Matchbox and Hotwheels Trucks Compared to HO Scale

Comparing Matchbox and Hot Wheels to HO Scale

Part 1 - Matchbox F550 Super Duty and Hot Wheels F150

You see a lot of questions but very few answers when it comes to using Matchbox and Hot Wheels with HO Scale.  Some people do it all the time and others don't want to have anything to do with it.

Before we get started, I want to direct you to watch the Hot Wheels restoration video, which is probably the best video out there for beginners in this area.

Credit goes to Angelo Bonsignore for getting me started on the path to restoring my old Hot Wheels.

His channel is here:  Angelo Bonsignore YouTube

The specific video you should watch is: How to restore Diecast Cars

Once you've seen that it can be done with very good results, then the trick is to find models that can work.

Specifically I'd like to find models that are available today for the classic price of $1 at every place that sells toys.

Recently I picked out a Matchbox F550 Super Duty and a Hot Wheels F150 Pickup.

The first thing that is easily noticed is that the F150 is much bigger that the F550.  Some of this is due to the bigger wheels, but overall the body is bigger on the Hot Wheels model.

First let's check the measurements of the Matchbox F550 compared to the listed specs of the real thing:

	Ford F550 Super Duty	Matchbox F550 Super Duty	Percent Difference
Wheel Base	14'4"	13'5"	94%
Length	22'8"	21'2"	93%
Width	6'8"	6'3"	94%
Height	6'9"	7'2"	106%
Tire Size	33"	34"	104%

This model is scores an actual accuracy of 98% average.  This truck is worth trying to make it into a better model.  With that high average it should fit nicely into most scenery.

Next up the Hot Wheels F150 Super Cab:

	Ford F150 Super Cab	Hot Wheels F150 Super Cab	Percent Difference
Wheel Base	13'7"	14'3"	105%
Length	20'11"	22'3"	107%
Width	7'2"	8'10"	124%
Height	6'7"	8'10"	135%
Tire Size	33"	45"	135%

The total average accuracy of this model is 121%, which in general is going to big too big unless it's an isolated scene.

What we've learned in this part is that a closer look is needed at Matchbox and Hot Wheels.  Even though the F150 is too big, there are other trucks from Hot Wheels that need a closer look.

One of the next things we'll need to do is make a mold of some of the best wheels we can find to really dress up some of our findings.