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| MC Gathering "Emergency Report"; A Review and a Preview | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 28 2014, 10:18 PM (3,361 Views) | |
| Hoseman | Jul 28 2014, 10:18 PM Post #1 |
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2014 Matchbox Collectors Gathering report... Emergency Style! As usual, several excellent reports have already been published on the Matchbox Collectors Gathering, but this report focuses only on the Emergency Vehicle aspect of the event. The Dinner and Presentation: After the dinner we had the pleasure of visiting via skype with Michael Heralda who could not be there due to an ongoing battle with an illness. Michael stayed online with us long enough to see Mr. Larry Scadutto get named as the new Ambassador and Mr Nigel Cooper was issued his Golden Bus for his service as Ambassador. Thank you for the excellent job Nigel and congratulations to you Larry! ![]() Once the new Ambassador was named the Matchbox Design Team gave us a mini-line preview for 2015 and a brief look at things to come. Matchbox will once again be an Adventure contest similar to the event from this past year. The next promotion will start in spring of 2015 and will have a Fire/Rescue theme. More details will be revealed on the blister cards as the promotion develops. Mattel will continue with the same core vehicle groups as last year including Heroic Rescue line which will include Police, Fire, EMS, and Military. The 2015 line will include 125 models (most likely five being recolors). In 2014 MB had focused on trying to differentiate themselves from HW by having a lot of Tough vehicles. They said they had accomplished that goal and would be dialing that effort back in 2015. Hopefully this will work out well for emergency vehicle collectors. OK, so here it is... Emergency vehicles featured in the 2015 line include: 70s era Mack CF Pumper as seen from these photos of the preproduction resin model ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A generic CFR called the Airport Crash Truck (no photo available) A Firefighting dune buggy called the Spark Arrestor ![]() BMW M5 Police Car ![]() Generic Fire Boat ![]() I am excited about this one! ![]() Ghe-O Rescue vehicle from Romania (photos of the real things available in online search) Seen here are several pre pro resins for 2015 ![]() A few other models that are coming soon include the PD Mustang ![]() Toyota Tacoma Life Guard truck ![]() a Dodge Monaco (prepro colors) with molded in lights instead of separate light bar ![]() another PD prepro ![]() A few other models that may also be of interest to emergency collectors (or kit-bashers) are the Airboat and the Jeep Willys in the Explorers line as well as the 2013 Ford Gargo semi truck and Meter Made in the Adventure City line. New Premium Diecast line 2015 will also feature a premiere line featuring 18 Police, Fire, EMS, and life guard vehicles. These models will all have markings of real departments and agencies (some that have been used in the past and some first time) A few of the agencies mentioned were the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Aurora Fire Department, L.A. Children’s Hospital, UCLA, and San Luis Obispo City Fire Department (SLO City Fire). All of the models in this line will feature Mattel’s new two piece wheels. This will limit some of the models that can be used as they may not be capable of fitting the new wheels. From the photo shown during the slide show of the coming line some of the vehicles that I saw included the Pierce Pumper, the International Pumper, the International Brush truck, the Mack B pumper, the Hazard Squad and the Ford F550 pumper. As always, these may be subject to change and we will know for sure once they hit the pegs. Sorry, there were no photos of these my models that I am allowed to show. Charity Auction: The auction featured more than a 100 great items which were donated by Mattel, Paul Carr and many generous collectors. All proceeds from the auction went to Rachels Courtyard (charity to help children and families in a local hospital). The auction raised a record of over $7,000 and the emergency related vehicles in the auction included: •Matchbox Ford LTD prepro model $60 ![]() •Toyota Tacoma Life Guard truck prepro model $310 ![]() •Superlift Ford E350 pumper prepro model $200 ![]() •Mack B fire pumper prepro model $260 ![]() •Dennis Sabre prepro model $210 ![]() •Ford Bronco Police prepro model ![]() •Generic MB Ambulance prepro model $80 ![]() •Real Working Rigs Fire Stalker prepro model $190 ![]() •And a few others ![]() ![]() ![]() •Large wall poster of Seagrave pumper ![]() The toy show / in-room trading: As usual there were many opportunities for collectors to add to their collections including the in room trading and the toy show. Everett Marshall Charity model: This year Everett Marshall charity model is the Mack B pumper in black. Another incredible model from MB for the Everett Marshall Charity golf tournament! ![]() Of course, I open just about everything in my collection so here are so close ups ![]() ![]() ![]() I was happy to see the use of wooden colored ladders on this era of the Mack as opposed to silver colored aluminum ladders - ![]() Incidentally, the regular line Mack began to hit the shelves right around this time as well ![]() a very nice model but alas, the wooden ladders did not carry over to the regular line model ![]() Dealer Model: The 2014 Gathering dealer model was the Dodge Charger Pursuit done as an Albuquerque Police Department cruiser. The officer that drives the actual vehicle was on hand at the event as well. ![]() ![]() There were several dealers at the show selling mostly emergency vehicles at their tables. I was busy for the most part so did not get a chance to photograph any of them other than my own table ![]() During the Gathering Toy Show we were visited by the Albuquerque Police Department and a young boy named (Officer) Andrew. Andrew is very ill and through the Make a Wish foundation he chose to be a APD SWAT Officer for a day. The APD gave this young man the royal treatment, swearing him in as a APD Officer, taking him on a helicopter flight to search for a bad guy named the Sunday Morning Bandit, they shut down the freeway and took him on a presidential motorcade across ABQ to a donut shop for a snack. He then got radioed that the Bandit had been cornered at a local park, he responded and was able to apprehend and cuff the bandit, then came to the Toy Show where he was presented with the very first APD MB car and also given a gift basket by the Mattel Design Team. It was a touching moment and it meant a lot to Andrew and his family. My hat’s off to Jim G, the APD, Dave Weise and everyone at Mattel for making this happen. There you have it… for what it is worth that is my report. I hope you got some new info or at least confirmed some old news. Until next year… take care and stay safe! Edited by Hoseman, Jul 29 2014, 10:23 PM.
