In any industry, business, or hobby, there are not only unique words and phrases, there are also words and phrases which have meanings that only apply to that industry, business, or hobby.
And the area of diecast collecting is no different.
The following glossary is alphabetically arranged.
Though most definitions are for diecast in general, some contain specific Hot Wheels information and others are Hot Wheels specific.

anti-freeze - Paint that is shiny/glossy, semi-translucent, fluorescent, and may highlight edges by 'pulling away.' "Anti-freeze" is a reference taken from the color of antifreeze added to a full-size vehicle's radiator. Sometimes mistaken, and referred to, as "Day-Glow."
baggie - A clear plastic bag containing a diecast. May or may not have printing on it. May or may not contain a sticker sheet, information sheet, or other material. "Baggies" are normally used for promotionals (like McDonald's Happy Meals), give-aways, or mail-in offers.
blister - A clear plastic cover with five sides (back is usualy open) and a flared border. The border is what is glued to a blistercard (usually near the bottom). May or may not be formed (sometimes referred to as "vacuum-packed") to the shape of the diecast inside. May also be referred to as a "blistershell." "Blister" is a reference taken from blisters people get on their hands and/or feet.
blistercard - The thick cardboard-like backing of a blisterpack usually measuring 4.25 by 6.5 inches in size. The blistercard is composed of several layers of paper pressed or glued together and not too flexible. May or may not be punched.
blisterpack - The standard packaging format for most of the smaller scale diecast. A blisterpack is composed of a blistercard and a clear plastic blistershell. Most blisterpacked items are punched. Sometimes referred to as a "peg item." "Blisterpack," sometimes abbreviated as "bp," is a reference based on how the diecast itself is packaged.
blistershell - Sometimes used in place of "blister." Also means a clear plastic covering encasing an entire blisterpack like many of the Johnny Lightning diecast packagings.
body - The exterior part of a diecast that consists of the roof, doors, window frames/posts, hood, trunk, hatchback doors, tailgates, fenders, any panels, truck bed, and head- and taillights. Sometimes may include grilles and bumpers depending on the diecast mold.
BP or bp - Abbreviation for "blisterpack" or "blisterpacked."
C or c - Abbreviation for "Condition" and is immediately followed by a number that may or may not be in decimal form (see "grade" below) and may or may not be immediately followed by a "+". "Condition" applies to both a diecast's appearance and its moving parts.
card - The thick cardboard-like material or backing used for blisterpacked and peg items (see "blistercard" above). Sometimes "card" is used in place of "blisterpack." Most diecast dealers use "card" or "carded" to indicate that the card or blisterpack item is unpunched.
case - The cardboard box used for shipping blisterpacks from a manufacturer to a seller. Sometimes referred to as a "carton," the term "case" (in Hot Wheels) normally refers to the 72-count (of blisterpacks) box.
case code - The ten digit-and-letter combination found on Hot Wheels cases. Standard code format for the 72-count case is "DDDD DDD LLL." A case code designates which blisterpacked diecast will be packed/found in that case. It's not known how long a particular case code is used, but the code is used on thousands of cases. The key part of a case code are the last three letters. For example, a code ending with "DHL" will always have the Chaparral 2 Treasure Hunt (#7 of 12 for the year 2000) in it. {In May of 2001, Treasure Hunt diecasts are being randomly placed in cases. As such, case codes will no longer designate certain Hot Wheels THs.}
chassis - The exterior part of a diecast that is the underside/bottom part of a diecast. In most instances, the wheel assemblies are located here. The chassis usually includes grilles, bumpers, and, sometimes, head- and taillights depending on the diecast mold. The chassis may also include the engine, exhaust pipes, and running boards.
clamshell - A clear plastic container (similar to a blistershell) hinged on one side that 'snaps' open and closed. Clamshells come in various sizes -- from single loose vehicle to entire blisterpack -- and are used for storage, protection, and/or display of the item inside. "Clamshell" is a reference based on the clam, its shell, and how it opens and closes.
