Stock# 18846
Collector# 659

CB's Die Cast Review: March 31, 1998

1998 First Editions #13 
Hot Seat

It has been a while since a car has generated this much of a buzz among the collector's community.  The VW Bus created a stir, but that was due to its limited availability.  Mattel appropriately selected a wild design for car number 13 in the 1998 First Editions series: the Hot Seat, definitely not your father's Oldsmobile!

This concept car is truly an original design.  The body, based on an old-style commode, is primarily white plastic with various detail molded in, such as cracks on the bowl sides, a floor drain over the front axle, and damaged porcelain on the water tank.  Atop the bowl sits an operating seat made of black plastic, also with extra detail.  The black plastic steering wheel is in the shape of a plunger, and also can be raised and lowered.  A hole is in the bottom of the bowl, and the chassis, allowing a clear view of the street!  Inside the water tank sits the plumbing-inspired motor, made of antiqued zinc-plated metal.  The chassis underneath is bright zinc-plated metal, and rides on large five-spoke wheels in back, and small five-spoke wheels up front.  A black HW logo adorns the rear of the water tank.

This car immediately brings to mind notions of a 1970s "Wacky Packs" parody.  It has to be the wildest off-the-wall concept car Mattel has ever put into production, and makes those Spectraflame-era concepts appear as conservative classics!  And, based on the Internet chatter, collectors either love it or hate it.  I think it's a great car.  And the kids, when they finally find some, will love them.