1990 Hot Wheels Big Rig 1790 A4: Casting Info & Complete Collector’s Guide
The A4 record is the black Big Rig with A3’s revised sleeper and hitch, but with the orange stripe above the red stripe. The Hot Wheels Newsletter’s detailed casting notes list it separately as a 1990 release. Its digital catalog lists A3 under 1989 but does not include A4, so this page preserves the difference between the two source records.
This release belongs to the Hot Wheels Big Rig family. The 81 mm tractor has a metal body, plastic base and windows, with a sleeper cab.
Release identification
Check the back of the sleeper for the A3 tooling change: two struts are absent and the hitch shape is revised. Then compare the orange-over-red side stripes. The year, tooling and stripe orientation together distinguish A4 from A3 and from the earlier A1/A2 stripe layouts.
Physical Details
The black 1790 A4 carries A3’s revised sleeper and hitch tooling, with orange above red on the side. The detailed notes identify it as a 1990 version.
Packaging Details
The detailed catalog notes identify this A4 entry as 1990 and group it with the black A-series program from 1989–1991. No separate package artwork is confirmed.
Big Rig release web
Compare the 12 documented Big Rig records below. The Hot Wheels Newsletter digital catalog lists nine entries; its detailed notes separately record A4, B2 and the D1 HO5 wheel version shown here.
- 1989 · 1790 · A1 · BlackBlack body with red-over-orange stripes, blue side detail and blackwall wheels.
- 1989 · 1790 · A2 · BlackBlack A-series truck with the orange and red stripes reversed from A1.
- 1989 / 1990 · 1790 · A3 · BlackRevised sleeper struts and hitch; source records differ on year.
- 1990 · 1790 · A4 · BlackA3 tooling with orange-over-red stripes; listed in detailed Newsletter notes.
- 1991 · 1790 · A5 · BlackComplete rear fenders and changed hitch; blackwall wheels.
- 1995 · 1790 · A6 · BlackBlack A-series Big Rig with 7-spoke wheels.
- 1995 / 1997 · 1790 · A7 · BlackBlack A-series truck with DW3 wheels; source records differ on year.
- 1990 · 1790 · B1 · YellowBig Rigger Stunt Show version with stars-and-stripes side graphic.
- 1990 · 1790 · B2 · YellowBig Rigger Stunt set version without the side decal; detailed-note entry.
- 1999 · 18837 · C1 · YellowRace Team Crew 5-pack truck with Hi Bank Racing graphics.
- 1998 · 17456 · D1 · White · 5SPAction News Team 5-pack with the documented 5-spoke wheel version.
- 1998 · 17456 · D1 · White · HO5Action News Team 5-pack with HO5 wheels, listed in detailed notes.
Collector notes
Record the truck’s year, variation label, paint and wheel details together. Inspect the sleeper, hitch, windows, base and visible wear. When the truck comes from a set, note the packaging or set name separately so the release can be identified without assuming a complete set is present.
Collector FAQs
How does A4 differ from A3?
The detailed notes describe A4 as using A3’s revised casting but reversing the side stripe order so orange sits above red. The digital catalog does not list A4 as a separate row.
Where can I compare the other Big Rig releases?
The Big Rig collector guide links all 12 documented records.
Return to the Big Rig casting guide · Hot Wheels casting index
Value Research
For an A4 match, compare the black body, revised sleeper supports, changed hitch and orange-over-red stripe order together. The Newsletter detailed notes identify A4 as 1990; the digital catalog omits it and lists A3 as 1989, so retain the source distinction when documenting the truck.
Compare condition, completeness and original pack or set context with the exact release record. This guide does not assign a price range.