Ferrari and Hot Wheels - Friends for 30 years
By Doug Breithaupt

For the 1999 model year, many new Ferrari products have joined the Hot Wheels line. One of the most interesting is the Ferrari Dealership. A new Ferrari also joined the 1:64 scale Hot Wheels line-up for 1999, the 360 Modena. In addition, the 355 model was finally offered in red, bringing the number of Hot Wheel Ferrari models in 'rossa Italia' to an even ten.

All these factors added up to some great photo opportunities. To the right is the new Ferrari Dealership featuring all ten cars. Of course only one car comes with the display, a 348. At the same time, for $4.99, it's a must for Tifosi. Additional track was added for the photo.

Sharp observers will note the the 308 has been offered twice as a Hot Wheel. While the 308GTB of 1977 was born a Hot Wheel, the 308GTS was born a Corgi Junior. It was adopted as a Hot Wheel and given new wheels and new base-plate ID. It is actually a superior casting to the GTB model.

Hot Wheels has actually produced two other Ferrari models. The first is another Corgi orphan, the Testarossa, but it was offered in white. The second is a 512 show car offered in the early 1970's and missing from my collection (anyone have an extra to trade?). I do not know if it was ever offered in red. No other 1:64 scale manufacturer has ever offered a dozen Ferrari models so it is clear the the recent agreement between Mattel and Ferrari is a continuation of their relationship.