Mattel Hot Wheels Martin Arriola Corvette “Tribute”
Thanks for the heads up, “BMW!”
In the new Mattel Hot Wheels F Case, there is a C6 Corvette that is a tribute call out to retired Mattel designer, Martin Arriola.
Of course, he’s known to us, Mattel’s Disney Pixar CARS diecast fans as the lead designer in the Golden Age of CARS (2007 to 2010).
He retired last year after 32 years at Mattel – so the Corvette is #32 and he was known for his Corvette.
The background story makes it amusing.
Martin never knew this existed. Yep, no heads up. No hint. No clue.
No prototype in a box, no master carton of them – not even one. 🙂
So, in case you think Mattel is forgetful when they don’t finish a lineup of releases, they forgot to tell Martin they are giving him a Hot Wheels tribute.
And also, Martin’s Corvette was a C4 and it was green.
So, at least they spelled his name correctly. 🙂
HUNGER GAMES, TRIBUTE!
It should be showing up in stores or you can find it on eBay.
Thanks for the heads up, “BMW”
28 February 2015
12 Comments
I dont even have one let alone autographed. maybe someday
There is a new version of this car out. It has the black and blue colors swapped. Also saw another car with a different name on it, but I can’t find where I wrote it down.
(MET: Interesting – thanks).
Martin thank you so much for your dedication to the line. You provided a lot of joy to me and my boys in collecting your Cars. I’ll have to mosey on over to the Hot Wheels aisle to find me one of these tribute cars to add to our collection.
these were in the recent kmart kdays cases
Found one of these at my Walmart last night. Seemed to only be the one there. Neat tribute, shame they didn’t clue Martin in on it though.
Martin, thank you for the cars that we do have from you. You’re a class act. Enjoyed the SDCC meets and chats. Also I still tell others about the inside trip at Mattel….Thanks for the autographs on my Speedway of the South and letter. Take care Martin
Kevin,
Coolness & thanks for the props as I always tried to do it right……….
I still can’t believe you did the long haul to SDCC for the items I designed/developed those years when I was managing the Line. Don’t want to brag but those two SDCC DPCars items were pretty cool & I’m proud of how they they turned out.
Lightning Storm McQueen for $15.00? I still remember begging my Mattel Marketing counterpart at that time to sell it for at least $20.00 but her response was, “are you kidding me? I’m not going to get stuck with these”………
We, you, & Jake aka slicepie did it right & they can never take that away from from us. I think it’s called passion.
Yea and getting spit on for taking out two wheelers of the Lightning Storm McQueens everyday to send to others…. Yeap I still do the SDCC runs… this is upcoming 7-8 years now??? going to SDCC.
When I first read the text from BMW I thought she was kidding so I called Met ASAP.
Within seconds he texted a photo of the car in package while we were still on the phone. This guy is amazing 🙂
Granted, it’s the wrong year/color, mine was a C4/Metallic Polo Green. It they really wanted to do it right they should have done my red early NSX or, my ’03 996 Twin Turbo Porsche which would have been dope…..the red Hot Wheels logo would have disappeared on the NSX.
As the post says, at least they spelled my name right:) but I never even was told, nor did I even get one 🙁
No licensor approval from me………….
acuransx
You never got one?!
I have an extra one if you want it!!
Felicitation Dude!!!
MAY YOUR DAYS BE LACED WITH COOL RIDES INTO BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS EVERYDAY!!!
Congrats on your retirement Martin! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Awesome tribute… the age of Cars when Martin was lead designer was amazing… Martin cared about Cars collectors and how Cars were used in the Cars community… I have a few Martin autographed Cars that were used to raise money for charity… I hope you enjoy your retirement, Martin… thanks for the heads up, BMW!