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Nigel Cooper's December 16th, 2013 Ambassador Report
Topic Started: Dec 16 2013, 09:20 PM (3,137 Views)
mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
Ambassador Report 17

Thanks to David Tilley and Dawn Robertson, I can now add three more sites that carry the Ambassador Reports and comments from collectors who use those boards. Please let me know if there are others. Please also keep the questions coming. I do forward the questions but as most of you understand, the Matchbox team are only able to answer some of them. These are the three sites:
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/forumdisplay.php?f=200
http://swiftysgarage.net/forum/7931/
http://matchboxclub.com/
There are three new models for 2014 for this Report. The 60 Fire Engine is the retooled model, MB949. The body has been shortened and the trailer hitch is now exposed. This model will be in the 2014 Mission Force Fire pack.
NEW Models


Fire Engine BFK60 MB949
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GMC Wrecker BFP73 MB188
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This model has been through many livery changes since its original release in 1989 and I show some pre-production models here, though most vary only slightly from the released versions. I wonder if you prefer the neutral opaque windows and roof lights or whether they look better when coloured. I think these wheels are well suited to this truck. However, is this model still representative of a current small Wreck Truck or should we be looking for a more modern design after 24 years? What do you think?
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I have never been a fan of chromed interiors though I understand that there has to be a compromise to allow for a chromed grille on this Mustang GT. Is there a solution to this problem? I do like this model and particularly the understated colour scheme.

Mustang GT BDV25 MB812
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MATCHBOX ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

1. Could you please give us a little more information on the 3 Burger King Matchbox Toys. I think they are the ground breaker, tipper, and frost fighter. Were all colors derived from the mainline releases? Should we expect more?

There are 3 models total : Ground Breaker (yellow), Pit King (yellow & green) & Frost Fighter (red & black). Each model has a working feature. Ground Breaker - shovel extends, Pit King - working lights, Frost Fighter - extending winch cable. Colors were selected based on the Matchbox mainline decorations.

2. You appear to have stopped using some of my favourite models in the line-up. Do you think there is any possibility of seeing the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, the Mercedes Benz CLS550, the new Jaguar XK, the Volvo C30 and the Bentley Continental GT again? Please??

No plans to use these models currently.

3. I am making a cabinet to hold all my wonderful Real Working Rigs. I think I have all that have been released so far with the light blue Tree Trimming Truck and the UFO & Construction Mission Force sets. However, I am not sure whether there will be one more recolour release of a previous model. Please can you let me know if there will be one more model as I have to leave a space and if possible, which model it will be - with the colour????
Regarding 2014, Real Working rigs will continue but there will be no recolors . This will be carry forward product but will be in the new 2014 package.

4. If asked what would be attractive for premium lines in the future, I would say, make the package simple and invest in better decoration of the models. If they could cost only double the price of a regular model, and not four times the price, they would be quite interesting. If we make suggestions, how far back can we go so that the moulds still may be used?

This is a tricky question to answer regarding old tooling. While some old tooling may still exist it may not be compatible with our modern manufacturing methods . In some cases we would need to create a completely new tool rather than dust off an old one.

5. I love 5-packs. Can we have some more themed 5-packs as in the past? They are some of my favourites. (5 different colored BMW 1M would be wonderful).
We are glad that you like the 5 packs. Thanks for your suggestions.

6. Have you completely finished making Licensed Cartoon 5 packs? Will there be any more Licensed 3 packs?
This is TBD.

7. Do you think that ON-pack offers will ever be revived? There used to be so many in the past. It was fun hunting them down.
Not sure what you mean by “ON-pack offers”. Can you give some examples?

8. Dear Mattel,
I have just received a Dodge A100 Pickup that is on the new 2014 long card. It is very clear that it is from the 2013 collection. My question is, why is the card completely devoid of series number? Is this a mistake or a deliberate strategy? I ask because this sort of thing matters to collectors (your customers). It is bad enough that the 2013 short cards have no numbers. I am disappointed to see that this has also extended to long cards.

David Tilley gave me this answer. Is he correct????

David T’s answer is essentially correct.

