For some, Hot Wheels may be toys, but for collectors, they hold a special place. In Malaysia, Hot Wheels has a dedicated following, particularly among men who are die-hard fans.
So why are people willing to go to extra lengths to collect Hot Wheels? Take a look at the recent wave that happened in October 2019 when Hot Wheels released their highly-anticipated die-cast Proton Saga model that perfectly replicates Proton’s inaugural model, the iconic 1985 Saga. People went mad and swarmed all department stores to buy the toy in substantial quantities.
Despite not being labelled as a limited edition, scalpers purchased the Proton Saga model in bulk only to resell it online at ridiculous prices. Some are charging as much as RM300, far exceeding the original retail price of RM9.90.
In light of this situation, we can see a concerning trend where scalpers profit by driving up prices and making collectibles inaccessible to genuine enthusiasts or collectors.
While this trend has harmed collectors and automotive enthusiasts in Malaysia, a dedicated and passionate Hot Wheels fan, has gone above and beyond by amassing over 10,000 Hot Wheels models which he collected over 15 years.
Chia’s collection is estimated to be worth between RM200,000 and RM 300,000
Meet Chia Joon Hock, also known as Uncle Hot Wheels. The 65-year-old former engineer is Malaysia’s biggest Hot Wheels collector, and his collection is so large that he had to rent an entire house just to store his collection.
Chia didn’t just keep his collections in box files; he built transparent display cases and custom-made racks to house all 10,000 pieces.
His obsession with Hot Wheels began in 2003 when his brother gifted him a 1:18-scale Ferrari model. That model sparked his interest, leading him to visit 7-Eleven stores to buy more pieces, and soon after, the weekend flea market at Amcorp Mall became his favourite place to find Hot Wheels.
His most valuable piece is a Nissan Skyline model from the Sweet Rods Premium Series, valued at RM800
According to Chia, he has spent over RM10,000 on Hot Wheels models, with some pieces sourced from Indonesia, Japan, and the United States. His collection is currently valued between RM200,000 and RM300,000.
When asked about his most valuable piece, Chia proudly displayed a Nissan Skyline model from the Sweet Rods Premium Series, valued at RM800.
His collections are frequently featured in exhibitions, including the National Art Gallery’s “Re-inventing the Wheel” in 2019, where he displayed approximately 600 pieces. The exhibition was even visited by Steve Vandervate, the lead designer of Hot Wheels’ premium and collector segment, who was in town during the event.
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