Hot Wheels: 2022 Mystery Models Series 3, #1 - '16 Bugatti Chiron (super chase)

'16 Bugatti Chiron (super chase)

A new series of Hot Wheels Mystery Models means it's time to go hunting again! I was lucky that the very first gravity feeder boxes I found at a Walmart were still sealed, so I knew what I was hunting for would be in there and it was just a matter of identifying them. If you aren't familiar with these, they come packaged in a plastic wrapper. There is a clear circle in the bottom right corner of the package where you can see a very small portion of the vehicle inside. If you know the color of the vehicle or the wheel design, it's not too hard to find what you're looking for. The super chase car comes one per case, which is two gravity feeder boxes.

I'm not super big on the Bugatti brand, only really becoming to know a little about the automobile maker thanks to the (horrible) live action Transformers movies where one of the Autobots took the form of a Bugatti Chiron. None the less, I sought out the super case and once I got it in hand I've come to appreciate it's beauty. The combination of the matte black body w/ the bronze trim looks fantastic and was worth searching all of those blind packaged bags!

Hot Wheels: 2022 Mystery Models Series 3, #2 - '55 Corvette (chase)

 

'55 Corvette (chase)

One of two chase models in Series 3, this was one that I sorely wanted to add to my Corvette collection. Already owning one version of this model (yellow), it looks so much better in red. The chase models fall one per box or two per case so it's a little easier to track down. I've found two of them, but quit searching after I found the second one. It's a great casting and the white racing stripes combined with the white wall tires makes it look that much more fantastic. Highly recommended, if you can find it!

Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #01 '91 GMC Syclone (super chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

While I wasn't sure what type of truck #01 was in the set, I knew it was one that I wanted to find. The more I looked at the silhouette on the side of the gravity feeder box I started to wonder if it might be the GMC Syclone...and I was right! Good luck finding this one as it's packaged once in every two boxes.

The overall deco on this truck is beautiful. First off, the shiny black finish is fantastic. Throw in the multi-colored pin stripes on the hood and sides of the truck and you've got yourself a slammer of a vehicle. The matching black interior just helps this truck "bleed" cool. The chromed teal pinstripe on the black wheels is the cherry on top. It would have been really nice to have some painted details on the front and back of the truck, but I can forgive this omission just based on the overall deco.

Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #02 '68 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S (chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

Vehicle #02 in the set is a '69 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S. The body of the car is white with blue flames. Both the front and rear bumpers are chromed and features a tan interior with translucent blue tinted windows. The wheels are your standard chrome 5 spokes with the rear wheels being slightly larger than the front.

This one seems popular with many collectors so you may have a harder time finding this one unless you happen to come across a fresh gravity feeder box on the shelves. Mystery Models are exclusive to Walmart stores and retail for about 10 cents more (give or take) versus your regular Hot Wheels vehicle.

Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #03 '10 Camaro SS (chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

#03 in the set is a '10 Camaro SS done in a metallic garnet color and has a Beach Patrol theme. The white pin stripes on the hood and side of car have thin yellow trim/design. The windshields are cast in a transparent light blue, along with the light bar featured on top of the car. The rollbar on the front is part of the plastic undercarriage. The interior is the same shade of gray plastic that is used on the front rollbar. Finally the black 5 spoke wheels feature a thin yellow trim along the face of the tires.

Mystery Models are exclusive to Walmart stores and retail for about 10 cents more (give or take) than your traditional Hot Wheels vehicle.

Hot Wheels Mystery Models (Series 1)

As a kid I was a sucker for Hot Wheels, however today as an adult I'm more of a sucker for blind packaged toys. Oddly enough I'm not all that into cars, but I can appreciate certain makes and models.

Mattel got in on the blind packaged toy craze not that long ago by packaging various Hot Wheels in opaque bags and label them as "Mystery Models". However on the back of the package is a small circle where you can see ever so slightly inside. If you finagle the car around enough you can usually see which car is inside.

After looking over this particular assortment I was on the look out for the Chevy Volt...or Super Volt as it was labeled. This wave also included a traditional trading card sized sticker of the included car. Whenever I see these in the store I usually pick one up to see what cars are included in the assortment. I don't know how many different assortments Mattel has released of these Mystery Models, but they are essentially priced the same as the regular Hot Wheels so why not inject some fun into your die-cast car buying?

Hot Wheels: Mystery Models '69 Corvette

It seems that blind packaged toys are all the rage these days.  Just head down the trading card aisle at your local Target store and you'll see what I'm talking about.  They are even starting to impede on the amount of trading cards merchandised on the shelves!  It seems that this trend has hit Mattel as my daughter and I found these new blind packaged Hot Wheels a few weeks ago at Walmart.

Now while the packaging may be new, the concept of blind packaged 'mystery' cars is not new for Mattel or for Hot Wheels.  I remember a few years back there were carded Hot Wheels blister cards with a solid black plastic bubble.  I don't remember how many different cars were in the assortment, but this lead to finding a lot of opened packages at retail.

I'm guessing this is the reason Mattel opted to include a small circular 'window' on the back letting you see a very small portion of the vehicle inside.  When I saw there was a Corvette in the mix I was happy to know I had a chance of finding the vehicle I wanted.  After going through nearly a box and a half I found it!

  

  

Even though I have several versions of this '69 Corvette I couldn't pass up the chance of picking up another.  Plus the blue and white paint job is gorgeous.

Nice selection of vehicles in the assortment.  These are priced slightly higher than your standard Hot Wheel at $1.19 each (Walmart's price).  At least this was one blind packaged toy that I didn't have to buy completely blind.