David T: They always do that when a model is still in assortments when a new year starts. I was told a number of years ago it was done to keep the range being put out all in the same package (so when they change the package design the older stuff matches when being shown on pegs) and to not confuse people with having 2 differing numbers for different years. By denoting as part of the older year it stops people getting confused with which year it goes in. Of course, the Questor which is also in the batch was never on the old card and has never been shown with its number (MB87). But if they put that there and said it is MB87, then when the 2014 MB87 arrives later in the year, it would again cause arguments. The clearer answer would be to finish a year off before starting a new one, and not include any older models in the first batch of the year. Just put out all new stuff.

A simple package without a number anywhere!!!! If this were to be universally adopted it would give the old collectors with inferior eyesight and no magnifying glass to hand an even chance over nimble-fingered children.
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ANOTHER LOOK BACK IN TIME
THE MASSEY HARRIS TRACTOR


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The Dinky Massey Harris with engine covers and the first Matchbox miniature Tractor

Farm vehicles have figured prominently in the Matchbox range ever since 1953. Last week I mentioned some of the first few models of the miniature series were scaled down versions of existing Early Lesney toys, which were themselves copies of the larger scale Dinky Toys. There had been a Massey Harris tractor in the Dinky range since June 1948 and at first glance the only major differences between this and the Matchbox version appears to be the engine covers and the driver details on the Meccano version.

However, the first tractor had different origins from most of the earliest releases. Les Smith had confirmed that whilst the first three were scaled down versions of existing Early Lesney toys, the miniature tractor was designed almost concurrently with the short lived Major Scale series model. The large scale Tractor first appeared in 1954 and indeed the first advertisements for both it and the miniature version were to be found in Games and Toys in April of that year.



There had been several large scale Early Lesney models produced from the late 1940s in a wide variety of colours – according to Jack Odell – whatever colour paint they could get their hands on cheaply. However, the large scale tractor was to be the only representative of this new Major Scale series range to have any success and it appears that this model was in fact a great seller. Even today, certain auction sites often have Major Scale Tractors available in various conditions.

This model does not owe its inception to an idea from either Odell or Smith or to the Dinky Tractor which had been produced since 1948. Apparently a toolmaker at Lesney had a brother who worked at Massey Harris and Les Smith put together a deal whereby Massey Harris would order the first production run for resale and promotional purposes and they would pay a subsidy towards the tooling costs up front. At this time Lesney was operating often on a shoe string budget and so a large order with reduced set up costs coupled with the benefit of being able to sell future production runs without these tooling costs made sound business sense.

This explains why there were copy differences on the boxes. The first boxes, as shown in the photograph, highlight the virtues of the real Massey Harris Tractor on a farm rather than extolling the virtues of an accurate scale model with so much play value. The later production runs of the tractor proved to be steady sellers but because the tyres had to be bought in from elsewhere and delivery was unpredictable and the production machinery took up capacity that could be used for the increasingly popular miniature models, the Major Scale Tractor was not produced after 1955, although it took another two years to dispose of the remaining stock. I showed an advertisement for another Major Scale model, the Euclid Dump Truck, in a previous Report which still holds the record for the highest price paid at auction for a Lesney produced model.

Les Smith said that somewhere between two and three hundred thousand of these large scale tractors were produced so even today it should not be too difficult to find. I cannot remember who told me but the tread pattern on the rear tyres may be fitted such that they face to the front or to the rear. Apparently, those pointing forwards were destined for the home market and those designated for abroad pointed backwards, but this information cannot be verified.

Even a glance at the engine detail of the Matchbox miniature shows the magnificent skills of Jack Odell, who was not content with a tractor fitted with slab shaped engine covers. Presumably part of the deal was to incorporate the manufacturer’s name and this may be clearly seen on the sides of the model. Many thousands of tractors were produced in miniature and gradually “flash” built up in the gaps around the engine and I believe that more than one mould was running given the differences that may be found. The final issues actually included a cast insert to fill the gap between the engine and its cover.



There was not enough room on the base to cast Lesney and Made in England and so the mudguards had Lesney and England cast into them but the fact that both the right and the left hand mudguards could be found with either word and indeed both mudguards with the same word suggests that this was of little importance at the factory. As I mentioned last time, opportunities for improvement were taken where possible but it seems that the Tractor was subject to cost cutting as the mudguards were removed in the 1957 version and the attractive four spoke front wheels were replaced by solid metal wheels which were common throughout the range on other vehicles.

