Custom Corvette

Custom Corvette (1968)

In 1965, the Mako Shark II debuted at the New York International Auto Show giving the
world a glimpse of the body style that would that would become the third generation Corvette,
the 1968 Corvette Stingray. The 1968 Corvette had a base price of $4663 for the coupe and
$4320 for the convertible with a 427 c.i. engine and option packages producing 350-435 hp.
Mattel would beat General Motors to the punch however, by having the Hot Wheels version
of the 1968 Corvette in stores before the real car hit Chevrolet showrooms!

The Hot Wheels Custom Corvette was a member of the original 16 in 1968. Produced in
both the US and Hong Kong factories for approximately two years, the Corvette was a
popular casting with kids and eventually collectors alike. The production in both factories
would lead to distinct variations between the US and HK models.

The US Corvette has a slightly smaller hood compared to its HK counterpart. Underneath
this hood one can see the larger engine that the HK sports compared to the shorter US engine.
The body also gives one an easy identification between the US and HK cars- the rear end
which is part of the base on the US and is part of the body on the HK body.

US and HK Custom Corvettes. Note that the HK car has blue tinted windows.

The US Corvette has a clear windshield as compared to the HK blue-tinted windshield.
Windshield placement is different as well; the US windshield inserts under the dash while
the HK sits on top of the metal dash.

The US Corvette has a one-piece interior, as the steering wheel is part of the console.
The interior has been found in white, brown, and champagne gold colors.

US Custom Corvette interiors.

The HK interior gets a bit more detailed with the steering wheel attaching to the console as a
separate part and shows up in two variations. The most common variation is the standard black
steering wheel, which was used through most of the production of the HK 'Vette. Later in
production, the steering wheel changed to a long steering wheel, which matched the color
of the car's interior.

HK Custom Corvette interiors.

Standard US (L) and HK (R) Custom Corvette interiors.

Both US and HK Corvettes came with the standard wheels for each respective factory of origin.
Some Corvettes have been found with deep dish wheels although very few of these have
surfaced in blister packs, leaving the significance of finding a loose Corvette with deep dish
wheels in doubt at this point.

As for base variations, three have been documented outside of the standard US vs. HK
differences. All of these involve the trademarks for "Hot Wheels" and "Corvette". On the
first type of base, "Hot Wheels" is followed by a copyright symbol. On the second type of
base, "Hot Wheels" is followed by a trademark symbol. And on the third base type, "Hot Wheels"
is followed by a copyright symbol AND Corvette is followed by a trademark symbol.

Above: three variations of the Custom Corvette base.

In general, the HK base is more detailed than its US counterpart.

An interior view of the chassis allows one to appreciate some of the differences
as to how the US and HK Corvettes were assembled.

The Corvette is also collectible as part of the Muky line. Muky cars were made in Argentina
using die tools mysteriously acquired from Mattel. The Corvette shows up in the Muky collection
as #16 "Corvette Special". These models use the standard US body and base. However, the base
was altered by replacing the Mattel text with Muky information. These cars also lacked interiors.

A group of Muky Corvette Specials.

For more information about the Hot Wheels Corvette, visit hwvette.com!

Home of the Hot Wheels Corvette

Color chart

US COLORS:	COMMENTS:
red	common
olive	common
green	common
blue	common
rose
orange
purple
antifreeze
aqua
gold
magenta	hard to find
"windex" blue	hard to find
light blue	hard to find
yellow	hard to find
brown	hard to find
HK COLORS:	COMMENTS:
red	common
olive	common
blue	common
aqua
green
purple
brown	hard to find
orange	hard to find
gold	hard to find
creamy pink	rare

A blue HK Custom Corvette in the blister!

A rare creamy pink HK Custom Corvette.

A blue HK Custom Corvette with all-white interior in the blister.

A blue US Custom Corvette.

An awesome group of HK Custom Corvettes!

Jamie Maner's rainbow of US Custom Corvettes!

A red HK Custom Corvette with an all-white interior.

A beautiful magenta US Custom Corvette!

Photo & info credits: Jamie Maner

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