Hot Wheels Celebrated 10 Years of Treasure Hunting in 2005

The diecast manufacturer has introduced hundreds if not thousands, of different series since its inception over 50 years ago. Most have long since become part of the company's history, making way for the next "Get with the Times" concept. Right off the bat, one of the longest ones I can think of is the line of Treasure Hunt cars. It all started in 1995, and though it morphed into two separate projects in 2007, it's still here today.

Given that we're delving into part two of our 2005 review today, here's an exciting thing about this collection. For years, Mattel had released 12 Treasure Hunt cars in 12 months. But the series celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2005, so the people in El Segundo created a special 13th item for everyone to enjoy. I'll get to that at the end of this story, so stick around if you want to know more about it.

Until then, allow me to set the scene and take you back to 2005. While Sebastien Loeb won his second World Rally Championship title, the current series king, Kalle Rovanpera, was only five years old! Driving a Pontiac GTO, Rhys Millen won the second season of Formula Drift. At the beginning of the year, only several months had passed since the first fifth-generation Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Flat Rock, Michigan. Some of you might also remember that Richard Pryor passed away that year. But let's get back to the world of 1/64th scale cars and learn more about the remaining seven collectibles of the Treasure Hunt series.

Mustang Mach I

Phil Riehlman designed the Mustang Mach I for its 1998 First Editions debut, and it was off to a great start with two more variations coming out that same year. It graduated to Treasure Hunt status in 1999, but that model sadly did not feature Real Riders wheels. This upgrade came in 2000 as part of the Full Grid Exclusive Trailer Edition collection.

A series of four more such iterations followed suit, and I'm a big fan of the 1999 Penske Mach I. If numbers matter, look at the 2004 RLC sELECTIONs iteration; Mattel only made less than 11,000 units. The 2005 Treasure Hunt Mustang looked fantastic in blue with 5-Spoke Mag-Style Real Riders wheels. This time, the 10th Anniversary decals on the side are less annoying than on the '67 Camaro.

This variation of the Mustang Mach I is undoubtedly one of the Top 5 TH models for 2005, and it's almost surprising that you can still get it for less than $50. Here's a pro tip: Look for the RLC Treasure Hunt set containing all 13 items for $400, give or take. That's the fastest way to owning the entire 2005 collection, and there's a good chance it will also be the most affordable option.

1967 Pontiac GTO

Mark Jones designed the 1967 Pontiac GTO, debuting in the 1997 "30th Anniversary of '67 Muscle Cars" 3-Car Set. I'm sure this was love at first sight for many enthusiasts: it had Real Riders wheels and a Shaker hood; what else could you ask for? It joined the 2000 Treasure Hunt series, sporting an excellent Gold Deep Dish RR wheelset but a less-than-impressive livery. The GTO was off to a tremendous start in 2005, with an HWC Series 4 iteration with a metal base, a Spectraflame Dark Blue paint job, and the same wheels you saw earlier on the Mustang.

Mattel made 11,000 units; you could also open the hood. Seven Holiday Rods GTOs were next, with different colors and wheels to attract more customers. The last variation of the year was like the cherry on top and looked like it meant business with a Metalflake Dark Blue paint job. There are plenty of listings at $30 or less, which makes the Pontiac GTO TH quite the steal!

Rodger Dodger

The Rodger Dodger is an iconic Hot Wheels casting and has been around for decades. Larry Wood designed this vehicle in the '70s, inspired by a '73 Dodge Charger SE. With six variations coming out between 1974 and 1978, there was a long hiatus before retooling occurred in 1998.

It joined the Treasure Hunt series in 2001, showcasing a black finish and a typical fiery livery. Still, I'd rather have this one instead of the 2005 design. Still, the market value is similar for these two items, at less than $50 each. Meanwhile, the most expensive Rodger Dodger could cost well over $1,000.

Morris Cooper

The Morris Cooper was an unexpected appearance in the 2005 Treasure Hunt series. The casting had only been around for five years, but a TH version had existed since 2002. And it was pretty good at that, with a black paint job and a simple yellow livery. If you want an iconic design, look into the 2003 Hall of Fame: Greatest Rides collection.

People would quickly snatch one up even today when preferences have changed quite a bit. The 2005 Cooper Treasure Hunt might not have looked unique to the untrained eye because of the black wheels. You might have to pay as much as $100 to get your hands on it. Once started, it might not be easy to stop.

Some of the later variations were even better, and I'm mainly talking about the first two Retro Entertainment: Italian Job models that appeared in 2013. Also, Mattel used this casting for the Super Treasure Hunt series in 2019 and the Treasure Hunt line-up in 2022. I should know; I found three of the latter in petrol stations across two countries.

1970 Plymouth Barracuda

The hardtop version of the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda had a short life span of around ten years since its 1997 debut. Dave Weise designed both versions, and it kicked off with a rare 10,000-unit iteration with Real Riders Wheels. If you're a fan of race liveries, then the 2003 Hall of Fame: Legends model will look even better to you.

Some vehicles on this list that had been part of the Treasure Hunt series before 2005 only sometimes had Real Riders wheels. And the same goes for the 2003 TH variation of the Barracuda. But it did roll on the next best thing: the Co-Molded 5-spoke wheel design. Strangely enough, there were two iterations of the Treasure Hunt model, and the silver one is rarer.

The color combo on the 2005 TH Barracuda was rather interesting: mixing white and purple seems to work well on a Muscle Car. It was a pretty appealing model, yet you can still buy one for less than $40.

Double Demon

The Double Demon is the oldest casting of all the 2005 Treasure Hunt models. Howard Rees designed this one for its 1970 release, replicating the design of the '32 Ford Lil' Coffin show car from the '50s. Mattel unveiled almost 30 variations of this casting over less than ten years. The Double Demon returned in 1993 to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary.

RedLine Wheels were the go-to option until 1996 when the diecast manufacturer finally decided to switch things up with 5-spoke rims. In 2004, a Metalflake Gold iteration of the Double Demon entered the Treasure Hunt series, preceding the 2005 release that followed suit. You could get both of these for less than $50, but then you might also be tempted to look for the Boulevard iteration.

Customized VW Drag Bus

The bonus anniversary item for the 2005 Treasure Hunt series is particularly popular with Hot Wheels collectors worldwide. Phil Riehlman designed the Customized VW Drag Bus for its 1996 First Editions debut in Metalflake Blue. It featured a metal base, and it was pretty heavy, which was one of the factors that contributed to its success.

There were multiple iterations in the HotWheelsCollectors Series 1 line-up, some rarer than others. It was part of Series 2, 3, and 4 before finally becoming a part of the Treasure Hunt series. It was number 13/12 back then, and the black body served as a canvas for the colored flames. The rear spoiler featured 1995-2015 decals to highlight the historic moment.

And Mattel opted for the iconic 5-Spoke Mag-Style RR Wheels to put everything together. Someone listed this 1/4-mile (402 meters) beast for over $200 on eBay, but realistically speaking, it's worth anywhere between $50 to $100. Get it for that price, and don't start collecting all of them, as it may ruin you financially.