CN - Abbreviation for "Collector Number". This abbreviation is rarely used since most people use the "#" (pound sign) instead.
collector number - A numbering sequence found on many blisterpacked items made by various manufacturers. In many instances, these numbers are "assortment" and/or "item" numbers that a manufacturer uses for its benefit. The actual numbering sequence for collectors to use as their own references may have been started by Matchbox. Actual collector numbers are neither the "assortment" or "item" numbers that appear on the packaging. Collector numbers are usually in a different place that is very easy to see/find -- usually on the front of a blistercard and sometimes, additionally, on the back. Since each manufacturer has its own way of displaying collector numbers (along with the fact that the location or the vehicle may change from year to year) and that it would take up a lot of space to go into the details, it is best if you ask someone who already is a knowledgeable enthusiast or collector for guidance on specific manufacturers.
collector's guide - A listing, or checklist, of diecast usually sorted by manufacturer. May or may not have diecast descriptions and/or variations included. The guide can be professionally (book, magazine) or personally (printed/written, typed, computerized) made. Technically, there are no values/prices included; however, most professionally made collector's guides do include values/prices.
custom - Any changes made to a 'mass'-produced diecast, usually by a person not connected with any manufacturer but may have his or her own business, for personal pleasure, for an order, or for a specialty (custom car) event, show, or contest. Customizing may be as simple as changing the vehicle's body color (by dying or painting) or wheels to as complex as complete disassembly and detailing and reassembly. Usually not mass-produced.
Day-Glow - A paint that is fluorescent in nature and is 'solid' in color and coverage. Variant spellings of this trade name include: Day-Glo; DayGlow; DayGlo. Sometimes mistaken, and referred to, as "anti-freeze."
die - Rarely used term that means "the diecast mold". "Die" is borrowed from numismatics (coin collecting) during the coin-making stage where a "die" (a mold with details) is stamped down on a blank round piece of metal to 'form' the front and back images.
diecast - The term usually used instead of "metal vehicles" or "miniature vehicles." The diecast is always a smaller version of, usually, a full-size vehicle, but may also represent an imaginary one. Diecasts can be in any scale size with most made in the 1:70s to 1:60s range. A diecast is composed of five basic parts: body; windshield; interior; chassis; and wheel (see entries for each term for details). Some diecast also have a sixth part -- compartment -- in reference to trunks and/or engines; however, in most instances, this "compartment" is included with "interior." "Diecast" also refers to the process in which the scale size is made where molten (liquid) metal is poured or forced into a metallic mold to form a shape. Variant spellings of "diecast" include: die cast; or, die-cast.
emboss or embossed - This means that the details on a diecast are part of the mold and not separate add-ons. Usually, "embossed" does not include the normal diecast details of door-, hood-, trunk-lines, basic grille markings, chassis details, etc. Typically, "embossed" refers to details not normally found on a diecast like gas-tank caps, the vehicle's manufacturer's make and model names on the diecast's body, and/or wording in the licence plate area.
enamel - A paint that is 'solid' in color and coverage and is usually glossy/shiny with no effects (e.g., metalflake or metallic) in it. Most diecast are painted with this type of paint.
error - A manufacturer's or factory mistake. There are several kinds of errors that include: missing printing on blisterpack; wrong blistershell for diecast; diecast packaged wrong (e.g., upside-down, backwards); diecast missing items (e.g., wheels, stickers, tampos, interior, spoiler, etc.); wrong accessories on diecast (e.g., wrong chassis, mismatched wheels, wrong stickers, wrong tampo, etc.); wrong diecast in package (diecast not match name printed on packaging); wrong name on chassis; shifted tampo (i.e., tampo in wrong position, tampo colors not aligned, etc.). Some errors are very common and easy to find -- wrong blistershell, diecast packaged wrong, shifted tampo.
exclusive - A packaged diecast that is only available through certain places in which the vehicle and/or the packaging has designs that represent that place. The 'place' typically determines the quantity made of that exclusive.
