These model cars may be considered toys, but they're not the kind you can actually play with. That's because they are holy-grail items for collectors.
Their value is so great that some even surpass the price of most real vehicles. If you run across any of these toy cars at a flea market or auction, make sure to handle them with gloves.
10. Matchbox 1967 Magirus Deutz Crane No. 30
Value: $13,000
Bottom line: The value of a 1967 Magirus Deutz crane is generally around $100, but the pre-production model is extremely rare and can fetch up to five figures.
If you have a truck with a tan body, orange jib and hook, and grey wheels, you're in luck!
9. Hot Wheels Beatnik Bandit
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Value: $15,000
Bottom line: In the 1960s, Hot Wheel models were created from the blueprints of the original vehicles.
Of "the Original Sweet 16" was the Beatnik Bandit. Created by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, this concept car came with a joystick and a dome over the cab.
The pink version of the car was designed with girls in mind, but it never caught on, making it one of the rarest and priciest Hot Wheels models.
8. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
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Value: $18,000
Bottom line: Made by Classic Model Cars, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most expensive model cars and one of the most expensive real cars (the original went for $48.4 million at auction in 2018) of all time.
Although it's a diecast, the toy car retains all the impressive details of the real vehicle at 1:18 scale. At $18,000, it's the price that the original was in 1962.
7. Dinky No.22D Delivery Van "W.E. Boyce"
Value: $26,000
Bottom line: Dinky Toys began making its models in 1934, and the toy company is now owned by Mattel. Back then, it sold its model cars as railway kit accessories.
The W.E. Boyce truck was sold as a pre-war promo item and is, so far, known to be the only one in existence, hence its value. It's named after a Liverpool cycle shop that went out of business in the 1960s.
6. Tomica Z432 Datsun
Value: $80,000
Bottom line: Japan's Takara Tomy created the Tomica line in 1970. To commemorate its 40th anniversary in 2000, it created this one-of-a-kind Nissan Fairlady Z432 in platinum.
Jeweler Ginza Tanaka crafted the car by hand over a month's time.
5. Hot Wheels Volkswagen Beach Bomb
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Value: $125,000
Bottom line: Made in 1969, the Hot Wheels Volkswagen Beach Bomb that loads in the rear was a prototype meant for employees to test before the company mass-produced the item.
Its backloading system didn't work well with Hot Wheels play or stunt track sets, so the van became a side loader, making the rear-loading versions highly sought after ever since.
4. 40th Anniversary Hot Wheels Diamond Racer
FunStations/ / Facebook
Value: $140,000
Bottom line: In 2008, Hot Wheels celebrated its 40th anniversary, and parent-company Mattel wanted to do something special to commemorate the event.
Beverly Hills jeweler-to-the-stars Jason Arasheben covered a Custom Otto model with precious stones — 1,388 blue diamonds, 988 black diamonds, 319 white diamonds and eight rubies over an 18-karat white-gold body. It took him over 600 hours to create the tiny bedazzled car.
3. Bugatti Veyron
OhSoExpensive / Twitter
Value: $2.9 million
Bottom line: Solid gold, diamonds and precious stones will ratchet up the price of a model car considerably. In 2010, three models of the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition were crafted from gold, platinum and diamonds by luxury designers Robert Gulpen and Stuart Hughes.
The car took two months to complete. Its doors, hoods and steering wheel are all functional.
2. Lamborghini Aventador
itchieland / Tumblr
Value: $6 million
Bottom line: Designer Robert Gulpen also had his hand in crafting the 1:8 scale Aventador from the most expensive materials money can buy.
The Aventador's body is crafted from an ultra-thin thread of gold wrapping around carbon fibers. Its wheels are gold and platinum; its seats are embedded with various precious stones, as are the rear lights; and its headlights are diamond-encrusted. This car's elements are also functional.
1. Gold Lamborghini Aventador
@SAINTShine4 / Twitter
Value: $7.5 million
Bottom line: Designer Robert Gulpen created yet another high-priced model in this fully functional gold Aventador that is 1:8 of scale of the real thing.
With a solid gold suspension and platinum wheels, diamond headlights and diamond-encrusted seats, the model costs far more than a real 2022 Aventador, which is only worth a measly $546,847.