10 Vintage '70s Toys That Are Worth a Small Fortune Today

Playtime in the 1970s might not have been packed with advanced electronic gizmos and video game consoles, but there were some seriously fun toys around. Today's collectors will pay good money for a variety of these, potentially transforming your vintage toy collection into a savvy investment.

Check out these 10 classic toys from the 1970s and discover just how much extra cash you could earn.

Market value: Up to $29

Can a lump of rock from the 1970s be worth a few dollars? It can if it's a genuine Pet Rock with its original pet carrier, nest, and care manual.

Pet Rocks were a huge hit in 1975 despite their tiny size, making the creator, Gary Dahl, an almost-overnight millionaire. Today, Pet Rocks are worth much more than face value: up to $28.88 with the packaging in good condition.

Market value: Up to $47

View-Masters take a circular disc of slides and rotate them around while you view the images through binocular-like portals. The Space Eyeball variant had a futuristic design and was sold with space-themed images, but was only made in Belgium.

If you or a family member picked one of these up during a European vacation in the 1970s, it could now be worth up to $47, even with slight cracks or discoloration.

Market value: Up to $80

Considered a real-life action hero by many, Evel Knievel was a thrilling stunt performer with a full range of merchandise in the 1970s. The Stunt Cycle set includes an Evel Knievel figure with a removable helmet, a bike, and a stunt ramp.

Collectors all over the world love these sets and will pay over $100 for the Stunt Cycle in good condition.

Market value: Up to $220

The 1976 stretchy sensation took the typical strongman action figure and turned it into a truly unique plaything. Thanks to a latex outer and a corn-syrup-gel center, Stretch Armstrong could stretch to up to 300% of its original size.

Collectors are mainly on the lookout for models where the corn-syrup inner has retained its elasticity, as it can harden over time. For genuinely stretchy toys, they'll pay over $200.

Market value: Up to $250

"Weebles wobble but they don't fall down," was the slogan that everyone knew once the Weebles range launched in 1969. Gaining popularity throughout the 1970s, Weeble playsets are still sought after today.

The 1976 Weebles Haunted House is worth $249.99 with its original box, and you'll get a similar amount or slightly more for the Super Weeble Hero Adventure set.

Market value: Up to $275

The creative light-up pegs-and-board toy recently gained new fame as one of the stars of the popular series "Stranger Things." If you don't need yours to message the Upside Down, you could sell it to a collector for up to $275.

Despite a new, themed edition now available, vintage versions are sought after, especially in the original box.

Market value: Up to $6,100

Mego figures were popular in the 1970s thanks to their interchangeable heads and licensing deals with Marvel and DC Comics and franchises like "Star Trek."

Today, buyers will pay thousands for themed Mego collections. A collection of six boxed "Star Trek" figures recently sold for $1,299 in an online auction.

Market value: Up to $1,323

The animated "Lord of the Rings" adaptation isn't loved by everyone, but the figures inspired by the movie are another story. Toy manufacturer Knickerbocker produced just six characters and two horses from the cartoon, and today they're rare and coveted by collectors.

A single Ringwraith horse, unboxed, recently sold for $1,322.99. Experts suggest that boxed, this figure can fetch up to $2,250, but finding it in this condition is challenging. Collections of figures sell for more than $2,400.

Market value: Up to $2,076

Although they launched in 1968, Hot Wheels Red Line cars were wildly popular in the 1970s thanks to their concept designs and vivid Spectraflame paint. They were Mattel's answer to Matchbox, and many models are still in demand today.

Iconic cars like the 1971 Hot Wheels Olds 442 can sell for over $2,000 in mint condition. Make sure the car has its spoiler, or it won't be considered complete.

Market value: Up to $3,279

"Star Wars" figures from nearly every era become collectible at some point. However, the 1978–1979 Kenner figures are so sought after because they were the first ever wave of official "Star Wars" merchandise.

The original Early Bird set, containing Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2, has sold for over $3,000, even without its original packaging.

Some of your favorite toys could be worth more than the nostalgia attached to them. If you're thinking of selling to a collector, keep your toys clean, dust-free, and away from moisture. Some toys are worth much more with the original packaging intact, and condensation and other sources of moisture can destroy old cardboard fast.

Always get a second opinion on any toy valuations you get. With the right care and a little research, your old toys could fatten your wallet and help lower financial stress.