What a fantastic pair this was.
Matchbox and Mercedes, popping out masterpiece after masterpiece, until it all went wrong. It is well documented, but you haven't seen Mercedes in any Mattel lines for a few years now because of a licensing disagreement. I am no expert, but apparently Mercedes would like a hologram sticker with the Mercedes-Benz logo placed on every product that contains a Mercedes model. That goes for both Hot Wheels and Matchbox.
At the time, both brands were riding high producing Mercedes models, like the sleek Hot Wheels AMG CLK DTM
This was the last Mercedes model produced before the bitter breakup, and to me it is probably the best. The casting was actually chosen by collectors after a vote conducted by Mattel at the Matchbox Collectors Gathering of Friends the year before. Matchbox wanted to do a supercar, and asked the attendees to vote on one of five cars they presented. The McLaren prevailed.
The unfortunate thing is that it debuted a year later in silver, was recolored black, and then it was gone. The model was actually slated to be part of a 2010 Exotic Rides 5-pack, colored blue. But that never happened. I am sure the tool is there, just waiting to get used, but not until Mercedes decides the sticker can go.
Hopefully we do see it again. But for now, it is fairly easy to collect. You just need two. And if you are a supercar collector, this one is a must-have...
(Matchbox Mercedes models for sale
Matchbox Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2009 Mainline):
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