Report - Matchbox Collectors Forum

Ambassador’s Report July 10th, 2015
By: Larry Scaduto
INTRODUCTION
Good day and welcome to my 2nd to the last Ambassador’s Report. One more to go and that
will be covering all the new models shown at the Gathering along with an overview of
presentation by the Matchbox Team after dinner. Also my 2017 Collector’s Poll results will be
included as well. You still have till July 12th at midnight to get you top 20 lists to me. The
response has been very good and you will be surprised at what the final choices will be. A copy
of the candidates list is near the end of this report. This issue’s History section covers a variety
of games and garages released over the years and the Models We Would Love to See Made
section has been expanded for one last time with some great ideas that were sent to me. I just
want to say Thank you to all the collectors who have sent me pictures over this past year. Your
participation has been wonderful. It has made a difference and the 2017 Collector’s Poll is proof
of that!!!! Well, that’s enough from me…..let’s get the New Releases!!!! Regards, Larry
NEW RELEASES
MB965 Attack Track
Attack Track (Front View)
Attack Track (Rear View)
MB959 Gator Raider (Front View)
Gator Raider (Rear View w/rotating prop)
Heavy Freighter (Front View)
Heavy Freighter (Rear View)
MB871 Highway Rescue Fire Truck (Front View)
Highway Rescue Fire Truck (Rear View)
MB862 Dodge A-100 Pickup (Front View)
Dodge A-100 Pickup
(Must be Michael’s 4991st design……what will number 5000 be???)
MB961 Mauler Hauler (Front View)
Mauler Hauler (Rear View)
Mauler Hauler w/ open cage section
GATHERING PREPRODUCTIONS FROM MY COLLECTION
First up is a MB29 Dodge Magnum in orange with smoke tinted windows, black surf boards,
grey interior and grey plastic 2005 Thailand base.
Now I have a MB869 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in a metallic orange/red body, silver/grey
interior with purple windows. Also featured is a burnt orange 2005 plastic Thailand base.
Next up I have a MB737 Quarry King. This tractor is painted metallic orange with a grey shovel
and a smooth plastic chrome base without any text. The radiator at the rear is smooth and has
no detailing as well.
Now this MB737 Quarry King is painted in creamy beige with a blue shovel black plastic 2007
Thailand base. The radiator on this model has a design pattern. And of course the wheels are
different from the model above.
Moving along to the MB711 2007 Volvo C30…. The body is painted a metallic red with red
windows and a grey interior. The bumper and rocker panels are olive green and the base is
black plastic Thailand
I’m picturing a 2000 Chevy Corvette Convertible. It is painted in a satin dove gray with a clear
windshield and a light purple interior. The base is a flesh color without any text.
MB871 Highway Rescue Fire Truck in a medium blue with clear frosted windows and a 2002
grey plastic Thailand base. Nice to see this model back in the line up!
The above model was not from any convention, but I had some extra space to fill…so I have
pictured a MB56 Mercedes 450 SEL in an off white with a beige interior and blue windows. Also
featured is a silver painted metal 1979 Lesney England base. Ahhh….the good old days when
models had opening doors! This model does not meet the 4 part rule of today’s standards!!!
HISTORY
In my last History section I will be covering items issued by Matchbox that were not Diecast
related. First up is a game called Race for the Cup which was released in Australia in 1987 in
conjunction with the America’s Cup Race. This is an interesting game since the main sponsor
was Swan Premium Lager, a beer company. I’m thinking by today’s standards, this would not be
an acceptable association for a kid’s game. Please read on for other games….
Race for the Cup an America’s Cup Yacht Race Game (1987)
The Geller’s Strike Game (1986)
Zillion (Laser Tag Game) (1987)
Over the past year I’ve pictured other games I have, but there are a few I’m missing like
Cascade, Chopper Chase, and the Traffic Game. Chopper Chase I never got but the other two I
played with until they broke. Someday I’ll get the others….I’m in no rush!
Now I am showing my parking garages along with other items I’ve collected over the years. First
picture is my Matchbox Autopark from 1970. This is a battery operated parking garage that has
a ramp that raises cars to the round parking structure. This garage is interesting in that it has a
gear system that allows the wheel to rotate while keeping the cars level. Also this garage is
complete with all you see on the box….including the pumps. I know at one time it was said that
the gas pumps didn’t come with the set, but it is included and it’s exactly as pictured.
