Hot Wheels MoMA RLC Volkswagen Type 1 Sedan #1

The Hot Wheels Volkswagen Type 1 Sedan, catalog number JGV38, is a collector’s model released as part of the Mattel Creations Collaboratory series in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This 1:64 scale replica is aimed at adult collectors—fans of the Beetle, or "Käfer"—and enthusiasts of high-standard die-cast models. It distinguishes itself from standard toy cars with an opening engine cover, a ZAMAC base, and rubber tires.

The Volkswagen Type 1 Sedan casting was designed by Bryan Benedict, making its debut in this series in 2026, which makes the JGV38 the first release of this casting. The base of the casting identifies the vehicle as a 1959 model year. The model is finished in Mignonette Green, a muted factory Volkswagen color from that era. Decorations include detailed headlights, taillights, trim, and engine bay details. The base is raw ZAMAC, an unpainted zinc alloy; the windows are clear, and the interior is finished in a light olive green. The model rolls on specially prepared Custom RR (Real Riders) wheels with rubber tires. The country of manufacture is China.

The model replicates a specific vehicle: the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle currently in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. MoMA is among the few institutions to have included cars in its permanent collection of modern art, recognizing their design as an outstanding example of industrial design—with the Beetle being the most egalitarian among them: a car designed for everyone, not just the few.

The original vehicle is the Volkswagen Type 1, known in Poland as the "Garbus," a small family car produced from 1938 to 2003. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche as an inexpensive, mass-producible car intended for Germany's emerging autobahn network. It was powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine that delivered power to the rear axle. Throughout its production run, its silhouette remained essentially unchanged despite constant technical updates. In 1972, the Beetle became the best-selling car in history, a record it held for 25 years, with assembly taking place in twenty factories worldwide. Production concluded on July 30, 2003, in Puebla, Mexico, after 65 years, marking the longest production run of a single vehicle generation in history. A total of 21,529,464 units were produced.

For collectors, the JGV38 is a special item: the debut of a new casting of the most influential car of the 20th century, featuring an opening engine cover, museum-grade paint, and MoMA licensing. Models from the Mattel Creations channel do not reach standard retail stores and immediately become objects of collector trading.

FAQ

Does the Hot Wheels Volkswagen Type 1 Sedan JGV38 have any opening parts?
Yes. The model features an opening engine cover with detailed engine bay components.

Which specific car does this model replicate?
The 1959 Volkswagen Beetle currently in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Does the model have rubber tires?
Yes. It rolls on specially prepared Custom RR (Real Riders) wheels with rubber tires, and its base is made of raw ZAMAC.