The Collecting Philosophy

Over the last thirty years of being engrossed in this wonderful hobby, I’ve taken notice of all the ways collectors collect the Redline Hot Wheels®.  I have found that every collector in this hobby is different and unique in their own approach.  I’ve seen everything from focusing on one singular casting in every color to having to have every color in every casting of every Redline ever produced, including the alternates.  This can be an extremely expensive venture depending on how you decide to build your Redline collection.  Let’s explore some of the more popular forms of collecting, along with my very own.

Finances will always be the guiding light for most collectors.  Expendable income usually determines the path one takes in this hobby.  Stepping into the highly competitive and expensive world of Redline Hot Wheels Collecting can be quite intimidating for the novice collector.  Don’t get me wrong, you can still collect the Redlines on a limited budget, but you will be limited as to what you can collect.

If you’re like most collectors, your budget is limited, and you’ll have to adjust your purchases appropriately.  Most collectors tend to shy away from the extremely rare and unbelievably expensive pieces and those that are in blister pack condition that also demand a very high price.  I have also seen collectors that will use their entire annual budget to purchase one or two cars a year that are very pricey.  Many collectors in this hobby will consistently purchase the lesser condition cars and cars that are not the “Grails” in the hobby.  Basically, the cars that fit their budget and likes.  The “Holy Grail” or “Grail” are terms that I believe are very subjective to every collector and is usually based on their own personal collection.

Let’s do something fun here.  I am going to list all the ways I’ve observed Redline Hot Wheels collectors over the last thirty years, and I will rank them from the most common form of collecting to the least common.  There can be crossover of the philosophies as well or a combination as you’ll see.  Always keep in mind that this is just my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.  😉  So here we go with the REDLINE ARCHEOLOGIST’S “Top 5” ways of collecting the old Hot Wheels:

1. Anything Goes – Basically any Redline, loose or Blister Pak from the production years 1967- 1976. Keep in mind this is what is stamped on the bases of Redlines.  1967 was the first year of production and 1968 was the first year of release.  Also, the accessories and all the items like Sizzlers, Rrumblers, Hotlines, Hot Birds, and Race Sets that were produced during the Redline Era.
2. Years Only – This is a philosophy based on a singular year of production or a limited number of years. I fall into this category as my personal collection is based on the production years of 1968 – 1973.
3. Individual Casting(s) – This method is really based on one’s own love of individual castings or models. Some collectors that I have met over the years will only collect “Muscle Cars” whereas others will only collect the “Concept Cars.”  This method can be all over the map, but it is absolutely based on an individual’s “likes.”  These collectors also like to produce “rainbows” in each of their castings as well.  What this means is that they want every color and every shade of every color to produce a rainbow of a particular casting.
4. Condition – This is where my “crossover” occurs. Not only do I only collect a limited timeframe of cars, I also require them to be as factory fresh as possible.  A car does not make it into my limited personal collection if it is not, as most collectors say, “MINTY” and what I like to call “Blister Pak Fresh” or “Factory Fresh.”
5. Blister Pack vs Loose – Some collectors like to collect what I call “cardboard + plastic.” In other words, the original packaging or “Blister Packs.”  This is the most expensive aspect of the hobby across the board and again is based on not only the condition of the packaged car held within but also the condition of the cardboard and plastic surrounding it.  You better have deep pockets to enter this realm.

So, there you have it, the first and only “Top 5 of Collecting Philosophies” ever produced in the Redline Hot Wheels World.  If you have anything to add to this BLOG, please post a comment below.  Lots more to come from the world of Redline Archeology.  Collections from all over North America and the world arrive every week and are featured on the Redline Archeology YouTube channel.  Be sure to check out our latest incredible discoveries and amazing videos and be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a single new video.

Happy Redline Hunting and hoping that you all can capture an original collection of Redline Hot Wheels real soon!

Remember, it’s all about the “Hunt” and “Capture!”

 

If you have the old REDLINE Hot Wheels and are thinking of selling them, Look No Further!

You now ask yourself the age old question,  “How do I sell my old Hot Wheels?”

Here at REDLINE ARCHEOLOGY, we will appraise your collection, at NO COST and NO OBLIGATION, and make the highest offer in the hobby for your cars, if they are from the years we are looking for, 1967 – 1977.

With almost 30 years of diggin’ up original one owner childhood Hot Wheels collections from the sixties and seventies, REDLINE ARCHEOLOGY is the only place to have your old Hot Wheels appraised by one of the most successful collectors in the hobby, Bob Young.  Bob has now authored two books:

 

 

Available on AMAZON, Barnes & Noble and now WALMART!

Call us anytime @ 856.912.2463 or visit us @ www.RedlineArcheology.com