Up-Close with the unknown promotional Matchbox International Brush Fire Truck, by David Tilley...

Our favorite DLMer David Tilley is back, this time taking at look at the still-in-limbo Matchbox 60th Anniversary International Brush Truck.  Leave it to DT to be the first to rip one open...

(And just in case, there are still a handful that got out before Mattel removed them from stores.  Find them here...)

(Enjoy.)

Well, this is a model that has been confusing collectors for the better part of 2013.  When it was first announced early this year that there was going to be a special 60th Anniversary model this year, many were curious as to what it could be, and where it would end up.  Then an example appeared on eBay, followed by a second one, and a few more.  These were from the same seller, and as it turned out, they were accidentally put out in one of the Mattel stores.  Then things went quiet. 

 

Recently, a bunch have appeared on eBay again, and I was one of the people grabbing them.  It sounds like this too could have been an accidental store release, as there is a rumbling that they could be used by their original recipient after all.  Or they could just be put back into storage (a library item as Mattel calls it).  Either way, I am glad enough to have an example now regardless of the outcome.

This is the biggest and best example of the 60th Anniversary celebrations that Matchbox has done.  The package comes inside a Matchbox logoed clamshell (the Matchbox logo is on the back).

When you open the clamshell, you find that the package is also a very thick card. 

With the back receiving some love too.  They did put a lot of effort into this model.  They really should have done the entire series like this.

 

But this is me, and this sort of stuff is not the type of stuff that I have in my collection.

So take one last look, as this model is about to be liberated....

 Now that is better.  One loose model.  To begin with I start with the usual 3/4 views front and rear.  This model does look really good in the orange, black and white livery, with just a touch of gold and chrome to finish it off.

As you may notice, one side does feature the 60th Anniversary logo that all models in the special series (and 9/10-packs too) received for the year.  But I have to admit it does not really detract from the overall look.  It does sort of fit in, especially with the color combination.  The rest of the livery is very simple and tidy.

It does work well with the color breaks in various parts.

Also, as a bonus we get a metal base on this model.  It is the only metal base release of the year, and as such makes the model pretty hefty.

The front features a few little light touches too.

As does the rear.

If you were wondering, this is pretty much identical to the last time the model received additional printing (and metal base) in the Lesney Edition.  To date, these are the only double diecast or premium models on this casting.

But I have to say, this one looks a lot nicer to me.  I was never as keen on the blue/yellow combination.

 

So there you have it.  One “library” issue, that may end up appearing in a store or in a promotion at some time in the possible maybe perhaps conceivable future. 

It does look good in larger pictures too....

Lamley News: It appears the mysterious Matchbox 60th Anniversary International Brush Truck has been dumped at the Mattel Store, and they are now available on eBay...

While this is not necessarily solving a mystery, it does appear the future of the special 60th Anniversary Matchbox Double-Diecast International Workstar Brush Truck has been determined.

If you remember, this model was the subject of much discussion when it appeared on eBay several months ago.  I was Ambassador at the time, and knew a little about it but was instructed not to mention it in my reports.  The was fear that the Brush Truck that was listed was stolen, but as it turned out the seller found them legitimately at the Mattel Store.  Since then there has been a lot of questions regarding when and where it would be available.

Here is what I know.  This model was slated to be part of a promotion by Mattel in conjunction with a major US retailer to celebrate Matchbox's 60th Anniversary.  I don't know for sure, but I think it would have been similar to the Kmart promotions with Hot Wheels, where one could buy 20 models and send in the receipts and card backs to get the model mailed to them.  The retailer apparently backed out, leaving Mattel with already completed model.

Its future has been in flux since, and now all of a sudden it is appearing on ebay.  My guess?  Mattel could not figure out a way to get this model out, so off to the Mattel store it went.  A few lucky visitors must have bought them up, and now here it is on ebay.  Great for them, and if you can fork over what they are asking, at least now you can get one.

We just bought one ourselves, and we were able to convince the seller we used to offer something special to Lamley readers.  Here is the listing:

Matchbox 60th Anniversary International Brush Fire Truck

You will see he allows you to make an offer.  Make an offer of $32, mention "Lamley" in the comments section, and the seller will accept.  That is almost a 20% discount.

Do we wish this was easier to get?  Of course.  But this is how things go, and it appears going through sellers will be the way to get it.  The model is a beauty, and $32 is not a huge markup considering it would have been $20 plus shipping to get one the way it was intended.

One other bit of news.  It looks like the latest version of the Matchbox Porsche Cayenne has made its way to Australia.  One of our Lamley friends Graeme let us know he found it, and took this photo:

There were no other new models, so he has no idea what else is new.  At least we know this one is coming...

First Look: Matchbox 60th Anniversary International Scout & Ford Explorer...

A general rule of thumb: Don't peak too early.

These two castings may have done just that.  But let's just be glad they peaked at all.

