Hot Wheels Sharknado

Believe me when I say that I LOVE models with the grinning Shark face graphics. So reminiscent of World War 2 fighter planes that battled over the skies at the middle of the 20th century. But I digress. That story is for another time.

Hot Wheels Muscle Bound facing off against the ’68 Chevy Nova. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

Getting back in to the theme at hand. Shark face graphics Hot Wheels. They have been around for awhile, but not as in many castings as we’d like… or want. I managed to acquire a few over the years.

Bit of history. Though we remember them on allied warplanes, this motif was first seen on Luftwaffe Bf110cs in Crete somewhere around 1940. Then these motifs worked their way into allied aircraft like the RAF 112 Squadron Curtiss Kittyhawks, P40s and P51 Mustangs. But they were made famous by the American volunteer fighters of the Flying Tigers. Damn sure those planes made a sight to behold.

1. P51 Mustangs of the “Flying Tigers” 2. P51 Mustang of the RAF 112 Squadron 3. Messerschmitt Me Bf110c All from Wikipedia

Back again down to earth. The most recent castings to have this Shark Face graphic motif is the non-licensed Muscle Bound released in 2019 and the latest release of the ’68 Chevy Nova in 2020.

Hot Wheels Muscle Bound – The Latest to feature the Shark Face Graphic

Hot Wheels Muscle Bound released in 2019. Doesn’t that look mean? Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

Designed by Tyler Charest, this car was an ode to American Muscle cars of the recent past. It has a shiny metal flake paint with one half in camouflage and the other plain but sporting tail stripes, some acronyms and the Hot Wheels logo. It rolls on the newer dark grey DD8 wheels with a red rim on it. Its a really nice addition to the whole package. Black base compliments it nicely.

The mean side of that car. More info here. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

Only gripe is the interior. To make upper the shaker engine/hood scoop, them made it in that garish silver plastic. Black, or red would have been awesome. Any customizers want to do one and send it across?

Top view makes for a nice silhouette on the Muscle Bound. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

The Shark graphics are really cool and matches the casting quite well. wish the eyes were situated more to the front. But that makes hardly any difference. Overall, it’s a cracker for a fantasy car and I love it.

Hot Wheels 1968 Chevy Nova and a classic Shark Face Graphic

The ’68 Chevy Nova in this livery is… breathtaking. More info here. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

The particular version has been around since 2009. The previous iteration had a hood scoop and was released in 2004. The Nova has seen many liveries, including a Gulf one in 2019. But this is new for 2020. Matte camouflage paint is lovely. I don’t even notice it on my desk sometimes (camo joke!)

Tell me you see a car there. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

The Shark graphics are meaner in this. The matte add to the whole model quite well. Downside is the chrome base. This time they give us a black interior and sticks a garish chrome base. Why? We will never know. It rolls on the same DD8 wheels as the Muscle Bound but black with a red rim. Overall, it’s not bad at all and I was stoked to find it on a peg for retail price. There have been a few re-colors since then but I like this one the most.

That brawny top view is superb. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

Hot Wheels Dune It Up and a Offroader with a Shark Face Graphic

Great for thrashing along the dunes. Taking this to the beach one day. More info here.Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

Along the way, I managed to acquire a few more models with the same motif. One is a “fantasy” casting called Dune It Up. This showed up in 2009 and was based on those buggies that get thrashed around the dunes in the US. This particular version showed up in 2017. Also available a blue re-color. But I like the gold/green/red mix.

’70 Dodge Charger Daytona and a Vintage Grinning Shark Face Graphic

That is a striking casting with an exciting livery that really matches the model. More info here. Photo by Lance K Müller for Castheads Magazine

The oldest casting I have of this type of graphic is a 70 Dodge Charger Daytona released in 1998 in the Flying Aces mini collection. This casting was retired in 2003 (crying shame). This features so many graphics found on fighter aircraft. Kill-shot marking, riveted pieces, instructions and F-3 on the rear hind panel. Does it refer to the Douglas F3D Skyknight. If it is then, that’s awesome AF. Its also a sweet model that I was lucky to get, with the 5SP wheels.