Ferrari Is the King of the Hot Wheels Speed Machines Series

Having multiple hobbies can be fun, but it also poses several problems. Think time, space, and money, for starters. Even if you can juggle with the latter two, you've only got 24 hours in a day. And you'll find yourself having to split whatever free time you have between your different passions. For instance, that's also valid if you just stick to collecting Hot Wheels.

Getting all the collectibles Mattel ever released isn't easily accessible if you're not a millionaire. You must spend time planning future purchases, organizing your current display, and even playing or photographing the cars you like the most. I recently showed you ten Hot Wheels cars, which might reveal that you're a speed freak. That was just a taste of the 2010 Speed Machines line-up, which relied exclusively on Co-Molded 6-spoke wheels for the job.

If I had a single model from that first list, I would likely opt for the 911 GT1-98. It had such a big impact on me when I was playing NFS: Porsche in my teens. After analyzing the entire Speed Machines collection that year, I realized we're looking at 43 castings with 77 iterations.

That's 21 manufacturers in one collection, and I've already covered ground on Acura, Citroen, Chevrolet, McLaren, and Saleen, as these only had one representative in the series. Today, I'll show you the remaining 33 castings and some basic, helpful information about each one. With 11 castings in the line-up, Ferrari is the undisputable king of the Speed Machines series.

1. Ferrari

599 GTB Fiorano
Rob Matthes designed the 599 GTB Fiorano casting, which debuted around the same time as the real car. Some people may have forgotten about this jewel, but I haven't. I've seen quite a few of these at Ferrari Cavalcade events, and it's just as impressive to think of it as the predecessor of the F12.

Mattel produced 14 variations in less than 10 years, neither featuring Real Riders wheels or a metal base. It shouldn't surprise anyone that half of those collectibles displayed some shade of red. From 2008 to 2009, we saw four Ferrari Racer models with CM6 wheels.

The 599 GTB Fiorano was back in full effect for 2010 with two iterations in the Speed Machines series. The Metallic Steel Blue looked great, but you can't overlook the black one with the red interior either. Remember that you'll need between $100 and $250 for these two items.

Ferrari 333SP

I will never forget my first time seeing and hearing a Ferrari 333SP. It happened in Mugello almost a decade ago. While the V12 engine on the F12 sounds glorious, the F1-derived unit in the 333SP reaches god-like levels.

I assume driving one of these would be even more challenging than an F50 (from an accessibility point of view). So, the Hot Wheels version may be my only way out.

It was available for just over a decade, between 2000 and 2011. The 2004 Ferrari Hall of Fame version was the only item to feature Real Riders wheels. But I guess the two Speed Machines 333SPs are almost as good. Prices start at $22 for the Metallic Blue model and up to $80 for the red one.

Ferrari 550 Maranello

You can take a trip down memory lane by looking at the Speed Machines series. Mattel selected 11 of the greatest ones ever made, and the 550 Maranello was one of them.

This Michael Kollins-designed casting lasted a few more years than the 333SP, ending in 2013. However, most releases were basic iterations, using a 5-spoke wheel design.

With the Ferrari Racer and Speed Machines series, it reached the highlight of its shelf-life, thanks to the CM6 rims. Was silver the right color for it, though? At least you can get this one for less than $40.

Ferrari 575 GTC

Mattel always tries to bring balance to its line of tiny cars. Purists will likely enjoy the 550 Maranello, while race car fans would probably opt for the 575 GTC.

Mark Jones designed this one, and it ran between 2005 and 2011. The Speed Machines iteration was the last but final edition, and it arrived after four other similarly-specced collectibles.

The wheel fitment feels slightly off, but you can improve it if you fancy customizing your diecast vehicles. Some of the previous 575 GTCs can cost as much as $200, but the Speed Machines release won't go over $90 for now.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

I've never thought much of the 612 Scaglietti. I can't afford one, even though you can get it as cheap as $70K. And I've never driven one, either. But it feels a bit too tame for my taste.

