Model of the Day: The ridiculous eBay prices of the red Matchbox Land Cruiser, and the rest of the plain-jane Toyotas...

Occasionally a mystery pops up in the diecast world that is hard to explain.  Like why are Kool Kombis so hard to find?  Or why do so many Hot Wheels collectors wear t-shirts to conventions that would have fit much better 30 lbs ago?

Then there are the mysteries about a popularity surge on certain, and seemingly random, models.  One such is the Hot Wheels Bugatti Veyron.  The car was a pretty consistent pegwarmer each year it was released, even though it was a mini version of the fastest production car of the time.  The casting was not Hot Wheels' finest moment, and the model tended to sit.  Yet once Hot Wheels announced that the license for the model had ended and the tool was being put to bed, the prices on all those former pegwarmers skyrocketed.  Any version is now hard to find under $20 to $30, and even more for the satin red Walmart exclusive.

Yes, maybe collectors reacted strongly to the announcement that it was done, but more so I think it was one of those organic groundswells.  As one collector saw another was trying hard to acquire them, that collector would assume there was a reason to have it and do the same.  Pretty soon collectors are battling each other and bid the prices up.

That is currently happening with a somewhat random Matchbox model.  While the Toyota Land Cruiser is an iconic vehicle, done mini-style so splendidly by Matchbox, it still seems ludicrous that a 10-pack model from 2009 that was very easy to find is now fetching $120 loose and $235 packaged on eBay.

So why is this happening?  Well, it is most likely the same scenario as the HW Bugatti.  A couple of collectors battled it out for one.  Other collectors noticed the price, and decided it was time for them to acquire the model before it got too expensive, and it just kept happening and happening.  Soon the prices of the red Land Cruiser were being talked about, and other collectors joined the mix to push the price up.  The red Land Cruiser was surely produced in smaller numbers because it was a gift pack exclusive, but still it was very easy to find.  I was still seeing these packs in stores two years after they were released.

There might be other reasons.  Maybe the red Land Cruiser is more iconic than I am aware of, and non-diecast collectors want it for some reason.  If any Lamley readers have an idea, please let me know.

Whatever the reason, the red Land Cruiser has officially joined the likes of the Chilean Mini and EMS Ambulance at the top of the list of most sought-after Mattel-era Matchbox models.  So those of us that have had them for awhile, we will continue to revel in the $10-for-10 models price we paid just 3 years ago.  The rest of you?  Get our your wallets and head to eBay, or just enjoy the photos I am posting below.

One other thing to pay attention to is the fact that the other versions of the Land Cruiser are slowly starting to creep up in price as well.  Popular colors like the 2009 versions in yellow and blue, respectively, are moving from $2.99 to $5.99 to $14.99 and maybe even higher in the coming months.  The Superfast version is now going from the $6.99 range to the $30 range.  If this is a model you want to collect, I suggest you get the earlier versions ASAP.

Here is what is currently available on eBay.  You can also find in those listings the brand new version coming out as part of Matchbox 2013 Batch D...

Me? I only go for the plain-jane versions.  Only the green Lesney Edition, with its Matchbox logo, has any sort of side design.  I will probably keep it that way, and I hope Mattel gives us a few more plain versions.

Here is the infamous red version, followed by it's stock-color compatriots...

Matchbox Toyota Land Cruiser (2009 10-pack exclusive):

And all stock versions:

2009 New Model

2009 New Model recolor

2009 First Editions 10-pack

2010 Lesney Edition

2010 5-pack

2011 mainline

2012 mainline

There is one more version I want to show.  This is my Southern Utah travel companion.  This dusty model has been to several National Parks, and had its photo taken in all kinds of beautiful settings.  I plan on taking more as I can and sharing them here.  The rule is to try and keep the dirt on him.  It is nice to have this little reminder of one of the prettiest areas on earth.

A couple of shots from his first trip.  He started with some snazzy duds, and by the end he had his more common dusty coverup:

Matchbox Monday: How to Open the Rare Life EMS Ford E-350 Ambulance, by David Tilley...

It is Monday, so that means another Matchbox post, sponsored by our good friends at MVE Collectibles...

Lamley's resident DLMer is at it again, and this time his victim is bound to be mourned by Matchbox collectors across the world.

In case you are not familiar with the exploits of David Tilley (the "ley" in "Lamley"), he will open anything.  It does not matter how rare, how valuable, how sentimental the packaging or model might be.  Once it is in his possession, the model is liberated.  DT's reputation as the master DLMer (Diecast Liberation Movement) is well-known among Matchbox collectors, but he is also known as one of the most knowledgable Matchbox collectors around.  He only collects Matchbox, and knows just about everything from the Superfast days to now.

Last year DT opened a one-of-kind Ford GT prepro that we profiled here on the blog, and now he is taking on one of the rarest and most sought-after models of the Mattel era, the Life EMS Ford E-350 Ambulance.  Read his article below to find out why it is so rare.

Enjoy the article, and if you are not an opener, hide your eyes...

(Thanks DT)

Welcome to the latest in my long line of rare openings.  Today I feature the Life EMS promotional Ford E-350 Ambulance.

The Ambulance was created for the Life EMS emergency services based out of Michigan, and first appeared in February 2011.  Life EMS was founded by Mark Meijer, a relative of the founders of the Meijer chain of stores in Michigan, USA.  Many thought that the model was going to be a Meijer store exclusive, but I think it was more likely created to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Life EMS service itself which officially occurred in December 2010.  Very little is known about the model itself, except that it is obviously a code 1 Matchbox model produced in the Thailand factory alongside the regular issues.  Production quantities and distribution details have never been released by Mattel, and the first that collectors new about its existence was in February 2011 when one turned up on eBay.  It later transpired that a tiny quantity were sent to the Mattel store and some lucky collector noticed them and snapped them up. 

