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| Nigel Cooper's January 20th, 2014 Ambassador Report | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 21 2014, 06:48 PM (1,462 Views) | |
| mbx64 | Jan 21 2014, 06:48 PM Post #1 |
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Matchbox Collector
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The Seagrave should make many collectors happy! ================ Ambassador Report 22 ![]() INTRODUCTION I hope that the new models shown below will generate some questions that I can forward to the Matchbox team. I believe that the whole range for 2013 has been issued both in the UK and in the US, with the exception of the Evoque, which we hope to see along with the Land Rover LR4 later this year. We will keep our fingers crossed that details of the whole 2014 range will be made available next month. MATCHBOX ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS 1. What has happened to the MB842 Blizzard Buster casting? The latest batch of 5-packs has this model replaced with a basic range Sand Shredder. Will it return before production stops on the 5-pack or is the mould damaged too badly? If it does return, will there be any notable difference to the vehicle when it returns (possibly warranting a new MAN#) or is it simply a case of fixing a broken part? The Blizzard Buster has been repaired but will not return to the 5 pack before the end of the productions run, unfortunately. However, this same version will appear in the singles line. 2. The international short card (or as collectors call it, the ROW range) series for 2013 is still missing a number of brand new castings (BMW 1M, VW Karmann Ghia, Deep Diver, Whiplash, Dodge A100 Pickup, MBX Coupe) as well as version 2 of the BMW R1200TP Police Motorcycle in olive. Are these coming on short card? Until close to the end of the year the short card range was pretty much in line with the US long card range, but the last few batches things just seemed to fall apart. The worst thing is, the missing models (apart from the BMW bike) are all brand new castings, which are often hotly anticipated and sell well for the debut releases. The models you have listed for 2013 will carry over into this year in the short card. 4. When can we see the full list for the 2014 basic range? Possibly by February. 5. Can we ask if there are 8x planned 9/10-pack sets for 2014 as have been released in previous years? And that all packs will feature an exclusive model top right. Yes: this is correct on both counts. 6. In late 2013, Toys R Us in USA released 2x 9-packs with no exclusive vehicle inside. How did these come about? Both packs seemed to include similar models, and sported a large picture of the Road Raider on the front of the box (where usually the "exclusive" model is shown). This format was requested by the customer. 7. Do you know how many Skybuster models are scheduled for release in 2014? Why have some Skybusters been found in Hot Wheels packaging? There are 30 Sky Buster models scheduled for release this year(2014) , 5 of which are new tools. 8. Are there any further plans to expand on the colour changer models released in 2013? More Skybusters, or even a move into the basic range models too? Sky Buster Color Changers will carry over again in 2014 with no additional models or new decoration. NEW RELEASES The International Scout 4x4 will be included in the Explorers segment. ![]() The Road Tripper will also be used in the Explorers segment. ![]() The Sand Shredder will be a third member of the Explorers segment. ![]() The Seagrave Fire Engine will feature in both the Heroic Rescue Segment and the Fire 5 car pack. ![]() The Tractor is to be found in the Construction Segment. ![]() Although I believe that the Bus has been released, it is bound to be popular in this colour scheme and may be in short supply. Here is what you will be looking for. ![]() ![]() A Little More History Twenty years ago in 1994 I was writing an article bemoaning the fact that the old Lesney factory in Lee Conservancy Road was being demolished to make way for a housing development. It had been empty for many years and it was perhaps ironic that one reason for this was a shortage of local labour. There were few houses around this industrial sprawl and in the heyday of "Matchbox" manufacturing workers had to be bussed in from outlying areas. A good friend of mine contacted the agents responsible for the site and was able to obtain the huge six letters of LESNEY above the entrance door. He would have liked the “MATCHBOX” letters on the top of the building but there was no way of getting them down and so they were a victim of the wrecking ball. I remember visiting the site and staring into the canal which ran alongside the factory and wondering just how many pre-production models had been thrown through the open window (on account of the fact that most of the senior executives smoked) into the canal below, as was often the norm after decisions had been reached on a colour for a model. How times had changed! At the end of 1962 exports of Lesney products had reached an all time high with the bulk of exports going to West Germany. (How many of us would have guessed that the USA would have been the largest export market then?) As a comparison, Matchbox accounted for 96.6% of the 1962 increase in toy sales in this type of market. £1,000,000 was earned for Britain in exports over the year. However, my article made reference to the fact that it was impossible to find any shop or store selling