McDonald's 1998 50th Anniversary NASCAR Hot Wheels Vehicle (Item #8) Appraisal
Category: Fast Food Toy
Description
This item is a sealed fast food toy from McDonald's, part of their 1998 50th Anniversary NASCAR promotion. It is enclosed in its original clear plastic packaging, which features colorful printed graphics. The front of the package displays an image of Ronald McDonald holding a bag with the McDonald's arches. Prominently featured on the bag graphic are the Hot Wheels and NASCAR logos, along with text indicating "50th Anniversary NASCAR Vehicle" in English, French, and Spanish. The number "8" is visible in the upper right corner of the bag graphic, likely indicating the item number in the series. The packaging appears to be in good condition, free from significant tears or punctures, with some minor creasing and surface wear consistent with age and storage. The item inside the packaging is not fully visible, but is identified as a vehicle. The plastic bag itself is sealed along the edges, suggesting it is new old stock and has not been opened. The colors on the packaging are vibrant, primarily green, yellow, red, and white. The materials used are likely plastic for the packaging and likely plastic and metal for the toy inside. This item is a collectible related to both fast food promotions and automotive/racing memorabilia. The presence of the "Mattel" logo indicates the manufacturer of the toy.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the McDonald's 1998 50th Anniversary NASCAR Hot Wheels Vehicle (Item #8). Based on the photo, the item appears to be a genuine, sealed promotional toy from the specified campaign. The packaging displays the correct graphics, branding (McDonald's, Hot Wheels, NASCAR, Mattel), and item numbering consistent with this series. The fact that it remains sealed in its original plastic bag is a significant positive for its condition assessment, indicating it is new old stock. While minor creasing and surface wear are visible on the packaging, typical for an item of this age stored over time, the apparent lack of tears or punctures suggests overall good preservation. The limitation of this assessment is that it is based solely on a visual examination of the image. I cannot definitively verify the authenticity of the toy inside the packaging, the integrity of the seal beyond what is visible, or confirm any potential internal flaws or damage without a physical, in-hand examination. Market conditions for sealed fast food promotional items from the late 1990s vary. While individual pieces from large-scale promotions like this typically have modest values, the combination of McDonald's, NASCAR, and Hot Wheels appeal can attract collectors in multiple areas. Comparables on online marketplaces show similar sealed items from this series selling in the low single to double digits. Demand for specific items within a series can depend on the popularity of the particular vehicle or number. This specific item (Item #8) doesn't appear to be exceptionally rare within the series. Factors significantly impacting value are the sealed condition and the overall good state of the packaging. Full authentication would require in-person inspection to verify the seal's integrity, assess the toy within, and potentially compare manufacturing details with known authentic examples. Provenance documentation, such as original purchase receipts if available, would also support authentication, but is often not available for promotional items.
Appraisal Value
$5-15