Although plastic wheels were fitted to the Massey Harris in 1959, the decision had already been taken to include the much more modern Fordson Tractor in the range at No. 72, which was released in England in October 1959, but not until March 1960 in the USA. At this time there was no intention of limiting the range to 75 models but then a decision was taken along these lines in 1960 and the Triumph Motor Cycle that had been designed with a No. 78 on its base had to be retooled to add a small plinth bearing the No. 4. This Lesney Massey Harris had remained in the range for seven years. Dinky preferred to retain this obsolete tractor in their range for 23 years.






Thus the 1960 range included some replacement models rather than updated versions. I found this 1960 wooden display at a Swapmeet in Gloucester many years ago. It was very heavy and was planned to display the whole range, including Major Packs, Accessory Packs, Yesteryears and King Size. At the time the display was designed no decision had been taken to limit any range and the numbers extend beyond any models that were actually made for that number. I have a sales sheet indicating that the display was withdrawn in 1960, probably because it was top heavy, and so I presume that few were manufactured. The wings originally bore the name of the series.




Maybe your next batch of questions for the Matchbox team could have a feeling of Christmas about them – for instance what would you like to find in your stocking!!

-Nigel Cooper
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Stampede
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Team Canada
I'm glad that Nigel included swifty's! Thanks to him!

As for the models: Fire truck-not bad, but I don't want to buy the pack. However, I do want to compare it to the old fire engine.
GMC Wrecker: Looks good! It'll be going into my collection. I want that CAA version that is pictured, though.
Mustang: Not bad! It looks pretty good!

I love the history part. Keep up the good work, Nigel! :thumbup:
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mbx64
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Thanks for the Report, Nigel.

I will start right off with MB949 2006 Fire Engine. It looks better than the original casting! I am glad to see a casting modification that has made more favorable and desirable changes, than solely economic ones. Although, they really are all about economics. The grille is better in plastic, because it is more realistic to most real grilles. Also, I actually like the lights being a part of the plastic because it makes the front much more flush in general appearance. Overall, very fresh. Showing the trailer hitch in the back was also a good move, although I do not understand why it was covered in the first place. There is a head-scratcher for you.

But, the grille is plastic for a lighter weight. The lights are removed because it removes a large section of plastic that must run from the windows behind the front of the truck to make the lights. And the hitch was showed to shorten the body, which was to have less diecast, which was to decrease the weight. And, you can see some black just behind the cab that is a newly added-section of - you guessed it- plastic.

All of the changes lie behind the original surface. But I still like them! Call me a sucker. I suppose I am, but I will choose MB949 over MB698 any day.

MB188 GMC Wrecker is looking nice, clean and modern. The hot-stamp hubcab wheels look nice, as does the gloss yellow paint, simple, yet realistic design, and its clear windows. I sniff some 2010 in that model. Yummy.

MB812 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS looks yummy too, like our GMC friend, in brown. I sniff some 2010 here too, and it smells good.

Sweet Report! I hope all future ones go the same way.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
great, looking for another GMC wrecker, and the Cali Special Stang looks good too. 2/3 ain't bad
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funeralxempire
SUV
I want that GMC wrecker. I love older vehicles. Feel free to introduce a new one as well, but no need to retire the classic one.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
The Mustang and GMC will go home with me. As for the wrecker, I still see similar vintage tow trucks locally (usually Fords, but close enough).
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66alfa_gtv
Fullsize
The Mustang is an unfortunate collection of poorly applied materials, from the horrid chrome interior to the cheap looking brown paint. It's a shame - the actual casting is really nice. It's like a supermodel dressed in a hobo's filthy clothing.

I really want to like that fire engine, but yet again here's a case of a nice foundation ruined by the details. The graphics are too shouty, and the ladder Is an amorphous chunk of the cheapest looking plastic available.

So, dang, two down and one to go.

I read in another forum that its high time the wrecker is retired, and I'm inclined to agree. The frosted windows and bland details make this poor old model look like China's best made toy of the 1980s.
Nice of them to use the disc wheels, but everything else is simply mediocre, which is worse than being truly awful.

