Remember when you were a kid and you imagined how fun it would be to drive on a full-scale Hot Wheels track? I’m sure most of us still think it would be fun, though realistically we know it’s just not going to happen. At this age we realize how dangerous this stunt would be thanks to a lifetime of experiences and mishaps with a thing called gravity. That and there just isn’t enough life sized tracks with loop-de-loops around for us to drive on.
If you flashback to 1993 you might remember a semi-realistic commercial featuring the new Acura Integra and a full-scale Hot Wheels track. Not only did it look fun, but the Integra even made it safely around the loop-de-loop.
The third generation Acura Integra debuted as a 1994 model in America, and was produced until 2001 when it was replaced by the Acura RSX the next year. In its eight year run, the Integra made it on Car and Driver’s annual Ten Best list six times.
Watch the classic ad below and remember, the track is sold separately.
[Source: YouTube]
funny, hotwheels have never made a 1/64 model of this car…lol would be nice
Our Agency, Ketchum Advertising LA, created this spot. It was VERY expensive at the time. Honda EVP Tom Elliott and I discussed this investment long and hard before Acura agreed to make it. It was an instant winner. Congratulations to all who worked on it with Industrial Light and Magic. Plus, today, almost 25 years from introduction, Acura’s tag line, “Precision Crafted Performance” lives on through the great advertising of Mullen, Acura’s current agency. Craig Mathiesen, past President of Ketchum.
Very interesting to hear the backstory of this ad. Thanks for the insight, Craig!
Oops! Almost 35 years from inception. Time flies by. CM