MY SITE
  • Home
  • Hot Wheels
    • Fastest Redlines
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Mainlines
    • Fastest Hot Ones Cars
    • Fastest Ultra Hots
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Speed Demons
    • Fastest Vintage Series Cars
    • Fastest Gold Medal Speed Cars
    • Fastest Pro Racing and Pro Circuit Cars
    • Fastest Faster Than Ever (FTE) Cars
    • Fastest Premium Series Cars (2000+)
    • Fastest McD Cars
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Character Cars
    • Fastest Hot Wheels id Cars
  • Johnny Lightning
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Vans
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Trucks and SUV's
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Indy Cars and Dragsters
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Dodge. Plymouth and Chrysler Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Ford Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Corvette and Camaro Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Pontiac, Olds and Buick cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning VW, Aston Martin, etc. Cars
  • Matchbox and Other Brands
    • Matchbox Lesney Cars
    • Top 20 Fastest Matchbox Cars
    • Fastest Cars Among Other Diecast Brands
  • Top Lists and Research
    • Top 100 Fastest Diecast Cars
    • Fastest Brand Report Card
    • Why are some FTE's faster than others?
  • Feedback

Top 100 fastest diecast cars

  • Hot Wheels
  • Johnny Lightning
  • Matchbox
  • Tomica
  • Mattel
  • Kenner
  • Tiger Wheels
  • etc.
Picture
Picture
Based on extensive tournaments and time trials, these are my top 100 diecast cars.  I've tested thousands of cars including most of the known fast cars..  But there are always new cars to be discovered.  Excited to hear your feedback on additional cars to test.  Please see information in the site for more cars, lists and information.  Good luck racing.

Let me know your thoughts on the rankings and ideas you have for fast racers.
Feedback
Number 1
60's Studebaker
Johnny Lightning

2004, Coca-Cola Polar Bear series
65 grams, Casting # 416
My fastest overall diecast.  Runs smooth, maintains speed throughout the straight away.  It's heavy with great balance and great wheels.  This version of the 60's Studebaker is found in the Polar Bear series, which is somewhat hard to find.   Note that the Surf Rods version (aka "Lava Mama's") is also quite fast.
Picture
Number 2
1977 Chevy Van
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Spider-Man Toys 'R Us Exclusive
99 grams, Casting # 400
​One of the heaviest diecast cars, weighing in at nearly 100 grams.  This cool designed car has an especially wide stance, which creates more stability when racing down the track.  I have several other versions of this casting, but this one is easily the best.  
​
Picture
Number 3
Frontrunnin' Fairmont
Hot Wheels

1983, The Hot Ones
52 grams, Gold Hot Ones wheels
This car has a great and well earned reputation as one of the fastest racers.  This vintage casting features the Gold Hot Ones wheels, good weight and good balance.  This is an elite car, although it may take a few before you find a burner.  In 1986 this casting was renamed "Race Ace", but stick to the red, metal flake version from 1983.
​
Picture
Number 4
Wind Splitter (also known as BMW M1)
Hot Wheels

1985, Ultra Hots series
50 grams, Ultra Hot wheels
From the very fast Ultra Hots series.  There are several Elite level performers from that series, but this is my fastest.  Runs incredibly smooth.  The wheels and the good weight and balance make this a beast.
​
Picture
Number 5
Ferrari Testarossa
Hot Wheels

1996, Gold Medal Speed
47 grams, Gold Laced Wheels
Rolls effortlessly with the gold laced wheels.  Very impressive considering its modest weight.  Comes from the 90's Gold Medal Speed series, which features several other Elite cars.
​
Picture
Number 6
1977 Dodge Van
Johnny Lightning

2004, Marvel Release 4
75 grams, Casting #398
Another very fast Johnny Lightning van.  This is the stand out version of the Dodge van.  This specific car comes from the Marvel Comics, series 4 release which features a number of fast castings.  
​
Picture
Number 7
2002 Cadillac Escalade
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Modern CLUE series
62 grams, Casting #599
​Runs smooth and seems to pick up momentum towards the finish.  From the CLUE series.
​
Picture
Number 8
1978 Midnight Express (aka Li'l Red Express)
​Johnny Lightning

