Solar Eagle III

==Description==
The Solar Eagle III is a Hot Wheels casting which debuted in the 1998 First Editions Series and was designed by Kevin Gray.
It is based on the real-life Solar Eagle III which was a solar-powered electric racecar built by students under the guidance of faculty and staff of Cal State L.A. Solar Car Team from California State University. On Saturday, June 28, 1997, the Solar Eagle III won the prestigious Sunrayce 1997, the national intercollegiate solar car race. It completed the 1,230 mile, 10 day event without any breakdowns and finished 20 minutes in front of its nearest competitor.
The Hot Wheels Solar Eagle III features a reflective top section, mimicking the real-life solar panels. It also has a an opaque black canopy which hides the fact that it does not have an interior. It also has three small MC1 wheels, which does not make it compatible with some Hot Wheels playsets. It only had a short time in production after it was unofficially discontinued after its 2001 release.
==Versions==
The Solar Eagle III has come out in the following versions:
Col # 	Year	Series 	Color 	Tampo 	Base Color/Type 	Window Color	Panel Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country 	Notes 	Photo
650 	1998	1998 First Editions23/40	Yellow 	Black stripes, Black '8' & 'Cal State L.A.', & Red 'Solar Eagle III' on sides, Chrome Dark Blue solar panels	Metalflake Black/Metal	Black 	Blue 	MC1 	18842	Malaysia 	 	
 	1999	Solar Racing Action Pack	Darker Yellow	Black stripes, Black '8' & 'Cal State L.A.', & Red 'Solar Eagle III' on sides, Chrome Dark Blue solar panels	Black/Metal 	Black 	N/A 	MC1 	18740	China 	 	
 	1999	World Racers 5-Pack 	Dark Blue 	Yellow, Red & White Stripes, 'World Racing Federation' and 'Brad Lee Racing 03' 	Black/Metal 	Black 	Silver 	MC1 	21084	Malaysia, Thailand	 	
170/240	2000	Mainline 	Red 	"Cal State L.A.," "Solar Eagle III" and "Cal State logo" 	Black/Metal 	Black 	Black 	MC1 	25377	Thailand 	Also Found in Star Explorers 5-Pack	
170/240	2001	Mainline 	Orange 	"Cal State L.A.," "Solar Eagle III" and "Cal State logo" 	Black/Metal 	Black 	Black 	MC1 	53713	Malaysia 	 	
==1998 card==
From the back of the 1998 card:
NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION OF SUNRAYCE 1997
The SOLAR EAGLE III is the result of the remarkable talents of Cal State L.A. Engineering & Technology students.
==Gallery ==
Solar Eagle III-1998 First Editions(atras).jpg
Solar Eagle III-1998 First Editions(arriba).jpg
176 Solar Eagle III.jpg
Solar_Eagle_2000.jpg
Solar Eagle.jpg
D5BDD028-A336-4C95-B7A1-1F147631F829.jpeg
First Edition Solar Eagle.jpg
2001 Solar Eagle.jpg
Category:1998 First Editions
Category:Kevin Gray Designs
Category:Electric Vehicles
Category:Three-wheeler
Category:2001 Hot Wheels
Category:Licensed Hot Wheels
Category:American Cars
Category:2000 Hot Wheels
Category:Discontinued Vehicles
Category:Solar Powered Vehicles
Category:1990s
Category:1999 Hot Wheels
Category:Central-Drive Cars
Category:1:64
Category:Multipack Exclusive
Category:Vehicles with Bubble Canopies