Jewel-Encrusted Hot Wheels Car Valued at $140K

Do you have a spare $140,000 sitting in your bank account, gathering dust? Sure, you could buy a house with that, or maybe a college education for your kid, but who’s that going to impress? Instead, why don’t you head to the New York Toy Fair and put in an opening bid on a diamond- and ruby-studded Hot Wheels car worth an estimated one house (or one college education).

So-called “celebrity jeweler” Jason of Beverly Hills constructed the car, casting the body in 18-karat white gold and studding it with blue, white and black diamonds, as well as rubies for the taillights (which makes us wonder why those cheapskates couldn’t spring for some red diamonds).

All told, the miniature car weighs 23 karats and has roughly 2,700 jewels. Why deck out a toy car in such riches, you ask? Supposedly to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, although you’d think a car-shaped birthday cake would have been just as effective.

We do have to admit, the money will go to a good cause when the car is finally auctioned off by former Mr. Jessica Simpson himself, Nick Lachey. All proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters, so the new owner (who will get a jewel-encrusted box to go with his jewel-encrusted toy car) will look almost as charitable as shallow. Remember, we said “almost.”

$1 Hot Wheels Car Blinged Out to $140,000 (Autoblog)