1997, Truckin' America
69 grams, Casting #418
Heavy and compact.  Makes a whistle sound down the track as the hood rattles a bit.  The Truckin' America series from JL has many fast trucks.
​
Picture
Number 9
Sol-Aire CX-4
​Hot Wheels

1984, Ultra Hots series
58 grams, Ultra Hot wheels
This is the debut of this Hot Wheels casting and what a great introduction.  Heavy with a low center of gravity and excellent wheels.  Another great Ultra Hots car.  The red 1985 version was also quite fast.  
Picture
Number 10
1969 Chevy Camaro
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Street Freaks, Black with Flames
61 grams, Casting #537
Perhaps the most famous racer among the Johnny Lightning cars.  This is my fastest Johnny Lightning car (excluding the vans and trucks ahead of it).  An elite speed car that's heavy with great balance.  Note that it took me three purchases before I found this elite speed one.  Johnny Lightning cars can be hit or miss, so you need to be patient.  Given its popularity, this car can be expensive to pick up.
Picture
Number 11
Double Demon
Hot Wheels

1986, Speed Demons
44 grams, Ultra Hot Wheels
From the initial offering of the Speed Demons series from 1986.  The Double Demon runs very smooth and fast.  Not especially heavy, but very balanced and with great Ultra Hot wheels.  This is a lesser known elite car and important to look for the original release cars, as the later models are not nearly as fast.  See the details and a blister pack example under the Hot Wheels Speed Demon section.
Picture
Number 12
2000 Chevy Silverado Pickup
Johnny Lightning

2006, Monopoly 70th Anniversary
71 grams, Casting #055
This car is from a special Monopoly set, which can be hard to find.  At 71 grams this truck is a beast.  The Monopoly, Marvel and Race Emergency versions can also be very fast.​
Picture
Number 13
Flat Out 442
Hot Wheels

1982, The Hot Ones
49 grams, Gold Hot Ones wheels
Another classic racer.  This car was originally released in 1979 with basic wheels.  The Hot Ones version is an elite performer.  This car has a wide frame, good weight and balance and the Gold Hot One wheels.  I have found more success with the yellow one from 1982 vs the Orange one from 1983.​
Picture
Number 14
2003 Chevy Corvette Convertible
Johnny Lightning

2004, Modern CLUE series
48 grams, Casting #735
This small little car packs a powerful punch.  Another fast car from the CLUE series.  This car features Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.​  ​These wheels feature a thin raised "lip" on the the inside of the wheel which means there is less tire surface touching the track.  This supposedly creates less friction.
Picture
Number 15
1950 Ford F-100
Johnny Lightning

2002, Marvel series
64 grams, Casting #413
Super cool car from the Marvel series.  Relatively compact, but runs fast and maintains speed throughout the race.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.​
Picture
Number 16
Castrol GTX Funny Car
Hot Wheels

1992, Pro Circuit
67 grams, Pro-Circuit 6 Spoke wheels
Funny cars are typically very fast and this representation may be the best.  The design is similar to the Probe Funny Car, a fast mainline casting.  Along with the King Kenny car version, this is a popular choice with racers.​
Picture
Number 17
1976 Ford Econoline 150 Van
Johnny Lightning

2002, Boogie Vans Release 1
78 grams, Casting #399
​This version of the Ford Van comes from the Boogie Vans series. 
The black, 1977 version in the Boogie series is also very fast.  At 78 grams this is a very heavy casting.