So, it looks like 2014 will be another year of shunning my former favorite brand. Siku and Autoworld, you get my money.
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Bill50
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I have to agree with Mr Alfa and I find Matchbox doing a good job making toys look like toys and the competition making toys look realistic.
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jedimario
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RAWR
It's not terribly fair to cross-shop Auto World and Siku with Matchbox, but whatever floats your boat.
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66alfa_gtv
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Of course it's fair. Siku has taken over a spot Matchbox once held - innovation, quality and realism. Until matchbox returns to its former self ( unlikely), my money will go to a company who holds these values MBX once prided itself in.
Quality miniatures float my boat. The current line of Matchbox pokes hole in my hull while filling it with lead and anvils.
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clem24
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Station Wagon
66alfa_gtv
Dec 17 2013, 09:53 AM
Of course it's fair. Siku has taken over a spot Matchbox once held - innovation, quality and realism. Until matchbox returns to its former self ( unlikely), my money will go to a company who holds these values MBX once prided itself in.
Quality miniatures float my boat. The current line of Matchbox pokes hole in my hull while filling it with lead and anvils.
And I am sure that MBX execs won't even blink at what you just said. It's a shame that MBX has taken this direction, especially the RWR's which are now almost solely comprised of in house designs - even the truck that LOOKS like a GMC truck isn't really one, just looks like it, hence, left on the shelf for me. But at the same time, it's a business and they need to stick to what makes sense, and making money is what makes the most sense.

I still applaud them for striking a good balance between satisfying collectors (like the 1M and the A100) and kids. I'd love to actually see what their financials are like, to finally know if MBX is actually struggling or thriving.

On another note, would the 'detailed' models really sell to the masses? The 60th line are now peg warmers in every shop I visit.
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Bill50
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jedimario
Dec 17 2013, 07:33 AM
It's not terribly fair to cross-shop Auto World and Siku with Matchbox, but whatever floats your boat.

Why on earth is it not fair? ,cannot comment myself on Auto World as never had one in hand but certainally can do on Siku.Siku is just a toy like Matchbox and sold in a blister but Siku also sell a higher quality version as well.

Siku basic has play value unlike the Walmart specials from Matchbox playing the 80/20 game and making loads of money on it as well,they must be making a mint as spend nowt on promoting the toys.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
I dunno, comparing a 5$ castings against a $1.50 casting, I compare Matchbox to Hot Wheels and Maisto, Siku get compared to Tomica and Autoworld, Greenlight and M2. Just my thinking.

Strangely enough I have bought more Matchboxes this year then the previous 3 years combined, scopped up several Dodge A100, s lots of the bottle truck, the Buick Police, the Dodge Police, the bumper cars, the Grader, the old english bus, and a couple of others. I guess it has been a better year then I thought
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66alfa_gtv
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James, Matchbox used to have the qualities of Siku. I'm not comparing the two brands...just bemoaning the loss of Matchbox's former glory.
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Bill50
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James
Dec 17 2013, 10:12 PM
I dunno, comparing a 5$ castings against a $1.50 casting, I compare Matchbox to Hot Wheels and Maisto, Siku get compared to Tomica and Autoworld, Greenlight and M2. Just my thinking.

Strangely enough I have bought more Matchboxes this year then the previous 3 years combined, scopped up several Dodge A100, s lots of the bottle truck, the Buick Police, the Dodge Police, the bumper cars, the Grader, the old english bus, and a couple of others. I guess it has been a better year then I thought
MB is just a $dollar or whatever you pay casting because stores like Walmart rule the price,when they say jump MB says how high. :wave:
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David Tilley
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Crazy Matchbox guy
It is true. Matchbox used to be a higher end toy, but with the price point being basically the same as it was a quarter of a century ago the costs have had to be cut to accomodate keeping the price the same. Matchbox should essentially be sold for 2.5 - 3 times as much as it is now today to keep it in line with inflation over all those years. Even as a kid I saw Siku as a more expensive version of Matchbox and they marketed themselves differently. The scale of their vehicles was always more significant than size, so they had a wider variety of toy vehicle sizes. Even the basic cars were of a larger size, and I didn't personally like them so left them be. I liked my toys to be of the same size and as such pretty much kept myself to Matchbox, Corgi and Majorette as a kid before I decided to scrap all the others and just collect Matchbox.