The John Violette-designed casting debuted in the 2009 Ferrari Racer series with a relatively bland grey-on-grey finish. Making it yellow for Speed Machines seems like the right call to me, which may be why prices will go up to as much as $140 on the open market.

Don't worry about that, though; there are still $30 offers to go for if you're on a tight budget.

Ferrari California

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say: God, I dream about owning a Ferrari California! It would have been nicer to see a Testarossa or an F4 in Speed Machines instead of it.

But then again, there's always the Ferrari Racer series to look for if that's what you need. All that aside, this was a pretty well-made casting. It was decent even as a basic model and was on point once it received CM6 wheels.

I'd love the Metalflake Blue one with a tan interior, which usually costs between $80 and $100. Add another $50 to $135 if you'd like the grey California.

Ferrari F50

You will find three Ferrari F50 castings in Mattel's Hot Wheels portfolio. Michael Kollins designed two of them. The one you're looking at debuted in 1999 and ended 14 iterations later, in 2013.

I'm a huge fan of the 2001 release in purple with 5-Dot wheels. I'd probably faint if I saw it driving down the street. The diecast manufacturer used it four times in the Ferrari Racer series and twice in Speed Machines.

But only one of the latter was truly impressive. As a result, it's not likely you can buy it for less than $130.

Ferrari F430 Challenge

Something feels off about the F430 Challenge casting. Is the hood too short compared to the real car, or is it just me? I have never seen one up close, so I'll reserve judgment until I do.

It was off to a decent start in 2008 with two Ferrari Racer iterations, and some of the basic models were alright with the Y 5-spoke wheels. Mattel opted for a red and white livery on the Speed Machines release, and it's not nearly as enticing as the other Pracing Pony representatives on the list. Even so, prices will still start at $30 apiece.

Ferrari FXX

Speaking of the Ferrari FXX, two names come to mind right away: The Stig and Michael Schumacher. I hope the former F1 champion is doing better these days. The Stig has since started his own media venture, but I won't dive into that now.

The FXX makes the Enzo look tame by comparison, which is insane. Phil Riehlman designed this casting, and only nine iterations are on the market. Only two have CM6 wheels, and curiously, Mattel painted them both black.

At least designers brightened things up with the Speed Machines model by adding red accents here and there. Even if you'll hunt for a loose version, it will still cost over $50.

2. Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
You could add a Lamborghini Gallardo to your garage for about $80,000 today. You could opt for a rather large Hot Wheels collection for that budget. That may sound crazy to anyone who's not a fan of collecting these tiny items.

But we are all free to make our own choices, right? The LP 560-4 is one of three castings in Speed Machines to show up in three iterations (I completely ignored the 2013 releases as those are low-cost models).

The Police version is my favorite, even though it's the cheapest. The Green Gallardo tops the charts with prices as high as $207, while the pearl white one will generally stop at $100.

Lamborghini Reventón

Greg Padginton is the designer who handled the Lamborghini Reventon. The casting first appeared in 2009 with a flat grey finish and PR5 wheels. After that, it went straight to Speed Machines, providing Lambo enthusiasts with two reasons to buy one.

Lime green is a much more exciting take than flat black, but the latter makes for a stealthier approach. To this day, Mattel hasn't matched the excitement these two iterations achieved despite having released 11 more versions since then.

Add another $80 to $200 to your budget if you want the Reventon in your collection. And don't bother doing the math I already did for you; I'll reveal how much the collection costs at the end of the story.

Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

The Reventon Roadster is slightly rarer than the coupe in the real world. So it's only natural to expect a similar ratio in the tiny world of Hot Wheels cars.

Since its 2010 debut, we only had nine variations to choose from. We only recently saw the casting joining the Premium line as part of the 2024 Exotic Envy set.

The Speed Machines release was the only memorable one so far, and it was quite exciting in Metalflake Dark Blue with the series-specific six-spoke wheels. While the real thing will cost around $2 million, it's good to see that the Hot Wheels replica is only $30 to $70.

3. Porsche

Porsche 911 GT2
After 11 Ferraris and five Lamborghinis, it's time for another hot European brand. Porsche also had five representatives in the series, and the 911 GT2 is one of them.