Matchbox Autopark (1970)
Matchbox Motors (1989)
Matchbox Motorcity Freight Yard (1990)
Intercom City MC-560 (1992)
Sears Parking Garage
Not an official Matchbox Garage, but worthy of mentioning here in this report is the Sears
Parking Garage that was available thought their Christmas Wish Catalog for $14.99. The box
pictures several Matchbox regular wheels and a lone Hot Wheels car. I could not find a release
date on the box. But judging by the types of models on the packaging, I’m guessing this was
available 1969. I’ve had this since I was in Junior High!!! Still mint in the box!!!
China Specials
I’m not sure what to officially call these unique models other than China Specials. It would
appear when SUTC took over the issuing of left over Matchbox models for the China market,
they had a surplus assortment of World Class and Premiere unassembled models. Premium
style wheels were not placed on these left over models. The use of 6 spoke gold spiral wheels
can be seen throughout most of the issues I have seen. Models were assembled without regard
for the matching of bases to bodies. So there is an array of different color combinations that
don’t always match very well but are interesting and fun to collect non-the-less. I’m picturing a
small selection of what I have. I’m guessing that these were available somewhere around 2005.
MB32 ’62 Corvette
The front model is a regular issue in blue without hood printing, but it does feature gold spiral
wheels. The model in the rear is much more unique painted metallic blue with a yellow metal
China base. It is pictured below with blue tinted windows and a red interior
Next is a silver Vette with a black & white interior and a metallic purple metal China base.
Here I am picturing a black Vette with a black & white interior, blue tinted windows and a
metallic purple China base. Next to this is a red Corvette with a red interior, blue tinted
windows and a metallic blue China base.
Here I have two more Corvettes. The first one is a MB14 1987 Corvette in white with a red
World Class base and a blue interior. Next is a MB4 1997 Corvette in black with a black interior
and a silver painted window roof combination. All four above models feature gold spiral
wheels.
In these last two pictures I have a MB37 ’70 Boss Mustang from the First Edition Premiere
Collection. It is of course light lemon yellow with a matching metal China base. The interior is
black & white and this model also features the 6 spoke gold spiral wheels. Lastly I have one of
my favorite China Specials. This is the MB4 ’57 Chevy from the Premiere Series. The body is
black with a black & chrome interior. This model features a silver/gray metal China base. Now
what makes this Chevy so much different from the regular release you say??? The hood should
be red and not yellow!!! See the red flames on the doors….the hood should have been red to
match that. And the wheels are 5 arch fronts with 5 crown in back and not the usual Premiere
style wheels.
WHAT’S NEW
Canadian Batch F
Got the latest releases From Midwest Diecast and noticed the cards were different. The cases
that arrived at Tom’s were Canadian Releases. I wonder if they’re packed different from the US!
MB1 2014 Porsche Cayman (copper 5 spoke wheels)
MB15 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS
MB89 Cliff Hanger
(Awesome in black w/gold stripe)
MB55 1975 Mack CF Pumper
MB62 Pierce Dash Fire Engine (Thingy)
MB83 Lamborghini LM002
MB1 Porsche Cayman
(It does not get any better than the above 2 models!!!!)
MB81 Roar-By-Four
MB10 Turn Tamer
MB32 H2O HLX (Water Truck)
MB72 Sahara Sweeper
MB48 Ford F-350 (Blister Card Reads Ford F-150)
MB102 Sahara Survivor
Mission Force: Strike Squad
(Found on Amazon.com by Shabbir)
Here are the two latest 9-Packs found at Target
MODELS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MADE
(Last Installment)
I was inspired by the inclusion of the Heavy Freighter in the New Releases section of this report.
What excellent play value it would be to have train cars to go along with this engine!!! Like the
good old days (as they say!) Here are some ideas worth checking out….
Rail Flat Car
Passenger Rail Car
Tanker Car
Box car
…..and lastly a Caboose!!!
