Which cars/brands have FTE nickel axles?

redlinederby Tuesday, 3/1/2016
Site manager

In light of some recent debate about what "FTE" really means, I'm looking for a some sort of list of car lines that have the nickel-plated axles, aka, FTE axles.

I know the High Speed Wheel line does too but which others? Probably not a long list, but I don't know for sure.

And if anyone knows if brands other that Hot Wheels (MBX, JL) have a comparable feature in a line, please share those as well.


Discussion

Hot Ones - '80s series of Hot Wheels that have thin, FTE-like axles.

Ultra Hots - much like the Hot Ones except continued until the '90s before using normal axles.

Gold Medal Speed - '90s series of Hot Wheels that have gold Lace Wheels with shiny, FTE-like axles.

Color Racers - '80s series of Hot Wheels that have nickel plated axles.

Color FX - '90s version of Color Racers.

Color Shifters - modern version of Color Racers.

View member profile
redlinederby 3/1/16
Site manager

Does that include the more recent line of Hot Ones, or just the 80s incarnation?


  • Only the originals. — Brakefluid_Tracksurgeon
  • any winners i have, have had '05- '06 FTEs...thanks bernie ! — fordman
  • Hey Schmitty, is Bernie still around? — EconoCarl
  • far as i know, had a guy look to buy it all, don't know if he did? — fordman

Is Bernie the only source for FTE Axles?   I've been having a tough time finding FTE in my area.  I have a grand total of 1 car...would like more 


Late 90s Hot Wheels cars that are made in China have FTE axles. However, the wheels are bad quality.

View member profile
RIJSZ 3/10/17

Just wondering if any of these have plastic bases (not metal on metal). 

Does this include all color shifters? I found a 5 car set of color shifters the same price as regular cars, and was wondering if it was worth grabbing for the nickel axles...


  • All color shifters have nickel-plated axles. However, newer color shifters have bad-quality wheels. — Brakefluid_Tracksurgeon

I know this is an old thread, but I've gleaned some info from some people I trust concerning late 90's...nickel platted axels and China. The story is Mattel just sent them over with other supplies etc., they were not used exclusively but at random, so it's like a lottery...get a mid to late 90's casting from China and you just might be getting nickel platted axels as well...and that may not be exclusive to China. So, does the common knowledge of 90's castings being faster than later castings have a connection to nickel platted axels?

...either way, fun stuff and adds to the thrill of the hunt!!!


I had a VW Golf Collector # 474 with China base, had to switch out the axels because the front was slightly bent...just checked those axels and they are indeed nickel platted...got the front axel pretty straight now, so putting them in a Morris Mini for the Mini Motor Nationals.  

View member profile
redlinederby 4/4/18
Site manager

Here's the list of numbered cars that fall into the "might have it" category. Good work, Shaggy...you and Scooby deserve some Scooby Snacks.


Also...2008-09 Hot Wheels Race Aces, which were a Target exclusive have nickel platted axels.



  • Some sweet rides you've got there. My favorite is the Charger. — Dadvball
  • My mistake. It looks like a charger on a small screen. Should have expanded it and I would have seen its a 300. Also a favorite. — Dadvball
  • Currently inventory for The Quest for Speed — LeagueofSpeed
  • I had the Focus Race Ace. One of the first cars I took apart to mod. — redlinederby
to join the conversation or sign-up now