1968 Hot Wheels Original 16 models

The Hot Wheels Sweet sixteen or the Original 16 models refer to a group of cars that were part of the original 16 Hot Wheels cars released in 1968.

The original Sweet 16 models included the following cars:

• Beatnik Bandit - a futuristic, low-slung car
• Custom Barracuda - based on the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
• Custom Camaro - based on the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
• Custom Corvette - based on the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette
• Custom Cougar - based on the 1967 Mercury Cougar
• Custom Eldorado - based on the 1968 Cadillac Eldorado
• Custom Firebird - based on the 1968 Pontiac Firebird
• Custom Fleetside - a custom-designed truck
• Custom Mustang - based on the 1967 Ford Mustang
• Custom T-Bird - based on the 1967 Ford Thundbird
• Custom Volkswagen - a custom-designed Volkswagen Beetle
• Deora - a futuristic pickup truck with orange and yellow surf boards
• Ford J-Car - a prototype race car
• Hot Heap - based on the real-life show car "King T", also known as "Tognotti's T".
• Python - two seater sports car
• Silhouette - a long, low-slung sports car

Hot Wheels cars were made in both the United States and Hong Kong. The company Mattel, which owns the Hot Wheels brand, began producing the die-cast cars in its factory in California in 1968. However, due to high demand for the toys, the company also began outsourcing production to factories in Hong Kong.

As for the Spectraflame paint, it was a key feature of the original Hot Wheels lineup and was used on all of the cars released in 1968. The paint was developed by a company called "Spectraflame Corporation," which was a subsidiary of Mattel. It gave the cars a metallic finish and was available in a variety of colors.

The use of Spectraflame paint was a major selling point for Hot Wheels when they were first released, as it helped to set the brand apart from other die-cast toy cars on the market. The paint was also designed to be more durable than traditional toy car paint, which helped to ensure that the cars could withstand the rough and tumble play of children.

Today, Spectraflame paint is still used on some Hot Wheels cars as a nod to the brand's history and legacy. It remains a beloved feature among collectors and fans of the brand, and is often cited as one of the key factors that helped to make Hot Wheels the iconic brand that it is today.