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| Swifty | Jul 28 2014, 10:43 PM Post #2 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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2015 looks to be a good year for emergency collectors! Thank you for the report - I was unable to attend this year (though I hope to return next year). Looks like a great time, and kudos to everyone who made Officer Andrew's wish come true.
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| pjedsel | Jul 28 2014, 10:59 PM Post #3 |
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Muscle Car
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Thanks for the report Sammy. The proposed premium line of emergency vehicles sounds very promising - I do look forward to those and am especially glad they will have the markings of real departments. The Mack CF Pumper should be a winner as well as the police cars. I like the dealer model - would be one I would be tempted to try and find since it represents a real department. |
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| Hoseman | Jul 28 2014, 11:36 PM Post #4 |
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Hi PJ, I don't think I mentioned it but... the police dealer model is going to be really hard to find. The dealers were only able to buy one each... which is different than year's past. Many models went to APD and their personnel so the number of those available to the public have been greatly decreased. Just FYI |
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| Stampede | Jul 29 2014, 12:22 AM Post #5 |
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Team Canada
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In regards to the ABQ Charger, it looks really nice, and I want one, but $60 is out of my price range. Sammy, thanks for showing the events of the gathering! The story of Officer Andrew is especially heartwarming! It is my dream to attend one day, and meet you guys there! I too am looking forward to the premium line, as it sounds great! Edited by Stampede, Jul 29 2014, 12:39 AM.
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| poorvanner | Jul 29 2014, 07:52 AM Post #6 |
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Thanks for the report. Best one I have seen yet. |
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| b2young | Jul 29 2014, 02:22 PM Post #7 |
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Sad firefighter
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Believe it or not, I had an opportunity to buy one of the ABQ Chargers and passed thinking it would be seen around the room so other chances would pop up. Wrong-O! As Homer would say, "D'Oh!" Great report, Sammy! Can't wait for 2015.....well, at least for the toys! Still lots of THIS year to go. Edited by b2young, Jul 29 2014, 02:24 PM.
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| Brian49 | Jul 29 2014, 04:04 PM Post #8 |
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Station Wagon
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Great report, and thank you for thinking of those of us who can not make it out west! A lot of great stuff to look forward to in 2015, I am really stoked to see they are going back to using some actual departments and the new Premier line of emergency vehicles. I am also pretty stoked for the Mack B and now Mack CF! Also on a side note, as a collector I enjoyed the fact the light bar on the Crown Victoria and Dodge Monaco where separate pieces, as a parent the light bars cast in will be less stress as they will not "pop" and require me to glue back on (which is really not a big deal), but the real issue is the ones that fall off and get loss! Edited by Brian49, Jul 29 2014, 04:08 PM.
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| Neil Huss1 | Jul 29 2014, 10:08 PM Post #9 |
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Firefighter Huss
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I just love the Mack Cf ... Looks like the one i started riding on when i first started volunteering .. |
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| pjedsel | Jul 29 2014, 11:23 PM Post #10 |
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Muscle Car
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Oh well - since the gathering is in Albuquerque every year it would be great to see one of their PD cars as part of the proposed premium line of emergency vehicles.
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| b2young | Jul 30 2014, 11:27 AM Post #11 |
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Sad firefighter
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Not to mention, wondering/worrying about WHERE they got lost (whose little mouths might they have ended up in....) Edited by b2young, Jul 30 2014, 11:27 AM.
