Hot Wheels Then and Now Guide: Old vs New in One Series
Hot Wheels Then and Now is the mainline series with the cleverest hook: a classic car in one release, its modern descendant in another — collect the pair and you own the whole story.
What Is Then and Now?
Then and Now is a themed mini-series inside the annual mainline that celebrates automotive evolution: the same nameplate across decades. A ’60s Mustang beside its modern GT, an early 911 beside the current Carrera — like the ’96 Porsche Carrera we stocked, which pairs beautifully with earlier 911 releases.
Quick answer: Hot Wheels Then and Now Guide: Old vs New in One Series – what it is, what to check before buying, typical SA prices in Rand and where to find one locally. Full details below.
The Pairs Worth Collecting
Porsche pairs are the SA favourites — see our Porsche guide — followed by Mustang, Camaro (Chevrolet guide) and GT-R generations (Nissan guide). The series rewards completers: pairs displayed together always outsell singles on the used market.
Then and Now Prices in South Africa
Mainline pricing applies: R50–R100 per car used, R80–R200 for popular pairs kept together, with Porsche and GT-R pairs at the top of the range. Full series context in Every Series Explained and the pillar guide; pairs surface regularly in the diecast aisle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hot Wheels Then and Now?
Then and Now is a Hot Wheels mainline mini-series that pairs a classic car with its modern descendant — the same nameplate across decades. Collectors hunt both halves to display the evolution together.
Are Then and Now Hot Wheels worth collecting?
Yes, especially as pairs. Individually they follow mainline values (R50–R100 used locally), but matched classic-plus-modern pairs of popular nameplates like Porsche and Mustang consistently sell for more together.
Which Then and Now pairs are most popular?
Porsche 911 pairs lead in South Africa, followed by Mustang, Camaro and GT-R generations. Any pair spanning an iconic design change attracts collectors.
Where can I buy Then and Now cars in South Africa?
Current releases appear at toy retailers during their case wave; older pairs are found second-hand at collector shops like Unnew, where you can buy exactly the half you’re missing.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 by the Unnew team. Checked against official sources – Hot Wheels, Matchbox and hobbyDB – plus the South African collector community.