HotWheels

The Ford Mustang has always been about affordable performance and that philosphy goes all the way down to prices under $1. Following the official unveiling of the 2010 Mustang last week in Los Angeles comes the introduction of the least expensive variant of all, the Hot Wheels car. Shots of a loose pre-production sample first hit the web via eBay ahead of the L.A. show. Ford apparently shared CAD data for the body of the updated Stang with Mattel, so the die-cast's body proportions are pretty much spot on, but as usual, the wheels are disproportionatly large.

Mattel created the Hot Wheels brand back in 1968, and the lives of several Autoblog writers (and readers as well) were changed forever. We're now halfway through the toy line's 40th birthday year, and, coincidentally, halfway through its Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary Road Trip.

Fans can see life-size editions of some of the most famous Hot Wheels cars, get autographs from Hot Wheels designers and, while supplies last, get a free 40th Anniversary Edition Custom Otto. You'll also be able to see that bejeweled monstrosity we told you about a few months ago that Mattel says is the most expensive Hot Wheels car ever made.

Click above for high-res gallery of the new Ferrari California

A few months ago we advised taking our post about Mattel leaking major Ferrari news with a big grain of salt. But as that famous toy maker has been known to do in the past (remember the 1969 Corvette?), Mattel was indeed working on a 1:18th scale model of a new, small Ferrari. As we know, however, it won't be called Dino.

Click above to view the video after the jump.

Click above for high-res gallery of the Hot Wheels Honda Racer

Earlier this week we brought you amazing photos of a Hot Wheel car Mattel valued at $140,000. "WTF?!," is what we heard from a lot of readers who wondered how a $1 toy could possibly be worth more than their entire collections of late-80s Buicks and/or Mustang IIs.

click above for more high-res pics