The Ten Most Expensive Hot Wheels Toy Cars

Mattel changed the landscape of die-cast toy cars in the 1960s when they introduced trackable vehicles that zipped around on Hot Wheels. Before then, Matchbox had a firm grip on the market, having created 1/64^th scale cars for years. To face the competition, Mattel made certain that their new Hot Wheels would be of a class of their own. Their efforts were rewarded as both car companies and customers positively responded to Mattel’s innovations.

One of the most critical elements that Mattel decided to apply to its car line was a series of bright, colorful colors. They created a new Spectraflame color technique, which applied semi-transparent paint so that the sheen of the metal would shine through. Then, they pulled together car designers from major car companies like GM to produce a speedy car that gripped plastic tracks. They decided to produce wide-bodied cars that sat low to the ground so that they would have a strong grip. Mattel also incorporated eye-catching, wide, sporty tires with a red stripe to help the cars stand out. Moreover, their team innovated with plastic wheels that drove straight, thanks to a camber in the design. The final element of the design was a wire string that was lighter and smaller than the competition’s steel axles.

Hot Wheels debuted in stores in 1968 with a selection of both fanciful and licensed cars. While most of the licensed cars were custom designs, they were still recognizable. The Sweet Sixteen was an instant success with both stores and customers.

55 years later, Mattel has produced over 4 billion cars that are loved and collected across the world. Mattel’s designers continue to come up with new and unique designs as well as feature real-life cars in the toy line. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the newest batch of Hot Wheels.

Presenting the ten most expensive Hot Wheels that have sold on online auction sites

While many fans look forward to the newest concepts from Mattel, many collectors hunt down the rare, discontinued cars from the past. Without a doubt, the most treasured cars from the Hot Wheels toy line are the Redline series from the first decade. However, there are occasionally other limited edition runs that gain traction. Beyond the officially produced Hot Wheels cars, some fans have had the rare chance to obtain prototypes and exclusive vehicles.

We sought out the ten most expensive Hot Wheels toy cars and collectibles that have sold on online auction sites. As we searched, we took care to weed out any listings that seemed too suspicious and outside of the practical price range. We also are not including any listing for entire lots of cars. We are only interested in the highest value of individual vehicles.                 

10. Hot Wheels Redline Cheetah Prototype (1968)

When Mattel approves a Hot Wheels car design, they produce a series of prototypes that they put through a series of rigorous tests. They look for key elements like clearance height and stability. They also make certain that the design does not look aesthetically off and displeasing. The last thing they want is to bring a car to market that would fall off the track and turn off customers.

Hot Wheels has put their prototypes to the test since they first developed the brand. So, it is no surprise that a few of the earliest prototypes have popped up for collectors to purchase. While these prototypes are usually kept in the collections of the original design team members, some have let go of their collections. Other times, prominent members of the collecting community are given the chance to add prototypes to their collections.

One of the largest names in the Hot Wheels collecting community is Michael T. Strauss. Fans regard him as the Father of Hot Wheels Collecting. He hosted events for the community, such as the Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, which started in 1986. In 2014, he was even inducted into the Diecast Hall of Fame.

Thus, collectors perked up when a Redline Cheetah prototype car from his collection became available on eBay. While Mattel originally advertised this car as a Cheetah, it was released as the Python in the Sweet 16 line-up. Mattel had based this car on the Car Craft Dream Rod.

On January 08, 2021, this prototype Hot Wheels car sold for $10,000.00 on eBay.

9. Hot Wheels ’17 Lamborghini Urus (2021)

As the world shuts down, many sellers would profit from placing newly released products onto the second-hand market. Since there were production delays from worldwide supply chain issues, many items trickled onto the scene. This became an era where scalping and gouging prices soared to new heights.

This explains partially how a brand-new toy from 2021 sold for several thousands of dollars. Normally, any new toy or product would never gain the traction to go more than a few hundred dollars. However, the early 2020s was a different landscape. Moreover, a culture of FOMO, or fear of missing out, has been growing recently.

