Randy..maybe it will work this time. When it involves Mattel products, You just don't know about value unless you have it in hand to see for yourself. HotWheels has been doing 1/43 for a long time. I don't know the 1st year but I have several from 1998/99. As in 1/64, there are a lot of detail levels at different prices within a scale. It can be very confusing.

Here is a picture of a 1/43 Ferrari from 1998. I don't remember the cost but it probably was 9.00 - 12.00. This car has 0 zero opening parts. It haas nice wheel/disk detail. It has very good interior detail from what I can see trhrough the openings. Even the engine has good detail. BUT...this car has a plastic base. It is fairly well detailed on the exterior. The body is metal. The base is screwed on and it reads made in China. The base also says 1999 Ferrari 1/43 scale.

image

Now the picture is of a higher quality item from an online offering. I have 3 different 1/43s of this 1966 Shelby GT350. This is an R type. I have it as shown and also in white and white non R type. The upgrade here would probably be the opening hood, engine detail and chrome finish. Seems like this car was in the 20.00 range. As Kagey has said...Mattel does the detail work for upgrading but still doesn't begin to match other manufactures for quality for a price point.

image

I have purchased HotWheels for a lot of years. I have purchased Legends at very expensive price points. In retrospect....there are better diecast 1/43 cars from other makers at considerable less money.

"okie by choice"