With this post I start (perhaps) the Hot Wheels column of the week. Like the cover of Linus or the teddy bear as a child, I take pleasure in keeping a model under my work monitor, which brightens my day and takes me back to my childhood days. As a graphic designer by profession, I watch these toys with a keen and enthusiastic eye, observing and ‘tasting’ the creativity that each model presents in its shape and colour scheme. Below is my first content...
Purrfect Speed is a cat-shaped model car. The word Purrfect that defines the little car is a crasis between the word ‘perfect’ and the onomatopoeia ‘purr’, which indicates the cat's purr. The first edition dates back to 2016 and was designed by Larry Wood, the main and long-time designer of Hot Wheels from its early days until now. The upper part is made of orange plastic screen-printed in 2 colours (burgundy and metallic blue) with motifs that pick up on the cat's striations; in the hollow central part, the V8 emerges, surmounted by the imposing air duct that forms part of the lower metal part.
Another detail that is noticeable when looking at the front of the model is the detail of the claws and jaws outlined in the metal part that complete the ‘feline’ look of the toy. The wheels are made of pearl white plastic model 5SP (5-spoke) with metallic blue screen printing. This version is part of the 5 ‘Street Beasts’ pack released in 2024.