Nfts
Hot Wheels NFT Garage Series 7 Scavenger Hunt is a Lambo
Something very interesting happened to me yesterday. While driving, I noticed an orange Datsun 240Z parked in front of an auto shop. I stopped and talked to the owner for 30 minutes. But I was sad to learn that he preferred to remain anonymous rather than share his collection online.
What shocked me the most was seeing all the cool cars in his garage, including a Renault Dauphine from the 1950s, which I had never seen before. I once again realized how the love of vehicles brings people together and how quickly we can connect even without knowing each other. It’s the same even with diecast cars, and that’s just one of the benefits of this hobby.
You will hear different opinions about the NFT Garage series from Hot Wheels. Some collectors are happy that it exists, while others will want nothing to do with it. After experiencing the whole NFT craze a few years ago, it all seems silly. But that didn’t convince Mattel to abandon the project. A few months ago we looked at an unboxing of the 6 series cars, and now it’s already time for the 7 series.
Of course, if you’re up to date with what’s going on in El Segundo, you probably know that Series 8 cards are gone and that tradeable cards are coming soon. But let’s focus on the six items presented here, and at the end of the story I’ll also tell you how much you can expect to pay for each of them.
Lamborghini Aventador Coupe
Photo: Lamley Group
The Lamborghini Aventador Coupe is the seventh treasure hunt in the NFT Garage series. It faces stiff competition if we look at its predecessors. I’m not a fan of the Bone Shaker, but die-hard enthusiasts probably think otherwise. It was the first NFTH in this collection and the only license-free vehicle to achieve this status.
I prefer the McLaren F1 GTR in Series 4, but the 1988 Jeep Wagoneer was pretty cool too. The Aventador is the second Lamborghini in NFT Garage, with the Veneno arriving first. This Phil Riehlman-designed cast has been around since 2012 but has only had a few memorable moments so far. The 2018 Super Treasure Hunt version featured a beautiful Spectraflame Rosso Arancio Miura finish and even had Real Riders Exotic wheels to show off. Since then, we’ve had three more Premium variants, but perhaps nothing as notable as the NFTH.
Thank goodness it has a metal base, but I have mixed feelings about these Modern Concave Real Riders wheels. Before people traded them, prices ranged between $149 and $500 in March. But now you can expect to pay between $175 and $866 for one. Sure, Mattel only made 1,750 units, but $866 seems a bit excessive, doesn’t it?
GMC 64 panel
Photo: Lamley Group
Using an NFT garage scavenger hunt is like adding a turbo to your V8. So, could having a ZAMAC model in this series be similar to supercharging your VTEC engine? These items are almost always highly valued by collectors, even if we are only talking about Mainline cars.
Mattel presented the concept at NFT Garage with the Porsche 917KH Series 6, which can sell for up to $250. The ’64 GMC Panel is not as exciting to me, but I prefer American trucks or sportier models to these vans. The diecast manufacturer released 3,750 units of this collectible, meaning it’s not as rare as the NFTH but not as common as the remaining four cars.
Rob Matthes designed the cast for his debut in 2010’s Slick Rides, and we’ve seen 15 iterations since. We are talking about an exclusive Premium design, some of which can reach up to $300 on the open market. I’m not entirely happy with the finish of the 5-spoke Mag-Style Real Riders, but at least the prices have dropped slightly since March. The cheapest at the time was $150, while the most expensive today is only $90.
Pagani Zonda
Photo: Lamley Group
I fell in love with Zondas when I heard my first one several years ago. So it’s no wonder I’ve had several little ones at home, since I’m not even close to having the budget to buy one. The Zonda R took things to a whole new level, and I suggest you check out the company’s official film showcasing it. When Mattel released the Zonda R, I knew I needed it.
Even though it was only a Mainline model it didn’t matter, but it’s been a hit or miss situation since 2022. The Speed Machines version was half decent, but it had wheels CM6 instead of Real. Those of the horsemen. Collectors have been eager for a Premium tier release, and the new NFT Garage model could fulfill that wish.
It looks pretty good at Spectraflame Rosso Dubai, and I’m happy to see whoever designed it opted for the Real Riders 10-Spoke Modern rims. At first, prices ranged from $70 to $150, but now you can get away with less than that. Between $50 and $100 is still more than you’d pay for a Car Culture or Boulevard release. And if that ever happens, I guess most of us would prefer a faithful replica of the real car rather than a made-up design.
Wagon Datsun Bluebird (510)
Photo: Lamley Group
I looked closely at the entire NFT Garage collection and noticed something strange. There are not many exchangeable Japanese cars inside. The Honda S2000 was the first to arrive with the 2 Series. Then there was the ’17 Acura NSX in the 3 Series, and let’s not forget Suki’s Fast & Furious S2000. So the Datsun Bluebird Wagon (510) comes in fourth, the first non-Honda machine here.
You may have noticed that the 8 Series Treasure Hunt model is a Nissan Fairlady Z, and I suspect we’ll also see at least one other Japanese car in Series 9. Speaking of the Datsun Bluebird Wagon (510), it’s one of the most popular Hot Wheels castings. And you’ll need a small fortune to get the full collection of over 30 iterations.
Just think of the 2013 Boulevard version and both Great treasure hunts. So it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the more expensive Series 7 items. Prices ranged between $110 and $325 in March, but are now in the $110 range at $250. There are only two cars left before I give you the total cost of this set; hang on!
1970 Dodge Power Wagon
Photo: Lamley Group
Is it the second best car in the NFT Garage Series 7? Mattel nailed everything with this one: the paint job, the livery, and the wheels! This is the second Dodge in the collection, following the ’18 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Series 6.
It’s not the first pickup truck (think 4 Series Chevrolet Silverado Off Road), but it’s the most exciting on the list. The casting debuted in the 2011 Hot Wheels Garage: Mopar mix, and you can look out for several other Premium variants if that’s what makes you happy.
I spotted someone trying to sell the 27th edition Hot Wheels Collectors Convention variation in Spectraflame Pink for almost $1,600 on eBay, so it’s very popular among collectors. Spectraflame Forest Green works perfectly with the white decals and Preferred Series Off-Road Real Riders wheels. And I could see myself spending $45 to buy this collectible. (it’s the cheapest on the market).
Porsche962
Photo: Lamley Group
Still, if I had to leave Series 7 with just one item, it would be the Porsche962. My affinity for Group C racing cars compels me to do so. What can I say ? I’ll do everything I can to ride one of these, even if I’m not competent enough to push it to even half of its potential.
You are looking at the eighth iteration of this casting designed by Mark Jones. I don’t think he’ll ever make it into the Mainline series, although I wouldn’t mind if he did. So far it has spent most of its life in the Car Culture series, and it’s nice that there are still several other liveries including Mattel can draw inspiration for the future.
Looking at previous versions, I can’t say that Spectraflame Champagne is the best color choice for this car, but it does the job. You will notice the mismatched wheels: Real Riders Aero on the front axle and Real Riders European rims on the rear. Prices range from $63 to $218, and there’s a good chance they won’t get any cheaper anytime soon.
I promised to do the math and tell you how much all six cars will cost today. Three months ago, you had a budget of $700 to $1,500. Today, the range has expanded from $500 to $1,700 before shipping.