It's one of the more modern Porsche vehicles here, as it debuted in 2010. Mattel never used the casting in Premium, so the Speed Machines version is the best money can buy.

Designers went for a black and orange livery with matching wheels. It almost looks ready to take on a miniature version of the Gumball 3000 rally. Is it worth as much as $216? That's for you to decide.

Porsche 911 GT3 Road

By comparison, the 911 GT3 Road is much older. Mark Jones designed it in the 20th century and debuted in 1999. It's part of the Neon Speeders series this year, and we saw it in the Forza Horizon set in 2023.

You may also remember several Fast & Furious versions along the way. The 2006 Bullrun GT3 may be tempting with its Real Riders wheels. But the 2010 Speed Machines one feels like a better all-around package.

The paint scheme may look similar to the previous Porsche, but it only takes a glance to tell them apart. If you were hoping for a more accessible casting, keep scrolling further down the list, as the 911 GT3 Road starts at $80 apiece.

Porsche Carrera GT

People will react differently to the Carrera GT, depending on their background and knowledge of cars. Some will remember it as the car Paul Walker died in, while others will recognize it as one of the boldest Porsche projects ever.

I used to have three or four variations on display until a few years ago. It's Phil Riehlman's work, only available between 2006 and 2017. The 2013 Pearl Green model is one of the best-looking basic models.

But it falls short compared to the two Speed Machines iterations. Pearl Yellow or Pearl White, the choice is yours. Just make sure you can spend between $260 to $530 to add them to your display.

Porsche Cayman S

The Cayman S is the last Porsche to appear in Speed Machines back in the day. Once again, collectors can look for two variants: Metallic Black and White.

They're probably the only ones worth paying attention to from the entire line-up of 15 iterations. The diecast manufacturer likely abandoned this casting in favor of the more modern 718 GT4.

And we all know that stirred up much attention within the community. If you'd prefer the first-gen Cayman with CM6 wheels, it will cost between $200 to $300. You weren't expecting that hefty of a price, did you?

4. Ford

'07 Shelby GT500
Ford is the last but final manufacturer on this list to have more than one Speed Machines representative. The '07 Shelby GT500 came first and had only been around since 2008.

Even so, the company was quick to churn out 15 variations before revealing the two iterations in question today. It was a short-lived moment of glory for this casting, as nothing exciting happened afterward.

The black and red variation is slightly more expensive than the white and blue one. But you can start relaxing now, as both these cars won't set you back more than $90 together.

Ford GT LM

Every Ford model on this list had two appearances in Speed Machines, and the GT LM made no exception. The casting has been around since 2009 and made itself noticed thanks to the Turquoise version that popped up in 2010.

I'd love to get my hands on one of those for a photoshoot, and I think it's much more realistic than the Metalflake Black version. After all, who'd paint his rear wing yellow on a car like this? You may remember seeing this vehicle in the recent Neon Speeders series.

But I find it more exciting that Mattel chose it to be a part of the modern-age Speed Machines set. Unfortunately, that wasn't necessarily successful. And you'll have to spend between $60 and $120 for the older models.

Ford GTX-1

The GT LM is a race car, but the GTX-1 feels much more special. I can't even remember ever seeing one up close, can you? Sadly, this Brian Benedict-designed casting was only available between 2007 and 2014, and there's no telling if Mattel plans to revive it.

In 2010, it had a great year, showing up in Speed Machines and the Super Treasure Hunt series. Yet I find it strange that they're somewhat similarly expensive. All three iterations could be yours for less than $150; finding the remaining version shouldn't be too big a headache.

Ford Shelby GR-1

The Ford Shelby GR-1 has been off the market for nearly 10 years. It ended with an uninteresting Gold edition, not quite as exciting as some of the older variations.

The 2012 Boulevard one had Real Riders 10-spoke wheels, and that's as good as it gets, to be honest. The dark blue and white color combo works best for this car, although some might enjoy the Spectraflame Silver one more.