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| Lt engine 4 | Jul 30 2014, 12:31 PM Post #12 |
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Microcar
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How do i get a copy of that poster of the seagrave in front of the firehouse? That is my station in the picture and it would look great framed in our patrol room. It's actually two different fire stations one is the city of Revere, the otherside of the duplex is Malden. Any help you could give would e greatly appreciated! Heres a link to the station photo. http://www.firenews.org/mass/m/malden/MaldenRevereSta.jpg |
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| b2young | Jul 30 2014, 01:20 PM Post #13 |
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Sad firefighter
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The poster is one of a kind. Mattel/Matchbox makes a set of giant (they're 43"x65") posters as a donation to the charity auction held each year at the convention in Albuquerque. It was won by one of the collectors (I don't know who) at the auction. (I won one of the posters last year, of the F350 Superlift Ford pumper). Your only option is to simply copy the photo above and print it out to post on the firehouse wall. (Additional comment: there were 3 posters this year, and each is different, of a different Matchbox vehicle and scene, not all of them fire vehicles.) That IS pretty cool to see the actual firehouse the Matchbox team used for its inspiration/background. I don't have any "line" to the Mattel crew, and the poster is MEANT to be exclusive, to render it's value priceless and encourage the nice donations to charity that result from the auction. But, who knows, maybe Mattel would be sympathetic to your question....since they used your firehouse. Sorry I can't help you with that. Edited by b2young, Jul 30 2014, 01:33 PM.
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| Hoseman | Jul 30 2014, 02:12 PM Post #14 |
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Hello LT, welcome to the app bay. Blair summed it up pretty well with his explanation. If I were you I might try getting in touch with Mattel/MB and inquiring there. Like Blair mentioned, I doubt they will make another poster but they might be willing and able give you the file or image to have printed or print out yourself. Never know unless you ask. Good luck. |
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| cody6268 | Jul 30 2014, 04:28 PM Post #15 |
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Minivan
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The light bars won't pop off. I had a Ford Ambulance (the old one with no interior) that I wanted to remove the light bar on to switch out on another model, and I needed my flat blade screwdriver to pry it loose. I really don't mind the change, as long as the windows are either smoke or clear. But I wish they had chosen to mold a period-correct Federal Twinsonic light bar on the Dodge Monaco. Edited by cody6268, Jul 30 2014, 04:30 PM.
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| b2young | Aug 1 2014, 07:43 PM Post #16 |
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Sad firefighter
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Interesting thought....since they had to make a new mold ("tool") to cast the lightbar into the "glass", why not go for the added realism? It's not like they can use that same tool for a different automobile make.... |
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| rifire911 | Aug 2 2014, 09:55 AM Post #17 |
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Microcar
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Thanks for the great report Sammy. The biggest disappointment for me at the Gathering was hearing David Weise say that Matchbox had been working with American LaFrance to create some models, but the talks ended when ALF ceased operations. I would have loved an open cab 700 Series in the lineup. Hoping for a Mack C Heavy Rescue in 2016 |
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| Douglas | Aug 2 2014, 12:56 PM Post #18 |
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SUV
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Thanks for the report Sammy, looks like 2015 will be a great year for us Matchbox emergency vehicle fans. I was actually kind of hoping the orange color was going to be part of the Monaco's paint scheme this year, with the thoughts of it being dressed as an old time construction engineers vehicle, or possibly a city/county code enforcement vehicle....maybe another time.....they still need to do a red fire chief though, so maybe that's what we'll get instead. It's a very touching story what APD and all those involved did for Andrew, or rather Officer Andrew, I'm sure it was an unforgettably fun adventure for him. |
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| Douglas | Aug 2 2014, 01:05 PM Post #19 |
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SUV
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That's cool! Hope you can get a copy of the poster somehow. |
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| cody6268 | Aug 2 2014, 01:37 PM Post #20 |
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Minivan
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One accuracy goof that bugs me on the Mack is that there is no Bulldog on the sides, instead they used the Mack script. For a model that costs a buck, though, there is no reason to complain.
Edited by cody6268, Aug 2 2014, 01:37 PM.
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| Brian49 | Aug 2 2014, 04:20 PM Post #21 |
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Station Wagon
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By "pop off" I was referring to the fact that over the years between play, being dropped and what ever else a now 5 and 8 year old have put their cars through the light bars do get knock off or parts of them get broken off. The vehicles with the molded lights in the windows seem to just get scuffed up. I know I have reattached the lights to a number of MBX models. The kids also have a few after market slick tops since the missing lights where either lost, or gradually broken off over time. At toy shows and such I have also seen many a Ford Ambulance or Crown Victoria with missing light also, so it seems it's not just my kids. |
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| mbx64 | Aug 10 2014, 01:13 PM Post #22 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Thanks for the Report. For some reason, information out of this years Gathering has only been trickling out. Usually there is a surge of photos and news, but this year was more quiet in terms of posts regarding the event afterwards. I am glad I finally saw an up-close of the Crown Vic. It really looks clean, and I am glad we will be seeing this model used again from now on. Hip-hip-Hooray! Regarding the Monaco, I find it weird that they made it look like the modern strobe lightbar (used on the Subaru Impreza) rather than the older strobe-light style like what was used on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. I hope these one-piece models do not suffer from red and blue window tint, too. On modern police cars, clear lightbars make sense, but on older ones, not so much. The story about Andrew was a pleasure to read. I am glad that dreams are still coming true!
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