the complete range of miniature models and by the end of 1994 several models had either not been released in Britain or had appeared in such small numbers that the poor collector has had to turn to imports from elsewhere. In particular, it was no wonder that the Aston Martin, highly acclaimed by the few collectors who had actually found the model, was to be withdrawn from the 1995 US range after less than a year in production. What hope did collectors have of finding the four variations recorded on this model? Thus the complaints of today regarding distribution are not new. The first version is shown along with two pre-production, more detailed Astons. ![]() ![]() The UK range in 1994. ![]() The year of 1962 had seen a price rise to 1/9d, (9p). However, the models intended for release during the year showed that the small increase was being put to good use with even more detailed features. By September 1962 Lesney had claimed to have sold over 20,000,000 miniature items of contractors' equipment. To maintain this achievement the previous MB43 Hillman Minx was replaced by an Aveling Barford TS 250 Tractor Shovel with working bucket and four extra large wheels and tyres of equal size. The 1-75 series model was released in the UK in August but had appeared in July in the US. The introduction of this model into the 1-75 line gave rise to two Tractor Shovels in the series from 1962 until February 1967, if the Weatherill Hydraulic Excavator is included. The Hatra Tractor Shovel was added to the range in January 1965. Each was distinctively different. The Aveling Barford body, with an open cab and forward mounted driving position, remained in yellow throughout the model’s six year life. The shovel and arms which pivoted up and forward may be found painted either yellow or red. Similarly, the base and driver was painted either red or yellow. This resulted in four possible colour permutations. The all yellow version as shown in the 1963 catalogue and on the 'D’ box is probably the most difficult to find. The final version is also depicted on an ‘E’ box. In 1968 the Aveling Barford Tractor Shovel was replaced by a Pony Trailer. ![]() A similar but more detailed King Size version was also released in 1962 numbered K-10. The exhaust was removed for later releases. ![]() The Hatra Tractor Shovel was also available in a range of permutations as shown. ![]() ![]() The smaller Weatherill, first seen in 1956, had given way to a larger version which remained in the range for eight years from 1959 with no change beyond the colour of the wheels from grey to black. The model shown below was possibly to decide whether costs would allow tyres on separate hubs and much smaller front wheels. Unfortunately, this idea was not followed up. ![]() Nigel Cooper 20th January 2014 |
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| Stampede | Jan 21 2014, 09:07 PM Post #2 |
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Team Canada
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Nigel always does a great job in his reports, and this one is no exception! The Seagrave looks nice with the grey base, and hopefully I'll be able to find that one. While the chrome base looks better, I feel that the grey base is acceptable as well. |
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| craftymore | Jan 21 2014, 10:54 PM Post #3 |
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Support your local demo derby.
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Red suits the Scout much better though I'm still not a fan of the casting. Will hunt down the Seagrave. |
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| mbx64 | Jan 22 2014, 11:05 AM Post #4 |
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Matchbox Collector
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I agree. The black trim with the gloss red looks really nice, even if the casting leaves little to be desired. And Terence, I will be chasing down that Seagrave too. It is making me very excited for the Mack B Pumper! |
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| cody6268 | Jan 22 2014, 03:45 PM Post #5 |
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Minivan
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I would like the Seagrave better with the chrome base, but I'm going to get this one anyway with the Crown Victoria in the same pack. I wonder what the other three are? |
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| Diecastmania | Jan 22 2014, 05:42 PM Post #6 |
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HUMMER
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Nice to see the seagrave back! Never found any seagraves on the pegs locally. |
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| Bill50 | Jan 23 2014, 08:01 AM Post #7 |
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Fullsize
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As there target audience is 2 to 5 year olds why do they make an old heap of junk like the Seagrave, certainly cannot be for the collector market as Matchbox say it is just to small according to the exclusive Keefyd interview. They are just peg warmers in the UK as no modern toddler/baby wants one in his toy box. |
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| Chris W | Jan 23 2014, 04:52 PM Post #8 |
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Midsize
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Ya know, there's a word for this and the word is . . . TROLL Oh and have a nice day.