FE or FEs - Abbreviation for "First Edition" or "First Editions."
First Edition - The first Hot Wheels mainline appearance of a diecast model. "First Edition"s first appeared in 1995 and are on regular size blisterpacks with "First Edition" and the year printed on a horizpntal 'bar' (usually white and going about 3/4 of the way across the card from left to right) on the front above the blistershell. Beginning with the 2001 line, all series names -- including First Editions -- are in a thin vertical 'bar' on the right side of the card starting at the bottom and going about half-way up the side. The number of First Editions has varied from year to year so far, but 36 seems to be a standard. If a new diecast model is released as an exclusive, limited, special edition, by another company that Mattel bought, or released outside of the United States before it is released stateside, it will not appear as a First Edition when, or if, it is released in the U.S. "First Edition" is sometimes abbreviated as "FE" or "FEs." Sometimes "first edition" is used to refer to the first appearance of any diecast in any manufacturer's line.
grade - Normally a scale of 0-10 that indicates the condition (see above) of a diecast. A "0" [zero] indicates the poorest possible condition while a "10" indicates the best condition possible. Usually, the grade is given in a letter/number combination like "C9" or "c9". If it is difficult to give a whole-number grade, decimals and the "+" may be used. For example, if a diecast's condition is better than "C8" but not quite a "C9", then either a "C8.x" or "C8+" may be used.
HTF or htf - Abbreviation for "Hard To Find."
hub - Shortened form of "hubcap" and indicates the 'center area' of a wheel. Normally the hub and tire are done in hard black plastic as one piece (see "wheel" below). In most instances, the hub is painted with the most common colors being chrome (silver), gold, or white.
interior - The inside part of a diecast usually made of colored plastic. The interior usually consists of the dashboard, instrument panel, steering wheel, gear shift, and all seats. May include top-down convertible roof, motor, trunk and rumble seat depending on the diecast mold. Sometimes, the interior is formed as part of the chassis.
international - A Hot Wheels blisterpack released outside of the United States and usually used to refer to single-pack (i.e. mainline) vehicles though other HW lines (e.g., X-V Racers, Action Pack, Planet) also appear on international cards. Rarely are there any major design changes as compared to U.S.-released items. Basic differences may include country/language specific cards (e.g., German, Italian, Japanese), different vehicle name (e.g., Zowies line), bold minimum age (usually in white) on card front, missing series name (e.g., "First Edition", "Treasure Hunt", monthly 4-car series name), and sometimes the horizontal bar on the front of the card where the series name is placed. International cards for mainline diecasts come in two sizes. One is the standard 4.25" wide by 6.5" tall size. The other size is just over half the height and usually referred to as a "half card" (occasionally, a "half card" is released stateside, but does not have the international design changes). These international cards in both sizes come in three variations. One variation, and the hardest to find, are the mainline vehicles produced by LEO-Mattel in Nagpur, India. Though these cards are in English, the counting system and monetary values are India specific. The second variation are the mainline vehicles produced for English-speaking countries outside the U.S. and have a bold "3+" on the card front. These cards are in English; however, vehicles in a numbered series (e.g., "First Edition", "Treasure Hunt", monthly 4-car) may have a "de" included in the numbering phrase. The third variation are the mainline vehicles produced for both English- and non-English-speaking countries. These cards also have a bold "3+" on the front, but minor design changes (on front and back) allow the inclusion of up to ten foreign languages. These languages include (in addition to American/British English): French, German, Mexico Spanish, Castilian (Spain) Spanish, Italian, Cyrillic (Russian), Portuguese, Baltic, and Scandinavian.
limited - Refers to a diecast that has a special paint and/or tampo scheme that usually commemorates a special event or may be used for an award or promotional. Usually limited to a run of 10,000 though some production runs vary from less than 100 up to 25,000.