Since then this model has rarely turned up for sale.  I have officially spent the last 2 years (February 2011 – February 2013) actively hunting one down.  I checked with other collectors, I checked eBay and other auction sites, but for 2 years my hunt was fruitless.  Until now.  My 2 year hunt is over.

Of course the model comes packaged up.  The front of the blistercard was rather a plain and standard looking 2010 style blister (with the lack of model number being the only obvious difference).

The rear does have unique information about the Life EMS service itself.  Further proof can be seen in the packaging that this was more than likely a 2010 promotional model due to the “collect all 100 vehicles for 2010” on the rear, and the front being a 2010 style blister.  It has always been classified as a 2011 promo only due to the fact that the first one was found in February 2011.  I am not going to attempt to change its designation, and will classify it in my personal records as a 2011 promo still.

But this is me we are talking about, so let’s get this thing open.

I start by ripping along the right hand side.  This thing is actually pretty easy to open.

It then just rips straight across, and out the Ambulance comes.

So after 2 years, I finally have my elusive Life EMS Ambulance.  I have to admit, this is the nicest livery that I have seen on this model.  Mind you it is a real livery.

That may play a part in that.  It is absolutely gorgeous though. 

The model itself received a complete set of tampo prints.  Well, actually, it is not tampo print, but ink jet printing.  This is a different process from Mattel where they print the model after it has finished assembly.  The advantage is that it will cover multiple surfaces in one go (tampos are applied to sections of a model before they are put together), but the finish is a little courser than tampos. 

It is also nice to see the roof getting some love, as well as the front of the rear section.

It was produced in the factory in the 38th week of 2010 (around late September time), so actually being given out at the 30th Anniversary celebrations in December 2010 does seem to fit.  Why it took so long for any to surface may have been down to the employees just loving them and not wanting to part with them.

But I have to admit to being really happy to finally get an example of it.  I wonder how many more will surface in the future?

Matchbox Monday: Rarest Models of the Mattel Era, Part 9 - 2008 London Motorshow Lotus Evora...

This is Part 9 of our series on rare Matchbox models from the last few years.  If you missed previous installments, they are here.

(As always, Matchbox Monday is sponsored by our good friends at MVE Collectibles.  Be sure to check out their store for both the latest Matchbox, and those models you need to fill in your collection...)

Today we will look at a model that is in some ways very common, in others quite rare.  You know I am a DLMer, meaning I open just about every model I acquire.  There are some exceptions: rare variations, autographed cards, etc.  But there is only one Matchbox model I have not opened.

And there is a good reason.  If I did open it, the actual model inside the packaging would be just like its regular issue version.  It is the packaging that makes it rare.

The model I am referring to is the first issue of the Lotus Evora in 2008.  There have been times in the past that Mattel has worked with a carmaker to help promote a new car.  Chrysler had Hot Wheels create a mini version of their new Viper to help promote its release, and if I remember correctly Ford did the same thing with the 2010 Mustang.

The same goes with Lotus in 2008.  As they developed their first 2x2 sports car, they sent Matchbox all the specs and asked them to put together a mini version that they could use as a promotional tool.  It was determined that the Evora would be unveiled at the 2008 London Motorshow, and Matchbox created a special promo model for the occasion.

The model itself is no different from the regular issue.  Metalflake silver with 10sp.  But there were two different versions given out at the event in different packaging.  The most common was handed out as part of a press kit on the Evora.  It was in a blister very similar to the basic blister, only without the barcode.  The second is the one we are showing here.  It came in a special plexiglass case with a simple black background, and was only given to attendees of a special Lotus dealer event.

The back of the case mentions that there were no more than 550 made.  The number might be much smaller.  I have not been able to confirm if that number includes the blisterpacks, but nonetheless finding the plexiglass version is quite difficult to do.

I acquired this version several years ago from Matchbox historian and supercollector Paul Carr, who was able to get his hands on a couple.  I am glad I did, because I have not seen it since.

So yes, this one stays packaged, and it is lovingly displayed on my desk...

Matchbox Lotus Evora (2008 London Motorshow Exclusive):

With the regular 2008 issue:

And with my favorite version of the Evora, released last year:

Hard-to-Find Hot Wheels: 2004 Truckin' Transporters Enzo Ferrari...

Just one more model to show off today, and it is one that I am very happy to have in the collection.

It may be a case of two wrongs making a right.  The first wrong?  The Enzo Ferrari is one of my least favorite HW Ferrari castings.  The second wrong?  You never put flames on a Ferrari.  The result?  A model I absolutely love.

Even with gaudy flames, this Enzo could be considered a great example of less is more.  The car is a beautiful deep black, and highlighted only by simple white flames.  An instant beauty, and she likes the camera.

But be patient if you want to find one.  This black Enzo was only released in the 2004 Truckin Transporter line, accompanied by an over-the-top Mad Max type semi.  The sets stayed on the shelves for awhile, but the Ferrari set was a bit hard to come by.

Then couple that with the amount of new collectors coming into the hobby lately going gaga over supercars, and you have one very sought after model.

The way to find it now is continue to hit ebay, and hope one pops up.  One eventually will.  The Enzo in my collection is proof.  You just may have to enjoy scooping up the Super Hunt while you are waiting...


Hot Wheels Enzo Ferrari (2004 Truckin' Transporter Playset):