I was a tester for Mattel during the Hot Wheels development. I was at a mall in So Cal shopping with my Mom. A lady walked up and asked my Mom if I could look at some toy cars and give my opinion. We said yes and we went to a large room were they had the basic HW track set up along with the Mattel cars and a equal number of Matchbox cars. They had me look and play with all the cars and then they asked me about them. I had all the Matchbox cars they were using and was blown away by the Hot Wheels. Needless to say I gave the HW two thumbs up!! About 2 months later I got a box with that orange track, clamp and a Firebird conv.....I still have the car....that early track tended to split and was tossed when the production stuff was made. I still have all my original cars.....and more than I care to admit to. We gave Samaritans Purse Christmas Child project 3000 mint cars last year.....and my son is now the collector and gave him half my collection for Christmas this year. I still have too many!!!!