Who wouldn't want to race their VX down that classic orange Hot Wheels track? Mattel still rules supreme for the fastest die-cast cars, using patented bearing-axeled wheels perfected in 1968. The VehiCROSS makes a great Hot Wheels for all its size and weight. Actually, the weight probably aids in speed down that slippery track. Intitially released in metallic silver, followed by yellow, dark red and finally a rally version in red with white cladding (as part of a Tiki Torcher 5-vehicle gift pack), the Hot Wheels VX has plenty of variation for the collector.
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This first Hot Wheels variation features a VX with metallic silver paint and is part of the 2000 First Editions line-up. This particular variation has the earlier, square top blister card and the "2000 First Editions" banner above the bubble. This variation is more difficult to find than the later curve-top blister. ©1999 on the back above the UPC and has Collector No. 076 on the back instead of the front.
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The Japanese Edition of the Isuzu VehiCROSS probably came out shortly after the Initial square-top blister release (see above). Notice the red car graphics are the same as the US version, only in red. Also notice the prominent Mattel logo as part of the Hot Wheels logo (Mattel has more brand recognition in Japan than "Hot Wheels" so the Mattel brand is emphasized to increase sales).©2000 on the back above the UPC.
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The second US version (this one has a curve-topped blister card) also includes a Collector Number oval on the left side of the card. The VehiCROSS is "2000 Collector No. 076" and features different graphics from the original square blister card. ©2000 on the back above the UPC.
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The third US version (this one has a curve-topped blister card) also includes a Collector Number oval on the left side of the card. The VehiCROSS is "2001 Collector No. 144" and features yellow (Proton!) paint. Note that the year designation has been left off this version. ©2000 on the back above the UPC.
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The fourth US version (this one has a curve-topped blister card) also includes a Collector Number oval on the left side of the card. The VehiCROSS is "2003 Collector No. 127" and features dark red (maroon) paint. This is part of the Hot Wheels Highway 35th Anniversary. ©2002 on the back above the UPC.
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This special 3-car pack includes a Hot Wheels Collector's Guide (100 pages highlighting all the 2003 First Editions, Treasure Hunt and Segment Series vehicles). This is a pretty tough to find packaging variation.
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For 2003, Mattel enabled Hot Wheels club members to purchase a complete sealed set of all cars made for the year. These sets were limited to 250 sets worldwide and were sold via the Hot Wheels Online website. The complete set includes all 42 first editions, all 12 treasure hunts, all 60 segement series cars, roll patrol, track aces, wastelanders, work crewsers, and all the non-series cars. Each of the 220 cards comes with a 2003 holographic sticker attached identifying that it is from the factory sealed set (it covers the "Guarenteed for Life" in the upper left corner of the card). Supposedly, these sets sold out within the first 10 minutes of being offered and individual cars are difficult to find, as sets are rarely split up. I got this one on eBay for $6 plus shipping.
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For 2004 Mattel re-purposed several already-released molds as part of Gift Packs. The Tiki Torcher™ Gift Pack features all new paint on five existing Hot Wheels models. The fourth car down is an awesome red VX with white cladding and wheels, covered in Lion graphics with the number 59. This is a great representation of a rally VX and a must-have for the collector. ©2002 on the back.
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