Want to own a fast-looking car without the risk of collisions on the road? Not likely, says California car accident lawyer Dan Rose. If you want to drive it, there’s always going to be risk attached, but if you just want to ogle aesthetics, then maybe you can go for the next best thing — a miniature Hot Wheels replica? 

Sure, it’s not quite the same as driving, but those expertly crafted toys make for fine collectibles all their own, and some have fetched a pretty penny when it came time for their owners to cash in. Here are some of the most expensive Hot Wheel cars the world has seen to date, according to the experts at Car and Driver.

Small Size, Big Prices

In laying out their 2019 list of most valuable Hot Wheels collectibles, Car and Driver picked out 21 options, stretching back all the way to the late ‘60s. Here are their results:

• 1974 Magenta Rodger Dodger — $3,000
• 1968 Brown Custom Camaro — $3,000
• 1968 White Custom Camaro — $3,000
• 1977 White Z-Whiz — $3,000
• 1974 Blue Rodger Dodger — $3,000
• 1972 Pink Superfire Turbine — $3,500
• 1969 Red Baron — $3,500
• 1972 Green Open Fire — $4,000
• 1971 Red Olds 442 — $4,500
• 1968 Pink Beatnik Bandit — $5,000
• 1970 Red Ferrari 312P — $5,000
• 1971 Spectraflame Purple Bye Focal — $6,000
• 1969 Cheetah Base With Python Body — $6,000
• 1969 Brown ‘31 Woody — $8,000
• 1969 Ed Shaver Blue AMX — $10,000
• 1971 Purple Olds 442 — $12,000
• 1969 Brown Custom Charger — $13,000
• 1969 Mad Maverick Base on Mighty Maverick — $15,000
• 1968 Over Chrome Camaro — $25,000
• 1968 Over Chrome Mustang — $40,000
• 1969 Pink, Rear-Loading Beach Bomb — $175,000

Looking over the list, the most obvious question that comes to mind is, “why?” What on earth could make small toys made of metal and plastic so expensive? For starters, the Hot Wheels you see on the list are exceedingly rare and provide guarantee of quality, which in and of itself makes them collectible. When they have interesting color combinations, that makes them rarer still, and when they’re in good condition, that ups the price even more.

Of course, there’s the added bonus of never having to worry about insurance for these vehicles, or having to call up Easton & Easton personal injury attorneys because you got into an accident, so as a collector, the Hot Wheels option should be pretty appealing to you, all things considered!