Much Ado About Buttons
1. Why were collector buttons included with Hot Wheels originally?
"The metal badges that came with the early a cars were developed in the marketing department. Hot Wheels logo creator Rick Lyons designed the little round pieces with a tab to fold over a pocket or belt. The idea was to promote child-to-child marketing, so that when they looked at each other's badges, they would wonder which car the badge came from". 35 Years Of Speed, Power, Performance, And Attitude -- Randy Leffingwell
Collector buttons were included with every US Hot Wheel from 1968 through 1971. In 1972 collector buttons were phased out in the US, while some Canadian issued cars contained the 'mag wheel' button. In more recent years, collector buttons were again included with some Vintage and Anniversary Series cars. These buttons are distinctive from the original 'redline' era buttons. Please visit the Button Identifier page for help in telling them all apart.
2. Who designed the button graphics?
The button designs have been attributed to Otto Kuhni, who did much (or perhaps all) of the illustration work for Hot Wheels product packaging, including blister pack, race track set, and accessory designs in the early days.
Whether Mr. Kuhni designed the button tire concept, all, or just some, of the car designs I do not know.
3. What is the difference between US and HK metal buttons?
The main difference between the versions is the printed place of manufacture, though the color shades can vary from country to country. Here is a '57 T-Bird button from the US and HK. The colors vary a bit, but they are the same design. Another difference is the width of the tab, US button tabs are slightly wider at ~ 1/4", while the HK button tab width is ~3/16". For a given button, the US version is generally rarer and more valuable. US metal buttons were only produced in the 1968 (1) and 1969 series (13) for a total of 14.
4. How many buttons are there?
That's pretty debatable; my current count is 200 (not including some minor variations), all of which can be seen on this site!
5. What about plastic US and HK buttons?
These variations are generally ignored by collectors. I'm not exactly sure why but since the paper inserts don't have any identifier on them, the country of origin is generally ignored. Buttons with the same paper insert can come in HK and US versions as you can see here.
6. Why do some metal buttons have a cut out on the tab, while others don't?
The cut-out seems to be related to the manufacture date and location. Helpful readers have suggested the cut-out is meant to hold the button in place in your shirt pocket. The lack of cut-out on US buttons suggests it could be a safety issue, wouldn't want to amputate your arm with that!
Below you can see two Ford Mk IV buttons, one with the cut in the tab, the other without. From my own collection I only see the cut-outs on Hong Kong manufactured buttons. Most buttons in the 1968 series have them, they are still common in 1969, but by the 1970 series they seem to be phased out completely.
7. Do buttons have variations like the cars do?
While nowhere near the number of variations exist in buttons as cars, a number of metal buttons vary in background color, car color, or text. The reason is a mystery to me, anybody know why? Did they just happen to run out of the original paint color?
Hong Kong buttons come in either notched (cut-out) or smooth tab versions. All of the 1968 Hong Kong buttons come in a notched tab version, most also come in a smooth version. In 1969, all of the Hong Kong buttons have smooth tabs, and many come in a notched tab version as well. All US buttons are smooth tabbed.
A number of buttons vary in background color. The most common variation seems to be with some orange background buttons, which can also come in yellow. This is true for Peeping Bomb, Tow Truck, and Mongoose buttons for instance. Below you can see an example of the Light-My-Firebird variations. Other background color variations occur in the TNT Bird (2), Evil Weevil (2), and Beatnik Bandit (2) buttons.
I'm not convinced that the Orange/Yellow variation is a true variation. Here is a picture of the Mongoose button in 'yellow' and the usual orange. While definitely a different shade, it still seems to be the same color, only much lighter. I've grouped it with a true yellow button, the Heavy Chevy.
Car color variations occur less frequently and can be seen in the Custom Barracuda and Boss Hoss Silver Special. Below you can see the Boss Hoss in silver or blue. Note also that these buttons are the only ones to say 'Hot Wheels Club Mattel' on the outer rim instead of the usual 'Mattel Hot Wheels'.