mainline - A regular issue Hot Wheels blisterpacked diecast found on pegs in stores. Usually the term does not apply to monthly series vehicles, "Treasure Hunt"s, or any other special type of diecast or packaging. Sometimes may also not include "First Edition"s. In other words, a basic or regular Hot Wheels diecast.
metalflake - A paint with varying sizes of visible 'flakes' or 'chips' in it. Easily and commonly mistaken, and mislabeled, as "metallic." On rare occasions, the term "metallic-flake" has been used and this may be part of the reason for the confusion between "metalflake" and "metallic."
metallic - A paint with dot-like specks or 'sparkles' in it. Easily and commonly mistaken, and mislabeled, as "metalflake."
MIB or mib - Abbreviation for "Mint In Box." This means that the diecast is in mint condition and comes packaged in a box. Usually, the box is also in mint condition, but questions should be asked to be sure.
micro - A very small version vehicle, usually around 1:144 scale size or around 1-inch in length. Can be a diecast, or made from plastic, or a combination of both. Sometimes referred to as "mini."
MNMC or mnmc - Abbreviation for "Mint on Near Mint Card." This means that the diecast is in mint condition and that the card (i.e. blisterpack) it comes packaged on has some type of 'damage.' Questions should be asked to determine the kind of 'damage.'
MOC or moc - Abbreviation for "Mint On Card." This means that the diecast is in mint condition and comes packaged on a card (i.e. blisterpack). Normally, the card is not in mint condition (see "MOMC" below).
model - Different diecasts with, usually, different names. For example, "Cadillac" is a make while "Cadillac Fleetwood" and "Cadillac Brougham" are different models. Also, if there are enough exterior changes, a diecast of a "1969 Cadillac Fleetwod" and a diecast of a "1970 Cadillac Fleetwood" in the same scale size would be different models. For many collectors, the inclusion or exclusion of a part indicates a different model. Hot Wheels examples of this are: Mighty Maverick {1970/1975} with and without rear spoiler; Swingin' Wing {1970/1973} with and without 'wing'; Grass Hopper {1974/1975} with and without engine; Nomad (aka Alive '55) {various years} with and without opening engine hood.
MOMC or momc - Abbreviation for "Mint On Mint Card." This means that the diecast is in mint condition and comes packaged on a card (i.e. blisterpack) that is also in mint condition.
mottled - The appearance of blotches on a painted diecast. Usually, the blotches are darker than the paint used on the body. The blotches are mainly caused by age or chemical reaction. Redlines with Spectraflame paint are notorious for becoming mottled. In some instances, the entire paint job/diecast may mottle and result in a different shade or color. With paints that tend to mottle, you need to know (or have verified) the original color in order to properly value the diecast.
NIB or nib - Abbreviation for "New In Box." This means that the diecast may or may not be in mint condition. There are several reasons for this. First, there may be some type of 'damage' to the diecast that occurred during manufacturing/packaging. Second, the seller may be very particular and the diecast may not be up to his/her standards. Third, the diecast may have been removed and 'played' with or inspected. Fourth, the diecast may have been removed and 'damage' may have occurred during 'play/inspection.' Regardless of the diecast's condition, "New" means that it is a new release. "NIB" also means that the diecast is packaged in a box that is, usually, in mint condition (but questions should be asked to determine this).
peg - Device (aka "hook") on which blisterpacks are hung in order to sell or display. Comes in two basic types: straight or "J"-shaped. Sometimes "peg" is used in place of "punched". "Peg" is a reference/abbreviation taken from what most pegs are 'connected' to - a pegboard.
peg item - Any packaged item that can be hung on a peg in order to sell or display.
preproduction - A scale-sized diecast model made from "prototype" (see below) molds. Preproduction models are made to see how easy a diecast will be to mass-produce, to see how well all the pieces fit together, to see if any mold modifications/changes are needed, and to check on final color/design schemes. It is from the final stage preproduction models that the mass-production diecast molds are made.
