All of the nominees for Model Car Designer of the Year for 2024 are from Mattel, partly testament to their outstanding work, and partly because the designers themselves are celebrities in their own right. During two separate stretches, Fraser Campbell has worked with Mattel designing mostly the mainline offerings that drive Hot Wheelsâ 1/64 business. For his huge contributions to the diecast hobby, Campbell is the Model Car Hall of Fame Model Car Designer of the Year for 2024.
Like many Hot Wheels designers, Campbell spans the world from interpretations of real production cars to wild customs to pure fantasy designs.Â
Campbell is currently in his second stint with the company. He worked for Mattel from 1998 to 2016 before leaving to pursue other interests. He eventually returned in 2016 and is in charge of the mainline $1 offerings from Hot Wheels.
The Maelstrom, one of his earliest designs, answers the question, âWhat if the El Camino still existed 25 years from now and you stuffed a giant engine in the bed?â Itâs the kind of question many of us would ask if designing a toy car, but his interpretation is equal parts ridiculous fantasy and real possibility.
Of course, he would also design a more literal interpretation of the idea, a â71 ElCo with a more plausible big block taking up the rear.
One of his recent offerings is a mind-bending combination of everything we love as model car enthusiasts. The Small Block looks like itâs carved out of wood like a Pinewood Derby Car. It also apes the proportions of a 1970s muscle car and features the popped-out engine and other details of the original custom Redline designs.
For his imaginative designs over the past couple of decades, Fraser Campbell is our 2024 Model Car Designer of the Year.
The Model Car Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, on  January 30, 2025. Thanks to everyone at Spielwarenmesse for having us as a part of their event.
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