September 23rd Matchbox Ambassador Update, by Nigel Cooper...

Matchbox Ambassador Nigel Cooper has just released this week's Ambassador Update.  Enjoy:

Ambassador Report 5

Not all collectors were thrilled with the Skybusters and to a lesser extent the Motor Cycles shown last time, but overall there were plenty of positive comments. As we all have different interests and tastes, many collectors just buy what they like. There are still many collectors who collect every miniature issued and I know of two collectors who collect everything with the name of Matchbox somewhere on the packaging. This model is a new casting for 2014 and goes under the name of Mound Mover.

Shown here are four models from the 2014 Crime Squad 5 pack.  The SWAT truck will also be used in the main line. I like the Buick (MB858) and I think a fabulous decoration job was done on the Convention Fire Chief. However, I would have preferred this Police version to have had its plastic parts chromed. Do you think it matters?

The Sport SUV (MB568) has bold print and may be appealing in this livery. I suppose that the only way to get blue roof lights is to make the windows blue. The Road Raider (MB895) has red windows and roof lights and off-road type wheels. The SWAT Truck (MB830) is the fourth of these models and it will be interesting to see which model makes up the set.

A second SWAT truck will be released in 2014 with a different decoration as a member of the Mission Force Police pack. This looks to be in dark grey rather than black.

These 3 vehicles are part of the exclusive models for the 9/10 packs. The Opel Frogster returns in green as does the Morgan Aeromax (MB754) in a pleasing shade of metallic blue.  The Batmobile (MB844) appears in matt black.

This next model shown is one of 3 exclusive vehicles that will be used in an upcoming Matchbox play set for 2014. This is one of the few exceptions where exclusive decoration is created for a play set. Most collectors were relieved when exclusive models were not to appear in play sets. It is an expensive way to obtain just one model. In addition, it is not uncommon to see sets, sometimes the large and expensive sets, to be ripped apart by a collector who must have the model but does not want to pay a premium.

Questions to Mattel

I have been implored to ask whether the Porsche Panamera will return for 2014, whether a Raft Boat or Trailer of some description could be included in the standard range, whether a Cement Truck or Crane Truck in an authentic design could join the range, whether any or all of the new Jaguar cars, Rolls Royce, Bentley and Mercedes Benz could be made. Reference is made not only to the “sister brand” which is issuing models better suited some would argue, to the Matchbox line, but also to other companies of low cost models manufacturing authentic models. One imagines that the target audience for all of these models is the same.

Yes: the Panamera returns in 2014 as one of the exclusive models in the 9/10 packs.  No to the Bentley and the Mercedes Benz. We are also having issues with Jaguar and Land Rover at the moment which will delay their use in the 2014 Range. 

For 2014 we will have the Sea Spy (Raft Boat) which was shown at the Gathering in July . We will also have the Rapids Rescue, which is a truck with detachable raft. This is still in progress.

A look back in time

It is sad that there are currently no plans to include Mercedes in the range. I thought that those collectors who yearn for a Mercedes to join the range, might at least be heartened by what Matchbox has produced in the past of the famous German car manufacturer. Here is a model from the 1970 range fitted with Superfast wheels with opening doors and opening boot (trunk) with a metal body and base, which was sold for the regular price of all other miniatures in the 1-75 range. Just as today’s models, it was designed for children to play with and then there was no collector base to placate.

A selection of some other Mercedes cars are also shown here as pre-productions, indicating that it was once an important marque in the Matchbox line-up.

Finally, a glimpse of a manufacturer we can all recognize – the famous Aston Martin, still made in Britain, but not owned by us!

This will be a popular model I am sure but the question has been asked about the 2014 Hot Wheels Aston Martin 1963 DB5 which none can deny is a fabulous casting with detailed front and rear, a license plate, painted front and rear lights and the Aston Martin logo near the front grille – all that as a regular model in the standard line. It looks so good apparently that it could have been designed by a former Matchbox designer.

Post script - Most of you are aware of a novel idea instigated by Jim Gallegos and Mattel. The idea is for a Matchbox Land Rover to travel as far as possible around the world. It may be followed on Facebook under  Mattel Landy Travels.  It may also be tracked on SEARCH on Matchbox Collectors’ Forum. 

 If you want to participate:

1) Email your name and full mailing address to Bill at landytravels@gmail.com
2) Agree to a 2 week turnaround in which you will mail the Landy and the Passport. at your expense to the next address which we will provide.
3) Agree to post pictures on the Facebook page Mattel Landy Travels as soon as your visit is over. Obtain a post mark if possible and sign the Passport.
4) Have fun. Anyone can participate.
5) By accepting these terms, you agree that the Landy is Mattel property and the Journey is a project directed totally by Jim Gallegos Albuquerque, New Mexico USA.
6) Agree to return the Landy and Passport to Jim Gallegos upon request with no objections.

Email Jim with any questions to matchb0x1@aol.com  

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE< NO EXCEPTIONS landytravels@gmail.com

Nigel Cooper

September 23rd 2013

15 Super Treasure Hunts in 15 days: 06 '64 Buick Riviera...

With the last Hot Wheels Super Treasure Hunt of 2013 hitting the pegs, it is time look back at them all. Over the next 15 weekdays, the Lamley Group will showcase one Super each day, in order from first released to last...

If you missed it:

01 '72 Gran Torino Sport
02 Corvette ZR1
03 '73 Ford Falcon XB
04 '71 El Camino
05 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake

I was ready to call the Riviera the bummer of the bunch, but I think I have changed my mind.  

