Twin Mill is a twin-engined prototype concept car originally designed by Ira Gilford for the 1969 Hot Wheels lineup. It is recognized as Hot Wheels's first original design, done from the ground up at Mattel with no external input. It features a doorless canopy design, with entry and egress done through an opening canopy up top, as well as two large big block engines. Today, Twin Mill is a highly popular model and is often considered the most iconic Hot Wheels model, alongside other models like the Bone Shaker.
Twin Mill's first release was painted in several Spectraflame colors and came with Redline wheels. It was manufactured in the USA and could be found with either a white or dark brown interior. The twin motors have a gold tint. The base can be seen from the top of the car and was painted in body color. They were packaged with a metal 'Collector's Button'.
Some early pre-production prototypes have what is known as a 'Cut Fender' where the rear fenders are much smaller and do not cover the rear wheels entirely. This adheres to the original design made by Ira. They are very hard to find and have been found in Antifreeze, Orange, Red, Light 'Apple' Green and Creamy Pink.
1973 saw Twin Mill released as a Shell Promo, a giveaway promotional car handed out to customers at Shell service stations. As with other 1973 cars, it lost its Spectraflame paint which was replaced with enamel paint. In 1976 the Twin Mill was renamed Twin Mill II, although having no changes to the casting itself. It was only used in 1976 and 1977.
The casting was retooled in 1993 for use in the Vintage Series to celebrate Hot Wheels's 25th anniversary. A highly-detailed version was also introduced in the 100% Hot Wheels series in 1998. Earlier in the 1970s, Italian toy company Mebetoys also released its own take on the Twin Mill in 1/55 scale.
It has led to six other follow-up castings, the Twin Mill II and Twin Mill III and has spawned a number of derivatives, such as a 'Tooned Noppo-style version, a Hardnoze version, an all-electric version and a Monster Truck.
Twin Mill featured as car #17 of the Highway 35 anniversary event, driven by the Road Beasts. This version of the car was given top billing on the cover of the tie-in game.
The casting was retooled with a plastic base in 2018 for use in the Hot Wheels id series.