1971 Checker Marathon Wagon
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45
Austin Mini Pickup
P8 Poseidon (Sky Buster Idea)
Willys 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Ohhhhhhh… and one last request for the Ford Contractor’s Truck
Dodge C-Series Cab
Ford “Louisville” L-Series Truck
U-Haul Trailer
MBX Glass Truck
I know you didn't ask for anything new to be proposed, but this is something that might perk
Gerry Cody's ears because it can actually be a "Matchbox Original," which they're always
looking to make to save money on licensing. I've always thought a Glass Truck would be the
perfect type of vehicle for Matchbox's unique approach to "blue collar" vehicles over the
years. I've enclosed a pic of a licensed truck that could be modified to fit into the "four piece
maximum" mantra for making a vehicle:
1. Cab and flatbed strip are diecast metal
2. Plastic base
3. Plastic glass frame holders on either side are actually
one piece that lies above plastic base, but under metal
flatbed strip (allows for color blocking potential with cab, i.e. red cab, white glass frame
holders)
4. Different size "glass" that sits in the frame holder, united by an unseen strip at bottom that
the glass "sprouts" from. Again, this piece could be united through the floor of the
flatbed. This last piece, although still only being the fourth piece, would likely have to go before
pre-production, because it would be hard enough uniting three pieces at the flatbed (plastic
base, plastic glass frame holder, and diecast flatbed strip).
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to throw in my two cents, Larry.
Regards, Marco
Ambassador’s Note: Nice idea Marco!!! Well thought out plan. Glad to share it with everyone.
Miscellaneous
A huge Thank You goes out to Tom Sarlitto of
Midwest Diecast Miniatures
for supplying all the newest Batches of Matchbox for
these reports.
One last push……..
As a reminder we just have a few days till the July 12th deadline to submit your top 20 lists to
me. I have been keeping a tally of your votes for possible models for 2017 and beyond. The
Collector’s Choice Poll is once again here in this report. Please use the list I have below, it is
really too late at this point to start adding personal choices and new models to the list. If you
wish, hold onto your picks and we’ll see if the new ambassador will keep this going. Thank you
to all who have submitted their picks to me. Results in my next report……
August 19th Report:
Polaris 700 Twin
1975 AMC Pacer
2014 Honda Crosstour
1948 Tucker Torpedo
1971 Buick Riviera
September 2nd Report
Ford Capri II Turbo
Bombardier B-12 Snowmobile
Toyota Land Cruiser F-70 Troopy
1968 Chevy Impala
Austin FX4 Taxi
Bedford TK-1 Fire Vehicle
1967 Ford Galaxie Fastback
1967 MGB GT
September 18th Report
1970 Chevy Nova SS350
2015 Kai Soul EV
Asphalt Spreader
Prius Taxi
2015 Ford Mustang
The Schwimmwagen
Speed Trap Trailer
October 10th Report
1986 Mitsubishi Mills-Tui Pumper
2015 Dodge Viper
Asphalt Grinder
1993 Chevy Caprice Police Car
Paymaster Semi Tractor
2008 Nissan GT-R
BMW i8
2016 Audi RS7
October 22nd Report
1962 Divco Delivery Van
1961 Ferrari
VW XL Sport
1992 Fiat Tipo
Ford Tri-Motor
Toyota FJ
Deepflight Submersible
Airstream Trailer
November 5th Report
1968 Oldsmobile Delta 88
1990 Honda NSX
Airport Luggage Vehicle
2010 Lancia New Stratos
BMW R-75 w/sidecar
Site Dumper
2013 Jaguar F-Type
2011 Nissan Juke
November 25th Report
Oshkosh Cement Mixer
Hino Cement Truck
1986 Isuzu JCS Rural Fire Engine
Mazda Miata MX-5
International Paystar Cement Truck
1960 Dennis Fire Truck
2015 Chevy Corvette Z-06
2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat
Scania Bus
Porsche Macon
2015 Toyota Highlander
Segway
December 12th Report
2012 Ford Focus
Audi A9
2012 Mazda CX5
2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat
2015 Chrysler 300 Hellcat
2012 Volvo S60 Polest
2015 Mustang Rocket
Bedford Water Truck
Bentley SUV
December 22nd Report
2015 McLaren 650S
Hyundai i20
1990 Jaguar XJR-1
2013 Ford Fiesta ST
Honda Pilot
Volkswagen Atacama
Volkswagen Vision Gran Turismo
January 8th Report
1958 Ford Edsel Corsair
2016 Ford Bronco
1960 Chevy El Camino
1963 Ford Thunderbird
1992 Aston Martin Vantage
Volkswagen Tristar
Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser
January 27th Report
1981 Checker Police Car
1981 Checker Fire Chief Car
2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune
2016 Ford GT
2014 VW Golf
2016 Toyota Supra
2016 Toyota Mirai
Infiniti Q60
Jaguar XJS
February 10th Report
1959 Aston-Martin DB4
2014 BMW i3
1990 Scania G93M Fire Engine
2014 Porsche 918 Spyder
2011 Opel Insignia opc Unlimited
1973 Lamborghini Jarma
2012 Volkswagen Up
2014 Jaguar xfr-s Sportbrake
February 27th Report
2014 Volkswagen Scirocco
2013 Subaru Lavorg
Dump Truck Trailer
2014 Lamborghini Asterion
2015 Volvo XC90
Shipping Container Trailer
2009 Alfa Romeo Brera
2015 Nissan March Nismo
Ford F-750 Super Duty Fire Truck 2016 Kia K900
Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck
2016 Mazda 3
2016 Ford Transit
March 16th Report
1953 Studebaker Starliner
Audi RS3 Sportback
Kia Sportspace Concept
1974 Plymouth Duster
2014 Porsche 918 Spyder-Weissac
Donkervoort D8 GTO
Cement Mixer Trailer
Flybridge Cabin Cruiser
March 30th Report
1976 Chevy Monte Carlo
1994 Venturi 400GT
2014 Maserati Gran Turismo
BMW Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo Convertible
Holden Special Vehicles / HSV Ge-F GTS
Honda Civic R-Type
1971 Plymouth Duster Super Bee
April 13th Report
1967 Pontiac GTO
2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude
Citroen Xsara Picasso Tunning 3
1959 Plymouth Fury
2015 Volkswagen Crafter
Can-Am Spyder F3
2015 Polaris Slingshot
May 4th Report
2015 Aston-Martin Vulcan
2017 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen
2016 Volvo XC-90
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
1930 Cadillac Fleetwood
1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec
1954 Hudson Hornet
Honda Civic Concept
2016 Porsche Boxster
2015 Chevy Tahoe
2016 Chevy Malibu
May 19th Report
1939 Dodge Sedan Police Car
2013 SAAB 9-3
1947 Series 62 Convertible
2016 Nissan Maxima
2016 Ford Focus
1991 BMW Nazca C2
Volkswagen GT1 Roadster
1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT-5
June 4th Report
Toyota FT-1 Concept
Maserati Alfieri Concept
Subaru STI Performance Concept Chevrolet FNR Concept
Land Rover Defender Flying Huntsman Concept Nissan Sway
Lexus LF-C2 Concept Convertible
Honda Concept C
Bentley EXP10 Concept
June 15th Report
1979 Pontiac Tran Am
1980 Firebird Red Bird / Sky Bird / Yellow Bird
Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE
2014 Audi S8-4
2016 Chevy Camaro
Volvo 850 T-5R
2015 Kia Sorento
June 26th Report
Army Duck
Bedford Army Personal Carrier
GMC Canteen Lunch Wagon
Aquada Car-Boat
2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT
Kia Tral’ster Concept
2016 Hyundai Tucson
Chevrolet Chaparral 2x Vision GT
1995 Ford GT90 Concept
2014 BMW M3
Aston-Martin DBX
Ford Falcon GT HO Phase 3
July 8th Report
1971 Checker Marathon Wagon 1954 Willys Jeep Wagon & Sedan Delivery Austin Mini Pickup
Toyota FJ45
A Parting gift from Michael Heralda
The Ambassador’s (former & current) received a gift from Michael Heralda. It was his way of
saying thank you for supporting the Matchbox Brand and for the friendships that were built
over the years. He had several t-shirts made up with the company logo in Taiwanese. The
picture below shows the front of the shirt and the picture underneath has what is printed on
the sleeve. Does anyone want to guess what ADLAR58 means?
Thank you, Michael for the gift and for all those wonderful years at Mattel!!!