Description
With the continuing success of the GT40 MkI and MkII, for the 1966 Season, Ford sought to make a lighter and more aerodynamic version of the GT40. The result was the Ford J-Car. Unlike the previous versions of the GT40, the J-Car was built in the USA by Kar Kraft. It still retained the 427ci 7.0L 'Big Block' from the MkII, but the body and chassis were ditched for a 'breadvan' design with a honeycomb aluminum tub chassis.
One car was built and was sent to Le Mans 1966 for testing where it posted the fastest time in practice sessions. Despite this, Ford decided to race the GT40 MkII which had proven reliability, and fortunately so because they came away victorious with a 1-2-3 finish.
After Le Mans, development continued on the J-Car project with another car being constructed. Driven by Ken Miles (1966 Le Mans 2nd Place) during a testing session, the J-Car suddenly lost control and the end of Riverside Raceway's one mile long straight. Spearing off the track and over an embankment, the car hit the ground and flew end-over-end several times, ejecting Miles, before coming to rest and bursting into flames, totally destroying the car and killing Miles. After the accident, a more conventional and aerodynamic design with a stronger chassis was implemented, known as the Ford MkIV.
The Hot Wheels Ford J-Car was designed by Harry Bradley, and debuted in the 1968 Lineup as part of the 'Original 16' castings. It was painted in various 'Spectraflame' colors as well as white enamel, mimicking the real car. It features an opening rear hatch which displays the engine and #1 racing stickers and stripes. It was manufactured in both the USA and Hong Kong factories, with some differences between the two. USA cars only came with clear windows, had an unpainted metal base, and most commonly a black interior (Dark Brown and Tan can be found). Hong Kong cars came with blue windows, a painted base which extends to the sides of the car and only black interiors.
Some early produced Hong Kong J-Cars could be found with vents in the top of the hatch, these were omitted later in production. Also, some cars have what is known as a 'Hidden Hinge' where the hinge for the rear hatch is designed in a way that cannot be seen, this is only found on early production Hong Kong cars. Another variation is the size of the steering wheel, again, this is only found on Hong Kong cars. Early USA built cars have a hatch that opens completely, while later in production a stopper was added to prevent this from happening.
The 'Enamel Blue' version of the J-Car is rumored to have been a promotional give-away at the 1969 Indianapolis 500, although there is no evidence to back up these claims. Contrary to the name, these cars are actually Spectraflame blue, painted over the top of white enamel.
In 2010, the Ford J-Car was retooled for the HotWheelsCollectors.com Series 9 Neo Classics Series.
USA Versions
The Ford J-Car has come out in the following versions:
Colors are desending in rarity from common to rare.
| Year | Series | Color | Stickers | Base Color / Types | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Cast # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Lime Green | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Purple | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Brown | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Rose | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Blue | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Green | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Enamel White | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Light Blue | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Aqua | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Olive | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Red | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Gold | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Hard to Find | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Orange | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Hard to Find |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Enamel Blue | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Rare |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Hot Pink | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Rare |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Creamy Pink | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Rare |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Antifreeze | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | 6214 | USA | Rare |
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Hong Kong Versions
The Ford J-Car has come out in the following versions:
Colors are desending in rarity from common to rare.
| Year | Series | Color | Sticker | Base Color / Types | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Cast # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Enamel White | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | White / Metal | Blue | Black | RL | 6214 | Hong Kong | 
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Red | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Spectraflame Red / Metal | Blue | Black | RL | 6214 | Hong Kong |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Enamel White | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | White / Metal | Blue | Black | RL | 6214 | Hong Kong | Hidden hinge |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Green | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Green / Metal | Blue | Black | RL | 6214 | Hong Kong | Was only released on the
Italian 'Brucia Pista' blister pack. |
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| 1968 | 1968 Hot Wheels | Spectraflame Light Blue | #1 and 'Ford' stripes | Light Blue / Metal | Blue | Black | RL | 6214 | Hong Kong |
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Retooled Versions
The Ford J-Car has come out in the following re-tooled versions:
| Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Types | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 2010 | HWC.com Series 9 | Spectraflame Powder Blue | '1' on sides and Hood, 'Ford' Stripe on side | Chrome / Metal | Clear | Black | RL | R8389 | Thailand | 5000 Produced | 
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| N/A | 2014 | HWC.com Series 16 | Specraflame Dark Green | Number “2” on hood and sides | Chrome / Metal | Clear | Silver | Replica RL | BLR25 | Thailand | Base Code(s) Came with collectors button |
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