1968 Custom Eldorado


General information

The Hot Wheels Custom Eldorado was a member of the original 16 in 1968, but actually is based on the real 1967 Cadillac Eldorado two-door sport coupe.


The 1967 Eldorado was unlike every previous Cadillac, not only that it had front-wheel drive, but it had style and attitude. And no other Cadillac had ever looked like the hidden-headlight, aggressively modern '67 Eldorado either! Credit GM designer Bill Mitchell for the truly gorgeous, almost arrogant '67 Eldo.
Beneath its skin, the '67 Eldorado had the Turbohydramatic three-speed automatic transaxle, which essentially put the transmission beside the longitudinally mounted engine, with power transmitted by a chain. Other features included the A-arm front suspension incorporating long torsion bars instead of coil springs, and a solid rear axle with leaf springs.
The Eldorado used the same 340-horsepower 429-cubic-inch V8 as other Caddies, but with changes in the exhaust manifolds, oil pan and accessory drive system to accommodate the peculiar drivetrain.
Priced at $6,277 (more than any DeVille, but less than a Fleetwood), the '67 Eldorado carried all the luxury equipment of a Fleetwood and, despite its two doors, had room for six passengers. It was instantly the most popular Eldorado ever, and sold 17,930 units that first year (only 2,250 '66 Eldorados were sold). It was a bold, confident step forward for Cadillac!


The Hot Wheels Custom Eldorado was produced in both the US and Hong Kong factories for approximately two years and, although it was a very popular casting at the time of its release, it has continued to remain as one of the “original 16” favorites over the years. The two factories produced two subtle, yet distinct body casting variations between the US and HK models.
The hood of the US-made Eldorado is slightly shorter in length when compared to the HK version, although the hood scoops are the same in both productions. The longer HK hood was required to account for a larger engine compartment, as compared to the short US engine. The area between the HK engine radiator and front bumper is open, while the US version is a solid cast. There are no notable differences on the rear end of either casting.

A pair of purple Eldorados showing differences between the HK (black steering wheel) and US castings.

The US Eldorado has a clear windshield as compared to the blue-tinted windshield "glass" of the HK car. The windshield placement is different as well: the US windshield snaps into the rear of interior, and rests over the top of the dashboard, while the HK version rests above the front dashboard at the engine cowl and the rear portion extends back to insert over the rear rivet post.
The US Eldorado has a one-piece interior, with the steering wheel molded as part of the console. Laid out flat, the design of the attached dashboard molding becomes apparent, prior to being folded and snapped into place.
The HK interior’s main difference is the lack of rounded dashboard detail, and the black steering wheel is a separate mold inserted through the dash wall. The interiors from both factories have been found, so far, in white, charcoal, brown, and champagne-gold colors.

Above: HK (L) and US (R) Eldorado interiors and "glass".



Both the US and HK Custom Eldorados came with the standard wheels unique to each factory. The HK wheels are characterized by a bright chrome finish of the spokes and rims, and thinner red lines on the tires. It is thought that the HK Eldorado was not issued with deep-dish wheels. Although some Eldorados have been found with deep-dish wheels, it is believed that the wheels were likely “swapped”, since no deep-dish Eldorados to date have been found in a blister pack.


The base has been found in four variations; three have been documented for US Eldorados, and one for HK Eldorados: HK: base has the year 1967 stamped US variation #1: large copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped, where the “8” is stamped off-center. US variation #2 : large copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped correctly.
US variation #3 : small copyright symbol with the year 1968 stamped correctly.


Above: HK Eldorado base.




Above (clockwise from top left): US Eldorado base variations 1, 2 and 3.

In general, the outside of the HK base (below) is slightly more detailed than the US counterpart.



On the inside of the chassis base there are obvious differences between the US and HK versions, in the design and location of the mounted wire axles, as well as the differences in width and length of the custom side exhaust pipes.

An inside view of HK (L) and US (R) Eldorado bases.
Variations: 25
Sort: Label   Toy number   Year   Name  
B1 Aqua - US, White Int
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
C1 Blue - US, Brown Int
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
E1 Brown - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
F1 Gold - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
F2 Gold - US, White Int.
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
G1 Green - HK, White Int
Hong Kong flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
G2 Green - HK, Black Int.
Hong Kong flag
6218 1968
Green - HK, Black Int.
Packaging
Inventory: 0
H1 Lime Yellow - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
I1 Olive - US, Dark Brown Int.
United States flag
6218 1968
Olive - US, Dark Brown Int.
Packaging
Inventory: 0
J2 Orange - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Orange - US
Packaging
Inventory: 0
K1 Creamy Pink - HK
Hong Kong flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
K2 Pink - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
L1 Purple - US, Black Int
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
L2 Purple - US, White Int
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
M1 Red - HK
Hong Kong flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
M2 Red - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
M3 Red - US, Store Display
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
N1 Dark Red - HK, Black Int
Hong Kong flag
6218 1968
Dark Red - HK, Black Int
Packaging
Inventory: 0
O1 Rose - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
O2 Yellow - US
United States flag
6218 1968
Packaging
Inventory: 0
Related Castings: 1
Image Toy # Casting Variation Country Year Wheels Inventory
Antifreeze - US, White Int 6218 Custom Eldorado A1: Antifreeze - US, White Int United States 1968 rlb
Aqua - US, White Int 6218 Custom Eldorado B1: Aqua - US, White Int United States 1968 rlb
Blue - US, Brown Int 6218 Custom Eldorado C1: Blue - US, Brown Int United States 1968 rlb
Light Blue - US, White Int 6218 Custom Eldorado D1: Light Blue - US, White Int United States 1968 rlb
Brown - US 6218 Custom Eldorado E1: Brown - US United States 1968 rlb
Gold - US 6218 Custom Eldorado F1: Gold - US United States 1968 rlb
Gold - US, White Int. 6218 Custom Eldorado F2: Gold - US, White Int. United States 1968 rlb
Green - HK, White Int 6218 Custom Eldorado G1: Green - HK, White Int Hong Kong 1968 rlb
Green - HK, Black Int. 6218 Custom Eldorado G2: Green - HK, Black Int. Hong Kong 1968 rlb
Green - US, Dark Brown Int 6218 Custom Eldorado G3: Green - US, Dark Brown Int United States 1968 rlb
Lime Yellow - US 6218 Custom Eldorado H1: Lime Yellow - US United States 1968 rlb
Olive - US, Dark Brown Int. 6218 Custom Eldorado I1: Olive - US, Dark Brown Int. United States 1968 rlb
Olive - US, Light Brown Int. 6218 Custom Eldorado I2: Olive - US, Light Brown Int. United States 1968 rlb
Orange - US, Dark Brown int. 6218 Custom Eldorado J1: Orange - US, Dark Brown int. United States 1968 rlb
Orange - US 6218 Custom Eldorado J2: Orange - US United States 1968 rlb
Creamy Pink - HK 6218 Custom Eldorado K1: Creamy Pink - HK Hong Kong 1968 rlb
Pink - US 6218 Custom Eldorado K2: Pink - US United States 1968 rlb
Purple - US, Black Int 6218 Custom Eldorado L1: Purple - US, Black Int United States 1968 rlb
Purple - US, White Int 6218 Custom Eldorado L2: Purple - US, White Int United States 1968 rlb
Red - HK 6218 Custom Eldorado M1: Red - HK Hong Kong 1968 rlb
Red - US 6218 Custom Eldorado M2: Red - US United States 1968 rlb
Red - US, Store Display 6218 Custom Eldorado M3: Red - US, Store Display United States 1968 rlb
Dark Red - HK, Black Int 6218 Custom Eldorado N1: Dark Red - HK, Black Int Hong Kong 1968 rlb
Rose - US 6218 Custom Eldorado O1: Rose - US United States 1968 rlb
Yellow - US 6218 Custom Eldorado O2: Yellow - US United States 1968 rlb
Magenta - Original 16 FNC25 Custom Eldorado (retool) A1: Magenta - Original 16 China 2018 rlb
Gold - Original 16 Store Display set FNC23 Custom Eldorado (retool) B1: Gold - Original 16 Store Display set China 2018 ncrl
Pink - RLC Party GXJ14 Custom Eldorado (retool) C1: Pink - RLC Party Thailand 2021 ncrl
Red - Original 16 Rally Case Set JCP66 Custom Eldorado (retool) D1: Red - Original 16 Rally Case Set China 2025 ncrl
Red - Original 16 Rally Case Set, Prototype JCP66 Custom Eldorado (retool) D2: Red - Original 16 Rally Case Set, Prototype China 2025 ncrl