Neither one is particularly expensive, with prices never exceeding $50. Do you feel Mattel could have added more exciting Ford models to this list?

5. Audi

'09 Audi TTS
It's almost crazy to think the '09 TTS made it into this series when Audi had so many faster and cooler cars in its portfolio. At least we have seen some of them coming out in the past few years (think Audi RS2, RS 6, and Quattro).

For some reason, it has three variations (blue, orange, and silver). But here comes the crazy part: this Kevin Cao design is exclusive to Speed Machines.

That's right, there's no other iteration to look for! While several listings exist for the blue and orange Audis, you might have difficulty finding the silver one. The three of them could set you back more than $200, and there are still a few more collectibles to look at.

Audi R8

Josh Henson designed the Audi R8, and you might remember that name if you're a fan of the Hot Wheels '09 Cadillac CTS-V. The company only used it in 2008 and 2010, developing four variations.

Neither of them is particularly memorable, which could explain why production may have come to a halt in the first place. It's crazy that we had to wait almost eight years until another Hot Wheels R8 came to be, but at least that's much better. As for the Speed Machines iterations, these will still cost between $100 and $160.

6. '06 Dodge Viper SRT10

Viper fans will find quite a few cool castings digging through Hot Wheels archives. I can think about ten of them from the top of my head, and I might dive deeper into the topic soon.

As for the '06 Viper SRT10, it debuted in 2006. The 2008 Super Treasure Hunt version is one of the all-time greatest, and I can't comprehend why the company won't give us more of these today.

The red lip CM6 wheels ruin it for both of the Speed Machines variations if you ask me, and I'd probably lean toward the Mopar model if I had to get one. I guess other people feel the same way, seeing that prices start at $35 for the pair.

7. '08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X never lived up to its predecessors. I've known a few owners, but neither one seemed genuinely excited. It's still a shame the Japanese manufacturer discontinued the line in 2016.

Between 2008 and 2023, 36 variations for this casting were released. But the memorable ones are rare and few in between. I can't name one that drew attention following the 2015 Super Treasure Hunt version. And that wasn't particularly good, either. Whoever designed the Speed Machines models was either too bored or not invested enough, as the liveries are pretty basic and ineffective.

Or perhaps I'm too harsh reflecting on an affordable product that's almost 20 years old. That being said, I'd never pay nearly $300 to buy these two cars. I'd rather spend my budget on the more modern Evo VI castings.

8. '09 Nissan GT-R SpecV

Do you remember how big of an impact Nissan's GT-R had when it first showed up circa 2007/2008? There were a lot of issues with the launch control and warranties, but the car was still spectacularly fast.

Kevin Cao designed the '09 GT-R SpecV to debut in the Hot Wheels Mainline series in 2009. Four iterations came out that very first year, with four more following in 2010. Metalflake Burnt Orange was a nice choice for one of the two Speed Machines models, but you'll hear mixed opinions about the black CM6 wheels.

For once, I'd go for the black car, and it's often the cheapest of the two at around $70. Both will cost almost $200, and I'm almost tempted to settle for the basic iterations instead.

9. Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Using bright colors isn't always guaranteed success when discussing Hot Wheels cars. But if you're going to show us an exciting vehicle, you'd better use a matching livery or paint job!

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage followed this recipe from day one, as it debuted with a Pearl Yellow finish in the 2005 First Editions: Realistix series. Fast-forward to 2010, and it popped up in Metallic Green (which was maybe even better than British Racing Green).

This variation could have been better without the racing number, but it's not a big deal. Paying $30 to $50 for it sounds reasonable, but more expensive collectibles are still coming next.

10. Bugatti Veyron

I almost included the Bugatti Veyron in the first story but ultimately decided against it because it felt slightly outdated. This Mark Jones-designed casting underwent a retool a few years ago, and it's considerably better after that update.

The complete Veyron collection needs 11 cars, which could be easy to get if you don't mind spending $300 to $400. The Speed Machines iteration alone can set you back $200. You'll likely be better off with last year's Car Culture 2-pack release, available for a fraction of that cost.

