Stick’s Redline Garage: The Club Cars

By Robert Stickels • March 16, 2011

In 1970, Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels Club in advertisements on the back of blisterpacks and catalogs, (shown below on the back of a 1970 Canadian blister pack). Hot Wheels fans were enticed to join the club with a picture of a chrome-plated "Mustang Boss Hoss" that was exclusively provided to club members only.

Collectors could join the club for the insanely low price of $1.00, and if you did, you not only got the car, but also got the 1970 Hot Wheels "Annual" magazine, a sheet of Hot Wheels stickers, an iron-on patch, a membership card, a membership certificate and a metal badge showing the "Silver Special" car. Who wouldn’t join for a dollar? When Mattel could not supply enough Club Kits, they mailed new members an envelope with a letter indicating that their car would be sent separately.

While never shown in ads for the club, two other chrome club cars were also produced – the Heavy Chevy and King Kuda. Most members got a Boss Hoss judging by the number of these cars that are around today compared to the number of chrome Kuda’s and Chevys that are seen. All three club cars were made with white and black plastic interiors. A spectraflame colored Heavy Chevy and King Kuda were already part of the 1970 main line, and the Boss Hoss was later released to the main line in 1971.

Complete Hot Wheels Club Kits are now valued between $125-200.

Click any image to see the larger version.

The King Kuda #7 with excessive playwear is from RK Stickels childhood collection.

Note: Most kits included the Chrome Boss Hoss

Credits: Images from the RK Stickels collection. I would like to thank the following collectors for there support as well: Michael Zarnock for help in gathering club kit images and supporting literature, www.redlinespoilers.com: for help in gathering text, rare 2-Pak, BP Canadian art, club kit images, BP King Kuda, Tomarts guide #6, Spectraflame-the essential guide.