Hot Wheels RLC Kool Kombi #1

The Hot Wheels Kool Kombi with catalog number GXJ03 is a collector's model released for the 21st Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals, as item 1/3 in the convention set. This 1:64 scale replica is aimed at adult collectors and fans of classic Volkswagens, and it is distinguished from a standard toy car by its metal base, rubber tires, and very limited distribution. The production run for this release was 5,500 units.

The Kool Kombi casting was designed by Tony Martino and debuted in 2013 in the HW Showroom: HW Hot Trucks series, numbered X1636. The casting depicts a shortened, "shorty" Volkswagen Type 2 with surfboards, a stinger exhaust, and wheelie bars at the rear. The 2021 GXJ03 version features a white and pink color scheme, with a beige roof, a pink Hot Wheels logo, and white flame outlines on the body. The base is unpainted metal, the windows are tinted, and the interior is white. The model rolls on chrome RR10SP wheels with a pink line on the tires — Real Riders with rubber tires. The country of manufacture is Malaysia.

Convention models represent a separate category in the Hot Wheels range: they are produced in very short, precisely defined quantities for specific collector gatherings and are sold exclusively to attendees or through associated channels. A production run of 5,500 units places this piece among the rarest releases of this casting — well below typical Premium series.

The inspiration for the casting is the Volkswagen Type 2, the legendary first-generation Transporter produced from the early 1950s until 1967. It was powered by a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine with low displacement and modest power, driving the rear axle. Its simple design, huge cargo space, and reliability made the Type 2 an icon of surf and hippie culture, and today it is one of the most expensive Volkswagen classics. Hot Wheels converted it into a shortened dragster for the Kool Kombi casting.

For a collector, the GXJ03 is an item with clearly defined rarity and a distinct color scheme not repeated in any other release of this casting. Convention models are among the most difficult to acquire in the brand's entire range, and their secondary market value is systematically increasing.

FAQ

How many Hot Wheels Kool Kombi GXJ03 models were produced?
The production run for this release was 5,500 units.

Does the model have rubber tires?
Yes. It rolls on chrome RR10SP wheels with a pink line on the tires, which are Real Riders with rubber tires, and features an unpainted metal base.

What was the occasion for this model's release?
It was created for the 21st Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals and is item 1/3 in the convention set.