Silhouette (1968)
The Silhouette, one of the original sixteen models produced in 1968, is one of the most
recognized and best loved Hot Wheels cars of all-time! The Silhouette, designed by Harry
Bradley, was based on a show car built by Bill Cushenberry in 1962. Cushenberry's
original was purchased by the Ford Motor Company in 1963 and included in their Ford Custom
Car Caravan road show.
The Silhouette was produced at both the US and HK plants. There are several differences
between the US and HK castings. The HK engine has a supercharger, while the US engine has
dual carbs. HK side exhaust pipes are longer and thinner than on US Silos. HK cars have a black
steering wheel inserted in the dash, while the US cars have a steering wheel that was molded as
part of the interior. All Silhouettes have a painted base; HK bases have four square openings.
US cars have clear dome glass, while the dome on HK Silos is tinted blue.
Two Silhouettes in antifreeze: US (top) and HK (bottom, with front deep dish wheels).
Although Mattel apparently produced the Silhouette through 1970, only the bearing type wheels
have been found on this casting. Some of the early Hong Kong cars had deep dish wheels. Several
interior colors can be found for both US and HK cars. The early production HK Silhouettes were
painted in purple or antifreeze. The early purple cars have purple interiors and painted headlights.
HK Silhouettes in colors other than purple are relatively hard to find.
Top & above: an early production purple HK Silhouette with purple interior,
front deep dish wheels and silver-painted headlights.
Color chart
| US COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| aqua |
common |
| blue | common |
| gold | common |
| green | common |
| purple | common |
| red | common |
| antifreeze | uncommon |
| hot pink |
uncommon |
| light blue |
uncommon |
| light ("apple") green |
uncommon |
| magenta |
uncommon |
| olive |
uncommon |
| orange |
uncommon |
| rose |
uncommon |
| creamy pink |
hard-to-find |
| yellow |
hard-to-find |
| brown |
rare |
| HK
COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| purple |
common |
| antifreeze |
uncommon |
| blue |
uncommon |
| green |
uncommon |
| pink |
rare |
A tough HK Silhouette rainbow!
Light green US Silhouette
Brown US Silhouette
Creamy pink US Silhouette
Hot pink US Silhouette
Light ("ice") blue US Silhouette
Magenta US Silhouette
John Macko's Silhouette rainbow!
Photo & info credits: John Macko & Bret Hinerman
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