Photo: eBay/User pappasyc
There comes a moment in a man's life when he must make difficult decisions. Collecting Hot Wheels cars can become a financially-stressful hobby if you cannot limit your expenses. It's not as bad as owning multiple life-sized vehicles, but it can come close in some situations. Years of collecting can lead to a considerable number of items, and you risk getting sick and tired of organizing and looking after them.
As I was prospecting the market for Hot Wheels collectibles, I came across a listing that had me holding my breath for a few moments. The seller is from Rocklin, California, and recently decided to let his precious diecast cars go. I imagine it's all the more difficult for him, as this is an impressive collection that must have taken years, if not decades, to assemble.
I'll give you some numbers so you can understand the scale of it all. There are over 12,500 sealed items, most of which are Hot Wheels cars, with some Matchbox ones in the mix. These are all dated from 1992 to 2007, so buying them separately today could be tricky, especially if you need them all in good condition. This man has amassed 175 boxes of tiny cars, which must be a logistic nightmare for anyone who doesn't have a big house to live in.
Five of those boxes are filled with various cars and Treasure Hunt models, which means they're prime targets for collectors who emphasize that kind of thing. Of course, there are going to be some imperfect cards here and there, but all things considered, the asking price for this collection is pretty good. $17,500 is less than what you would pay for a brand-new Toyota Corolla.
And if you do the math, it adds up to an average of $1.4 per vehicle. Even without looking through the boxes, it's safe to say that the market value for all these collectibles adds up to at least $25,000. But of course, you'll need to split them up to get that value out of it. And I'll give you a few examples of why I think that statement is true.
The 1996 Thunder Roller truck included in one of these boxes can sell for as much as $20, and it's not a special item. I also spotted an old Maserati MC12 inside; had it been the short card version, some sellers are asking up to $1,700 for one! But the long card is much cheaper at $20 to $50 apiece. If you pay close attention to the photos in the ad, you'll also see the GMC Motorhome casting, which we discussed last year.
The Gloss Black release with flames on the side is a 2002 iteration from the 16th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, with a limited production number of 4,000 units. One can quickly sell for $40; there's more where it came from. The good part about this collection is that there are plenty of duplicates inside, which means you can split them up between making a profit and growing your collection.
One thing's for sure, it would take the lucky future owner days, if not weeks, to go through all the collectibles inside these boxes. And even if he'd be poorer by $17,500, he'd be wealthier by 12,500 Hot Wheels cars. And that's a win in my books!
I'll give you some numbers so you can understand the scale of it all. There are over 12,500 sealed items, most of which are Hot Wheels cars, with some Matchbox ones in the mix. These are all dated from 1992 to 2007, so buying them separately today could be tricky, especially if you need them all in good condition. This man has amassed 175 boxes of tiny cars, which must be a logistic nightmare for anyone who doesn't have a big house to live in.
Five of those boxes are filled with various cars and Treasure Hunt models, which means they're prime targets for collectors who emphasize that kind of thing. Of course, there are going to be some imperfect cards here and there, but all things considered, the asking price for this collection is pretty good. $17,500 is less than what you would pay for a brand-new Toyota Corolla.
And if you do the math, it adds up to an average of $1.4 per vehicle. Even without looking through the boxes, it's safe to say that the market value for all these collectibles adds up to at least $25,000. But of course, you'll need to split them up to get that value out of it. And I'll give you a few examples of why I think that statement is true.
The 1996 Thunder Roller truck included in one of these boxes can sell for as much as $20, and it's not a special item. I also spotted an old Maserati MC12 inside; had it been the short card version, some sellers are asking up to $1,700 for one! But the long card is much cheaper at $20 to $50 apiece. If you pay close attention to the photos in the ad, you'll also see the GMC Motorhome casting, which we discussed last year.
The Gloss Black release with flames on the side is a 2002 iteration from the 16th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, with a limited production number of 4,000 units. One can quickly sell for $40; there's more where it came from. The good part about this collection is that there are plenty of duplicates inside, which means you can split them up between making a profit and growing your collection.
One thing's for sure, it would take the lucky future owner days, if not weeks, to go through all the collectibles inside these boxes. And even if he'd be poorer by $17,500, he'd be wealthier by 12,500 Hot Wheels cars. And that's a win in my books!
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