Hot WheelsItem NO.: 18SC

FORT WORTH, TX — In celebration of Hot Wheels’ 50th Anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service today issued a pane of 20 Forever stamps showcasing some of the classic toy car’s most outrageous designs. The Hot Wheels Stamps were issued during the Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway.

For the first time, Hot Wheels are commemorated on Forever stamps for fans of all ages to enjoy. Arranged in diagonal rows, the 20 stamps showcase photographer Len Rizzi’s images of 10 Hot Wheels cars — two of each design — speeding along the recognizable bright orange track.

“Today, we make history as the Postal Service and our partners at Mattel are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hot Wheels with these dynamic stamps showcasing the iconic toys that were a part of my childhood and that of my children,” said U.S. Post Marketing Vice President Steve Monteith, who served as the dedicating official. “These miniature works of art truly capture the thrill and excitement of these legendary vehicles and now will speed their way as Forever stamps on millions of cards and letters.”

Joining Monteith at the ceremony were Harry Davies, vice president, Event Operations, Goodguys Rod and Custom Association; Ricardo Briceno, director, Global Brand Marketing, Hot Wheels; and Deborah Ferguson, “NBC5 Today” anchor.

Each stamp features the name of the vehicle shown in one of the top corners and the words “USA” and “Forever” in one of the bottom corners. The well-known Hot Wheels logo appears in the top right corner of the pane. The back of the pane displays the Hot Wheels’ 50th-anniversary logo.

Hot Wheels Forever Stamps – 50 Years of Speed and Style

The U.S. Postal Service honored Hot Wheels, Mattel’s legendary toy car line, with a pane of 20 Forever stamps showcasing some of its most imaginative designs.

📌 Key Features

• 📅 Issue Date: September 29, 2018

• 📍 First Day City: Fort Worth, Texas (Texas Motor Speedway, during the Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals)

• 💵 Value: Forever (First‑Class Mail, 1 oz.) – always valid for current postage rates

• 🎨 Designs:

  • Pane of 20 stamps arranged in diagonal rows

  • Features 10 Hot Wheels cars (two of each), photographed by Len Rizzi speeding along the bright orange track

  • Cars include:

    • Purple Passion (1990)

    • Bone Shaker (2006)

    • Deora II (2000)

    • Twin Mill (1969)

    • Rodger Dodger (1974)

    • Plus other fantasy customs that embody Hot Wheels’ creativity

• 👨‍🎨 Art Direction: William Gicker

• 🖨️ Printing: Offset lithography by Banknote Corporation of America

🏎️ Cultural & Historical Context

• Hot Wheels debuted in 1968, created by Elliot Handler, co‑founder of Mattel.

• Unlike Matchbox, which focused on realistic replicas, Hot Wheels emphasized fantasy customs, oversized engines, and outrageous designs.

• The stamps marked the first time Hot Wheels cars appeared on U.S. postage, appealing to both toy collectors and philatelists.

• Legendary Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood was honored during the anniversary celebrations, with his creations like the Bone Shaker included in the set.

🎉 Suitable Occasions

• ✉️ Birthday invitations – especially for kids and car enthusiasts.

• 🏁 Event promotions – racing clubs, toy fairs, or automotive shows.

• 🏫 Educational mailings – highlighting design, engineering, and creativity.

• ✨ Collectors – prized for their pop‑culture significance and vibrant design.

🌟 Symbolism & Appeal

The Hot Wheels Forever Stamps embody themes of imagination, speed, and innovation, making them both practical for mailing and delightful for collecting. They bridge childhood nostalgia with the artistry of stamp design.

The Hot Wheels cars Stamps depicted are:

Top row(left to right):

• The aptly named Purple Passion (1990), a super sleek metallic purple and green model. The car remains a favorite of collectors.

• Equipped with a roof-mounted rocket, the Rocket-Bye-Baby (1971) is one of the most aggressive racers in Hot Wheels history.

• Perfect for Halloween, the spooky Rigor Motor (1994) is a coffin-shaped hot rod that is powered by a huge engine adorned with two skulls.

• A spectacularly powerful version of a classic muscle car, the Rodger Dodger (1974) has a giant engine bursting out of its hood.

• With a twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine and wide front air intakes built to look like a predatory fish, the Mach Speeder (2018) is a true 21st-century racer.

Bottom row(left to right):

• The Twin Mill (1969) is one of the most iconic Hot Wheels cars of all time. The speed machine features dual big-block engines.

• The distinctive Bone Shaker (2006) is a hot rod with a fierce-looking skull for a grille. The car has a massive short-block engine made to rattle your bones.

• The HW40 (2008), a car introduced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, features a jet turbine engine. The space-age vehicle features a futuristic glass hood.

• The original surfboard-toting Deora (1968) was included in the first Hot Wheels line. The souped-up Deora II showcased on the stamp came out in 2000.

• The Sharkruiser (1987) is a carnivore on wheels. The completely unique design features fins, a tail, a sharp-toothed grille, and a roaring V8 engine.

William J. Gicker was the project’s art director. Greg Breeding designed the Hot Wheels Stamps.

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