2022 Hot Wheels Car Culture Dragstrip Demons ’64 Chevy Nova Wagon Gasser

The Hot Wheels Dragstrip Demons series was a premium line that first ran in 2009 and 2010. Of the 18 castings used in the series, 13 of them were new, including the ’63 Nova AWB. In 2018, the Dragstrip Demons became one of the rotating segments in the Car Culture series, and it included another appearance from the ’63 Nova AWB as well as the ’66 Super Nova. For 2022, the Dragstrip Demons returned to the Car Culture line and this time included this sweet metalflake powder blue ’64 Chevy Nova Wagon Gasser. I found mine at a Toronto-area Walmart when we visited there back in April.

The Hot Wheels ’64 Chevy Nova Wagon Gasser was first released in 2019 and has been produced in about 11 different variations so far. In my collection, I have the two variations of the 2019 first release, a red variation from the 2020 Muscle Mania series, a light green variation from the 2020 Muscle Mania series, a blue version from the 2021 HW Race Team series, and the magenta model from the 2022 HW Exposed Engine 5-Pack.

Hot Wheels | HCK21 | 2022 Car Culture Dragstrip Demons | ’64 Chevy Nova Wagon Gasser | metalflake powder blue with Mother’s Little Helper tampo, clear windows, chrome interior and engine, unpainted metal base | Thailand | Real Rider mags front/Real Rider drag slicks rear

The back of the card shows the other castings available in the 2022 Hot Wheels Car Culture Dragstrip Demons series.

2018 Hot Wheels Dragstrip Demons Novas

When the Hot Wheels Dragstrip Demons were introduced in 2009, they were a big hit. The series, which continued through 2010, featured 18 different castings – 13 of them brand new. They had Real Riders and metal bases, and many were carefully decorated to represent real-life drag cars. So, many of us were excited in 2018 when Hot Wheels brought back the Dragstrip Demons in the Car Culture lineup.

The 2018 edition had five different castings, including the ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser, ’65 Dodge Coronet, ’65 Mercury Cyclone Comet, and the two Novas featured here – the ’66 Super Nova and the ’63 Chevy Nova AWB. The amazingly detailed cars are enhanced by beautifully illustrated card art. I wasn’t able to find these locally, but my hunting friend, Brad, sent me these from New Mexico.

The Hot Wheels ’66 Super Nova was first released in 2012 in limited numbers exclusively on HotWheelsCollectors.com. It was offered again through the Red Line Club in 2014 and 2017, then was a Nationals Convention Car in 2018 – all of these in fairly limited production. This is the first variation that is more widely available and the first of this casting that I’ve added to my collection. It is also available in the 2019 Car Culture: Team Transport series, so I will be on the lookout for that one as well.

I’m not sure if this ’66 Nova is based on a real drag car, rather I suspect it is a nod to the legendary Hot Wheels designer whose name appears on the doors.

Hot Wheels | FVN70 | 2018 Car Culture Dragstrip Demons 5/5 | ’66 Super Nova | blue with light blue, gray and white trim | Goodyear rrdrags / rrprf

The Hot Wheels ’63 Nova AWB was first cast for the 2009 Dragstrip Demons series and a second variation was included in the same series the following year. This 2018 release is only the third variation of the car to be produced, though a similar casting, the ’63 Chevy II, has made regular appearances in the mainlines since 2016.

Again, I’m not sure if the livery is based on a real-life drag car, but I see some similarities to the Chevy 2 Much – and the later Chevy 2 Much II – built by Doug Thorley in Southern California.

Hot Wheels | FVN73 | 2018 Car Culture Dragstrip Demons 2/5 | ’63 Chevy Nova AWB | red with light blue, black and white trim | Goodyear rrmag

2016 Hot Wheels Muscle Mania ’63 Chevy II

Back in 2009 and 2010, Hot Wheels released a ’63 Nova in the Dragstrip Demons series (see below). I’ve often wondered why the ’63 Nova hasn’t shown up since, so I was happy to see the ’63 Chevy II in this year’s Muscle Mania series. It’s clear these are two different castings. Along with the obvious differences in hood, chassis and interior, the new car appears to be almost 1/8″ longer than the 2009 casting.

There is also a Target-only Snowflake Card version of the Chevy II, which I will be on the lookout for.

Hot Wheels | DHP13 | 2016 Muscle Mania 8/10 | ’63 Chevy II | dark blue with white trim | 5sp

The Dragstrip Demons series was a tribute to real-life Funny Cars, Top Fuel dragsters, factory experimentals, fuel altereds and super stock vehicles. The 2009 line had 30 different vehicles, while the following year had 25 more. I am missing the AWB ‘Snake Eyes’ ’63 Nova from 2010, but I do have this Wilshire Shaker Match Bash Nova from 2009.

Hot Wheels | N8972 | 2009 Drag Strip Demons 13/30 | Wilshire Shaker Match Bash ’63 Nova | white and orange with Wilshire Shaker trim | rrmag