I am not a huge Bone Shaker fan, but I kind of like the pink, so that is not a bummer.  I figured the Riviera was a older casting, somewhat forgotten, and already a Super a few years ago, so that would logically be the bummer.  But the fact is I like this model.

It is a bit of a throwback to the Hot Wheels of the mid-2000's.  Lots of low-riders, all based on cars from the early 60's.  We don't see as many lately, so this super-low Riviera actually is a little refreshing. The deco is also a bit of a throwback to older Hot Wheels designs.  Not designs I miss per say, but nostalgic nonetheless.  Plus a little nod to the art of pinstriping is not a bad thing, especially after my visit to the Rat Fink Reunion earlier this summer.

So count me a fan of this one.  I will have to think of another Super to be the bummer of 2013.  My money is on the Demon, but we will have to see.

And did I find this on on the pegs?  Yes I did.  After being shut out on the Falcon, El Camino, and Super Snake, I found the Riviera on the Monday after Kdays in February.  It was a bit of a karma find, after I let the mother of a teenage collector know she had the Riviera Super in her Kday case before she put it back.  The collectors salivating over the possibility of it being left behind were not happy with me, but her daughter, who was the collector, was thrilled.  So the Hot Wheels gods smiled on me and left one hanging at a rural Walmart during my travels the next Monday.  Cool, eh?

(Don't have the Riviera?  Find it on ebay...)


Hot Wheels '64 Buick Riviera (2013 Super Treasure Hunt):

(coming tomorrow:)

First Look: Matchbox MC Gathering of Friends '56 Buick Century Fire Chief Dealer Model...

Yes, I included some shots of this one in my final Ambassador Report, but a model like this surely deserves its own post.

We have spent a great deal of time on past Gathering Models.  They are almost always classic cars, they are always gorgeous, and they are gobbled up quickly.

This one, the '56 Buick Century, might be the most stellar of the stellar.  It is a typical Matchbox collector's late-night fantasy.  A classic emergency car, in fire livery.  Old-school Matchbox collectors love classics.  And they love emergency vehicles.  And they love fire trucks.  When the model was first shown on the projector, there was a tangible gasp in the room.  No joke.  I might have even heard a thump or two as collectors hit the floor.

Needless to say, this model is a hit.  And I am sure there is a large number of collectors out there clamoring for one.  I am just glad to have one.

One little fun fact.  This model SCREAMS Matchbox, but that is pure Hot Wheels spectraflame paint on that car.



Uh-oh, I just heard another thump.  I hope the Matchbox collectors are ok...

(Looking for one?  There are a few on ebay.  They may vanish quickly, so have at it.)


Matchbox '56 Buick Century (2013 MC Gathering Dealer Exclusive):

With the Gathering exclusive Routemasters:

With the 2013 version and the prepro donated by Mattel for auction:

First Look: Matchbox '56 Buick Century Police, 2013 version in white...

One of things to love about Matchbox collectors is also one of the things to hate.  Matchbox collectors are a meticulous group.  They are old-school, they don't like a lot of change, they expect their models to look real, and heritage means a ton.

Those are all good things.  And bad.  You could probably make a million political comparisons, but I will refrain.  (The last think any of you need to know is where my political leanings lie.)



The good?  Matchbox collectors are generally very knowledgable car folk.  They can talk Matchbox history into the wee hours of the night (and will in Albuquerque in a few weeks), and can also talk cars.  Some are deeply into classic cars, some emergency vehicles, some utility and construction, and others current road cars.  While sometimes it seems that Hot Wheels collectors can fall into the trap that is the hunt, Matchbox collectors want their cars available and very well done.

The bad?  When Matchbox goes a different way, the collectors get a little fidgety.  They want things the way they want it, and they will let the world know if that isn't the case.  2012 and 2013 have been transition years at Matchbox, and many collectors are being left behind.

Being the Ambassador this year has afforded me a bit of a unique perspective.  All year Mattel has sent me the photos of upcoming models, I have shared them with my fellow collectors, and they have reacted.  I have been able to get a sense of how predictable those reactions are, and also how Mattel sees the need to push forward and create a line that they feel is best for the customers they need to impress (and if you don't know who those customers are, just know collectors aren't them).

So after I relinquish my Ambassador duties here in three weeks, I will move forward as a collector who understands what Mattel is trying to do, and just hope that in that process some models I want to collect will emerge.  I know this.  When Matchbox replicates a car I like, they will do it well.

But I digress.

Where was I?  Oh yeah, Matchbox collectors are finicky, and that is a good and bad thing.  What does that have to do with the Buick?  Well, it has two doors and three portholes.  That supposedly makes it a Buick Special, but this is model is a Century.  I tried to explain my thought behind this when I previewed the first version, but there is still some controversy.  Plus, I am not the person to ask about the history of Buicks.

So for that reason I have asked one of our Lamley contributors and emergency vehicle collectors, Sammy Fox, to take on the challenge of explaining what this model really is.  As soon as he comes up with something, we will post what is sure to be a very detailed article.  So stay tuned.

Whatever this Buick is, I really really like it.  And this is not an era of cars that really interests me.  Last year's CHP version was a fantastic debut, and this year's version in white is an excellent follow-up.

So I will let the Matchbox collectors argue about this model while I happily add it to the collection and move on...

(Like last year's CHP, this version will fly off the pegs.  You can preempt that frustration by snagging one on ebay...)

Matchbox '56 Buick Century Police (2013 Mainline):