Hot Wheels 1965 Ford Mustang Treasure Hunt Model Car

The History of the 1965 Ford Mustang

The 1965 Ford Mustang is an iconic muscle car that launched the pony car craze when it debuted in 1964. With its sporty fastback design and affordable price, the Mustang became wildly popular. Over 500,000 were sold in the first model year alone.

The 1965 model year saw Ford introduce a fresh face lift for the Mustang, with a more squared-off front end treatment reminiscent of the Ford Falcon. Mechanically though, most components like the engine options carried over from 1964.

Specifications of the 1965 Ford Mustang

The 1965 Mustang came with a variety of engine choices:

• The base engine was a 170 cubic inch straight-6 cylinder making 120 horsepower
• Optional V8 choices ranged from a 260 cubic inch making 164 horsepower, to the high performance 289 "HiPo" V8 making an impressive 271 horsepower
• Transmission options included a 3-speed manual or 3-speed automatic

The 1965 model garnered new safety features like seat belts for all passengers and dual braking systems. Styling was cleaned up with a more angular front grille and side sculpting behind the doors. Despite the changes, the essence of what made the original 1964 debut so popular remained intact.

The Hot Wheels 1965 Ford Mustang Treasure Hunt

In 2018, Hot Wheels debuted a 1:64 scale die cast model of the iconic 1965 Ford Mustang as part of its Treasure Hunt line. For collectors and enthusiasts, Treasure Hunt cars are always in high demand.

What Makes a Treasure Hunt Car Special

So what sets Treasure Hunts apart? A few key things make them special:

• Limited Quantities - They have smaller production runs so harder to find
• Special Markings - Have either special paint colors or tampo markings
• Excitement of the Hunt - Collectors love searching for rare variations

The 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt employs all these tactics. Let's look closer at what makes this model car unique.

Details of the Hot Wheels 1965 Ford Mustang Treasure Hunt

This 1:64 reproduction features a spectacular metallic blue paint job on the iconic Mustang fastback body style. The dark blue color sparkles in the light. Tampo printing along the sides includes a distinctive "fried egg" racing stripe and Shelby-inspired Le Mans striping.

The glossy dark blue paint even extends to the plastic base, making it instantly recognizable as a Treasure Hunt car. Only a limited number were produced at select manufacturing facilities. As such, they are harder to come by than mainstream models, which adds to the fun and excitement of the hunt for collectors!

Finding the 1965 Ford Mustang Treasure Hunt

As mentioned earlier, the limited production numbers combined with distribution to select stores makes Treasure Hunts like the 1965 Mustang harder to find. Here are some tips to help in your hunt:

• Check premium stores first - Treasure hunt cars typically appear at Toys R Us or Walmart before other retailers
• Know shipment days - Stop by stores early when new stock comes in to beat other collectors
• Check end caps and displays - Hot Wheels often place Treasure Hunts in prime locations hoping they will sell fast
• Make nice with retail workers - Get insider info on when trucks arrive and ideal times to come check

Joining trading groups and forums can also provide sighting tips. Or team up with other local collectors to combine on the hunt - there is safety in numbers against competitors!

Is it Worth the Effort?

For die-hard Hot Wheels enthusiasts seeking rare finds, the 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt is definitely worth the effort. Expect to pay a premium over the original $1 price tag though - these often sell for $50-100+ online to turn quick profits. Of course finding one "in the wild" gives the greatest thrill of all!

Even if not interested solely for the monetary value, the beautiful dark blue Mustang is still a great model car for any Hot Wheels or classic Ford fan. The tampo striping and shiny metallic paint make a visually stunning piece.

Adding the 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt to a Collection

For collectors, finding this 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt car will be the crown jewel and highlight of many Hot Wheels displays. Here are some ways to showcase it:

• Mount on a wall in a acrylic display case
• Show off loose in a Detolf glass cabinet from IKEA
• Add to diorama like settings with other Mustangs or blue cars
• Make a rotating "Ferris wheel" style display rack

Even leaving it mint on an unpunched card is visually appealing - the metallic dark blue just pops off the cardboard background. However one chooses to showcase it, the 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt is sure to catch the eye of every visitor who sees your collection!

FAQs

What makes a Hot Wheels car a Treasure Hunt?

Treasure Hunt cars have limited production runs, special paint colors or tampo markings, and are intentionally distributed to select retail stores in small quantities to make them rare and more difficult to find.

How can I increase my chances of finding a Treasure Hunt?

Check premium stores first when shipments arrive, know insider information on stocking schedules, check secondary displays where Treasure Hunts are often placed hoping to sell quickly, and build relationships with retail employees.

What is special about the 1965 Ford Mustang Treasure Hunt?

It features a stunning metallic dark blue paint job on the iconic 1965 Mustang fastback body along with Shelby-inspired tampo striping down the sides. The color extends to the plastic base which is unique among Treasure Hunt cars.

Is the 1965 Mustang Treasure Hunt valuable?

Yes, it typically sells for $50-100+ among collectors which is well above the original $1 price. Even those not interested solely in profit will appreciate the beautiful paint and tampos on this classic muscle car model.