​
Picture
Number 18
1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
Johnny Lightning

1995, Muscle Cars
52 grams, Casting #205
This car was a surprise, as this is by far the fastest of the 1995 Muscle car releases.  Not to the confused with the '69 Pontiac GTO car that's also Elite Speed level.
​
Picture
Number 19
Cadillac V-16
Hot Wheels

2005, Faster Than Ever (Twenty + Series)
​40 grams, Faster Than Ever wheels (FTE's)
My fastest Faster Than Ever car.  The V-16 and the Way-2-Fast are generally regarded as the fastest FTE cars and my results align with that.  The series is known for their copper colored wheels (known as FTE wheels) which also signify that the axle is nickel-plated.  This axle creates less friction enabling the wheels to spin more freely, resulting in cars that are faster.  The Cadillac V-16's long body, wide frame and the FTE wheels make this a strong racer.  If this car had a metal base, this car might be unbeatable.
​
Picture
Number 20
1995 Chevy Corvette ZR-1
Johnny Lightning

1996, Classic Corvettes
49 grams, Casting #170
Many of the Corvette models from Johnny Lightning are relatively small, but with decent weight and good wheels, they tend to be among the fastest Johnny Lightning cars.  This '95 ZR-1 model features Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
​
Picture
Number 21
NASCAR Stocker (aka Mountain Dew Stocker)
Hot Wheels

1983, The Hot Ones
48 grams, Gold Hot Ones wheels
This super cool Hot Ones casting was only released in 1983,  I have multiple copies of this car and the dark green version is faster than the lime green version.  In 1986 the casting was renamed Stock Rocket and came in a red color.
​
Picture
Number 22
1965 Chevy Corvette
Johnny Lightning

1999, Corvette Collection series
48 grams, Casting #733
Compact frame, yet finds a way to generate plenty of speed.  This car features Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
​
Picture
Number 23
Way-2-Fast
Hot Wheels

2005, Faster Than Ever (Pin Hedz Series)
43 grams, Faster Than Ever wheels (FTE's)
Along with the Cadillac V-16, the Way-2-Fast stands out as the best among the Faster Than Ever cars.  Already a fast casting, this long body, open wheeled car is made even faster with the FTE wheels and nickel-plated axles.
​
Picture
Number 24
Ferrari F40
Hot Wheels

1994, Gold Medal Speed
51 grams, Gold Laced Wheels
Well regarded racer, this Gold Medal Speed (GMS) version is the strongest of the F40's.  Good weight, great wheels, and a wide stance that helps with stability.  There is also a GMS F40 with UH wheels, but the Gold Laced wheel version is better in my testing.
​
Picture
Number 25
​Turbulence
Hot Wheels

1999, First Editions release
49 grams, 5 Dot Wheels
This mainline casting was issued from 1999 through 2008.  The black First Editions version is the fastest.  Nice weight and low center of gravity.   I have four of these and found some variation in speed, so may need to be patient before you find an elite speed one.
​
Picture
Number 26
​1971 Dodge Charger Funny Car
Johnny Lightning

2001, Kay Bee 5-Pack
57 grams, Casting #322
Very fast funny car.  This dragster as actually not from the Dragsters USA series, but found in a Kay Bee value 5- pack.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 27
1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
Johnny Lightning

2004, Mopar or No Car series
60 grams, Casting #216
There are other fast versions of this casting, but this purple one from the Mopar series is the best.  A heavy, relatively compact car.  
​
Picture
Number 28
Kenworth T600 (also known as Big Rig)
Hot Wheels

1996, Just Trucks 5 Pack
58 grams, Good Year Wheels
Long body, wide frame and heavy weight, along with the Goodyear Tires makes this specific casting very fast.  Note that other Big Rigs are not especially quick, so focus on this release.
​
Picture
Number 29
2005 Ford GT
Johnny Lightning

2005, Muscle Cars
53 grams, Casting #011
This car has a wide stance and low center of gravity.  Good weight and features the Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.  These wheels feature a thin raised "lip" on the the inside of the wheel which means there is less tire surface touching the track.  This supposedly creates less friction.​
Picture
Number 30
1972 Dodge Charger Funny Car
Johnny Lightning

1995, Dragsters USA series
53 grams, Casting #332
One of four Elite level dragsters from Johnny Lightning.  This 1972 funny car is represented by "Wild Willie Borsch".  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
​
Picture
Number 31
2005 Ford Mustang GT
​Johnny Lightning