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| Bill50 | Jan 23 2014, 05:49 PM Post #9 |
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Fullsize
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Please read the exclusive Keefyd interview before you falsely accuse me of trolling. Copy of Mattel interviewee perceived age group. "Mattel has never tried to hurt matchbox or ever tried to make it shrink. Regulators have nothing to do with it in any way. The issue is real simple. Hot Wheel stands for fast. Matchbox stands for real. 95% of kids in the world would rather have fast than real. Especially since die cast really goes from 2-5 years old. Hot wheels will always be bigger because that universal truth. Fast is more exciting to a kid that real." And you also have a nice day chap. , feed honey and not lemon juice and a good old UK saying it is not what you know but who you know. Edited by Bill50, Jan 23 2014, 06:06 PM.
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| cody6268 | Jan 23 2014, 06:24 PM Post #10 |
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Minivan
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When I was in the so-called target age range, I bought no such "fast" models. Some of my favorite models, Hot Wheels' Fire Eater, Emergency Squad, Bad Mudder, and the '57 Chevy were all bought when I was 2-5, and even back then, I loved all of them quite a bit. Also during this era, several of my now favorite Matchbox models were purchased, like the Mack Heavy Rescue, GMC wrecker, and Battering Ram. Most of my favorites back then were the models with working parts or a heavy weight. So don't judge, as not all kids want this weird stuff.
Edited by cody6268, Jan 24 2014, 07:10 AM.
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| Dean-o-mite | Jan 24 2014, 01:54 AM Post #11 |
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Muscle Car
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Hey Bill, I once heard a dude say this: feed honey and not lemon juice. Lemon juice would be calling a model that a lot of collectors like, such as the Seagrave, "an old heap of junk," and posting that opinion on a collector's forum. Honey would be nice occasionally. |
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| Bill50 | Jan 24 2014, 02:22 AM Post #12 |
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Fullsize
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You miss the point, Keefyd fed the Mattel guy honey and it paid off. As regards the Seagrave look at it from my point of view as a consumer of toy cars for two grandsons the Seagrave represents nothing, it is just old and nothing like a modern fire appliance as seen on the streets today. You have more than enough lovies to write superlatives about a UK peg warmer. Once it hits the close out stores here I will buy plenty as targets for my guns. |
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| jedimario | Jan 24 2014, 07:42 AM Post #13 |
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RAWR
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Wait, so you just buy die-cast for your grand kids, Bill? I'm confused...I thought you were a collector. Are you just trying to point out that the MB brand lacks focus when they release something a collector might like that wouldn't do well with the kids or what? |
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| 66alfa_gtv | Jan 24 2014, 11:23 AM Post #14 |
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Fullsize
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I'll take both lemons and honey on these forums. We are here to discuss the hobby, right? I agree with Bill on the Seagrave. It's an odd choice to throw into a line of toys geared for young children, and a bit dumbed down for adult collectors. It's not an overall bad little toy in its own right, but I'm not sure who would like it other than the completists or an adult who isn't into quality miniatures. |
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| Bill50 | Jan 24 2014, 12:50 PM Post #15 |
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Fullsize
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I am both a collector and a consumer but my grandsons deserve something more realistic than some ancient piece of pony dung like the Seagrave. |
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| cody6268 | Jan 24 2014, 02:09 PM Post #16 |
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Minivan
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I think you're missing an age group. There are teenagers that collect Matchbox as well. |
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| jedimario | Jan 24 2014, 03:16 PM Post #17 |
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RAWR
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It looks far better than Hot Wheels' attempt at an old timy fire engine though, that's for sure. In fact, it looks better than 90% of the current Hot Wheels mainline. |
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| Bill50 | Jan 24 2014, 03:30 PM Post #18 |
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Fullsize
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We are not missing anything at all as we know the intended market for diecast toys is 2 to 5 year olds.By adding teenagers is all very well and good but you can add any age group you want like me for instance at near on 60 or you. Apart from the excellent interview Keefyd managed with the Mattel person we also now know that the competition is drawing the toddlers away from diecast and other toys and i quote from another recently read article that diecast collectors world wide would have read by now. Copy "Children in developed countries prefer tablets, mobile phones and video games as toys and are increasingly away from traditional toys and games." We also know that sales growth for toy diecast will come from South America for instance,that is not the US&A and Europe. Copy "In emerging countries like Brazil, there is still a big child audience buying miniatures, since purchasing power is not high enough to purchase other types of toys." Edited by Bill50, Jan 24 2014, 03:31 PM.
