11 ‘Junk’ Items From the ‘70s That Are Worth a Small Fortune Today

That so-called junk you have boxed up in your attic or garage may actually be
your key if you want to make extra money, especially if you’ve held onto some collectibles and
classics from the 1970s. From retro board games and toys to that funky old lava
lamp, you’d be surprised how much collectors are willing to shell out for items
thrown in a “junk” box long ago.

If you’re looking to get into selling collectibles online, keep an eye out for
these 11 gems from the ’70s that have sold for small fortunes.

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Stretch Armstrong

Estimated market value: $2,800

Stretch Armstrong was first launched in the mid-1970s, and the buff, stretchable action figure was a massive hit, so much so that original versions of the doll sell for thousands of dollars to collectors and Stretch enthusiasts.

For the big paydays, it helps if Stretch is in his original box. A 1976 version, with box, instructions, and all, attracted much attention on eBay with a $2,800 asking price.

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Sony Walkman

While cassette tapes have been mostly obsolete for decades, a vintage Sony Walkman could still be quite valuable, particularly an original from the late ’70s. The first Walkman, a game-changing personal technology at the time, was released in 1979.

One well-kept, working Walkman sold on eBay for $800.

Atari 2600 VCS console

Atari was at the helm of bringing video games into the home in the late 1970s with the release of the VCS (video computer system) console, which was later renamed Atari 2600.

The 1977 product became a mega hit, and collectors and video game enthusiasts alike have been known to shell out big bucks for these originals. One well-preserved version was listed for well over $600.

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Electronic typewriters

Though typewriters have long been replaced with modern tech, there is still a lucrative market for vintage pieces, including many from the 1970s. Easier-to-use electronic typewriters were having a moment throughout the decade, and well-kept portable versions often sell for a few hundred dollars.

A serviced Smith-Corona typewriter from 1976, for example, attracted much attention with a $400 asking price on eBay.

Pyrex bowl sets

Estimated market value: $125 to $500

Several Pyrex products from the 1970s are valuable to collectors today, but you’re more likely to see a larger payout if you have a set, and mixing bowl sets are particularly popular.

A set of four Pyrex bowls with a classic “Cinderella” pattern sold on eBay for $125, and a set of four larger bowls with a vibrant dot pattern from the same era attracted much attention with a nearly $500 price tag.

Lava lamps

Lava lamps were first created in the 1960s, and their funky and psychedelic look rose in popularity through the decade and into the ’70s. Vintage lamps from Lava Lite are known to sell for hundreds of dollars on the resale market, particularly those with rare colors or unique base shapes.

Several were listed on eBay in red, orange, blue, and more, attracting plenty of attention with asking prices around $250.

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Lunch box sets

Estimated market value: Up to $380

Vintage lunchbox sets from the ’70s also tend to be worth much more than expected. These sets are often metal, include a thermos, and feature beloved characters from the era. The value depends on the character.

For example, a rare Disney set from 1976 attracted plenty of attention on eBay with an asking price near $380, while a fun vintage Charlie’s Angels box was listed for around $170.

Talking Busy Barbie

“Talking Busy” Barbie was considered quite high-tech in the ’70s since the doll had functional hands that could hold accessories like her phone and a small TV. Dolls with their original boxes have sold for well over $200, even when their talkers no longer work, and there are obvious signs of wear.

A Talking Busy Ken doll also sold for more than $150.

Polaroid SX-70 camera

The Polaroid SX-70 first hit the market in 1972 and may be the most well-known of the company’s famous instant cameras. If you hung onto one of these classics from the ’70s and are looking to sell, film enthusiasts and collectors have been known to shell out hundreds for products kept in good condition.

Star Wars action figures

The Star Wars fandom has continued to expand and evolve ever since the first film was released in 1977, so you could be looking at quite the payday if you happen to have figurines from Kenner’s original line. Because Kenner couldn’t produce figures in time for the 1977 holidays, it sold “Early Bird” certificates that fans could redeem for figures, which reached stores in 1978.

A well-kept Luke, for example, attracted much attention on eBay with a $250 asking price. And a set featuring a dozen of the original figurines, including Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader, sold for $265.

Original Simon game

Estimated market value: $30 to more than $100

Light-up memory game Simon was a smash hit when it was first released in the late 1970s, and today it often evokes a feeling of exciting, electronic nostalgia.

An original Simon game from 1978 is likely only worth about $30 or $40 on the resale market, though unopened versions of the flashy classic have sold for well over $100.

Bottom line

Selling collectibles online is a great way to get ahead financially, especially if you have an attic full of retro gear and gadgets from decades past, or simply enjoy perusing the aisles at your local thrift shop.

Before you truly “junk” items like old electronics, toys, or home decor, it’s worth it to check out the going rates on resale sites like eBay. You just may have a small fortune on your hands.

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Calista Headrick leads our jobs and lifestyle content, writing and editing nearly 600 articles for FinanceBuzz. You can find her sharing thoughts on real estate, travel hacks, smart shopping, and the seemingly always unpredictable job market. She brings firsthand financial experience to her work and is proud that her personal budgeting system has helped her save a six-month emergency fund. In other words, Calista brings real-world know-how into guidance readers can actually use.