This all explains how the 2017 style Lamborghini Urus that Hot Wheels released in 2021 sold for $10,001.00 on eBay on October 21, 2022. However, given that this item sold well after it hit the market, there may have been more than just FOMO or typical supply chain issues at play. Either way, this price is not reflective of the true value of this Hot Wheels toy car.

8. Hot Wheels Employee Holiday Car – Volkswagon Drag Bus by Phil Riehlman (2009)

Starting in 1989, Hot Wheels began to release special Employee Holiday Cars in December. Unlike typical Hot Wheels cars, these toys were only given out to employees and were not available to the general public. This special line lasted until 2010, but it was not uninterrupted. There were a few years when no Employee Holiday Cars came out. The years skipped were 1990-1992, 1995, and 2005-2006.

In 2009, Hot Wheels produced a Volkswagon Drag Bus that was designed by Phil Riehlman. While the mold for this vehicle had been used by Mattel since 1996, the 2009 release had a special print with silver flames. It also was unpainted, allowing the chrome metal to show.  Even the windows had a special red tint. Most notably, Mattel only produced 2000 of these toys, which were not released to the public.

Since the toy was not publicly available, it quickly became one of the highest-selling Hot Wheels cars around. One of these vehicles sold on eBay for $10,0001.00 on November 16, 2017.

7. Hot Wheels Redline Mustang Stocker White Enamel (1975)

While limited edition cars are always attention-grabbing, fans still look out for the rare signs of any Redline vehicles. Each of the cars that came out during the first ten years of Hot Wheels’ production line-up featured an eye-catching red line on the side of the wheels. While there have been later cars that also featured this detail, only the cars from 1968 until 1977 are considered true redline vehicles.

These cars are highly treasured because they were the original incarnations of most molds. Moreover, few cars from that era still maintain the original paint and decals that made them stand out. So, it is a rare treat to find one of these vintage cars in mint condition. It also leads to high sales prices.

The Mustang Stocker was not amongst the Sweet 16 line-up. Instead, this vehicle was first molded in 1975 for the Flying Colors subline. Hot Wheels produced a few different variants during its original run. Customers had their choice of enamel yellow or enamel white vehicles. Moreover, there were two different variants of the yellow car, with one having blue and red stripes while the other had orange and magenta stripes.

Even though the Mustang Stocker from the Flying Colors subline is not one of the original cars, it is still valued as a Redline car. Thus, it sold on eBay for $12,988.90 on July 11, 2022.

6. Hot Wheels GDF86 RLC Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR34 with error (2019)

Mattel is always adding new vehicles to the Hot Wheels line-up, both introducing new original designs and licensed cars. Both toy collectors and car aficionados look forward to the newest takes on the hottest cars on the market. Even though one might assume that Hot Wheel’s designers and engineers only scale down the cars to 1:64, there are many other crucial steps. To make the cars look right and drive well on tracks, each car is widened and lowered. However, they never exaggerate these changes so much that the cars become unrecognizable.

In 2019, Hot Wheels added the Nissan Skyline GT-R into the line-up. The first releases of this car came out in both yellow and a Spectraflame race team blue color. This car featured an opening hood that allowed players to view a detailed mold of the car’s RB26 engine.

Defying the usual sales price for a new Hot Wheels car, one of these toy vehicles sold on eBay for $13,000.00 on April 18, 2023. This auction was notable because it was for a sealed vehicle that featured a factory error. Where most of these cars were packaged with the hood open, the factory had sent this one out with the hood closed.

This auction is also not indicative of the general going price for a Hot Wheels 2019 Nissan Skyline. Usually, this vehicle only sells for around $800. Even the factory error does not fully explain the bump in price. Despite the interest in factory errors, they rarely cause an increase in value in the range of thousands of dollars.