2007, Coca Cola Sports Cars
57 grams, Casting #910
Tougher to find release.  This car features Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 32
Custom GTO
​Johnny Lightning

2003, Cat in the Hat series
56 grams, Casting #102
A fun car from the Cat in the Hat series.  This car is heavy with a reasonably wide stance.  Note that it took three purchases before I found this fast one.
Picture
Number 33
Eeevil Weevil
Hot Wheels

1986, Speed Demons
41 grams, Ultra Hot wheels
Another crazy fantasy car from the surprisingly fast Speed Demons series from the 1980's.  Very fast car despite its relative small size.  
Picture
Number 34
Predator (also known as P-928)
​Hot Wheels

​1984, Ultra Hots series
57 grams, Ultra Hot wheels
This is the fastest Porsche 928 in my rankings.  The third fastest car within the Ultra Hots series from the mid-80's.  The purple 1985 Ultra Hots version was named "Nightstreaker" , but I have not found that car to be nearly as fast.
Picture
Number 35
1967 Pontiac GTO
Johnny Lightning

2003, Marvel series
58 grams, Casting #222
Another strong Marvel series casting.  This car has a long body and wide frame.
Picture
Number 36
2000 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab
​Johnny Lightning

2000, Brickyard 400 Emergency Trucks
73 grams, Casting #051
With its heavy weight and very long frame, this truck is fast, although it seems like it has the potential to be even faster.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 37
Way-2-Fast
​Hot Wheels

2000, Auto Show Car
46 grams, 5 Spoke Wheels
This is a cool looking casting that debuted in 1997.  This specific car is from an auto show and is harder to find.  The 2005 Faster Than Ever version is ranked 23rd.
Picture
Number 38
Turboa
​Hot Wheels

1986, Speed Demons
44 grams, Ultra Hot wheels
Another unusual looking casting from the original release of the Speed Demons cars.  Runs very fast with the Ultra Hot wheels.  Low center of gravity.
Picture
Number 39
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Street Freaks, Black with Flames
58 grams, Casting #840
From the Black with Flames series which also contains the famous '69 Chevy Camaro.  
Picture
Number 40
1978 Indy Car
​Johnny Lightning

1996, Indy Race Car Winners
39 grams, Casting #456
The fastest of the Johnny Lightning Indy cars.  It's also my fastest cars under 40 grams.  The good wheels and low center of gravity contributes to the speed.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 41
Pontiac Stocker
​Hot Wheels

2000, Pro Racing
42 grams, Goodyear Eagle 10-Spoke
The fastest car among the four Pro Racing stock car castings.  Reasonable weight, despite the plastic base.  The Goodyear wheels are very good and it has a relatively wide frame creating stability on the track.
Picture
Number 42
1933 Willy's Panel Van
​Johnny Lightning

2002, Woodies & Panel Series
60 grams, Casting #837
This fast van has a more narrow frame, but the weight helps keep it stable down the track.  Other models with this casting are not as strong, so stick to this version.

Picture
Number 43
1972 Pontiac GTO Pro Stock
Johnny Lightning

2002, Marvel series
54 grams, Casting #559
Like the Haulin' Hearse, this car is quite narrow and therefore wobbles, limiting its speed.  Despite that it finds a way to be en Elite Level car.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 44
1954 Chevy Panel Van
​Johnny Lightning

2000, Surf Rod Series
58 grams, Casting #154
Fun car from the Surf Rods series featuring surfboards on the roof.  
Picture
Number 45
1996 Dodge Ram 1500
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Mopar or No Car Box Set
59 grams, Casting #420
A number of fast versions exist of this casting.  This particular car comes from the Mopar or No Car Box Set.  Long body and relatively wide stance helps keep the speed going.  Featuring Racer's Edge Speed Wheels.
Picture
Number 46
Land Rover MkII
​Hot Wheels