price guide - A listing of diecast, usually sorted by manufacturer, that typically includes descriptions, variations, and prices/values. Format is usually a professionally made booklet, magazine, and/or book. The prices/values listed are suggested dollar amounts and are never meant to be used as selling prices. Prices/values are given, mainly, for informative and insurance purposes only.
production run - This phrase means "the number made" of a diecast. In Hot Wheels, the average production run (number made) of any mainline diecast is 250,000.
promo - Abbreviation of "promotional" (see "limited" above). A promo is a diecast, sometimes free, available at a specific place, through the mail, or packaged with another (sometimes unrelated) item.
prototype - There are two basic kinds of prototypes. The first one is a large scale (usually around 1:10) model of a diecast based on idea-drawings and usually made of modeler's clay. The second one is the typical size diecast model based on a clay model and usually made of similar materials (metal, plastic) found in a production or mainline diecast. Sometimes this model is finished as it might appear in a blisterpack. It is from this model that trial-run (preproduction) diecast molds are made. It is from these molds that "preproduction" models are made.
punched - The cut-out areas on a peg item that allow the item to be hung on a peg. The cut-out can be a hole (circular or oval) or "J"- or "L"-shaped.
Real Riders - The Hot Wheels line of mainline diecast having that type of wheel. The wheel is a two-parter consisting of a hard plastic hub and a tire made of real rubber. Since 1983, Real Riders have only appeared on exclusive, First Edition, limited, special edition, and Treasure Hunt diecasts. Diecasts with Real Riders are in high demand among collectors. Unfortunately, diecasts with Real Riders are among the slowest vehicles when raced -- the 'grabbing' traction of the rubber tire is a lot slower than the 'gliding' of the hard plastic wheel.
redline - Hot Wheels hard black plastic wheel having a silver/chrome hub of five spokes with a red line where a "whitewall" line would be on a regular tire. Original redlines have the red line painted in a size-matching recessed circle around the wheel. "Redline(s)" is also the nickname (based on the wheel design) given to all Hot Wheels diecasts made from 1968 till 1977. During 1977, redline wheels were phased out and a few diecast varieties never had redline wheels. For reasons only known to them, a lot of collectors consider 'true' redlines to have been made only up to 1973, 1974, or 1975.
reproduction - There are two definitions. First one means a copy of original parts made by a person or a company. These parts are used to restore (see below) a diecast to its 'like new' condition. The second definition means a copy of an original diecast made by an individual, a company, or by a manufacturer (most of the time it is the original manufacturer). The copy usually has some changes incorporated in the diecast mold. For example, the Hot Wheels issued for Hot Wheels' twenty-fifth anniversary (1993) had a redone chassis which included the Hot Wheels logo and "25th Anniversary." The following year (1994), some reproductions had "Vintage" in an oval design on the chassis. Sometimes, these changes are mistakeningly referred to as "retooled".
restore - To make a diecast like new (aka "restoration"). To restore a diecast to its 'like new' condition, several things may be done depending on the current condition the the diecast is in. Restoration may involve anything from a change of wheels and/or stickers to complete disassembly (to repair or repaint any damage, or to replace damaged parts) and reassembly. Since many original parts may not be available, reproduction (see above) parts may be used. Few restored diecasts may have a value very close to that of the original -- but this is rare.
retooled - To make a change in a diecast mold after the original diecast has been released. Retooling a mold is usually done for one or more reasons: 1. to make mass-production and mass-assembly even easier; 2. to take out or add in extra details; 3. to move a detail from one mold to another (e.g., from a body mold to a chassis mold or vice-versa); 4. to re-detail due to wear-and-tear on a mold.
rivet - The most common way that a diecast is kept together and 'holds' all the parts in place. Most diecast have two rivets (which can be seen 'on' the chassis when the diecast is turned over); but there can also be one, three, or four depending on the diecast mold.
