Why is the 2016 Hot Wheels Ford Fiesta so special? You have to go back in time with Michael Heralda to 1998…

We have hinted in numerous places that the 2016 version of the Hot Wheels Ford Fiesta is a special model.  Many of you have been guessing why.

Secret Treasure Hunt?  No.

Early run before a running change?  No.

White wheels?  No.

The Ford Fiesta is special because it was designed by Michael Heralda, a longtime graphic designer at Mattel who retired this last summer in June.

“But why would a Heralda design be so special?”, you might ask, “He’s done thousands of designs for Mattel!”  And that is exactly right.  Michael has done thousands of designs for both Matchbox and Hot Wheels.  In fact, by Michael’s count, he retired earlier this year having done just about 5000 designs.

And this Ford Fiesta is special, because it is his final design, and in supercool fashion, it pays homage to his very first design at Mattel, back in 1998.

I will let Michael tell the story in his own words:

My first and last decorations for Hot Wheels! Please note that there is a nineteen-year separation (and 5,000 decorations) between them!

The (#1 of 48) 1998 First Edition Ford Escort Rally was my very first Hot Wheels decoration.  I created this deco in 1997 and since it would be my first decoration I thought it only appropriate to add my name somewhere in the design – after all who wouldn’t want their name on a Hot Wheels model?

Being new to the Design Team, and the only, and first in-house graphic designer, I thought it might be a bit bold to add only my name to a model.  So after much thought and consideration I decided to add, not only my name, but also the name of my boss – Gary Swisher.  It brought a smile to his face when I showed him the E-Sheet concept and it was immediately approved.  It turned out that this model was also the very first model to have his name (SWISHER MOTORS) emblazoned on a model as well!  “Smart move Michael,” I thought to myself. 

With regards to the decoration itself I have a few comments to share.  The number 8 – everyone has a favorite number and at the time “8” was mine.  Under the number 8 can be found my name in very thin type – HERALDA.  My initials appear on both the front quarter panels and on the front fog lamps (MH).  Back in those days we could afford to have side panel deco’s as well as front (or rear deco) on a basic car, even PAINT OPS!!!  The front end is a combination of Paint Op and Tampo!!!!

Many of you may know that two versions of this model exist but actually there are three versions (the third version is very rare).  The third version has 5-Spoke Wheels and like the second version (somewhat rare) it has on the silver grey base the name FORD RALLY.

Now let’s fast forward to 2015 and my early retirement in June of this year.
Knowing that I would soon be leaving one of the best jobs I ever had as a graphic designer I wanted to finish my (Mattel) graphics career with something that made sense and would be remembered (at least by me).  I thought it would be appropriate to make my last Hot Wheels deco similar to my very first one.  I told one of the Hot Wheels graphics gurus, Jerry Thienprasiddhi, about my plan to replicate my first Hot Wheels deco and asked if the Ford Escort Rally was planned for use in the line (2015 or 2016) and he told me it was not.  But then he added, “we will be using the 2012 Ford Fiesta, is that close enough?”  Ahh, the plan is starting to take shape!

But wait, there’s more! Not only would I be replicating the deco but updating it as well!  Instead of my favorite number 8, I changed it to 28 – that’s how many years I am credited with working for Mattel.  I also included my own personal MH HERALDA logo (the one with wings) and a reference to my 5,000 decorations in the form of a “5000 CLUB” logo.  I had hoped to use the same wheels that were used on my first deco but was informed that the Ford Fiesta would be part of a separate series – the Arctic Racer Series so the wheels (as part of that series) needed to be white.  That was one of the compromises I had to accept.  Additionally, I modified the Hot Wheels logo so that instead of carrying the name HOT WHEELS within the flame it would read HERALDA.  That was a big NO-NO and I couldn’t get buy-off from the then Director of Hot Wheels (bummer) – another compromise.  Well, we can all dream, right?

When you finally get the new Hot Wheels Ford Fiesta in your hands, for a side-by-side comparison, you may notice another difference from my first and last design – the Chassis.  In the first design the Chassis is silver grey.  On the Ford Fiesta it is Blue.  Why you may ask?  Well, and here’s my opportunity to tell a more involved story that veers slightly to the “Orange Side” (MATCHBOX).  Hold your horses my friends; don’t stop reading this message just because I mention Matchbox.  Don’t forget I worked on that brand as well for many years.

As part of my overall farewell deco plan, I decided to also replicate my first Hot Wheels deco on a Matchbox vehicle as well – you know, my way of connecting both brands that I worked on.  The Matchbox model is the QUICK SANDER (2015 #121 of 125).  And, since I spent more time as a Matchbox graphics designer I decided to also create a support team all carrying the same (similar) graphics.  My rational was that this is an opportunity for collectors of die cast models to support both brands – to acquire the full series of my last deco’s you will need to buy from the Blue and Orange aisles!  Don’t hate me for that.  Embrace the idea! Ha!  Since the support team will not make an appearance until 2016 I will keep the names of those models a secret.  Eventually they all will show up and I hope my small attempt at bringing collectors together, from both sides of the Blue and Orange brands, will be successful.

Thank you for your interest in my work and supporting Hot Wheels & Matchbox! 

Your friend, 
Michael Heralda

Before we go, I promised on my YouTube video about the Fiesta that I would show off some of Michael’s talent, and there is no better way than showcasing some of his Matchbox Gathering Event models.  Enjoy: