Giant Hot Wheels track

[IotaNet]

My father worked in the toy design department at Mattel in the early '70s. At the time, they had the Hot Wheels "Sizzlers" which were an electric motor powered by a rechargable battery.

This is the earliest battery-powered car of this type I know of.

If that's the case then your dad is my straight-up HERO!!! I was a Sizzlers GUY!!!

Seriously -- if you grew up in the late 60s/early 70s Hot Wheels were the toy to have!

 

[cassanova]

There was a time when a hotwheel track was a favored method of discipline in some neighborhoods

It was used in our household as well. It is something of a shame that my future children will never know the joy of getting spanked with a piece of Hot Wheels track.

 

[NOLA Bass]

My son is 5 and we've recently got into hot wheels tracks. I must admit that I have a blast playing with them with him!

So here's a question, remember Tyco? I had the tracks that were electric and the car had a little piece that stuck down in slot. I guess they don't make that anymore?

 

[NOLA Bass]

This was it. Might have been my favorite Christmas present ever!!!!

 

[EricF]

If that's the case then your dad is my straight-up HERO!!! I was a Sizzlers GUY!!!

Seriously -- if you grew up in the late 60s/early 70s Hot Wheels were the toy to have!

Sizzlers were very cool in their day. I recall stories from my dad about how he and a couple guys in his department replaced the electric motor in a Sizzler with a minature gas-powered motor. They clocked the little thing at over 60mph on their office test track. I don't think he ever enjoyed a job as much as he did his time at Mattel. Unfortunatley, he fell victim to a wave of lay-offs.

 

[Joe Gress]

This was it. Might have been my favorite Christmas present ever!!!!

Even I had a few sets like that. Slot Cars were the best. Especially with a cat around...