5. Hot Wheels Redline Beach Bomb Prototype (1969)

The Volkswagon Beach Bomb was not one of the vehicles that was chosen for the Sweet 16 save. However, it came out a year later in 1969. Ira Gilford was responsible for converting this classic van into a toy car ready for the orange race track. In addition to modifying the general feel of this vehicle, they added removable surfboards that were mounted to the sides of the vehicle.

When the vehicle was released, Mattel made it available in a large range of colors. It was possible to collect the 1969 Beach Bomb in blue, aqua, green, red, olive, purple, copper, apple green, brown, orange, rose, and yellow. Unlike many other Hot Wheels cars, the Beach Bomb was only available during the 1969 series.

Before this car went to the market, it went through the same prototype process as the rest of the Hot Wheels toy line. One of these prototypes was painted yellow and featured a clear plastic for the top of the vehicle. Otherwise, there were black windows on the side of the prototype. As the auction listing specified that it had a clear rear window, it was one of the rare US-produced prototypes. The antifreeze-colored toy car is one out of 5 known prototypes.

This rare prototype Hot Wheels car was part of an 865-car Redline collection that one collector had gathered over the years. While the auction did not specify the name of the collector, the claimed size would have made an impressive sight. Since prototypes are rare, as well as Redline cars, this vehicle sold on eBay for $13,608.00 on September 26, 2021.

4. Hot Wheels Redline Custom Barracuda Bronze with Rare Error Package (1968)

While prototype cars from 1969 are rare, they are not one of the highly-regarded Sweet Sixteen cars from 1968. The Custom Barracuda was one of these vehicles that often pops up on the holy grail list for many Hot Wheels Collectors. This vehicle was one of the originals designed by Harry Bradley for the debut of the toy line.

When Mattel was deciding which vehicles would help them launch their new toy line, they decided to include a toy based on the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda. It became quickly apparent that they could not simply translate the exact layout of the car at a smaller scale. They wanted the Hot Wheels cars to drive straight and fast, so they needed to modify the designs so that they would achieve those feats.

With this in mind, Harry Bradley lowered the body so it sat closer to the ground. He also widened it to give it better traction. He then molded a replica of the car’s engine that would become visible when players opened the hood. Notably, there are two main variants of this car depending on whether they were produced in the US or Hong Kong.

While a 1968 Hot Wheels Custom Barracuda is rare, it is even rarer to find one still on the card. However, one of these cars made its way to eBay in 2020. In addition to being a Sweet Sixteen car still on the card, though not in pristine shape, it had one more aspect that made it stand out. This item had a factory error where the vehicle was packaged facing to the left instead of the right. When the auction ended on July 01, 2020, it sold for $15,000.00.

3. Hot Wheels Redline Custom Charger Resin Prototype from Larry Wood Collection (1969)

Before working for Mattel, Larry Wood had a background in automotive design, having worked for Ford. However, he had a passion for toy cars and left to join Mattel when the company sought out talent to help them design their new Hot Wheels toy line.

Since Larry Wood did not join Mattel until 1969, none of his designs were present in the original 16 cars. However, his contribution to the toy line began in 1970 and remained present for decades. The latest set of toy cars that Larry Wood had his hand in designing came out in 2019. Due to his years of contributions to the toy line, he was inaugurated to the Diecast Hall of Fame in 2009.

Meanwhile, the Custom Charger was designed by Ira Gilford and released in 1969. The team modeled this car to resemble the real-life 1969 Dodge Charger. It was a welcome addition to the Redline series of Hot Wheels vehicles.

Even though Larry Wood was not directly involved in the creation of the Custom Charger, one of its prototypes was within his collection. As a long-time Hot Wheels designer, it is easy to see why this car was in his possession. This unique vehicle was placed up for auction on eBay in 2020. It included a Certificate of Authenticity to confirm that it had previously been owned by Larry Wood. When the listing closed on August 12, 2020, the prototype car sold for $15,000.00.

