Blackwalls refers to the Basic Wheel (BW) used by Hot Wheels after they transitioned out of the Redline wheel ending in 1977. The Blackwall era ranged from 1978 through the late 1980's, but the wheel was still popular through the late 1990's. So for my purposes, I'm classifying any fast BW car from 1977 through 1997 in my Blackwall group. This would NOT include the Gold Hot Ones cars, which are a category by itself.
Racing a Basic Wheel car vs a Redline car was generally no contest. The more effective axle and wheels of the Redlines resulted in less friction and more speed than the newer black tire models. But with graphite, many of the Blackwalls come to life and there are a surprising number of fast models.
Racing a Basic Wheel car vs a Redline car was generally no contest. The more effective axle and wheels of the Redlines resulted in less friction and more speed than the newer black tire models. But with graphite, many of the Blackwalls come to life and there are a surprising number of fast models.
Some racing details:
- I race on a two-lane, 27 foot Magic Derby track (equivalent to about one-third of a mile). The Derby track is 22% wider than a typical Hot Wheels orange track, allowing me to race more car sizes/scales.
- I've applied graphite to the cars, which really brings out the speed potential for diecast. Some cars only improve slightly, but others improve significantly when dry lubes applied.
- 5-star performers are the most elite and there are only 84 of them out of all the cars tested as of April, 2024. 4-star performers is the next best tier.
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The Top 5 Blackwalls. Baja Breaker, the Probe Funny Car, Army Funny Car, the Firebird Funny Car and the Greyhound Bus MC-8
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Next best Blackwalls. Race Bait 308, Letter Getter, Airport Rescue, the "Thor" Super Van and the GMC Motorhome.
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More strong Blackwalls. Jet Threat 2, Flat Out 442, Ford Aerostar, the 103 gram Peterbilt Tank Truck and Bang Up Job (from the Crack-Ups series)
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Fastest Blackwalls
Results summary:
- My fastest Blackwalls are largely the heavier castings. Funny cars, buses, vans, trucks, etc.. In fact, the average weight of the top 25 is 66 grams. As a point of reference, a current Hot Wheels mainline car averages only 36 grams.
- The Baja Breaker and Probe Funny Car were close to being 5-star cars, finishing just above 2.500.
- Among my fastest, 7 were released in the 1970's, 7 from the 1980's and 4 from the 1990's
- Some castings went on to speed glory as Hot Ones (Flat Out 442 and Mirada Stocker), as future mainlines (Probe Funny Car, Race Bait 308, BMW M1) or in future premium releases (Bubble Gunner, GMC Motorhome)
- Included in this list is the Peterbilt Tank Truck. After the famous Volkswagon Drag Bus (at 116 grams), this is the heaviest Hot Wheels (plastic wheel) casting that I've come across at nearly 103 grams.
