The 1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb Rearloader prototype, the world's most valuable Hot Wheels car, sold at auction for $72,000 (production version originally sold for $.69), will be featured at the first-ever permanent Hot Wheels exhibit, the Hot Wheels Hall of Fame, opening at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on April 24, 2003.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- April 23, 2003 -- To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the landmark Hot Wheels(R) cars, Mattel, Inc. will unveil the first-ever, permanent museum exhibition of Hot Wheels(R) full-size and die-cast cars at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, one of the nation's largest and preeminent automotive museums. The Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame includes interactive displays, a selection of Hot Wheels(R) die-cast vehicles and full-size cars which embody the brand's signature speed, power, performance and attitude. The exhibit will open to the public tomorrow.

"By creating a Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame at the country's preeminent automotive museum, the brand is underlining the significance of Hot Wheels(R) cars within automotive culture," said Amy Boylan, senior vice president, Mattel. "For 35 years, Hot Wheels(R) die-cast cars have sparked a passion for automobiles in millions of kids and adults, and this exhibit expands upon that passion with an extensive array of some of the coolest cars in the world, in any scale."

The Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame will host a rotating series of exhibits, including full-size versions of some of the most famous Hot Wheels(R) models ever created. Upon its opening, the exhibit will include the Deora(R) concept car from the 1960s; the Twin Mill(R), an original Hot Wheels(R) design that was introduced as a full-size, functional car in 2001; Don "The Snake" Prudhomme's Hot Wheels(R) funny car; Petty Enterprises's NASCAR(R) Craftsman Series race truck; the Hot Wheels(R) Ford Focus; and the "0032" hot rod from the Petersen Automotive Museum's permanent collection.

Spanning 35 years, an array of the most significant 1:64-scale to 1:18-scale die-cast Hot Wheels(R) will also be on display, including the world's most valuable Hot Wheels(R) car, a 1969 pink Volkswagen Beach Bomb purchased for more than $70,000. The exhibit will provide visitors with a look inside the highly prolific Hot Wheels(R) design studio, via original models, wooden patterns, injection molds and drawings of original vehicle designs.

"With the opening of this exhibit, the Petersen Automotive Museum will become the world capital for Hot Wheels(R) fans and collectors," says Museum Director Dick Messer. "Our gift shop has been reconfigured to house a vast selection of Hot Wheels(R) merchandise to satisfy fans, and the popular Twin Mill(R) car will be displayed at the entry to our exhibit halls."

In September 2003, the Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame will announce its inaugural honorees of significant people, vehicles and moments from automotive history, which will be selected by a blue-ribbon panel of auto journalists, manufacturers, designers, racers and Mattel executives. Reflecting the power, speed and performance for which Hot Wheels(R) cars are known, the Hall of Fame members will be honored in a new installation in the exhibit. Hot Wheels(R) aficionados and collectors can vote online for their top picks in the Hall Of Fame People's Choice(TM) awards at www.hotwheels.com from April until September, 2003.

These first Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at a special gala reception at the Petersen in November 2003. In the spirit of the Hall of Fame program, Mattel is creating a line of 42 1:64-scale Hall Of Fame vehicles, representing cars that have had a significant impact on car culture, racing or design. Each car comes complete with a collectible trading card that elaborates on the history of the person, vehicle or event it represents. The die-cast Hall Of Fame cars are available now at an approximate retail price of $4.99.

About Hot Wheels(R)

Hot Wheels(R) cars revolutionized boys' toys in 1968 with an original line of super-fast customized cars built for speed, power, and performance, wrapped in attitude. Now 35 years later, Hot Wheels(R) is a global lifestyle brand that represents the coolest cars imaginable in scales from miniature to full-size. In addition to leading the way with innovative vehicles, playsets and track, Hot Wheels(R) cars are also popular collectibles for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels(R) cars, cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc. (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever created. Leading the toy and game market, the Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R), Tyco(R) R/C and Scrabble(TM), as well as Fisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(TM), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 27,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brand -- today and tomorrow.

About the Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $6.00 per car. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's Web site address at www.petersen.org.

HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc. (C) 2003 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.