#20-02 Vector WX3

Avtech Vector WX3

        

 Ok wow, where to begin with this one? Ok, a thought comes to mind. Prototype cars and one offs that never make it to the streets but get immortalized in a Hot Wheels car? Pretty cool really. The 1990s were an absolutely crazy time in automotive history. Oddly enough though, there seemed to be a lack of originality in the supercar world. What I am thinking about is the comparison of the Jaguar XJ220, Lamborghini Diablo, Ferrari Testarossa and this, the WX3. The concept appears simple, a wedge shape with a big motor and flashy wheels with a huge price tag. 

It is however, no surprise that Hot Wheels would feature this car. It is very interesting to note that much like the real car, it didn’t last long in the limelight. The Vector Avtech WX3 was only released twice and only came in two colors, one for each year released. The Hot Wheels version came in a metallic lavender for the first public release in 1994 [1]. Little comparative fact, the real prototype WX3 was also a lavender color but lavender was only used on the roadster version. Most of the lines are there, I am guessing that Mattel didn’t get a lot of access to the real car to obtain perfect measurements. It is all there though, the signature side window crescent shaped window is a decal but gets the job done well. The front end is clearly represented, the big side vents and the spoiler are all in good proportions and help visualize what these cars were.

The Hot Wheels version does not fetch a collector premium or have even when considering that it is a very limited availability. I suspect that because the real car did not make it onto the streets, many people may not even know what the casting represents and therefore, keeps it relatively quiet. When I learned more about these cars in the early 2000s, I started hunting them down and have a couple in my collection. I also rarely turn one down unless it is inflated as my collection revolves around automotive history and this casting certainly points at a piece of history and Hot Wheels history just as much.

 The Vector is an impressionable car for sure and from my research, this car has a strange / dramatic history. First, this car was never produced, it was only a working prototype shown in the Geneva Autoshow in 1993 [2]. Upon returning from the Autoshow, CEO Gerald Weigert was removed from the company by its investors [2]. Geigert then sued the takeover to stop the car from being produced and he succeeded.  Geigert held possession of the two prototypes.  Recently (2018) he sold them for collateral on Vectors new supercar venture, the WX8 (not to be confused with the original - W8). The two WX3 prototypes selling prices fell short of the investment requirements but the project continues on.

The mission for Vector was always to produce an American high end supercar to rival the Lamborghinis and Ferraris of the world. They came close. The predecessor to the WX3, the W8, was labeled the fastest production car ever built for the years that it was manufactured. We will never know how the WX3 would have stood up against the big rivals but maybe there is still a rematch brewing if the new iteration gets produced. If they could engineer one of these to be electric, I think they would be on to something.

Times are evolving in the automotive world and electric supercars are starting to show up more and more with some impressive statistics. I am not sure that supercharged 10 litre, 1200hp supercar are still relevant in the US. At the same time, I still applaud anyone working on something outside the normal specs to if nothing mess than excite and push other companies further to bring us a new interpretation of the transportation we all rely on every day of our lives.

Thank you to Mattel for keeping this idea of an automotive legacy immortalized and maybe we will see a new version sometime soon?

Happy peg hunting all, welcome to the first week of 2020! Happy New Year! If you have any shiny examples of this model, drop a pic in the comments. If you have any other information to share about this vehicle, leave me a comment. 

Thank you,
Collector Quentin

I personally own all of the actual diecast pictured in these posts, however, all packaging artwork, Mattel logos, Hot Wheels logos and the Jaded name in regard to the Hot Wheels versions remain copyrights of the Mattel toy company.

[1]  Hot Wheels release information gathered from: https://hotwheels.fandom.com/wiki/Vector_%22Avtech%22_WX-3t

[2] Vector WX3 Information gathered from:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_Motors

Check out the Vector WX8 at:
http://www.vectormotors.com/company.html