Photo: Mattel
As of late, I've noticed a worrying trend surfacing on various Hot Wheels groups online. People will go into stores, pick up the first such items, and then post a photo asking: Is this worth anything? This is the "I only care about money" approach, and it's looked down upon by people passionate about collecting.
That's not to say you shouldn't plan when buying these tiny cars. Buying items that will be more valuable in the future is an investment. You can use them for trades or sell them off to purchase more items without spending more money. If you get in the game with this way of thinking, you should first sign up for a Red Line Club account with Mattel.
RLC-exclusive vehicles are, most of the time, a bulletproof investment. You can expect the value of any given Red Line model to double or triple within the first 12 months. Of course, there are some exceptions, but you become aware of those as you become more experienced. It would be best if you were mindful of two things: you'll need around $1,000 a year to buy all the models Mattel releases, but having the money won't do the trick.
Some models are in high demand and can sell out within minutes of going live. So even if you're hovering over the purchase button as soon as it becomes available, you will be competing with tens of thousands of collectors worldwide, all of which are trying to do the same thing. It can be a frustrating experience, but there are options if you miss out.
Turning to eBay or other platforms means you'll have to pay more for the collectible immediately, and scalpers often push the boundaries of common sense. With that in mind, a new RLC exclusive is on the horizon. Brendon Vetuskey designed the 1962 Ford F100 casting, which debuted in 2022. You won't see it in Mainline or Premium, at least not with these specs. That's because it has only been a part of the Red Line Club series, with three variations available.
The previous model is the rarest yet: Mattel only built 6,200 units, intended for the 23rd Collectors Nationals in Ohio. Prices vary between $60 to $200, depending on the number on the back of the card. As for the first two iterations, it's not uncommon to see them listed for over $100. Some sellers have put those figures to over $250, but that doesn't mean you should spend that much for one.
But let's focus on the new model for a minute. As this is a Pink Edition machine, it features a Spectraflame Pink finish, with Ghost Flames going down the sides. I'm happy that Mattel used a different wheel design, choosing the 5-Spoke Mag-Style Real Riders over the Steelier on the Spectraflame Navy Blue model of 2022. Once again, you get an opening hood that reveals the straight-six engine inside.
This new variation costs $30 and goes live on October 10, 2023, at 9 AM PT. It's unclear how many units will be available, but the purchase limit is two cars per club membership. The blue design was the most common variation, with 30,000 units available for RLC members. But there are increasing suspicions that Mattel has given up on that upper limit, which is a double-edged sword. Sure, more people will get to buy one if they want to. But with the increasing number of units available, they don't feel quite as special anymore.
RLC-exclusive vehicles are, most of the time, a bulletproof investment. You can expect the value of any given Red Line model to double or triple within the first 12 months. Of course, there are some exceptions, but you become aware of those as you become more experienced. It would be best if you were mindful of two things: you'll need around $1,000 a year to buy all the models Mattel releases, but having the money won't do the trick.
Some models are in high demand and can sell out within minutes of going live. So even if you're hovering over the purchase button as soon as it becomes available, you will be competing with tens of thousands of collectors worldwide, all of which are trying to do the same thing. It can be a frustrating experience, but there are options if you miss out.
Turning to eBay or other platforms means you'll have to pay more for the collectible immediately, and scalpers often push the boundaries of common sense. With that in mind, a new RLC exclusive is on the horizon. Brendon Vetuskey designed the 1962 Ford F100 casting, which debuted in 2022. You won't see it in Mainline or Premium, at least not with these specs. That's because it has only been a part of the Red Line Club series, with three variations available.
The previous model is the rarest yet: Mattel only built 6,200 units, intended for the 23rd Collectors Nationals in Ohio. Prices vary between $60 to $200, depending on the number on the back of the card. As for the first two iterations, it's not uncommon to see them listed for over $100. Some sellers have put those figures to over $250, but that doesn't mean you should spend that much for one.
But let's focus on the new model for a minute. As this is a Pink Edition machine, it features a Spectraflame Pink finish, with Ghost Flames going down the sides. I'm happy that Mattel used a different wheel design, choosing the 5-Spoke Mag-Style Real Riders over the Steelier on the Spectraflame Navy Blue model of 2022. Once again, you get an opening hood that reveals the straight-six engine inside.
This new variation costs $30 and goes live on October 10, 2023, at 9 AM PT. It's unclear how many units will be available, but the purchase limit is two cars per club membership. The blue design was the most common variation, with 30,000 units available for RLC members. But there are increasing suspicions that Mattel has given up on that upper limit, which is a double-edged sword. Sure, more people will get to buy one if they want to. But with the increasing number of units available, they don't feel quite as special anymore.
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