But since then we have seen loads of cost reductions take place to keep Matchbox at the same price point. We now only get 2 passes through a tampo machine on a model. This pretty much means that the sides get printed or the front/rear. The parts that make up the model are now being reduced to 6 from 7, which is basically meaning a body, interior, window, base and 2 axles. Increase an axle, lose a body part (usually interior). Cars with spoilers are being retooled to have the spoiler become part of the body (Lotus Exige, Porsche 911 GT3) which we will be seeing over the next year or so. The orange 911 GT3 is the last with a seperate spoiler. I am hearing the Pierce, International Brush Fire and Hazard Squad will be retooled at some point soon to take away the seperate cab piece and integrate that into the rest of the body. Opening parts have pretty much gone the way of the dodo, as these increase the part count and slow down production. All of this to keep that same price point that was relevant in the 1980s, but is not at all relevant any more. With so many people using credit cards for shopping now, and these being essentially just toys to keep a little one happy for a short period of time, the price itself is now one of the more insignificant parts of the equation. So why Mattel continue to bow down to Walmart so much is beyond me.

The fact is, other manufacturers of toy cars do increase their price because they are not being sold in Walmart stores. Therefore there is nobody stamping them down and holding them back.

If Matchbox was to be allowed to grow and increase the quality, Mattel could make a really good product. They do show flashes of brilliance. Sometimes a licensed model appears and it has really good qualities to it. Even at the lower price point, it still shows that they can do it when given a chance. I am still loving some of the new vehicles that come out. The recent BMW 1M is a real beauty to me. Having the model in hand I am appreciating it even more. Release that 25 years ago, and there would not have been a lot that would have been done differently. A slightly better wrapping of the tampos and maybe a metal base. But essentially that model still fits in with what was being done when the price point stagnated. Models in the 1980s had often limited tampos and sometimes came with plastic bases back then.

So in essence, looking at Siku now (don't know the other one so cannot say) is not so much comparing to Matchbox of now (different price point) but comparing to how they were when more closely matched a long time ago and how they have drifted apart now.

But I do find it funny, when it comes to showing the pictures of new stuff. People keep complaining over how the new stuff is not as good as the older stuff, yet they pull out an older model from the archive and people say what are they doing, they should be replacing it with new stuff. To me, that just smacks of arguing for the sake of arguing. To me, the GMC Wrecker looks really nice like that. It may be an older model, but it is still relevant. It is a Wreck Truck, and the castings that have been done since have not been as good. It looks like they have tidied up this casting a little to make things fit together better. The tampo scheme looks extremely tastefully done, and (guessing it is one of Michael Heralda's designs) one of the nicest versions of it I have seen.

The Mustang is also highly anticipated by me. After not having one for 2013 (basic that is before somebody states it was in the 60th Anniversary set), I am glad we get one back for 2014. It is one of my current faves. I do not worry about the chromed interior. Lesney did them (check the 1975 Pontiac Firebird with chrome interior and amber windows as an example, or the red Dodge Challenger). Growing up I accepted it was part of the process so now as an adult it sort of reminds me of models like those from my youth. The high metalflake count always shows up more in pictures. Once you have them, they don't always look so chunky.

Finally the Fire Engine. Okay I am not a huge fire engine buff so am not going to know all the ins and outs of what makes a fire engine. To me, it still looks like a fire engine. The slightly shorter rear overhang due to the change in the casting is not really something of great imprtance to me. I am sure the kids will also not care about something like that. It looks like a fire engine and the design is really good (preferring the Mission Force red to the basic/5-pack yellow) so I am not going to quibble over the changes. Plus, to me, exposing the tow hook more is that leading to more towed vehicles in the future? It is still a million times better than the Blase Blaster that was released in 2013. It has sensible wheels and a fairly standard looking body.

