Hot Wheels Wiki
Hot Wheels Wiki

This article is a list of Hot Wheels released in 1981. According to the 1981 Hot Wheels Catalog, 75 cars came out in the 1981 line.

New Castings[]

Car Name Series Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Notes Photo
'37 Bugatti Black Red on sides Unpainted / Metal Clear Chrome BW 1696 Red Tampos on sides only, Chrome headlights and grille
Airport Rescue Workhorses Yellow Red and Black "AIRPORT RESCUE FIRE DEPT." Unpainted / Metal Blue tint Black BW 1699
Bronco 4-Wheeler Black Yellow, Red and Orange stripes "FORD BRONCO" on hood Unpainted / Metal Blue tint Chrome BW 1690
Cannonade Yellow Purple, Red, Orange "3" Black / Plastic Clear Chrome BW 1691
Chevy Citation White Red stripe Unpainted / Metal Clear Red BW 1693
Dixie Challenger Orange Red, White and Blue stripes on roof and hood Chrome / Plastic Blue tint Chrome BW 3364
Minitrek Tan Orange and Yellow stripes Brown / Metal Grey tint Red BW 1697 Base color showed at bottom of sides and bumpers
Mirada Stocker Red Black, Yellow and White, racing decals, "10" Unpainted / Metal Clear Tan BW 1700
Old Number 5 Red Yellow and Black pinstripes on hood Red / Metal No Windows Tan BW 1695 louvers on hood
Omni 024 Grey Orange, Black, stripes, "024 Omni" Black / Metal Blue tint Red BW 1692
Peterbilt Tank Truck Workhorses Orange "California Construction Company" on tank Unpainted / Metal Smoke Black BW 1689 Unpainted Metal tank
Turismo Red Yellow, White and Black stripes "10" on sides unpainted metal Blue tint Tan Interior & Rear Deck BW 1694

Repaints[]

Car Name Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Notes Photo
Auburn 852 Yellow No tampos Unpainted / Metal Clear Dark Brown BW 2505 Malaysia
'31 Doozie Orange w/Green plastic fenders No tampos ZAMAC Tinted (Blue) Green BW 9649 Hong Kong
'31 Doozie Green w/Green plastic fenders Yellow sides ZAMAC Tinted (Blue) Green BW 9649 Hong Kong
Turbo Mustang Orange Yellow, Black and Red  "COBRA" Orange

/ Metal

Grey tint Red BW 1125 Hong Kong
Super Van Enamel White Red & Orange flames ZAMAC Smoke tint Black BW 7649 Hong Kong
Rock Buster Green Red, White, Blue Lightning bolt & "10" w/ sponsor decals ZAMAC Black BW 9088 Hong Kong
Street Rodder White Red & Orange flames Unpainted

/ Metal

No window, Gray frame Gray BW 9242 Hong Kong
Corvette Stingray Orange Black, Yellow, & Purple graphics on top Unpainted

/ Metal

Tinted (Blue) Blue Tint GHO 9241 Hong Kong
'57 T-Bird Yellow Red, Blue & Black "Thunderbird" ZAMAC Blue tint Blue tint BW 2013 Maylasia
A-OK Metalflake Red Dark Red fenders, "Early Times Delivery" logo ZAMAC Smoke tint Dark Red BW 2016 Hong Kong

Scene Machines[]

Car Name Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Wheel Type Toy # Notes Photo
Circus Cats White Black and Orange tiger, Black and Yellow "RINGLING BROS AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS" Unpainted / Metal Clear Black BW 3303 picture of two tigers can be seen
Racing Team Yellow Black, Red and White "Racing Team" #1 Hot Wheels logo tampos Black / Plastic Clear Brown BW
Rescue Squad Red w/Red Plastic Top no tampo Chrome Plastic Clear Chrome BW 2855

Heroes[]

Original Casting Year Color Tampo Base Color / Type Window Color Interior Color Toy # Series Rename Photo
Iron Man 1981 White Black, Red and Yellow, "Iron Man" on sides Unpainted / Metal Grey tint Tan 3301 Iron Man
Spider Man 1981 Chrome Black and Red "Silver Surfer" Blue / Plastic Blue tint Red 3300 Silver Surfer

Gallery[]

Hot Wheels by Year[]

Yearly Lists of Basic Line and Other collections
By Year:

196819691970197119721973197419751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009 • 2010 (USAInternational)201120122013201420152016 • 2017 (#1-365by Series) • 2018 (#1-365by Series) • 2019 (#1-250by Series) • 2020 (#1-250by Series) • 2021 (#1-250by Series) • 2022 (#1-250by Series) • 2023 (#1-250by Series) • 2024 (#1-250by Series) • 2025 (#1-250by Series) • 2026 (#1-250by Series)

Early Collections:
Action CommandClassicsClassy CustomsDrag StrippersExtrasFlying ColorsGrand PrixHiRakersMegaforceOldies But GoodiesReal RidersRescue TeamSpeed DemonsSpeed FleetSpeed MachinesSpeedway SpecialsSuper ChromesSuper StreetersThe HeaviesThe HeavysThe Hot OnesThe SpoilersTrailbustersUltra HotsWorkhorses

Early Special Series:
Action PacksAuto-CityAutomagicCalifornia CustomChopcyclesColor ChangersColor FXConvertablesCrack-UpsCrashersFarbsFat Daddy SizzlersFlip OutsFlippersGran TorosHot BirdsHot LineHot ShotsHot Wheels U.S.A.Hot Wheels WorldMotorized X-V RacersNight Ridin' SizzlersPlanet MicroRevversRRRumblersScorchersShift KickersSizzlersSizzlers IISteering RigsSuper California CustomX-V RacersZowees

Other Early Series:
Action CyclesAction RacersAttack PackHot Wheels RailroadKey Force

Modern Special Series:
100%AcceleRacersAuto AffinityBattle Force 5BoulevardCar Culture (2-PacksTeam Transport)Character CarsColor Shifters (Color Reveal)Cool ClassicsClassicsDeliveryDragstrip DemonsFast & Furious Premium • Flying Customs (200620132020)Formula One CollectionHot Wheels GarageHall of FameHigh-Speed Wheels Track StarsHighway 35 World RaceHeritageHot Wheels idHot Wheels RacingMario KartNostalgic BrandsPop Culture Premium Collector SetsPro Racing (Team Transporters)Replica EntertainmentRetro StyleSince '68Speed MachinesSuper ChromesTeam Hot Wheels High-Speed Wheel • The Hot Ones (20112025)Ultra HotsVintage Racing

Notable Modern Themed Assortments:
50th Anniversary Favorites50th Anniversary Originals50th Anniversary Throwback • Pearl and Chrome Anniversary Series (201820192020202120222023202420252026) • Batman (20122015201820192021202220232024)Cars of the DecadesCop RodsEaster Eggsclusives • Easter (2013201420152017)Fast & FuriousFast & Furious Spy Racers • Fire Rods (20002009)Fright CarsHalloween CarsHoliday Hot RodsHW Road Trippin' • HW Winter (20202021202220232024)Neon SpeedersRetro Style • Spring (2018201920202021202220232024)Stars & StripesThe Beatles Yellow SubmarineThrowbackUltra HotsVintage Racing Club

Other Modern Series:
American Flyer (unreleased)Battle XCustom ClassicsCustom MotorsDropstarsExtreme ShoxxFerrari X-VG-MachinesHot Import NightsHot TunerzHot Wheels SkateLightyearLong HaulersModifightersMonster Jam (Rev Tredz)Monster Trucks (Bash-UpsBig RigsColor RevealDollar TreeDouble TroublesMiniMystery TrucksOversizedRoarin' WreckersTwisted Tredz)Moto Track StarsMotor CyclesPavement PoundersRacerVerseRacing RigsRapid TransitRoad BeastsRobo WheelsSkate FreaksSky BustersSnap RidesSpeed CyclesSpeed DemonsStarships (Starships Select)Super RigsThunder CyclesTrack FleetTrack Stars HaulersTrackin' TrucksTruckin' TransportersVolkswagenWrecking Wheels

Exclusives:
Elite 64HWC.comRed Line ClubNFT Garage

Larger Scale:
1:43 Pull-BacksBatman 1:50 Scale SeriesFormula FuelersHot Wheels ElitePremium 1:43Pull-Back SpeedersStreet PowerTunerzCorgi CollectionTurbos CollectionEastwood AutomobiliaPullbax1:43 Battle VehiclesLionChiefReady-to-Play (unreleased)

Miscellaneous:
Collector Numbers 1 - 1121Hot Wheels 1:87 Scale SeriesMultipacks