Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Originals Series Volkswagen Beetle

The Hot Wheels Volkswagen Beetle with catalog number FTX85 is a collectible model released in the 50th Anniversary Originals Series as item 2/5, created to celebrate the brand's fiftieth anniversary. This 1:64 scale replica is aimed at adult collectors—fans of classic Volkswagens and enthusiasts interested in the history of Hot Wheels itself—and is distinguished from a standard toy car by its Spectraflame paint, metal base, and classic Redline wheels.

The Volkswagen Beetle casting, originally known as the VW Bug, is the work of legendary Mattel designer Larry Wood and debuted in 1989 in the Speed Fleet series under number 7671. The casting is modeled after the 1953–1957 Beetle, and in 2007, the manufacturer changed its catalog name to Volkswagen Beetle. The 2018 FTX85 version is finished in Spectraflame Purple—a translucent purple applied directly over polished metal, used exclusively in the brand's most premium releases. Decorations include the Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary logo on the doors and black fenders. The base is unpainted metal, the windows have a blue tint, and the interior is finished in purple, consistent with the body. The model rolls on RL (Redline) wheels, featuring the characteristic red line on the tire that was a hallmark of the brand's earliest models. The country of manufacture is Malaysia.

The entire 50th Anniversary Originals series, sometimes called "Replica Redlines," includes five models in Spectraflame paint, packaged on cards that recreate the original 1968 packaging, and comes with a metal collector's button. The set pays tribute to the "Sweet 16," the brand's first sixteen models—although none of the five castings used originate from that era. This piece represents the historical Custom Volkswagen in the series, and the casting itself resembles the version produced in Hong Kong at the time.

The prototype is the Volkswagen Type 1, known in Poland as the "Garbus" and worldwide as the Beetle or Käfer—here in the 1950s variant, recognizable by its oval rear window. It was powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine with a displacement of just over a liter and modest power delivered to the rear axle. The Beetle reached over 21 million units produced and for years remained the most-produced single-platform car in history.

For a collector, the FTX85 is an item of clear historical significance: Spectraflame paint, Redline wheels, a replica 1968 card, and an included metal button. Hot Wheels anniversary series are released once and do not return to production, causing their value on the secondary market to grow systematically.

FAQ

What are the Redline wheels on the Hot Wheels Volkswagen Beetle FTX85 model?
These are wheels with a characteristic red line on the tire—a feature used on the brand's earliest models, brought back here due to the anniversary nature of the series.

What is included in the set besides the model itself?
The model is packaged on a card that replicates the original 1968 packaging, and a metal collector's button is included with the set.

Who designed this casting and when did it debut?
The casting was designed by Mattel's Larry Wood, and it premiered in 1989 in the Speed Fleet series—at the time under the name VW Bug.