The latest batch of Matchbox 60th Anniversary just arrived at dealer shops, and we got these from our friends at Wheel Collectors this weekend.  Five models.  Two British classics, two US off-roaders, and a German bike.  It makes for easy categorizing, and here are the off-roaders.



There is another reason you can put these two together.  Both castings were eagerly anticipated when they were announced, but didn't deliver the way most collectors had hoped.  Of course, that matters little in the whole scheme of things, as long as they are popular on the pegs, and it appears they are.

Nonetheless, both debuts were less than stellar from a collector perspective, but now we have the Scout and Explorer in 60th duds, which means full tampo treatment and eye-popping deco.  And going back to the original point, I don't think we will ever see these two look better.  Sad thought on one hand, happy thought on the other because at least there was a means this year in 60th to look this way.

Let's start with the International Scout.  You can look at it two ways.  One, the strange proportions are still there, and of course they aren't going anywhere.  I think we all agree that if the body were a tad larger this would be a great model, but then again that could mean it goes full plastic.  So pick your poison.  So if you overlook the proportions, the white with front, side, and rear deco looks great.  As do the white hubs.  For what is worth, I like it.

(Find the latest batch of Matchbox 60th at Wheel Collectors, and take advantage of their Back-to-School Sale...)

Matchbox '76 International Scout 4x4 (2013 60th Anniversary):

Now the Ford Explorer.  Proportions weren't the problem when this was released.  It was the all the bells and whistles.  Ford granted Mattel permission to customize the model a bit, making it an off-road police vehicle.  Collectors were hoping for a street police car, and were disappointed with this one.  I personally was fine either way, as this is not a casting I would get excited about either way.

But...

How great does this model look?  This "construction security" model is darn near perfect.  Full tampo treatment, including the front grill, and the colors, highlighted by Matchbox orange, really pop.  Now the big grill cover, bolted fenders, and roof rack look great.  While this is not a favorite casting of mine, I would say this is one of the best models in the 60th Anniversary line.

What do you think?

Matchbox 2012 Ford Explorer (2013 60th Anniversary):

First Look: Matchbox International MXT-MVA (driven by The Rock in Fast & Furious 6) and Two-Story London Bus...

I have had my share of embarrassing moments throughout my life, somehow associated with my lack of knowledge pertaining to a certain way of life.  I have always been pegged a city boy.  That is what happens when you are born in the Bay Area and the most rural area you have lived is the urban center of Boise, Idaho.

While I am a pretty good hiker, and grew up visiting many beautiful areas in the Western US, I am a complete fish out of water when it comes to certain walks of life like farming, hunting, off-roading, and other activities.  One of my most infamous stories comes from my time in Brazil, when I was walking with a friend near a rural farm and noted that I had never seen a horse sleeping, and didn't know they slept on their side with their legs sticking straight out.  And come to think of it, that is sure a fat horse!  My friend, who grew up on a farm, stopped dead in his tracks and asked if I was serious.  The surprised look on his face made me think that it was common sense that horses slept like that.  So I asked him that, and he laughed even more.  He then pointed out that what I was looking at was a bloated dead horse, and then proceeded to NEVER let me live my city boy moment down.



Why do I bring this up?  Because I am very near having another of those moments.  I know NOTHING about military life, other than what I hear from friends and watch in movies and documentaries.  I think I have a decent appreciation for what our friends in the military deal with, but when it comes to all things pertaining to the military, I am horrifically uneducated.

Which brings me to the brand new Matchbox MXT-MVA.  Is it sad that the only association I have with this vehicle is that The Rock drove it in Fast & Furious 6?  This is a legit military vehicle, and I can only think of the version driven by a pro wrestler in a movie about cars, glossy muscles, and bikinis.  Shame on me, city boy.

But how awesome is that!?!  The Rock drove it in FF6!!  Matchbox did not create the MXT casting to be part of the Fast and Furious promotional machine that has worked its way through Mattel and Hot Wheels, but I am sure they are not complaining about the timing.  Call it a fortunate set of circumstances.  Of course that is if consumers realize what they are looking at.  That is why I put FF6 in the title of this post.  Might as well try and help folks make the connection.

The model is well done.  Some will note it has painted-on side windows.  My guess is that affords them some flexibility with future versions, but it also appears there is no interior.  I guess we will find that out when someone opens one up.

Today we are showing two new models, and the only way to connect them is to mention that Fast & Furious 6 was set in London, and so is the new Matchbox Two Story Bus.  Sense a theme?

I don't have much to say about the new Bus, as it is nicely cast, it has a plastic body, which will annoy some collectors, and will obviously take its place in the mainline while the classic Routemaster reserves itself for premiere lines like 60th Anniversary.

It does lack the charm of the Routemaster, but it is a very well done rendering.  It will be interesting to see how this model performs once it hits the pegs...

All in all, two models that aren't down the Lamley Alley, but interesting enough to join the collection.

(You can find both models, along with all the latest Matchbox, here on ebay...)


Matchbox International MXT-MVA & Two-Story Bus (2013 New Models):