by Some toy models of Hot Wheels can cost more than bitcoins and new luxury cars. And while it seems crazy, in fact, from time to time these toys are sold for tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions. Which of them are the most expensive, and is it possible to find “gold bars” on wheels in your child’s toys?
Let’s start with the fact that the value of models (be it Hot Wheels or not) is determined by their rarity. It’s the same as with real cars. The fewer there are, the higher the price. The most expensive models are trial and experimental ones.
Experimental Volkswagen Microbus
As of today, the most expensive toy Hot Wheels car is the 1969 Pink VW Beach Bomb. It was auctioned for $175,000! And that’s because it’s a prototype, of which only two were made available.
Diamond-Encrusted Custom Otto
Another Hot Wheels model, comparable in cost to a brand new full-size luxury car – a gold-plated car released in 1998 to mark the 40th anniversary of the toy car manufacturer. Its value lies primarily in the fact that it is covered with 18-karat white gold, 1,388 blue diamonds, 988 black diamonds, 319 white diamonds, and 8 rubies (a total of almost 23 carats of gemstones worth $140,000). How much is it worth? The model was sold for $60,000, and the proceeds were donated to charity. Where this model is now and who eventually bought it – remains a mystery.
Chevrolet Camaro 1967
This Camaro was part of a 1967 set. A rather worn-out model was sold for almost $100,000! All because it was painted in white, indicating that it was a test sample (by mistake, a few of these cars were sent to market with sets). The car was made in Hong Kong at the Mattel factory and was bought half a century ago for 59 cents (if you divide the total cost of models from the set by their number).
This trio is the most expensive in the history of Hot Wheels sold at auctions. But this does not mean that there are no other cars with prices that amaze the imagination of the “sane person”. TopGyr has explored current offers:
Momo Mosa-Sama Custom Order Otto Hot Wheels
We have long searched for the reason for the impressive price, yet we could not understand why the seller (from Japan) rates it at $140,000! At first, we thought it was a mistake, but no – the same model is listed on a UK auction for over 100,000 pounds. Even though the model is not old – judging by the bottom, it was released in 2019.
Hot Wheels Scion XB City Color Shifters Series #BHR51
Another mystery is the 2013 model, which is not remarkable (except for changing color depending on the ambient temperature), but in the US it is priced at nearly $20,000. Judging by the seller’s emphasis on its article number, perhaps this too is a test sample.
Defective BMW M3 GT2
Here it is more or less understandable. The high cost (over $13,000) is explained by the British seller due to errors in casting and painting, but in the description, he states that he is open to “Your price offers”.
Cadillac Escalade from the First Series
According to the description, it is one of the first released samples and has a factory number. That is, apparently, the prototype of the model. Anyway, an Australian wants $11,500 for it.
The Most Expensive Hot Wheels Models
Aside from the cars listed above, there are “cheap ones” for $2,000, $3,000, and $4,000 on eBay and other online platforms. These models are more expensive than others mainly for the following reasons:
- Unusual defect
- Mistaken tampography
- Prototype
- Belongs to the first released samples
- Non-standard body paint for the specific model
- Very limited edition
Speaking of the last point, Hot Wheels regularly releases so-called special versions and limited editions. One of the brightest and freshest examples is the Cadillac Seville by Gucci model, released in collaboration with the famous fashion house. The car could be pre-ordered on Mattel and Gucci websites, but as soon as the request admission started, the entire run sold out in a matter of seconds (not minutes, but seconds!).
And some managed to “scoop up” several pieces. As a result, the next day the exclusive models appeared for $500+ while on the companies’ websites this car was sold for $120.
Conclusion: “brokers” exist not only in the car market but also in the toy car market…
