Corvettes in Metal
Our friend, Jamie Maner, who is an expert in Hot Wheels Corvettes, will be submitting articles on this topic. Pictures will be included whenever possible. If you would like to contribute to this page, or have any comment or suggestion, please contact us at: tatocorvette@hotmail.com
The 1963 Split Window Corvette Sting Ray
In this article on Hot Wheels, I will discuss my favorite model- the 1963 Split Window. The Split Window was only manufactured for the 1963 year and was replaced by a full panel glass for the 1964 Corvette. Despite this, the 1963 Split Window is easily one of the most recognizable and sought out corvettes produced. To mark this popularity, Hot Wheels introduced the '63 Split Window in it's 1980 line.
The Split Window was introduced as model number 1136 in the Hi-Rakers line. Measuring approximately 70 mm, the Split Window was originally produced in Hong Kong with a metal chassis, clear windows, a tan plastic interior, and basic wheels. The original Split was gray with a red, white, and blue tampo on the roof and hood. The hood tampo has "Corvette" on the hood twice. The roof has "Chevrolet Corvette" inside a Corvette emblem. As part of the Hi-Rakers line, the car had an adjustable height on its rear axle. The next issues of the Split are easily some of the more desirable Splits for one trait...the wheels. Hot Wheels would soon introduce a Split with a ribbon/arrow type tampo on the roof and hood. This model would come in yellow, gold, and black color variations and in a Malaysia casting. The gold and black variations would be fitted with "real riders". These "real riders" were designed to imitate actual rubber tires as they had "Goodyear" stamped on the tires and had a hub. . The "real riders" would come in both grey and white hub variations. Currently, the white hub variations are the more sought after. For example, the white hub gold Split variation currently can go over $100 in the blisterpack while the grey hub variation can go for about $40. The #1136 Split window would continue to show up until 1992 in several variations in the regular line and as McDonald and Kool Aid promotions.
The Split Window returned in 1993 under the model number 3092. This model is the same as the previous except for a plastic chassis on all variations. The initial model is blue with a yellow, brown, and magenta tampo on the hood and roof and comes in several tire variations. As previous models, there have been several styles through the years. The most sought out is the 1995 Treasure Hunt Split window. This Split is a metalflake blue with white lined real riders. This model is currently valued at up to $70 in the blister pack as only 10,000 were produced. Extras of this model would show up in Hot Wheels gift packs but would lack the real rider tires. These models are currently valued at approximately $10. In 1997, Hot Wheels introduced a replica of the famous Edelbrock Corvette and limited it to a production of 10,000. Currently it is valued at $20.
Over the last two years, Hot Wheels has introduced two similar castings as they have brought out the '67 Corvette and a convertible '65 Corvette. The '67 Corvette was first introduced in the 40th Anniversary Corvette set in blue. Currently, it has been produced in the Cool Collectibles line in white and black color variations. The '65 Corvette has been released in the 2000 First Edition line in black with red interior.
If you have any questions drop me a line jmaner@hotmail.com
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Home of Hot Wheels Corvettes
Here are some pictures of the Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray. There are many more in Jamie's site, so make sure you visit it...
Page updated 08/14/00