11. Cadillac LMP

There's no wonder Speed Machines includes quite a few race cars. After seeing the 333 SP, I'm happy Mattel used the Cadillac LMP in this series, too. The Mark Jones-designed casting ran for almost two decades, between 2001 and 2019.

Coming out with 12 variations doesn't sound like much, though. I recently bought the Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar, but I'd love at least one LMP model in my collection, too.

Both Speed Machines designs were pretty good, but I prefer the red and silver livery to the purple and white design. Judging by the prices on the open market, other people likely feel the same, as the latter is just slightly more expensive, ranging from $40 to $50.

12. Jaguar XJ220

I've been dreaming about a TWR version of the Hot Wheels Jaguar XJ220 for some time now, but I've yet to receive any information about whether it will ever happen.

The "basic" version will have to do for now, and it's almost shocking to think that it debuted when I was just four years old (1993). You must be pretty brave to start a collection like this, with over 50 iterations to search for.

I would love to have the 1996 Treasure Hunt model on display, and it's not even that expensive. In some cases, it's even cheaper than the Dark Green Speed Machines XJ220 (which can go for more than $60 these days).

13. Lotus Sport Elise

After Aston Martin and Jaguar, it's time for another British manufacturer: Lotus! The Elise casting debuted in 2004 with a Metalflake Gold finish and Gold wheels, but it wouldn't do well in today's market.

The ZAMAC variation was slightly better, but it took the company a few more years to develop a genuinely cool one. Green was a good fit (although the following metallic version was even better), and the chrome rim and gold CM6 wheels did a good job of highlighting the racing tone.

An updated tooling arrived in 2022 with two new iterations but has been off the market since. And the Speed Machines Elise will cost anywhere between $30 to $130.

14. Panoz GTR-1

After all the Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis, the Panoz GTR-1 feels like a rather obscure addition to the Speed Machines line-up. But it's an interesting one nonetheless.

This Mark Jones-designed casting was available off the shelf between 1998 to 2010. The final two iterations featured an updated tooling as part of the collection we're discussing today.

Metallic Light Purple doesn't feel like the ideal choice for a car that's already a bit on the Cartoon side, so the Light Grey one wins the battle for now. It's no wonder some people are trying to sell the latter for over $130, while the other won't cost more than $50.

15. Scirocco GT 24

Normally, a Volkswagen Scirocco isn't the first car that comes to mind when discussing Hot Wheels or "Speed Machines." But this casting replicates the Nurburgring GT24 racer, so it got a pass to join the series.

It's John Violette's work, with 14 iterations developed between 2010 and 2022. Most are surprisingly good, and some even have the Nordschleife map on the side.

Looking at the Speed Machines variations, I am genuinely interested in the yellow and the satin green Sciroccos, as they're at least one step ahead of other non-supercar castings in this collection. If you want the white one in the mix, get ready to spend just under $300 for all three of them.

16. Tesla Roadster Sport

I can't believe over a year has passed since I last analyzed all the Hot Wheels Tesla castings around. As you would imagine, the Tesla Roadster Sport is one of the oldest. Starting in 2008, we have seen 17 different iterations by now.

Last year's design arrived with an updated tooling, which means we should get another one soon. You can even get a Super Treasure Hunt variation if that's what you need. And the two Speed Machines Roadsters are pretty enticing, too. I prefer the blue one, even though it tends to be more expensive than its counterpart.

But let me give you the numbers for the entire Speed Machines collection, as that's what I promised when I began writing this story. Remember, 43 castings, 77 cars: you'll need a minimum of $5,000 to get them all. And that's without considering shipping fees or any trouble you might encounter with the sellers.

If you're not careful, you could spend over $9,100 for the cars, more than $10,000 with all the shipping fees and "unexpected" purchases. Remember that the 2024 Triumph Daytona 660 starts at $9,195 (before expenses)? Sure, the value of the Hot Wheels collection will likely increase in time. But will looking at them alone be as fun as riding a brand-new motorcycle? I'll let you answer that question.