A subtle variation exists with the Lola GT70 button. It comes in three varieties, the usual HK and US versions, and a third so called V-stripe variety. You can see the difference below; note the yellow stripe and number on the usual HK version on the left, and white V stripe and number on the less common variety on the right. I don't know if the V stripe variety always occurs with a notched tab or not.
The most dramatic button variations occur in the Beatnik Bandit and Volkswagen Beach Bomb. The BB varies in background and car colors as well as the car design itself; from rear loading surf boards to side loading. Is one earlier than the other? The pink BB car also comes in a wide range of hues.
Even the name on the buttons can vary as in the case of the 1968 Custom Volkswagen, which comes in a Custom VW version as well. This is the only example of this type of variation. Is Custom VW limited to early, cutout buttons?
The Beatnik Bandit has another unique distinction, it's the only button with a non Mattel copyright notice on it. Take a look at the fine print under the body of the car below.
"Mattel had to pay Ed Roth to make the Beatnik Bandit Hot Wheels. In 1970 Mattel bought out Revell Inc. and acquired the copyrights to all of the Tom Daniel designs, therefore, no copyright was needed on the Paddy Wagon, Red Baron, School Bus, Sand Crab, etc."Thanks to a RLOL member for that great information.
8. Do any plastic buttons have variations?
Only the 1971 Special Delivery plastic button comes in a variation as you can see in the dark and light blue car versions below.
9. Why do some buttons come in metal and plastic versions?
It's been suggested that the metal buttons were phased out due to safety concerns; a choking hazard perhaps. My original thought was that it was a cost cutting move, but the safety reason seems reasonable especially with large company worries about litigation beginning in the 60's.
Why some cars come in both varieties is just speculation on my part: that cars manufactured during the 1970 switch over simply required plastic buttons when the supply of metal ones was exhausted. There are no cars in the 1970 series with just a plastic button, some car's plastic buttons are extremely rare, and a sizable number didn't have a plastic button that year.
10. Did Hot Wheels sold in countries other than the US have collector buttons?
- Hot Wheels have been sold in countless countries, but collector buttons were the same as those available in the US. The only exception I'm aware of were the CIPSA licensed cars. CIPSA was a Mexican licensee of Hot Wheels cars and manufactured their own cars, and as it turns out, buttons. These CIPSA buttons are quite rare. Have a look at this HWRedlines Cipsa button page.
11. What are collector buttons worth?
Ok, you have a cache of buttons from your childhood collection, what can you get for them?
Don't be too disappointed, but the market for buttons is small, they are readily available in bulk quantities (1-100) and for the most part are very affordable.
As in all collectibles condition matters, metal buttons with the tab missing, or with scratches are not going to be worth as much as a perfect button fresh from the blister pack. Similarly plastic buttons with a broken clip or worn paper insert are not going to be worth much.
Non redline buttons, such as from the Hot Wheels Vintage or Anniversary series don't have any current value to collectors. This may change over time (or not).
The actual worth of a collectible is simply what someone else is willing to pay for it at any given time. That being said, buttons generally range anywhere from $1 to $100, more or less. The vast majority of buttons are at the low end of that range, only a few command more than a couple of dollars.
So what makes one button worth more than another of the same condition:
- plastic buttons are generally valued higher than metal ones. This seems to be driven by the relative abundance of metal vs plastic buttons in a given car casting.
- some car castings are just more popular than others; nothing to do with the button or it's rareness. Olds 442 > Volkswagen Beach Bomb > Heavy Chevy > Mantis > Beatnik Bandit. The Olds 442 is arguably the most sought after car and so are it's buttons. The Olds 442 also turns the conventional metal/plastic value proposition upside down; with the metal button commanding a premium over the plastic.
- variation is the next factor in value, alternate colors or relative rarity buttons command a premium.
12. So who are you and why did you make this site?
Boy you sure ask a lot of questions. While I like and collect buttons this is really an outlet for some excess creative energy. Buttons are, anyway you look at it, a tiny niche in the collectibles market. No one seems to have created a site like this (maybe cause it's not needed, I don't know), so I decided to gather all that I've recently learned about buttons here. It didn't hurt that the site is free too, so I thank Google for that.
Let me know what you think! redlinebutton@gmail.com