2. Hot Wheels HWC  ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser (Pink Stripes) (2014)

While most people consider an original Redline car to be the holy grail of their collection, some treasure others. Multiple newer cars have been released in limited edition runs and are only available to a select number of people. By requiring memberships, Mattel has ensured that these vehicles become highly desirable amongst fans.

Such is the case for the HWC ’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser, which was released in 2014 and was only offered to members of Hot Wheels Collectors. Beyond making it exclusive to the website, Mattel only produced 4000 of these cars. The one that was placed up for auction was number 0001/4000, which makes it highly desirable to some collectors. This Spectraflame Pink colored car featured pink stripes on its roof and “The Candy Striper” decals on its side.

These features combined to make a uniquely desirable car that would normally not hit anywhere in the 10s of thousands. This vehicle sold on eBay for $15,500.00 on August 06, 2018.

1. Hot Wheels Redline Olds 442 Lite Pink in Blister Pack (1971)

One of the most common Hot Wheels vehicles that we saw sold for high prices was the 1971 Olds 442. While this vehicle was not a member of the Sweet Sixteen, it is one of the sought-after Redline vehicles. Larry Wood was responsible for designing this vehicle, which appeared in stores in 1971.

Like many other Hot Wheels vehicles, Mattel licensed this vehicle from one of their supporters, Oldsmobile. Larry Wood then took the appearance of the 1970 Oldsmobile 442 and customized it to fit Hot Wheels’ standards. Like many other toy vehicles from the line, this car featured an opening hood and a detailed engine inside.

Originally, this mold was only available in 1971. However, Mattel later retooled and rereleased the vehicle from 2004 until 2013. Despite the more recent releases, only the original car is valuable to collectors.

As one of the most sought-after vehicles from the toy line, it is no surprise that the 1971 Olds 442 sits at the top of our list. When it sold on eBay, it closed for $16,100.00 on October 08, 2020.

Special Extra: Hot Wheels Redline 1968 Store Display with all Sweet 16 Cars (1968)

Originally, this listing was going to sit on the top of the list at #1. However, since it is both a rare store display and a rare collection of Hot Wheels Cars, it did not fully meet our normal criteria. Thus, we have decided to include the Hot Wheels 1968 Store Display as the secret additional #1 for this list.

When Mattel shipped out its first wave of Hot Wheels cars, it provided stores with a special display. This display allowed stores to display all 16 available vehicles to potential customers. Rather than presenting artwork to represent the cars, the display was meant to show the actual toy cars.  Most of the cars sat in a 3-tiered semi-circle. However, the Ford J-Car was given the honor of sitting at the very top, with no other cars on the same tier. Meanwhile, two cars (the Beatnik Bandit and the Silhouette sat apart from the circle.

This display featured all 16 original cars from the 1968 release. There was the Silhouette, Deora, Hot Heap, Custom Barracuda, Custom Cougar, Custom Eldorado, Custom Volkswagen, Custom Fleetside, Beatnik Bandit, Python, Custom Corvette, Custom Firebird, Custom Camaro, Custom T-Bird, Custom Mustang, and Ford J-Car. Each of these vehicles was specially designed to race on the Hot Wheels tracks.

As a rare site to see all of the Sweet Sixteen cars, this set was already valuable. However, the addition of the store display elevated the set even further. When this set went up on eBay, it wound up selling for $39,850.00 on November 22, 2021.

Do you have old and used Hot Wheels Redline toys?

If you have a collection of old and used toys, you can turn those toys into cash. There is no reason to let those old toys collect dust. Contact us today to sell your Hot Wheels Redline toy collection.

Our professional, friendly, and expert staff have decades of experience as collectible toy buyers. If you are ready to sell your collection today, contact us at 888-946-2895.

Made in collaboration with:

Chris Ingledue 

Contact: email

Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab,” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!

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