6 Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt Cars of 2005

The same is happening with Hot Wheels cars. I've seen plenty of teenagers taking up the hobby, but only time will tell how many will stick with it. They mostly turn to modern mainline models if they have to rely on their daily allowance. But, some are determined to dig deeper and find unique items from the past. I hope my classic Treasure Hunt reviews will help you determine the next step for your collection!

I've gone as far back as 2006 by now, so let's keep going and look at Mattel's 2005 collection of upgraded diecast cars. I'll give you a few pointers if you need help remembering what that year was like. YouTube came into existence that year and is now the second-biggest website. Fernando Alonso won his first F1 title despite the fierce competition coming from Kimi Raikkonen. Valentino Rossi was still unstoppable in MotoGP, while Daniel Pedrosa won the 250 CC class racing against future stars like Casey Stoner, Andrea Dovizioso, and Jorge Lorenzo!

Meanwhile, Marco Simoncelli, Aleix Espargaro, and Andrea Iannone were still part of the 125 cc class. Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" topped the Billboard 100 chart that year if you'd like some non-motorsport-related memories. Hollywood productions were still pretty good then; consider Star Wars Episode III, Batman Begins, and V For Vendetta. I initially planned on doing a single story on the 2005 Treasure Hunt series, but I was surprised to see such a strong line-up of cars, so this will be a two-part review. The common link between the first six models is that Larry Wood designed all these castings!

Purple Passion

Despite its name, the Purple Passion draws inspiration from a custom '49 Mercury. So it's certainly not a fantasy casting. It made its debut in 1990 in the Mainline series. The First Edition featured a Metallic Purple finish and White Wall wheels. The latter would be the go-to option for more than a dozen variations throughout the '90s.

In 1994, the casting was part of the FAO Schwarz Gold Collection, with only 3,000 units made. The following year, Mattel used it in the first edition of the Treasure Hunt series alongside models like the Olds 442 and the Rolls Royce Phantom II. This casting was so popular that it even has several Collectors Convention releases, and it was also part of the HWC.com debut series in 2002.

It's hard to keep track of all the Purple Passion variations that used Real Riders wheels, and the 2005 Treasure Hunt edition only added to that list. This one featured a Flat Black finish and a flaming livery all around. The Deep Dish RR wheels are just what you'd expect from a vehicle like this, but this is still one of the least exciting TH items of 2005. So, it is no surprise that some people are willing to sell theirs for less than $10.

1967 Camaro

The '67 Camaro debuted in 1983, and as was the case with many of Mattel's castings back then, it had a metal base. The initial design is even better because it also features an opening hood. Surprisingly, only three iterations emerged in the '80s, with the fourth one coming out in 1991. There was another hiatus until 1995, when the '67 Camaro also helped launch the new Treasure Hunt series. I'm a big fan of the iterations with Goodyear tires, such as the 1996 Hill's Exclusive variant.

In 2002, Mattel chose it as the RLC Membership car, releasing three variations adding up to 25,000 units. Believe it or not, the 2005 Treasure Hunt Camaro was the 75th variation of this casting, which is simply wild to think of. And if you think that's impressive, Mattel released 90 more iterations, and there is one more on the way for 2024. As for the special edition from 2005, there are two slightly different variations if you pay close attention to the wheels: one has the Redline design, while the other uses plain Real Riders.

It would been a lot better without the Hot Wheels TH 10th Anniversary decals on the side, but it's not a total deal breaker. Someone has listed an error model (car facing the other side) for $8,000 on eBay, but that's just ludicrous. Meanwhile, you'll see the 1995 TH for as much as $4,500, which is absurd. I've seen the 2005 model listed for anywhere between $20 to $150, so it's ultimately up to you how much you'd like to pay.

1958 Corvette

The '58 Corvette Coupe debuted in the 1995 Model Series, and we last saw a new variation in 2013. Still, that was enough time for over 60 iterations, several of which were Treasure Hunt models. The 1996 FAO Schwarz Corvette had an opening hood and was the first to use Real Riders wheels. The livery and overall choice of colors for the 2005 TH could have been more inspired.

This model might have been wholly forgotten among all the realistic releases over the years if not for the RR rims. But don't take my word for it; look at the online listings for this model.

In most cases, its market value hovers around the $20 mark. For some reason, all the iterations of the '58 Corvette I've ever seen cost less than $100. So, at least this collection won't break your bank account like the '67 Camaro would. If you want my opinion on the best Hot Wheels '58 Corvette, I'd opt for one of the two 100% Preferred models that showed up in 2003. What can I say? I'm a big fan of the Mag-style Real Riders.

1957 Chevy

The fourth TH item for 2005 is also the third Chevrolet casting of the series. And it's the oldest one, too, as it debuted in 1977 in the Flying Colors series. But the one with the exposed engine arrived slightly later, in 1984. Mattel featured this vehicle in the 1996 Treasure Hunt series, and it looked spectacular in Metalflake Purple with no overcomplicated livery to ruin the day.

Later 1998, it appeared in the Long Haulers series, which might have served as a prototype for the current Team Transport collection. For 2005, people could collect two slightly different Treasure Hunt variations. Both featured the same flat black finish and Al & Matt Mackay-Smith Racing livery but used other wheels.

You'll see a wide range of prices for the two TH items, ranging from $15 to $100. There are plenty of different variations that will cost twice as much. You also have to remember that there are almost 90 iterations of the exposed-engine '57 Chevy to collect, so it will take some time and resources to get them all under the same roof.

'56 Flashsider

Despite its name, the '56 Flashsider resembles a Chevrolet Task Force pickup truck. Mattel launched this casting in 1992 and pulled the plug on the project in 2015. There are over 50 variations to look for, plus an additional four 4x4 Lifted iterations if you're into that kind of design. In 1995, the diecast manufacturer released The Toy Club version of the Flashsider, which had Gold Chrome Goodyear Real Riders wheels and was rare at only 7,000 units.

The 1997 Treasure Hunt series featured the '56 Flashsider in Metallic Teal, but sadly, with just basic 5-spoke wheels on. The people in El Segundo didn't make the same mistake for the 2005 TH release, and the Deep Dish RR rims in red were attractive enough. I've mixed feelings about the two-tone paint job and the flames on the hood, though.

The most expensive '56 Flashsider Treasure Hunt I've seen on eBay has an asking price of $70, but some people are willing to let go of theirs for less than $10. Other, more expensive variations of this truck can sell for about $150, but that's rarely the case.

'34 3-Window

The last item for today's story is the '34 3-Window, and there are other replicas of this Ford model in Mattel's portfolio. Following its 1980 debut, it already received Real Riders wheels in 1983. The diecast manufacturer removed the adjustable rear-axle feature for the 1987 Mainline release, and it was probably for the better. The '34 3-Window had a Long Haulers appearance in 1999, featuring a matching paint job with its hauler.

The 2002 Star Spangled model with the Sawblade Wheels is the first version that feels even remotely exciting. But an even better one was next for 2003, as part of the Hall of Fame: Greatest Rides series. The 2004 Collectors Convention 3-Window was a solid 8/10, much more than I can say about the 2005 Treasure Hunt model. How can a mix of flat red and gray ever be exciting?

The black Deep Dish RR wheels didn't add flavor to the design, which explains why this is one of the cheapest Treasure Hunt collectibles from 2005. I'll be back with six more items from that series soon!