Hot Wheels: hot stuff?

Some remarkable prices were achieved at the 8 November toy sale at Vectis. Hot Wheels, that unmistakably US confection from Mattel, is gaining ground in the collecting arena. A group of early Redline models, including a Mercedes and a TNT Bird sold for £504, not bad for just eight cars!

Television and sci-fi are still performing well. A typical of the category was the Corgi No.270 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (a first issue). With silver body, a red interior and tyre slashes, it came with James Bond and the bandit figures. Virtually mint, this carried a pre-sale estimate of £100-120, which was massively eclipsed by the final bid of £504.

On the Dinky front, a pre-war No.43 RAC set settled on a top bid of £528. The set comprised a tinplate hut, motorcycle with sidecar and two figures, all in generally good plus to excellent condition, in a good plus lift-off lid box. A South African issue No.155 Ford Anglia, finished in grey with a red interior and chrome spun hubs, was near mint. Despite the drab colour scheme, this was a rarity, as evidenced by its estimate of £1,000-1,200. That, though, didn’t deter bidders, who swept it off to reach a huge £2,040.

It was a similar tale with the No.989 Car Carrier Auto Transporter. With yellow cab and base, light grey back, metallic blue ramps and red plastic hubs, it was described as good plus and came in a decent box. The estimate of £200-240 was modest, though, for it was finally knocked down for £600.

Other surprises included the Dinky No.908 Mighty Antar with Transformer Load. Not a rare model by any stretch of the imagination, it proves again that the big carriers have a big following. The model was finished in yellow, with red Supertoy hubs and had fitted windows. Its detachable trailer was light grey, carrying red lamps and again, Supertoy hubs. The whole was in excellent condition, in a very good box, yet the estimate (£260-320) was again on the low side, for it sold for £600.