How much are my old Hot Wheels cars worth?

Most Hot Wheels are common and sell for small amounts. The ones collectors pay for are usually the early cars made from 1968 to the late 1970s, often called Redlines because of the red stripe on the tires. Color matters a great deal on those early cars, since some colors were made in much smaller numbers. Rare variations, prototypes and limited editions also draw interest.

Condition is the next big factor. Cars still in their original blister pack bring far more than loose cars, and loose cars with chipped paint, bent axles or missing parts sell for much less. Original collector buttons and cases for the early cars add value.

Turn the car over: the base usually shows the Mattel name, the model name and a copyright year, though that year is when the casting was designed, not necessarily when your car was made. Look up sold prices for the exact model, color and wheel type. For a big collection, a toy auction or collectible toy dealer can help.