Hot Wheels Redline Rolls Royce Silver Shadow - Grey - Hong Kong 1969

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was an intriguing inclusion in the 1969 Hot Wheels line up.  Obviously, it represented a significant departure from the streamlined American muscle and fanciful show cars of the 1968 line up.  However, the Rolls fit nicely within a small group of European cars that included the classy Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, sporty Maserati Mistral, and Americanized versions of two stalwarts of middle-class Europe: the Volkswagen Beetle and Microbus.  Perhaps this European Series was intended by Mattel to even further extend the Hot Wheels craze beyond the kids of America!

Mattel's Silver Shadow was based upon the most innovative model yet produced by the venerable Rolls-Royce Motor Company of Great Britain.  First introduced in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I featured unitary construction, independent rear suspension with automatic level control and disc brakes all round.  Compared to previous models the offered substantially more room for the passengers, easier access for stowing luggage and drastically reduced height and weight. The aluminum-alloy 6.2 litre V8 engine's performance suffered to some extent from increasingly tight emission legislation in some countries, although this was compensated for in 1969-70 when the engine capacity was increased to 6.7 litres. Perfect workmanship of all components and a comprehensively equipped interior of unashamed luxury were the hallmark of this fine motor car.  Starting in 1966, two-door saloons were available and year later a convertible.  Only 20,605 Silver Shadow Is were built, including 16,700 of the four-door saloon on which the Mattel version is modeled.