| Collecting of die cast toy cars like Hot Wheels and | | | | this is a box set of the entire series sold exclusively at |
| Matchbox grew out of a passion for cars and | | | | JC Penny stores around the Christmas and holiday |
| childhood memories. Until the early 1990's, collectors | | | | season. The series did experience a few variations |
| were constrained to just a few options: collecting | | | | over the years. One example is the standard practice |
| variations and errors, collecting every car in a series or | | | | from the regular series of re-releasing models with a |
| year, and collecting special limited editions not sold in | | | | different paint style. In 2005, in honor of the tenth |
| stores. It wasn't until 1995 that die cast toy car makers | | | | anniversary, the series released the most popular |
| started producing cars for sale in stores that were | | | | model from each year of the previous ten years. It |
| packaged specifically for collecting. It was the | | | | was also in this year that a thirteenth car was offered |
| introduction of the Treasure Hunt Series from Hot | | | | through a mail in offer, which required proof of |
| Wheels that started it all. | | | | purchasing twenty other cars. |
| The series consists of twelve cars, typically hot sellers | | | | The value of the Treasure Hunt cars typically spiked |
| in the past, which had new paint and graphic styles | | | | for a particular model when it came out. Often times a |
| applied and sport 'Real Rider' tires. Real Rider tires are | | | | car found on the 'pegs' in stores for a dollar could |
| actually rubber and can be removed from the rim like | | | | immediately be sold for fifty dollars. The value would |
| a real tire. Often times the tires had 'Goodyear' or | | | | then slightly decrease when the next month's cars |
| 'Treasure Hunt' printed in white on the side of the tire. | | | | were issued and the spotlight moved to the next |
| These cars were produced in limited quantities, 10,000 | | | | model in the series. As is common, the cars for the |
| at first, but were released with the regular series each | | | | inaugural year are valued highest. The '67 Camaro |
| year. This created an interesting aspect to the | | | | released in 1995, for example, is the most treasured |
| Treasure Hunt Series since they were also sold for | | | | model and is worth over $300. |
| the $1 price of the regular series. The only exception to | | | | |