The Fastest Diecast Cars in the World

Matchbox vs. Hot Wheels vs. Johnny Lightning...what are the fastest diecast cars? 

If you’re into racing diecast cars and want to know which cars are the fastest then you’ve come to the right place.  I’ve been hosting races for years now and have had people send in their fastest cars from all over the country.  Obviously within each particular casting you’re going to find some that are fast and some that are duds, but here we are going to look at castings that generally are pretty quick and that have potential to be really fast.

When it comes to finding fast diecast cars, a good set of wheels and axles is really the key.  And basically that comes down to luck.  It does seem that with older cars it is easier to find good wheels and axles.  A lot of the new stuff is pretty inconsistent, but you can still find some good stuff out there.  But even though the wheels and axles come down to luck, there are some other things that all the cars of a certain casting have that makes them generally fast.

Length on a car is generally helpful. Does a car have to be long to be fast? No, but all other things being equal (which they never are) a longer car has an advantage due to its length helping it run straighter and getting it’s center of gravity higher at the start.

A car with Faster Than Ever wheels is another thing that generally helps a car be faster. It’s actually not the wheel, but the axle.  Faster Than Ever axles are nickel plated so they are smoother and have less friction than normal axles.

A well balanced casting also has an advantage over other castings that are not as well balanced.  Cars with a lower center of gravity and with the center of gravity anywhere from the center of the car to slightly in front of the back wheel seem to do well.

Weight is also something that can help out a car.  However, it doesn’t seem to be the most important thing.  Most likely because all that weight needs to be well balanced, and often it is not. Also extra weight adds more friction on the axles, so unless it has FTE axles or you get lucky with really good wheels and axles, lots of extra weight can be counter productive.  Several of the cars reviewed here are not super heavy, and some don’t compete as well with some of the heavier cars reviewed, but if they are racing in a stock class with similar weighted cars they are usually a beast, and if you have a good one, give heavier cars a run for their money.  A lot of these lighter cars are also excellent platforms for modifying.

Well, I know you are chomping at the bit to find out which Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Johnny Lightning, and other diecast cars are the fastest, so without further adieu, let’s get to it.  This list is not comprehensive and will continue to be added to.

Hot Wheels FTE Way 2 Fast
Hot Wheels FTE Cadillac V16 Concept
Hot Wheels Probe Funny Car
Hot Wheels Ferrari F40
King Kenny Pro Circuit Probe Funny Car
Johnny Lightning Coca Cola Studebaker Pickup Truck
Hot Wheels Frontrunnin' Fairmont
Hot Wheels Han Solo in Carbonite
Hot Wheels FTE Hot Tub
Hot Wheels 50th Originals Collection Custom Mustang
Hot Wheels FTE Chrysler 300C
Hot Wheels Mirada Stocker
Johnny Lightning 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
Hot Wheels FTE ‘70 Plymouth Superbird
Hot Wheels Flat Out 442
Johnny Lightning Black With Flames '69 Camaro