EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (November 3, 2004) - Mattel, Inc. today honored four automotive designers and racers and one "dream" car at its second annual Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at SEMA in Las Vegas.
Three recipients - George Barris, Carroll Shelby and Craig Breedlove - trace their "need for speed" to roots in aviation and competitive auto racing, while recipient Larry Wood, better known as "Mr. Hot Wheels(R)," was honored for his 35 years of innovative Hot Wheels(R) designs. And in 1955 with its breakthrough Small-Block V8, Chevrolet put an edge on performance and turned the automotive industry on its ear, earning this "great ride" a spot in the Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame.
"Hot Wheels(R) has always celebrated the originality that sets certain cars apart from the rest of the pack," says Amy Boylan, vice president of Hot Wheels(R) Marketing. "This year's honorees truly define where that distinction comes from and what makes automobiles hot."
To complement the current Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame, the accolades of these significant people, vehicles and moments will live on at the permanent displays in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
This year's inductees were chosen as the embodiment of the Hot Wheels(R) tradition of speed, power and performance in three categories:
Legends: People who have designed or driven the coolest cars
- George Barris: Barris' automotive accomplishments began as early as high school, when he created his first custom cars - a tricked-out, orange-and-blue striped 1925 Buick and a 1936 Ford ragtop. His passion for cars led to driving at prestigious Saugus races in the l940s and an invitation to exhibit the only custom car at Hot Rod Magazine's first hot rod show. Barris' "Hirohata" 1951 Mercury was the sensation of the 1952 Motorama and attracted contracts from enthusiasts around the world, also catching the attention of Hollywood film and television makers who later featured his famed cars including the "Batmobile" and "General Lee."
- Carroll Shelby: An Air Force pilot, Shelby was in the right place at the right time when car racing took off after WWII. A win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans inspired his concept for what would become the fastest car on earth in its time: the Cobra. When Ford Motor Company needed some "juice" to make its new Mustang perform as hot as it looked, Shelby filled the bill. The legendary "Shelbys" gave all Mustangs the perception of performance to match their design panache. Lee Iacocca enticed Shelby to strike lightning twice with the Dodge Viper.
Milestone Moment: Historic automotive event that captures the Hot Wheels(R) essence
- Nov. 15, 1965: Craig Breedlove sets land speed record: Breedlove drove his "Spirit of America" 555 mph on Nov. 2, l965 and then broke his own record 13 days later by clocking 600.601 mph. This achievement made Breedlove the first man to break the 400, 500 and 600 mph barriers on land. For someone who bought his first car - a deuce coupe that could do 154 - at the age of 13, breaking the rules and records would be a lifetime pursuit.
Greatest Ride: An engine that epitomizes the Hot Wheels(R) attitude of speed, power and performance
- 1955 Chevrolet(R) Small-Block V-8: The original 265 small-block was the technological marvel that started it all. It debuted in the Chevy Bel Air and was more compact, lighter and more powerful than the six cylinder it replaced. Possibly the most prolific engine ever built, a version of the 350 small block, introduced in 1967, is still sold in crate applications today. The small block tradition of "more from less" continues with the 400 horsepower 2005 Corvette. In any automotive hall of fame, the small-block's evolutionary design and production elements would be a major exhibit.
Lifetime Achievement Award: A body of work that defines the "hot" in Hot Wheels(R)
- Larry Wood: Since the origins of Hot Wheels(R) cars, Wood has created concepts that have delighted kids and car enthusiasts for more than 35 years, typically designing more cars in one year than Detroit's "Big Three" designers do in a lifetime. From Hot Wheels(R) classics like the 1949 Merc to the Boyd Coddington collector set, the Ramblin' Wrecker(R) and many more, Wood has put "V12" pump into hearts of auto buffs of all ages.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), UNO, American Girl(R), and Fisher-Price(R), which also includes Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(TM), Power Wheels(R), as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands --- today and tomorrow.
HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. (C) 2004 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Shelby, the CS Design, the design/shape of the Cobra, 427, 427 S/C, GT-350, GT-500, GT-350H, and GT-500KR are registered trademarks and/or the tradedress of Carroll Shelby and Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. Cobra and the Cobra Snake Designs are registered trademarks used by Shelby under a worldwide exclusive license with Ford Motor Company.
FORD trademark used under license from Ford Motor Company.
General Motors Trademarks, all related Emblems and the related vehicle model body designs are used under license to Mattel, Inc.
MERCURY trademark used under license from Ford Motor Company.
Dodge is a trademark of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. Dodge Viper and its trade dress are used under license by Mattel, Inc. (C)DaimlerChrysler Corporation 2004.