So all in all, I am good with the new pictures for this week. Of course I would love to see Matchbox returned to its former glory, but for where it is now I think these are just fine.
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jedimario
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RAWR
Perhaps it's a consequence of me being a younger American, but every Siku in my collection is far nicer than any basic Matchbox I've ever bought. I don't have much MB from the 80s (some but not much), but I do have a good number from the 90s. In my eyes, the only thing MB has really lost is the occasional metal base. There were still crazy tampoes back then and there were still crazy fantasy designs. I think some people are still bitter from the Hero City years...but that MB is long, long gone.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
66alfa_gtv
Dec 17 2013, 11:15 PM
James, Matchbox used to have the qualities of Siku. I'm not comparing the two brands...just bemoaning the loss of Matchbox's former glory.
I know, I truly feel the pain too, I grew up with matchbox, and had put my diecast away before Hot Wheels started. (i guess that sure ages me) I have seen them go thru their glory years and the :duh: Hero years...... :duh:

Sometimes they can knock one out of teh park, most times they just plain suck, unless your 6 years old and still believe in dragons.
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
David: About the Hazard Squad, Pierce, and International, because the top portions of the cab are being integrated to the body, does that mean that they will all turn to full-plastic bodies with metal bases? Or will they sacrifice weight for parts reduction? Plastic-bodies would be a bummer. I do believe that John said something about the International going plastic, but I have heard nothing about the others. I did assume that something would happen to them eventually.

And how come the GMC Wrecker is still used if it has so many parts? It has the black base, the gray rear portion, a black crane, a black hook, a metal body, plastic windows, and two axles. That is 8 parts!
Edited by mbx64, Dec 18 2013, 03:15 PM.
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Chris W
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Midsize
David Tilley
Dec 18 2013, 06:20 AM
To me, the GMC Wrecker looks really nice like that. It may be an older model, but it is still relevant. It is a Wreck Truck, and the castings that have been done since have not been as good. It looks like they have tidied up this casting a little to make things fit together better.
Thank you David Tilley. Yes, I believe that Wal-Mart drives the price of Matchbox. Mattel wants the high sales volume and so they respond with cost reduction measures to keep the price in line with Wal-Mart expectations.

I hope that your comment above about the parts fit for the GMC Wrecker is accurate. A few years ago I liked the decoration of the Superfast version of this GMC but the windshield seemed to fit so poorly on the cab and I gave up trying to find an acceptable example. Some of the "refreshed" models look very nice. (The 2013 Isuzu Amigo comes to mind.)
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
66alfa_gtv
Dec 17 2013, 09:53 AM
Of course it's fair. Siku has taken over a spot Matchbox once held - innovation, quality and realism. Until matchbox returns to its former self ( unlikely), my money will go to a company who holds these values MBX once prided itself in.
Quality miniatures float my boat. The current line of Matchbox pokes hole in my hull while filling it with lead and anvils.
LOL! You could always squash the plastic parts with the anvils then stuff the holes in the hull with it. Too funny. I agree with the former glory of Matchbox. But for 97 cents, I'll be bringing home the Mustang, and probably the half generic, half General Motors wrecker as well.
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cody6268
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Minivan
If they want to cut costs, why not lower many of the "monster truck" models to their stock ride height. There would be less plastic and metal used, as the large supports on the base for the larger wheels would be gone, and the wheels would be smaller thus lowering the production cost. There are several that need this like the '90s F-150 and the Dodge Ram SRT-10, plus the Blaze Buster.
Edited by cody6268, Dec 19 2013, 08:49 AM.
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
cody6268
Dec 19 2013, 07:44 AM
If they want to cut costs, why not lower many of the "monster truck" models to their stock ride height. There would be less plastic and metal used, as the large supports on the base for the larger wheels would be gone, and the wheels would be smaller thus lowering the production cost. There are several that need this like the '90s F-150 and the Dodge Ram SRT-10, plus the Blaze Buster.
I'd agree with that. If they did that, I'd actually buy them.
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JoeX
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Casual JDM enthusiast
Clem, the truck IS a GMC. I picked it up for Christmas and it's stamped as a GMC Topkick on the base. Why it isn't on the package, I'm unsure.
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Bill50
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JoeX
Dec 21 2013, 03:55 AM
Clem, the truck IS a GMC. I picked it up for Christmas and it's stamped as a GMC Topkick on the base. Why it isn't on the package, I'm unsure.
Off topic but i could not resist and as MB belongs to Mattel and churns out far more realistic stuff to buy instead of toys for babies. :wave:

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