Found some of the codes and prices defining Hot Wheels confusing when I started the collection.  So, after surfing several web sites and developing my own site, I went and bought 'Tomart's Price Guide to Hot Wheels' ($29.95).  After reading several pages of 'front matter', I thought I'd share some of codes/prices with you, and explain my site as it will undergo changes to be more accurate:

Wheels variations are quite numerous.  There are 35 different types of wheels.  Some are only on very old/original Hot Wheels, some only on special editions.  Below are the codes found on my website in the cars I have personally:

bw = basic wheels (type F). These are plain black tires w/ five tabs going into a smaller circle.

ct = construction tires (type G). These are larger tires w/ knobby edges.

dw3 = directional wheel, three-spoke (type AE). Yes, the little saw blade (sb) looking tires.

ho5 = five-hole wheels (type AF). Commonly called five dot, normally chrome (ho5c).

lw = lace wheels (type AD). Looks like ten large and ten small V's w/ a five pointed hub.

sp3 = three-spoke wheels (type Y). The three openings have four points and a six point hub (don't confuse with 'hh' (hot hubs - three openings w/ three points, round hub).

sp5 = five-spoke wheels (type V). Five triangles (looks like small hearts) w/ a five point hub.

sp7 = seven-spoke wheels (type X). You got it, seven spokes around a round hub.

sw = small spoke wheels (type D). These have twelve fine V's over-lapping each other w/ a larger type round chrome hub.

Any color variation on the wheels are important and are listed in abbreviated fashion after the code (i.e. lwgd = lace wheel gold, bwgn = basic wheel green). Or, variations of the initial wheel designs happen also (i.e. cts = construction tire, 8-spoke (type L)). This one deserves a definition too; it's the 'ct' knobs and all, but instead of an eight holed hub, it has an eight tipped center (four offset inside of four).

Confused yet, here's some more codes used within the book:

Anniv. = Anniversary
bp = blisterpack
HW = Hot Wheels
int. = interior
Intl. = International
lt. = light (normally in colors)
mtlc = metallic
mtlfk = metalflake
NA = not applicable
pkg = package
POC = price of car

etc, etc, etc.

No, I didn't list them all, but only the ones necessary to build definitions and give you a good start are listed.  Just about every car has about 5-7 variations (some more) due to type of wheels, colors, tampos (decals or painted decoration on the vehicle), etc.  These all affect price.

Ok, bucks (value).  The pricing guide gives two prices 1) A car in mint condition, and 2) A car in mint condition in the original package.  If it came with something like a dish or sourvinour, the 2cd price includes everything that came with it.  Seems as though the lowest price in the book is $2.00, even for one you pay $0.72 (+ tax), and that kinda makes sense after it's out of production and gets scarce on the store shelves.  The standard price for Hot Wheels (in it's original package) is $4.00 for the recent vehicles.  Value escalates as the years roll-on (he he he).  The book also identifies how to determine a cars condition (the ones we used to beat-up). But, that's too much typing/reading.

By the way, all of my vehicles are in their bp's (blisterpacks - so far), and yes, my duplicates are tradable or for sale.

On my pages the value column is straight from the price guide. The one's of different varieties not listed in the book, I have listed as VNL (variety not listed)- and the closest value for that car.