run - 'Abbreviation' for "production run" (see above).
scale size - The size relationship between a regular full-size vehicle and its smaller diecast version. Most blisterpack diecast range from (largest to smallest) 1:49 to 1:210 with a majority being in the 1:70s to 1:60s. Unless specifically stated, smaller diecast are not the commonly accepted/used 1:64 scale. The most common stated collector scale sizes in diecast are 1:10, 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64.
series - Refers to diecast individually blisterpacked but part of a 'theme' and having blistercards with the same basic designs like Treasure Hunts, First Editions, monthly series, NASCAR, military, Humvees, magazine covers, etc. The number of blisterpacked diecasts in a series usually varies from 4 to 16 and may or may not be released all at the same time.
set - Refers to two or more diecast packaged together. Packaging is usually a box-style with clear 'celophane', clear vacuum-style plastic, or clear hard plastic. Sometimes referred to as a "pack".
SOC or soc - Abbreviation for "Sealed On Card". This is rarely used since it means the same as "blisterpacked." Can also mean that the diecast has never been removed from the blistershell or that the blistershell seal has never been broken.
souped up - Usually means increased engine power and performance. May also refer to modifications added to an engine (like a hood-scoop) or switching-out a standard engine for another more powerful variety. Usually done to cars referred to as "hot rod"s or "muscle car"s. Variant spelling of "souped-up": suped-up.
special edition - A packaged diecast produced for specific outlets. In most instances, the diecast has a different color and/or tampo scheme and the packaging is different.
Spectraflame - Specific brand of metallic (see above) paint used on Hot Wheels diecasts from 1968-1972.
spoiler - A wing-like structure usually attached by struts at both ends to a vehicle and usually found on customized and professional racing vehicles. On Indy-style vehicles, the spoiler is usually attached by a single, center strut. Most common location for a spoiler is at the rear; however, some vehicles also have them on the front end. Main purpose of a spoiler is to help keep the racing vehicle's wheels in contact with the ground and to improve aerodynamics. Sometimes referred to as an "airfoil".
sticker - A self-adhesive or self-sticking label made of plastic, paper, or plasticized paper and usually applied by the manufacturer. Stickers were in great use prior to tampos (see below). Sometimes, sticker sheets come with diecasts that allow a person to decorate the diecast according to his/her taste. Also known as "peel-offs" and "stick-ons". Sometimes mistakingly referred to as "decals" (which come on sheets and must be soaked in water and slid off prior to application).
tampo - Any paint details besides or in addition to the regular body color. Tampos are added after a diecast has had a color applied over its entire outer surface or body. Usually, "tampo(s)" refer to the 'decorations' on a diecast's body and not to the details of door handles, head- & taillights, grilles, bumpers, and other similar standard 'equipment.'
TH or THs - Abbreviation for "Treasure Hunt" or "Treasure Hunts".
Treasure Hunt - A 'special' type of limited edition diecast from any manufacturer. In Hot Wheels, the diecast are mainline vehicles with special tampos and, usually, body color. The blistercard has a colored bar (horizontal for 1995-2000 or vertical for 2001) with "Treasure Hunt Series" and the the year of issue. The basic tampo has "TH" and the year of issue below it with both 'over' a five-point star whose points extend outside of an outline circle. Hot Wheels Treasure Hunts were first released in 1995 and twelve (one for each month of the year) have been done each year since then. For a lot of collectors, Treasure Hunts are the most desired diecasts made by Hot Wheels.
