This article is a list of Hot Wheels released in 1981. According to the 1981 Hot Wheels Catalog, 75 cars came out in the 1981 line.
New Castings[]
| Car Name | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| '37 Bugatti | Black | Red on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Chrome | BW | 1696 | Red Tampos on sides only, Chrome headlights and grille | 
| |
| Airport Rescue | Workhorses | Yellow | Red and Black "AIRPORT RESCUE FIRE DEPT." | Unpainted / Metal | Blue tint | Black | BW | 1699 | 
| |
| Bronco 4-Wheeler | Black | Yellow, Red and Orange stripes "FORD BRONCO" on hood | Unpainted / Metal | Blue tint | Chrome | BW | 1690 | 
| ||
| Cannonade | Yellow | Purple, Red, Orange "3" | Black / Plastic | Clear | Chrome | BW | 1691 | 
| ||
| Chevy Citation | White | Red stripe | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Red | BW | 1693 | 
| ||
| Dixie Challenger | Orange | Red, White and Blue stripes on roof and hood | Chrome / Plastic | Blue tint | Chrome | BW | 3364 | 
| ||
| Minitrek | Tan | Orange and Yellow stripes | Brown / Metal | Grey tint | Red | BW | 1697 | Base color showed at bottom of sides and bumpers | 
| |
| Mirada Stocker | Red | Black, Yellow and White, racing decals, "10" | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Tan | BW | 1700 | 
| ||
| Old Number 5 | Red | Yellow and Black pinstripes on hood | Red / Metal | No Windows | Tan | BW | 1695 | louvers on hood | 
| |
| Omni 024 | Grey | Orange, Black, stripes, "024 Omni" | Black / Metal | Blue tint | Red | BW | 1692 | 
| ||
| Peterbilt Tank Truck | Workhorses | Orange | "California Construction Company" on tank | Unpainted / Metal | Smoke | Black | BW | 1689 | Unpainted Metal tank | 
|
| Turismo | Red | Yellow, White and Black stripes "10" on sides | unpainted metal | Blue tint | Tan Interior & Rear Deck | BW | 1694 | 
|
Repaints[]
| Car Name | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn 852 | Yellow | No tampos | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Dark Brown | BW | 2505 | Malaysia | 
|
| '31 Doozie | Orange w/Green plastic fenders | No tampos | ZAMAC | Tinted (Blue) | Green | BW | 9649 | Hong Kong | 
|
| '31 Doozie | Green w/Green plastic fenders | Yellow sides | ZAMAC | Tinted (Blue) | Green | BW | 9649 | Hong Kong | 
|
| Turbo Mustang | Orange | Yellow, Black and Red "COBRA" | Orange
/ Metal |
Grey tint | Red | BW | 1125 | Hong Kong | 
|
| Super Van | Enamel White | Red & Orange flames | ZAMAC | Smoke tint | Black | BW | 7649 | Hong Kong | 
|
| Rock Buster | Green | Red, White, Blue Lightning bolt & "10" w/ sponsor decals | ZAMAC | Black | BW | 9088 | Hong Kong |
| |
| Street Rodder | White | Red & Orange flames | Unpainted
/ Metal |
No window, Gray frame | Gray | BW | 9242 | Hong Kong | 
|
| Corvette Stingray (1976) | Orange | Black, Yellow, & Purple graphics on top | Unpainted
/ Metal |
Tinted (Blue) | Blue Tint | GHO | 9241 | Hong Kong | 
|
Scene Machines[]
| Car Name | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circus Cats | White | Black and Orange tiger, Black and Yellow "RINGLING BROS AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS" | Unpainted / Metal | Clear | Black | BW | 3303 | picture of two tigers can be seen | 
|
| Racing Team | Yellow | Black, Red and White "Racing Team" #1 Hot Wheels logo tampos | Black / Plastic | Clear | Brown | BW | 
| ||
| Rescue Squad | Red w/Red Plastic Top | no tampo | Chrome Plastic | Clear | Chrome | BW | 2855 | 
|
Heroes[]
| Original Casting | Year | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Toy # | Series Rename | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Man | 1981 | White | Black, Red and Yellow, "Iron Man" on sides | Unpainted / Metal | Grey tint | Tan | 3301 | Iron Man | 
|
| Spider Man | 1981 | Chrome | Black and Red "Silver Surfer" | Blue / Plastic | Blue tint | Red | 3300 | Silver Surfer | 
|
Gallery[]
A Page off a 1981 Catalog featuring many Prototypes
1982 Catalog showing the 1981 including the same 1981 Prototypes (you would've thought they would've change the cars by now)