EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- June 9, 2003 -- Mattel, Inc. offers a unique way for sons, young and old alike, to give their fathers very special Hot Wheels® Father's Day gifts, and benefit a great cause as well. Whether your dad's into wheels, music or history, there is something special just for him. As part of the 35th anniversary Hot Wheels® car, Mattel will host an online auction, exclusively on eBay, of special Hot Wheels®-related memorabilia and merchandise. Go to www.hotwheels.com for more information. Net proceeds benefit RADD -- The Entertainment Industry's Voice on Road Safety, which has joined with Mattel to create the "Control Behind Your Hot Wheels®" safety initiative.
The items will be available from Tuesday, June 10 to Friday, June 20, 2003, and will feature autographed Hot Wheels® die-cast cars, vehicles from this year's Hot Wheels® Hall Of Fame collection, and other special items donated by music and sports celebrities associated with RADD. Among the items sure to attract attention from car buffs are Hot Wheels® Hall Of Fame Shelby Cobra models signed by Carroll Shelby; a trip to the Hot Wheels® Hall Of Fame induction gala in Los Angeles on Nov. 12; and an autographed signature cowboy hat from Richard Petty.
"This special auction of gifts for dads brings together a really unique and cool mix of items, which come not only from Mattel, but also from some of the more famous fans of Hot Wheels® cars," said Amy Boylan, senior vice president, Mattel. "We will be supporting RADD throughout our 35th anniversary year, and this online auction provides one more opportunity to remind our fans -- the 41 million men who have grown up with Hot Wheels® cars -- about the important messages of staying in control behind the wheel."
Following is a partial list of the items available for bid beginning June 10:
Wheels
- Hot Wheels® Hall Of Fame 1:64 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C models with package signed by Carroll Shelby
- Trip for two to the Hot Wheels® Hall of Fame inaugural gala at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Nov. 12, 2003 (includes airfare, rental car and two nights hotel accommodations)
- Signed hat from racing legend Richard Petty
- Framed and signed Hot Wheels(TM) poster from artist/futurist Syd Mead ("Blade Runner," "Aliens")
Entertainment- Signed copy of The Facts of Life: And Other Dirty Jokes by Willie Nelson
- "Baby You can Drive My Car" original oil on canvas painting -- 24" x 32" signed by artist, Fitz Maurice
- Signed concert program from country star Shania Twain
- Signed Aerosmith photo
- Signed collection of CDs and photo from No Doubt
- "Man On The Moon" matted photo signed by Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, signed Men From Earth book by Buzz Aldrin and Malcolm McConnell, and 25th Anniversary First Men On The Moon Watch -- No. 3108/25000 -- from Buzz Aldrin
About Hot Wheels® cars
Hot Wheels® 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® 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® cars are also popular collectibles for adults. For the latest information on Hot Wheels® cars, cruise over to www.hotwheels.com.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, 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®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, and Tyco® R/C as well as Fisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes(TM), Power Wheels® 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 brands -- today and tomorrow.
About RADD®
RADD® - The Entertainment Industry Voice For Road Safety - Recording Artists, Actors & Athletes Against Drunk Driving, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1986, RADD® pairs celebrities, media access and enlightened corporate partners like Mattel to create positive attitudes about road safety through award winning public service campaigns. RADD's motto, "Your lifestyle is your business. If you take it on the road, it's everybody's" embodies its position as the entertainment industry's voice for safe and sane travel on wheels -- two, four or more. Visit www.radd.org for more information.
HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc. (C)2003 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
