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Collector Finds Hot Wheels Car Worth 'Up To $100,000'

Collector Finds Hot Wheels Car Worth 'Up To $100,000'

It's believed to be the only one in existence and it could be worth a lot

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A toy collector in America has stumbled upon a Hot Wheels car that he claims could be worth 'up to $100,000'.

Collector Joel Magee has found what he believes is the only Enamel White Prototype Custom Camaro Hot Wheels car in existence.

The Toy Scout/Joel Magee

Magee, who has appeared on Pawn Stars as a Disney expert, came across this dazzling, yet beat-up toy car that he describes in a press release as the 'Holy Grail' of Hot Wheels.

He didn't even really know that he was sitting on a potential goldmine when he purchased it.

Speaking to Car and Driver, Magee said: "It didn't resonate with me. It was actually another Hot Wheels person who asked for a better picture. He said, 'Oh my gosh, I've never seen or heard of one of those before, especially Camaro.

"If you can pick any Hot Wheels car, the Camaro is at the top of the list. It's hard to imagine a little toy car is worth more than a real one."

Toy collector Joel Magee.
Twitter

Magee reckons that because it's believed to be the only one on the planet, the car could be worth up to US $100,000 (£77,000 / AUD $150,000), according to Fox News. Hilariously, Joel doesn't even remember where he came across the car because he goes to so many events all the time.

To ensure that he was definitely sitting on a collector's item, Joel contacted the man who designed and modelled Hot Wheels cars in the 1970s, John Wood.

The pair worked out the Hot Wheels car was produced in a Hong Kong factory, which usually made models different to the ones manufactured in the US.

The Toy Scout/Joel Magee

Somehow, this Hong Kong-produced Hot Wheels made it back to America and then filtered its way through the production and shipping lines before it was sold as a normal unit.

Magee also told Car and Driver: "Sometimes they did weird things at the factory. There have been cars that have been found that have little bubble-top roofs, and they've been found with coins inside.

"Come to find out, the Mattel employees used to goof around.

"The cars would be coming down the assembly line and they'd put a penny inside before it was riveted closed. They thought that would be cool for some kid to find. That's one of the things that makes the hobby what it is today."

Featured Image Credit: The Toy Scout/Joel Magee

Topics: News, Interesting