Chevrolet and Mattel create a muscle car

U.S. toymaker Mattel Inc. and automaker General Motors Co. are promoting a special edition Camaro as a Hot Wheels car for grownups. For the first time in 44 years of producing Hot Wheels toys, Mattel is working with a car company to produce a special edition vehicle. The cost for the life-sized, special edition muscle car will be $44,000 for an eight-cylinder version and $37,000 for a six-cylinder model. The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that the car -- which is a marriage of an iconic toy and an iconic automobile -- will be featured next week at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association trade show in Las Vegas. The car features the Hot Wheels logo of red flames and the racing stripe that has been a constant in the Hot Wheels Camaro since it was first produced as a toy in 1968. That's only one year younger than the real Camaro, which made its first appearance in 1967, the Detroit News pointed out. "Who wouldn't want to grow up and drive a Hot Wheels car?" said John Fitzpatrick, marketing manager for Chevrolet Performance cars. The companies expect fans of both Hot Wheels and Camaro will be attracted to the special edition vehicle, Fitzpatrick said.