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| mbx64 | Jan 24 2014, 09:09 PM Post #19 |
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Matchbox Collector
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So, Bill, if the Seagrave is a 'piece of pony dung' because Mattel should be targeting 2-5 year olds, then why are you not applauding the 4x4's? Those are made to attract the kids, so if you were not a hypocrite, you would actually applaud all of the 4x4's because they are aimed at the 2-5 year olds you keep mentioning. But we do not see that happening. Why? You constantly contradict yourself, Bill. You are so negative all the time that you contradict yourself within just a few sentences. It is embarrassing for you, really. You complain Mattel is ruining the Matchbox label with a 4x4 Garbage Truck, but then when they release a classic Seagrave fire truck you complain that they should be making toys aimed for kids. Well . . . HELLO. . . that 4x4 you just trashed was made for the kids. So why did you trash it? Because you contradict yourself. Maybe everyone here would take your words with more value if you looked closely and realized that you are not always right, and should not be negative just for the heck of it. And stop contradicting yourself. It is embarrassing for your points. |
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| James | Jan 24 2014, 09:45 PM Post #20 |
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Mr.Bowtie
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The only one I see here worth collecting is the seagrave, I wonder how close to 1/87 scale it is? A couple of them on the HO layout would look great |
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| craftymore | Jan 24 2014, 10:53 PM Post #21 |
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Support your local demo derby.
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@ Mr. Bowtie - The Seagrave might be somewhere between 1/87 and 1/100. |
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| Bill50 | Jan 24 2014, 11:58 PM Post #22 |
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Fullsize
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Why should i applaud the fugly 4 x 4,gaudy strange colors that do not look real. I do not contradict myself as you like to remind,being negative has played off re the Keefyd interview as he was contacted by the interviewee.Get real please and expect your collected brand to at least produce something that looks real rather than really fugly vehicles.A modern target audience consumer has no need for an old fire appliance period,by producing junk you lose more of your audience to the competition such as Simba Dickie group product with there excellent Majorette range. MB cannot make you the collector any catalog or poster because there is not enough of you to warrant the expenditure,how do you feel now.? I really do not care less what you think or anyone else either.I have a right to be negative or positive and it is my choice.I will not change my stance on the MB brand as long as they produce tat that is fugly.Other brands can make street friendly cars but MB just cannot do it and before you jump on your high horse with the little Bimmer,Audi etc those are just the odd exception to the rule. My grandsons fall within the target audience and as such i prefer to give them realistic toys to play with not the xmas cracker junk as issued by MB. As seen on the streets "Realistic and retails for just a £1" ![]() As seen on the streets of MB (waccy baccy land) ![]() I rest my case. Edited by Bill50, Jan 25 2014, 03:23 AM.
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| JoeX | Jan 25 2014, 01:40 AM Post #23 |
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Casual JDM enthusiast
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Wait. The Scout has a new deco already? The purple one is a 2014 deco, isn't it? Or is it one of the last 2013 releases of it? |
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| cody6268 | Jan 25 2014, 07:40 AM Post #24 |
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Minivan
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I actually collect Tomica and Majorette, as they have changed little in 30 or 40 odd years. One Pound?! That's like $1.50. They are like $3 or $4 here in the US when they can be found, or in my area probably not found. I think that Mattel is killing Matchbox with this whole "it can only have four parts excluding the four wheels" thing. Tomica and Majorette still have opening and moving parts. For example, on Tomica's Rescue Truck III Type, I counted 9 parts: three on the crane arm (excluding the pins that hold it together), the rescue body, the floodlight, the body, interior, light bar, and base. Matchbox would never let that happen. I think most of the newer generics are really bad. If I get stuck buying a 9-pack, I usually put these weird car generics in a box that I give away, to a kid who doesn't care what they look like. Edited by cody6268, Jan 25 2014, 07:47 AM.
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| mbx64 | Jan 25 2014, 10:57 AM Post #25 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Joe, The purple one is 2014 mainline version A, and this red one is most likely 2014 mainline version B. 5 models in the 2014 mainline will be (rather pointlessly) recolored. |
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3:36 AM Jul 11
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, feed honey and not lemon juice and a good old UK saying it is not what you know but who you know.




3:36 AM Jul 11