1999 Hot Wheels Hydroplane 18783 — Biohazard Series 1/4

The green Hydroplane is Biohazard position 1/4, collector number 717 and toy number 18783. The Hot Wheels Newsletter catalog lists a 1999 Malaysia-made car with SB wheels; HWC Garage instead records 1998 and Thailand. Keep those source attributions separate and check the base and package on an individual car.

Release identification

The Hot Wheels Newsletter series catalog lists Hydroplane as position 1/4, collector number 717 (#717), toy number 18783. Its entry is green, Malaysia-made, with SB wheels.

The series began in 1998. The Newsletter lists this Hydroplane as 1999 and Malaysia-made; HWC Garage lists toy #18783 as 1998 and Thailand-made. Keep these source records distinct and check the country mark on a specific example.

How to identify this release

Read the toy number and series position from the card or packaging where available. On a loose car, compare its color, wheel style and base country markings with the catalog record. A matching model name alone does not confirm the Biohazard issue; the same casting may appear in other years and programs.

The Hydroplane body uses the Hydrojet mold, casting reference 13342, first released in 1995. HWC Garage credits the tool to Larry Wood. The Biohazard issue is one release of that casting; toy number 18783 identifies the series issue in the Newsletter catalog.

1998 Biohazard Series carded Hydroplane, green, series position 1 of 4
Carded package reference.

Value Research

Compare completed sales for this exact series issue and manufacturing country. Separate loose from carded examples and match condition before using a sale as evidence. For carded cars, note card wear, blister cracks, price stickers and whether the package is sealed; for loose cars, record paint, wheel, axle and missing-part condition. Use matched completed sales to compare this issue; an asking price does not establish a sale value.

For a Hydroplane comparison, match toy number 18783, collector number 717, green finish, country attribution and packaging. Because the Newsletter and HWC Garage disagree on year and country, keep each source-specific version distinct when reviewing completed sales. Record condition and package state; an active asking price is not a completed sale.

Collector FAQs

Was this Hydroplane released in 1998 or 1999?

The Biohazard series is introduced in 1998. The Hot Wheels Newsletter series catalog records the green #717 Hydroplane as a 1999 car made in Malaysia; HWC Garage lists toy number 18783 as a 1998 Thailand release. The sources disagree on the individual year and country, so check the base and packaging on the example and keep the catalog attribution with any identification.

What identifies the Newsletter catalog version?

It is the green Hydroplane, toy number 18783, collector number 717, position 1/4, listed as Malaysia-made with SB wheels.

What should be matched in a sale comparison?

Compare the toy number, series position, color, wheel type, country marking and package state. Keep loose and carded examples separate and do not combine records with conflicting country/year data without checking the item itself.

Research notes

Release identifiers and specifications on this page were checked against the Hot Wheels Newsletter Digital Car Catalog’s 1998 Biohazard Series and casting entries. Catalog wording is retained where country, date or number records require a distinction.

Biohazard release web

Compare this issue with all four series models and both Flame Stopper country records:

Biohazard Series parent guide · Hot Wheels casting guides A–Z · Collector Guide directory