1969
1969 was another year on the upswing for Hot Wheels, the number of castings increased to 24, Ira Gilford developed the first in-house designed castings (Twinmill, Splittin' Image, Torero, Turbofire), and the Grand Prix series was introduced. This is also the first casting year with a 'salmon' exterior color.
Unlike 1968 castings, castings this year were not all made in both Hong Kong and the US, and only the closed wheel GP cars were made in both locations. There is also quite a bit less variation this year, though there are still plenty for collectors to track down. Variations this year are more about colors and buttons and less about body casting differences.
Interiors
1969 castings had a limited interior color palette. Colors included ivory, midtone (champagne (US) / bronze (HK)), brown, dark brown, and black.
Exteriors
All of the 20 Spectraflame colors were available in US castings this year.
Four US Grand Prix castings came in different enamel colors: dark green, red, white, and orange.
Hong Kong cars were produced in 12 colors, including the first 2nd generation colors (magenta or later in the table).
Seven HK Grand Prix castings were available in enamel paint: dark green, red, or white. One car was available in a gold chrome finish.
Wheels
Wheels were still a mix of hub and capped style, but deep dish wheels were no longer found. See the 1968 Wheels section for more!
Casting Names and Part Numbers
OK we take a jump to the next 50 free numbers, 6250, makes some sense, get a clean start and all of that.
There is quite a bit of order in these numbers, first 4 Classics, then 4 closed wheel Gran Prix cars, then 4 Concepts, 4 open wheel Grand Prix, then a, err, hmm 4 US 'should of been' Customs, then a jump to 4 European series. Pure speculation but there is enough room for another set of 4 cars there that was never produced, or perhaps, moved to another year.