1997 release
​57 grams, 5 Spoke Wheels
This is the only release of this casting by Hot Wheels, although there were variations made by Corgi in prior years.  This is a somewhat obscure release, but if you can find it you won't be disappointed.
Picture
Number 47
Probe Funny Car
Hot Wheels

1997, Funny Car Racing 4-Pack
72 grams, 5 Spoke Wheels
This heavy, fast casting is well known among racers.  The "Hot Stuff" car is from a funny car pack which can be tough to find.  The 1996 Splatter Paint, the 1997 Bonneville and Trix cars, the 1998 Hershey car, the 1999 Mega-Graphics and the 2003 Crazed Clown versions are also very fast.  I have about 50 cars of this casting covering most of the versions, but the Hot Stuff was the fastest.
Picture
Number 48
1968 Chevy Camaro
​Johnny Lightning

2004, Spider-Man, Toys 'R Us exclusive
52 grams, Casting #536
The '69 Chevy Camaro may get the limelight, but this '68 model is no slouch.  Both the '69  and '68 were issued in 2004, the pinnacle of Johnny Lightning releases.  Just noticed that my top 4 JL's are all from 2004 releases.
Picture
Number 49
1973 Pontiac GTO/Grand Am
​Johnny Lightning

2006, Street Freaks, American Glory
58 grams, Casting #858
Strong performer from the American Glory series.  
Picture
Number 50
Ferrari F40
​Hot Wheels

1993, 25th Anniversary Exotic 5 Pack
52 grams, Ultra Hot Wheels
​This is a well known gravity racer.  There are many fast versions of this casting including the black one from 1999, the yellow release from 2000 and the gold Dash 4 Cash version.  The car has good weight and a wide stance which creates stability on the track.  The Gold Medal Speed version is ranked 24th.
Picture

Rank 51-75

Cars are color coded by brand.  You'll see the Matchbox BMW 850i coming in at #69.  The list is dominated by early-1990's to mid 2000's releases.  The only exceptions are three Hot Wheels 80's cars with Speed Seeker at #51, Cargoyle at #58 and Mirada Stocker at #66 from the Hot Ones release.  Two well known Hot Wheels funny cars make the list with the mainline Mega-Graphics Funny Car and the King Kenny Funny Car from the Pro Circuit series.  A diverse set of Johnny Lightning cars makes this competitive list including a variety of trucks, dragsters and cars.
Picture

Rank 76-100

A contemporary car is seen with Storm, a Marvel Character Car from 2020 at #82, but otherwise mostly fast cars from the mid-1990's through mid-2000's, across both Johnny Lightning and Hot Wheels.  The Honda Odyssey from Tomica is a surprising entry at #99.
Picture
Rankings at the High Speed and Good Speed levels are highlighted in the breakouts sections of the site under Hot Wheels, Johnny Lightning and Matchbox and other Brands,
Report card showing which brand has the fastest cars
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Hot Wheels
    • Fastest Redlines
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Mainlines
    • Fastest Hot Ones Cars
    • Fastest Ultra Hots
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Speed Demons
    • Fastest Vintage Series Cars
    • Fastest Gold Medal Speed Cars
    • Fastest Pro Racing and Pro Circuit Cars
    • Fastest Faster Than Ever (FTE) Cars
    • Fastest Premium Series Cars (2000+)
    • Fastest McD Cars
    • Fastest Hot Wheels Character Cars
    • Fastest Hot Wheels id Cars
  • Johnny Lightning
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Vans
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Trucks and SUV's
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Indy Cars and Dragsters
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Dodge. Plymouth and Chrysler Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Ford Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Corvette and Camaro Cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning Pontiac, Olds and Buick cars
    • Fastest Johnny Lightning VW, Aston Martin, etc. Cars
  • Matchbox and Other Brands
    • Matchbox Lesney Cars
    • Top 20 Fastest Matchbox Cars
    • Fastest Cars Among Other Diecast Brands
  • Top Lists and Research
    • Top 100 Fastest Diecast Cars
    • Fastest Brand Report Card
    • Why are some FTE's faster than others?
  • Feedback