Sell Hot Wheels Redlines and vintage die cast cars
Die cast collections hide a small number of cars that collectors look for. Redline era Hot Wheels from the early years, carded cars, and well kept Matchbox and Corgi pieces get looked at one car at a time. This page shows what to look for.
Short answer: Send a photo of the whole tub or case, close ups of the underside of any older cars, and any carded or boxed cars to (858) 247-2017 or use the form below. We tell you what looks like a fit and make one offer after we look at it. In Southern California we can meet in person, and elsewhere we use prepaid mail-in.
How do I tell if a Hot Wheels car is a Redline?
Redlines are the early Hot Wheels made roughly from 1968 to 1977. They are named for the thin red stripe on the tires.
- Look at the tires. A thin red line around the sidewall points to the Redline era
- Look at the paint. Early cars have a shiny, deep Spectraflame paint over bare metal
- Turn the car over and read the base. Early bases say Hot Wheels, a year, and often Hong Kong or USA
- Check for the Mattel mark and a copyright year on the base
- Later cars with black wall tires are a different line and are looked at separately
Not every red line tire car is a prize, and condition matters a lot. Send photos and we look at them with you.
What do buyers look at on a loose car?
- Paint chips, especially on the hood, roof, and fenders
- Bent axles, wobbly wheels, and damaged tires
- Missing parts such as hoods, windows, and decorations
- Whether the original paint is intact or the car was repainted
- Odd modifications like drilled bases and replaced wheels
Carded and boxed cars
A car still on its original card is a different item from a loose one. The card is part of what is looked at.
- Check the bubble for yellowing, cracks, and glue marks that suggest it was opened and resealed
- Look at the card for creases, soft corners, price stickers, and fading
- Do not remove a car from its card, and do not slide it out of the bubble
- Photograph the front, the back, and the corners
Matchbox, Corgi, Tomica and other die cast
Hot Wheels is only part of die cast collecting. Older Matchbox, Corgi, Dinky, and Tomica pieces have their own followings.
- Look at the base for brand, year, and country of manufacture
- Original boxes matter a great deal for Corgi and Dinky
- Check wheels and windows, which are common weak points
- Larger sets and gift packs should be kept together
How should I store and send a die cast collection?
- Keep cars in a single layer or in padded bags so paint does not chip
- Keep carded cars flat and out of heat and direct sun
- Do not wash older cars, which can lift paint and decals
- A photo of the whole case or tub is enough to start
What we look at
- Redline era Hot Wheels in any condition
- Carded and boxed Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Corgi cars
- Whole die cast collections and cases
- Vintage car carrying cases and playsets, such as tracks and garages
What is usually not a fit
- Recent mass market cars that are still easy to find in stores
- Cars with heavy rust, melting, or odor
- Repainted and rebuilt cars sold as original
- Large tubs of common worn play cars on their own
Careful notes on selling die cast
- Do not clean, repaint, or restore old cars.
- Do not open carded cars, even to check them.
- Be careful with anyone who offers a price from a single photo without seeing the cars.
What photos should I send?
Good photos get a faster and more honest answer. Natural light and a plain background are enough.
- A photo of the whole tub, case, or shelf
- The side and the underside of any older looking car
- Close ups of the tires for a red stripe
- The front and back of any carded car, including corners
- Original boxes, cases, and playsets
How an offer works
We make one offer for the whole lot after we see the items. You are free to say no.
Step 1
You send what you have
Photos and a few details are enough: what it is, roughly how many, and what condition. A form, a text, or a call all work.
Step 2
We tell you if it is a fit
We reply with whether we buy it and whether we can come to you or you should mail it in. If it is not a fit, we say so.
Step 3
We look at the items, then make one offer
We do not quote a price from photos. Once we have seen the items, you get one offer for the lot, and we can explain what drove it.
Step 4
You decide
Say yes and we complete the sale. Say no and you owe nothing.
What moves an offer
- Which exact items, titles, or models are in the lot
- Condition and completeness, such as boxes, manuals, and all the parts
- Whether it works, if it is a device or a console
- What similar items are selling for right now
Who you are dealing with
DeKlutterNow is a small business based in Oceanside, California. You can ask questions before you send anything: text (858) 247-2017 or email hello@deklutternow.com.
Get an offer
Send your die cast cars for a review
The more you tell us, the faster we can say whether it is a fit and what happens next. We do not quote a price from a form. Final offers come after we look at the items. You can also text photos to (858) 247-2017.
What to send
- • One photo of everything together, then close ups of the best pieces
- • Titles, brands, model numbers, or marks like 14K or 925 when you can read them
- • Boxes, manuals, papers, or graded labels if you have them
- • Anything that is broken, missing, or not working, so we can price it honestly
- • Your city and zip so we know if we can come to you
What we do not buy
- • Reproductions and custom toys sold as originals
- • Items with heavy smoke or mildew odor
- • Recent mass market toys
- • Cracked, melted or sticky plastic in bulk
Not sure? Send it anyway and we will tell you. See the full list.
Questions sellers ask
- Do you buy Hot Wheels Redlines?
- Yes, we review them. Send photos of the car, the tires, and the base.
- How can I tell if my Hot Wheels are old?
- Look at the base for a year and country, the paint, and the tires. Thin red stripe tires are the classic mark of the Redline era.
- Are carded Hot Wheels worth more than loose?
- Often, because the card helps show condition. Keep them on the card and photograph both sides.
- Do you buy Matchbox and Corgi cars?
- Yes. Boxes matter for Corgi, so keep them with the matching car.
- Should I clean my old Hot Wheels?
- No. Washing can lift paint and decals. Leave them as they are.
- Can I sell a whole tub of toy cars?
- Yes. Send a photo and a few close ups of the older looking cars. We tell you what looks like a fit.
- Do you buy track sets and playsets?
- Often yes, especially vintage ones with their boxes. Send photos.
- Can I mail in toy cars?
- Yes. Outside Southern California we use prepaid mail-in and explain how to pack cars so paint is not chipped.
Keep reading
- Sell retro toys for cash in Southern California
- Sell vintage action figures
- Sell retro toys in Los Angeles
- Sell retro toys in Long Beach
- Prepaid mail-in
Questions before you send anything? Text DeKlutterNow at (858) 247-2017.