Well, the next generation of regular line designers have been in place at Mattel for a while now.  We've seen some really off the wall and fun stuff - Hot Seat, Teed Off (well, not all of us have seen this one yet), Whatta Drag, etc.  We've also seen some stuff we'd rather not have seen, but I feel there is someone out there who appreciates each and every Hot Wheels car so let's not dwell on that.  We've had some super cars come out that blew us all away - 70 Roadrunner, 70 Cuda, Dairy Delivery, 99 Mustang, Way 2 Fast, Scorchin' Scooter, Mustang Mach 1 and last but not least the VW Bus.  So how do these designers compare to the designers of old?  Let's see.
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The redlines are not an issue here since nothing comparable had been created. The first of anything holds more value, memories, etc. than future designs.  That is mostly because the beginning of anything is a true treasure.  Most manufactured items go through some changes over their production life and Hot Wheels are no exception.  Gone is the spectraflame paint (except in re-issues), the redline tires (except on special LE's) and the line up of exposed METAL engines (most are now chromed plastic).  Gone is the era of die cast only bodies to be replaced by the well known plastic fantastic on many of the new cars.  Which brings up our first question - how do you feel about plastic bodied cars?  Send us a note to let us know and we will post your replies.
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But the thing we are concerned with here is the quality and proliferation of new designs versus old.  There are certainly a lot of new designs.  The next generation doesn't have the very low number of new models limits that existed in the old days.  I think as far as the proliferation of new cars the next generation has a better deal than the older generation did.  But then those requirements are decided on by the company, not the designers.  So I don't think we can say any one group of designers is better than any other in this category.
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Quality of design.  Here we have a problem also.  All the old cars were made of die cast materials.  Not so all the new ones.  Again, company policy dictates which car ends up die cast and which ends up being plastic.  I am sure some of the design requirements make it easier to do some cars in plastic and it must also be more cost effective.  So putting aside the plastic issue we are left with the designs themselves.
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It is my opinion that both the old and new generation of designers have made some exceptional additions to the Hot Wheels line up and some real duds.  As the design of full size cars changes over the years and we get more aerodynamic and futuristic designs it is also reflected in the die cast car arena.  I realize we see a lot of peg warmers but I think that is due to collectors finally finding what they want and only wanting one or two we don't clear the pegs like scalpers.  Peg warmers are not unwanted cars...they are just cars collectors have already acquired and are no longer looking for, which proves that almost everything can end up being an easy to find car eventually.  Patience.
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So, I guess the designers are pretty much equal as far as the regular line cars.  But if you go the the cars in the new adult collectible segment of Hot Wheels its a whole other story.  And it is not fair to draw comparisons here since the adult collectible designers have the leeway to create more detailed cars since they sell for more.  Which brings me to the best set of Hot Wheels I've ever seen...The Hard Rock Cafe Set.  This set is incomparable.  The 63 Hearse if my favorite (like the packaging say - "To Die For" - and the detail is absolutely stunning.  The black "vinyl" part of the roof is actually textured (you bet I opened it).  When I die I want to take my last ride in a ride like this one.  The only things I would change is to make the flames a bit more subtle (like very light pearl platinum flames) and it would have a black or gray steering wheel instead of blue.
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Next is the 59 Woodie.  Awesome.  The surf boards in the back even have flames on them.  The "wood grain" detail is very well done and the shade of green makes the car as close to perfect as it can be.  The only thing I would change on this car is to make the surf boards look like real wood versus the red and blue plastic.
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Then we have the 57 ElDorado.  The white plastic top gives the appearance of having an actual frame under the top like Mark Maranta's Blown Blue Passion.  The car design is not my favorite but the pink is a great color for it and it is an excellent representative of the "fins" era.  The thing I would change about this one is the way to pink interior.
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All cars sport wide whitewall tires and chrome wheels.  The hoods are up showing the detailed engines.  The headlights and taillights are detailed.  There is even a molded coffin in the rear of the hearse.  I hope these are released in the Cool Collectibles series as singles.  The things one could do with that Hearse as far as customizing would be amazing. In the past we have asked our visitors, "If you could only keep one car/set in your collection what car would you choose".  The answer here is so easy - Hard Rock Cafe would win hands down in the Limited Edition set category.  Way to go designers.  This is absolutely the most beautiful set I have ever seen.  I don't see how anyone can design a set better than this one.      Trish