Fiero Toy Box – Part 4 by Ray Paulk
In part four of this series, we will discuss the Hot
Wheels "Sting Rod" Fiero GT:
Released in 1988, the Hot Wheels "Sting Rod" (or
"Ammo" as it was called in the “Tattoo Machines” series) is based
on the Fiero GT fastback, highly modified to represent an Army off-road attack
vehicle with a high lift suspension and over-sized, construction-type, black
tires. In the front, 3 machine guns poke through the hood with additional single
guns protruding from the rocker panels on both sides. Standing up in the engine
bay is a rack with 2 rocket launchers (where's the engine?).
There have been two basic hub styles for the wheels on the
Sting Rods. One hub has a raised ring around the center with 8-dots (holes) in
the ring - this is called the 8-dot wheel. The second hub has slightly raised
inner and outer rings. There are 4 truncated "spokes" on each ring
alternately radiating inside-to-out then outside-to-in - this is called the
4-spoke wheel.
In the first couple of years after its release, only a few
models showed up in the marketplace, which resulted in values escalating into
the $35 and $45 range. In 1991, Toys "R" Us released hundreds of cases
of Hot Wheels across the country, each case containing six Sting Rods, which
crashed the value down to a more realistic value.
The initial release was in a camouflage green color followed
by a short run in the "desert" camouflage tan capitalizing on the
Desert Storm conflict. This camouflage tan version is very scarce and commands a
premium in the collector’s market.
In 1993, the Sting Rod was released as one of a set of
twelve vehicles called the "Tattoo Machines". Each model had a theme
and was decorated with appropriate decals. The Sting Rod was called
"AMMO" which was appropriate with its guns and rockets. Each model was
blister-packed with a sheet of fake tattoos, which could be applied and washed
off with soap and water. As these fake tattoos were popular with the kids, it is
exceptional to find a mint blister-card with everything intact.
The “Sting Rod” Fiero GT is known to exist with the
following variations:
1)
Olive-green body and undercarriage with camouflage effects in light
green, tan and brown, black machine guns and rocket launcher. Baseplate text:
"© MI 1988" "MALAYSIA". This version comes with 8-dot
wheels.
2)
As #1 except 4-spoke wheels.
3)
As #1 except a desert tan body with camouflage effects in light green,
brown and white.
4)
As #3 except 4-spoke wheels.
5)
"AMMO" of the 1993 “Tattoo Machines” series: Metal-flake
silver body and undercarriage, blue metal-flake windshield, yellow headlight
doors, black machine guns and rocket launcher. Body covered with gun oriented
decals: machine gun w/ammo belt on sides, ammo belts "feeding" hood
machine guns and fake bullet holes. Baseplate text: "© MATTEL INC."
"1988" "CHINA". 4-spoke wheels.
6)
Metal-flake gray body, fluorescent orange undercarriage, machine-guns and
rockets. Baseplate text: "© MATTEL INC." "1988"
"CHINA". 4-spoke wheels with chrome highlighted hub rings and spokes.
Ray Paulk
19 Ben’s Way
Hopedale, MA 01747
Tel: (508) 634-3511
E-mail: raypaulk@kersur.net
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