Matchbox THs usually have a white "Matchbox" and year of issue on the diecast's windshield. Before Mattel's ownership of Matchbox (Tyco), Matchbox THs were painted gold. Johnny Lightning THs were originally released on specially designed blisterpacks (same size as their regular bps) with the phrase "White Lightning" across the card and, usually, the diecast had a white painted chassis with "White Lightning" painted on the wheels (tire part). Some of these blisterpacks also had a round 'token' with "White Lightning" and a picture of the corresponding diecast on it. Since the mid-1990s, White Lightning diecsts no longer appear on specially designed cards -- the only way to find a White Lightning is to look for three things: 1. white painted chassis; 2. "White Lightning" on the tires; and 3. a different colored hub (this is rarely done). Tonka THs (made by Maisto) are a "Collectors Search" that (for 1999 and 2000) have a "#51 vehicles" in the upper right corner of the card front and "collectors search", along with the vehicle's name, across the bottom of the card front. The font style for these 'phrases' is "stencil". In an unusual move, the 1999 and 2000 Tonka THs are the exact same vehicle, including paint scheme and tampos, but with different names.
unpunched - A peg item in which the peg hole or "J"- or "L"-shaped cut-out area has not been removed (in other words, the item has never been hung on a peg). "Unpunched" may also indicate a peg item that somehow 'escaped' having a peg area punched into it. Can also be an item that normally would've been punched but was not done so on purpose. In most instances, this type of item is an exclusive, limited, mail-in, and/or special edition. Sometimes referred to as "carded".
value guide - A listing of diecast, usually sorted by manufacturer, that typically includes descriptions, variations, and values/prices. Format is usually a professionally made booklet, magazine, and/or book. The values/prices listed are suggested dollar amounts and are never meant to be used as selling prices. Values/prices are given, mainly, for informative and insurance purposes only.
variation - Any manufacturer changes made during and after the initial production run and release of a diecast. The changes may include any of the following: body paint color, tampo size, tampo color, tampo location, number of tampos, wheel size, wheel color, hub size, hub color, hub style, body/vehicle casting, interior color, interior accessories, wording on chassis, color of plastic accessories, windshield color, windshield tint, place of manufacture, year of manufacture, cast/mold number, and may include any packaging design changes or modifications. For most manufacturers, any major variations or changes usually do not mean that a new collector number will be 'done.' In Hot Wheels, the 1999 First Edition of the Olds Aurora GTS-1 came in: 1. white & blue with a black spoiler; 2. metalflake silver with an orangish spoiler and different tampos; 3. red enamel with a black spoiler and the same tampos as #2. All had the same collector number (911). However, for the 2000 First Editions, the 1964 Lincoln Continental (FE #3) came out with a white enamel body (collector number 2000-063) even though the diecast was originally pictured with a black enamel body. When the black version came out, it had a different collector number (2000-237).
VHTF or vhtf - Abbreviation for "Very Hard To Find".
wheel - Refers to the hub (hubcap) and tire assembly on a diecast. In most instances, the hub and tire are one piece with the hub being painted. In a few instances, the hub and tire are two separate pieces with the hub being made out of colored plastic or metal. In Hot Wheels, there are three basic types of wheels: 1. one-piece hard black plastic with painted hub; 2. two-piece consisting of a hard colored plastic hub and real-rubber tires (aka "Real Riders" - see above); 3. two-piece consisting of a hard colored plastic hub and fake rubber tire. Since 1968, Hot Wheels has produced nearly 40 different wheel types -- as a result, the wheel is probably the most common and easiest variation to find.
windshield or windows - An inside or exterior part (depending if vehicle has a roof) of a diecast. The plastic can be clear, tinted (aka 'smoked'), or opaque. The same model diecast may have windshield variations depending on where the diecast is made.
Zamac - A Hot Wheels special edition diecast that has no body paint color but is 'painted' with a clear lacquer. This diecast is made of the exact same materials as a mass-production diecast. "Zamac"s were done to celebrate Hot Wheels' 30th anniversary and were originally only available at the 12th Annual Hot Wheels Convention in 1998. Twenty-six diecast were chosen and 500 Zamacs of each were made. Sometimes, "Zamac" is used to refer to the final stage unpainted prototype. Origin of "Zamac" is currently unknown.

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