Description[]
Hot Wheels was a Saturday morning animated cartoon series created by Ken Snyder Properties and Pantomime Pictures in collaboration with Mattel that was broadcast on ABC Radio television stations from 6 September 1969 to 4 September 1971. Due to multiple complaints submitted by Topper Corporation (creator of Johnny Lightning) to the Federal Communications Commission, the title sequence and any references or usage of the phrase “Hot Wheels” were deemed commercial advertising by 1971. This led ABC to drop the show after two seasons. Only six of thirty-four episodes have been archived; the rest are lost media. A single record titled The Original Hot Wheels Soundtrack was released in 1969 that contained ten songs featured throughout the show.
Plot[]
The cartoon followed seventeen year old Jack "Rabbit" Wheeler Sr. who led the sponsored Hot Wheels Racing Club out of Wheeler Motors, a garage and custom car firm owned by his father, Mike Wheeler, a retired Grand Prix racer who suffered career-ending injuries. Their shopkeeper was recent graduate, Tank Mallory. Members consisted of aspiring mechanic and racer, Mickey Barnes, the son of an African government ambassador, Kip Chogi, girlfriend of Jack Sr. and daughter of the Metro City Police Commissioner, Janet Martin, and aspiring “tomboy” racer, Ardeth Pratt. All were students at Metro City High School under the advice of Doc Warren and his Auto Shop Course. They raced against Dexter’s Demons, a rival club run by their classmate Dexter Carter. Members would often visit Mother’s Diner, a restaurant owned by Mother O’Hare.
The signature and descendants of Jack “Rabbit” Wheeler Sr. and Janet Martin were featured in the Hot Wheels: World Race film and Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers film series.
Characters[]
Hot Wheels Racing Club[]
 Jack “Rabbit” Wheeler Sr.
|
 Mickey Barnes
|
 Kip Chogi
|
 Janet Martin
|
 Ardeth Pratt
|
| Jack Rabbit Special ↓ Sand Crab |
Classic '31 Ford Woody | Classic '31 Ford Woody | ||
| Bob Arbogast | Albert Brooks | Albert Brooks | Melinda Plowman | Susan Davis |
Dexter’s Demons[]
 Dexter Carter |
 Other Members |
| The Demon | |
| Casey Kasem | ? |
Other[]
 Mike Wheeler
|
 Doc Warren
|
 Tank Mallory
|
 Mother O’Hare
|
| Michael Rye | Bob Arbogast | Casey Kasem | Nora Marlowe |
Episodes[]
Seasons 1-2[]
Episodes are not listed in sequential order
| Episode # | Photo | Title | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Big Race | |
| 2 | |
The Family Car | |
| 3 | |
Fire Fighters | |
| 4 | |
The Jewel | |
| 5 |  |
Fake Out - Stake Out | |
| 6 | |
The Buggy Ride | |
| 7 |  |
Four Wheel Time Bomb | |
| 8 | |
Hit and Run | |
| 9 | |
It Takes a Team | |
| 10 |  |
Ardeth the Demon | |
| 11 | |
Like Father, Like Son | |
| 12 | |
Avalanche Country | |
| 13 | |
Danger Around the Clock | |
| 14 |  |
Tough Cop | |
| 15 | |
Hotter Than the Devils | |
| 16 | |
Rough Ride | |
| 17 | |
Sky Sailor | |
| 18 | |
Race to Space | |
| 19 | |
Monkey a-Okay | |
| 20 | |
Diamonds Are a Girls Worst Friend | |
| 21 | |
Big Heart, Little Hearts | |
| 22 | |
Get Back on That Horse | |
| 23 | |
Hitchhike to Danger | |
| 24 | |
Dragon’s Tooth Peak | |
| 25 | |
The Doc Warren Trophy Race | |
| 26 | |
Show-Off | |
| 27 | |
Drag Strip | |
| 28 | |
Mata Hari Ardeth | |
| 29 | |
Slicker-Slicks | |
| 30 | |
The Funny Money Caper | |
| 31 | |
Surf’s Up | |
| 32 |  |
The Winner | |
| 33 |  |
Hot Head | |
| 34 | |
Underground |
Theme Song lyrics[]
HOT WHEELS by Mike Curb
Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels
Always chasing, always racing
Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels
Keep-a-turning now, keep-a-burning now
Keep-a-turning, Hot Wheels
Daytona, Indianapolis, and Bonneville
Dune buggies, keep-a-climbing
Up the sandy hills
Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels
Always chasing, always racing
Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels
Keep-a-turning now, keep-a-burning now
Keep-a-turning, Hot Wheels
Riverside, down the Ten, and Watkins Glen
Hot Wheels are, running wild and, riding on to win
Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels
Always chasing, always racing
Hot wheels, Hot Wheels
Keep-a-turning now, keep-a-burning now
Keep-a-turning, Hot Wheels
See also[]
Gallery[]
