and seats among many other details are all present.
It's always nice when non-premium Hot Wheels have added details like rear tail lights, and license plate details. Here we have nice little anagram in the namesake of this special line. The car also features dozens of 1/1 scale accuracies, wipers, door handles, transmission lines, tail pipes, a steering wheel, head lamps, and seats among many other details are all present.
My main criticism in this category is really only the color Hot Wheels have gone with. They hit nearly the whole rainbow spectrum in this wave of Ultra Hots, but I don't think green was the best choice for this car. A sky blue, or a sunshine yellow would have been a better fit. (-1) The green would have been better served on the Civic SI, or the 67' Shelby GT.
Left: 2023 Ultra Hots- Mix 1, 1974 Brazilian Dodge Charger & Right: 2023 Ultra Hots- Mix 1, Volkswagen SP2.
Price 'Point': (1/1)
There has been significant conversation about if the three dollar price point is appropriate for these cars. I'd argue it's just the right amount. These are very specially designed and they are meant to appeal to anyone who was a kid in the 80's and 90's. (That's me). They do just that. I think for the mould, the paint, the old school wheels and the packaging, these are worth the money and I'd argue have a fairly good chance at appreciating over time.
There has been significant conversation about if the three dollar price point is appropriate for these cars. I'd argue it's just the right amount. These are very specially designed and they are meant to appeal to anyone who was a kid in the 80's and 90's. (That's me). They do just that. I think for the mould, the paint, the old school wheels and the packaging, these are worth the money and I'd argue have a fairly good chance at appreciating over time.
| Conclusion: Despite how good looking this car was, it never sold as well as was originally hoped and production ended in 1975. This is a really nice little model that sheds light on this now more sought after car. At 3 U.S. dollars, there's a lot to love. The special edition paint and wheels, the flame details, the car features and mould itself make this a fabulous piece. The overall production and execution on the car was very good and the marketing and set arrangement net this car a near perfect 9 losing only a point for color choice. | Final Score 9/10  |
Written and published by Eric John, October 30, 2023
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Inspiration
A few months ago, I was home. While sorting though some old things, there it was, under the bed, my old collection of Hot Wheels..
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