Collecting Hot Wheels Cars
Frank Hartman has been collecting Hot Wheels cars “for his son.” Sure? He’s bought more than 5,000 of them worth more than $20,000. They’re flowing out of closets and rooms, covering the walls.
Frank might be collecting for his son but it’s not for him to play with, more for the investment value.
And when he finds some he likes, Hartman won’t let the clerk touch them — not even to scan the price. “I bag my own toys,” Hartman said. “My wife hates it. I’d have a cart of about 20 cars that I want, and then use one car for scanning the bar code. The clerk sees the Hot Wheels as 99-cent toys and I hold value to it. The cardboard might bend if the car is thrown carelessly in the bag, and diminish its value.”
I couldn’t do it. It’s hard enough for me to hide toys for special occasions let alone keep them in pristine condition indefinitely.
Are you a collector?
The Gainesville Sun, April 11, 2006
Tags: cars, children, collections, hot-wheels, kids, toy-cars, toysRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Children's Toys
3 opinions for Collecting Hot Wheels Cars
Deb L
Apr 12, 2006 at 10:50 am
I think the value of creative play and expression far surpasses any monetary amount; and feel rather sad for that little boy with a house full of toy cars he can’t play with.
Lei
Apr 13, 2006 at 3:42 am
Deb: That’s exactly how I feel!! So when my husband says he wants to buy and collect, I make him buy two - one for him to keep pristine and the other for S to play with. :D
Gene Roberson
Jan 29, 2008 at 11:32 am
Would like to speak to Frank Hartman. Have a large collection of HOT WHEELS collected by my son from late 70’s - early 2000’s . My son passed at the age of 28. Would like to get collection evaluated. How? Possibly sell entire collection. Maybe you can advise. Thank You.
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