There's a reason why so many valuable Hot Wheels cars have such a rich history. More than 50 years ago, Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler tasked his design team with developing a toy car that would be an actual performer. After creating the groundbreaking new wheel design in a first-ever trackable toy car, Hot Wheels was born. These were toys like no other at the time, elevating kids' play to a whole new level.

Hot Wheels, though, were more than typical toys. These little cars could go fast, fly over obstacles, and build enough momentum to race through loops. Playing with cars was more exciting than ever with the added element of competition and experimentation. Soon enough, kids weren't the only ones to show an interest in Hot Wheels.

Avid car fans started collecting Hot Wheels because of their clever designs that often went beyond what's commonly seen in the auto world. It's no wonder the value of these little models skyrocketed over time, with many worth a fortune today. Widely sought after, Hot Wheels are now part of the car culture. As such, they attract car enthusiasts from all parts of the world.

Since so many collectors continue to seek Hot Wheels today, rarer examples can go for tens of thousands of dollars each. Some rare sets even share the same price tag as many new (and real) sports cars today. The most expensive Hot Wheels ever is worth more than a new 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe, which starts at $106,395. Even more surprising, it's modeled after a modest Volkswagen vehicle.

RELATED: These Are Some Of The Coolest Hot Wheels Collections

The World's Most Valuable Hot Wheels Car

No, it's not a custom take on an iconic vehicle nor as attention-grabbing as one covered in diamonds — but rather a pink Volkswagen bus. Considering the history behind this particular model, other Hot Wheels cars will have a tough job taking the throne.

The pink bus is the Volkswagen 'Beach Bomb' prototype from 1969. The team behind the Hot Wheels company tried to design the first Volkswagen microbus with this model, but they ran into a couple of issues.

The main problem was the rear-loading part, as the bus constantly lost balance upon its surfboard loading through the rear window. Mattel fixed this by introducing heavier sides and putting surfboards through windows instead. This prevented kids from getting frustrated by their buses falling down all the time.

In the end, they ended up producing the modified version on a mass scale, phasing out the prototype altogether. That, however, is what made the toy car so valuable in the first place. Mattel only produced two prototypes of the 'Beach Bomb' using its initial design. For years the two buses remained in Hot Wheels employees' possession. Eventually, a collector named Bruce Pascal acquired them for a jaw-dropping amount of money.

Pascal wouldn't admit how much he paid for the pink Volkswagen 'Beach Bomb' prototypes. However, he estimated the car's worth at $175,000 as of December 2020. With some of today's best-handling sports cars on the market costing less than $150,000, it's another lesson in the idea that size matters little.

RELATED: The 10 Most Expensive Hot Wheels Cars Of All Time

Where Are The Two Pink 'Beach Bombs' Today?

Hot Wheels Collector rare VW bus toy
Volkswagen

Who's the lucky owner of the pink Volkswagen 'Beach Bombs' today? After acquiring both models, Pascal hung on to one of the 'Beach Bomb' cars, which, according to his website Hot Wheels Online, is the one in better condition. He also happens to own one of the most valuable Hot Wheels collections in the world, with more than 4,000 cars arranged in a specially built office. The pink 'Beach Bomb' is the crown jewel of his collection.

The total price of Pascal's Hot Wheels collection equals about $1 million, and the Pink 'Beach Bomb' is the collection's most valuable car. He had a challenging time acquiring both prototypes. Eventually, he sold the other unit to a friend. While Volkswagen buses of various colors were easy to find and buy, the pink one required more effort. Now, he protects the pink 'Beach Bomb' from light and dust by storing it in a Plexiglass case.

Fortunately, Pascal is keen to share his collection with museums, so others can experience rare Hot Wheels and learn more about this and other classic cars. Therefore, passionate Hot Wheels collectors and car enthusiasts can still expect to see the pink Beach Bomb in exhibits. When it comes to tselling the Hot Wheels car, it seems unlikely that Pascal would sell such a rare collector's item to anyone.