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Matchbox 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Police
Topic Started: Dec 5 2006, 04:10 AM (5,100 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Posted Image

This isn't the car you want to see in your 1/64's rear view mirror. Let's take a closer look!

Brand: Matchbox (mainline)
Model: 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Police
Scale: 1:71
Year of Release: 2006
Price: $ .97

Matchbox has peen on a police car kick lately. In 2000 they did a Chevy Impala, and last year saw the new Dodge Magnum. Ford finally gets their turn (and this replaces the '96 Crown Vic Matchbox did way back in when that car was new).

Posted Image

We'll start with the positives- the paint scheme is accurate to the California Highway Patrol. Ponch and Jon would feel right at home behind the wheel of one of these squads. The casting is accurately proportioned, and the car really looks good all around. The plastic insert headlights really add to the appeal of this car, and in the current Matchbox lineup where cars can only be tampoed on two sides, it makes sense for the police car to have the tampos on the side. Hopefully this feature will be seen on more Matchbox models, as it does really add to the realism of the car (and was used frequently in the 1980s- reference the Renault 11, '87 Mercury Sable wagon, '87 Thunderbird, etc.). The pushbars on the front are a really nice touch also.

Posted Image

The negatives- this design Crown Vic has been around in the real world since 1999. Matchbox is a little late to the party... Perhaps they should have waited to see what replaces this model in the real world. The two strike tampo process leaves a lot to be desired. In the '80s this car would have had taillights, a roof number, and maybe some paint to the grill. All of which would add to this model. Unfortunately such detail is reserved for the three times more expensive Superfast series. Speaking of the tampos, this is another wonderful example of Mattel's current quality. The tampos on the side are far from crisp and clear, and indeed are scuffed up in some places (and that's mint from the package).

Posted Image

Design/Concept: 7
Unique Factor: 5
Paint: 7
Detail: 5
Collectivity: 5
Casting Accuracy/Quality: 8
Overall: 6.16

Final rating: For a buck, this really is a nice car. Just make sure you check the tampos on the car first, before buying to ensure you get the best one you can.
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Daniel H
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Never Underestimate Guitar Cat
Is it me or is the quality control of new Matchbox getting worse?? I once saw a 57 T Bird from the classic cars 5 pack which had not been rivited together :lol:
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
It's not just you. I've seen several Hot Wheels and Matchboxes with glaring errors. Then again, it keeps the error collectors happy...
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W_Body_Geek
Minivan
Maybe they do it on purpose FOR error collectors? Nice car nonetheless. The push bar is a neat touch.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
With as many cars as the factory cranks out, there are bound to be errors. Considering that errors reflect a lack of quality, I would be surprised if they were intentional... Then again, you never know.
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W_Body_Geek
Minivan
Swifty
Dec 6 2006, 01:40 AM
With as many cars as the factory cranks out, there are bound to be errors. Considering that errors reflect a lack of quality, I would be surprised if they were intentional... Then again, you never know.

With Mattel these days, quantity over quality prevails.
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a few State Police cars on this tooling, like they did with the Premieres ten years ago?

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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Sak
Mar 25 2007, 06:41 AM
Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a few State Police cars on this tooling, like they did with the Premieres ten years ago?

Absolutely! :thumbup:
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W_Body_Geek
Minivan
gotta agree. Although our cops use Chargers more now.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Lots of these Crown Vics used here...and I saw a lot of them today! Saw two with lights blazing, after somebody.

The city of Lebanon uses Impalas though. No Chargers here.
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
They're all Crown Vics here. I think the NJSP went to them only because the Caprices were discontinued.

Sometimes, they're in civilian colors...like we couldn't tell they were Police Interceptor models with Municipal Government plates, anyway! :blink:
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W_Body_Geek
Minivan
Sak
Mar 30 2007, 05:37 PM
They're all Crown Vics here. I think the NJSP went to them only because the Caprices were discontinued.

Sometimes, they're in civilian colors...like we couldn't tell they were Police Interceptor models with Municipal Government plates, anyway! :blink:

not to mention the oddish colors and steelies with trim tings.
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seveland
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Muscle Car Fanatic
Is there a variation of this car then? I don't have mine in front of me, but i swear it says K-9 unit on it near the rear instead of safety & service.

I was a little dissappointed with the MB charger police car not having a light bar. I'm thinking of putting one on it.
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Dadvball
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Dadvball
The Crown Vic has long been the choice of the RI State Police, and still is. for the unmarked cars they have a few 5.0 Mustangs and the new Chargers.
Very sneeky, but effective. :lol:

I just got two of the #49 MB Crown Vic State Police (no state) with the K-9 Unit tampo at Mark's gathering, one from Mark, one from Rich. A little paint detail to the lights and grille like you say should spiff them right up.
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montegogt
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Pearson Fan
The Fire Chief's Vic from the N S F release earlier this year is the best by far. The wheels on it remind me of the Crown Vic Sport 5 spokes.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
montegogt
Oct 17 2007, 09:14 PM
The Fire Chief's Vic from the N S F release earlier this year is the best by far. The wheels on it remind me of the Crown Vic Sport 5 spokes.

I grabbed that one myself! Its buried here somewhere- I ran out of storage cases awhile back so I have tons of unopened cars laying around waiting for the day they too will be set free. Unfortunately that's one of them...
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
seveland
Aug 29 2007, 11:50 AM
Is there a variation of this car then? I don't have mine in front of me, but i swear it says K-9 unit on it near the rear instead of safety & service.

I was a little dissappointed with the MB charger police car not having a light bar. I'm thinking of putting one on it.

Yes, it is a reissue or a variation, different paint scheme, and don't forget the MacDonalds issue, all white with decals in the package to ruin it with.

B)
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
You have 3 different cars now badged with 689 on the front fenders

1. Black with white doors "Highway Patrol" on doors "Safety & Service" on rear fenders, mine has a light grey interior, black plastic base, black tires & rims

2. Black with a blue stripe and a white stripe down the sides, "State Police" on front Doors, "POLICE" on back doors, "Warning K-9 Unit" on back fenders, mine has a dark burgundy interior, hard to tell with the reflection here. black plastic base, black tires & rims, Steelie rims

3. White with a blue stripe down the sides, State Police" on front Doors, "POLICE" on back doors, "Warning K-9 Unit" on back fendersdark burgundy interior, whiteplastic base, black tires and rims, steelie rims same as above

"Does Matchbox now make a White Lightning version?" :D

B)

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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
James
Oct 22 2007, 06:08 PM
"Does Matchbox now make a White Lightning version?"

LOL! Nope, it's just Mattel being cheap and keeping the same tampo through 5 paint variations. Just like they do with the Hot Wheels...
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
Here is a pic, I like what I see, though, the quality of the tampos has improved greatly from our friends at Matchbox.

Posted Image

B)
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Zotez
Station Wagon
Tampo looks better but it would still be nice if they did some with like "LAPD" and "NYPD" etc on them it would give someone the chance to collect all the different states so it would be a good money maker for mattel too.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
Zotez
Oct 27 2007, 03:22 AM
Tampo looks better but it would still be nice if they did some with like "LAPD" and "NYPD" etc on them it would give someone the chance to collect all the different states so it would be a good money maker for mattel too.

Wow, that would be hard to collect 50 different police cars!

:pancakebunny: The bunny says "No Thanks" to many, but some realistic ones would be great.
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diegomg
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Fullsize
As a police car fan I have to say that this crown victoria is a very good casting... I love that car.

Posted Image
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diegomg
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Fullsize
Following the legend.

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diegomg
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Canīt get enough

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