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Showcase: 1993 Ford Mustang LX SSP
Topic Started: Jan 16 2015, 09:32 PM (1,603 Views)
mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
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I am not too upset that the Volkswagen Bulli Concept was dropped. Sure, it was a great homage to the old VW buses, and is probably one of the more appealing concepts from Volkswagen because I did not fall asleep while looking at it, but production cars are the only vehicles that really make sense. If a licensed car is made, it has to be relatable to the consumer, otherwise the license is pointless. Sure, the Bulli concept looks like a VW bus, but this is a real, in-the-flesh Mustang, and that gives it more credibility.

Apart from being a Mustang, which is synonymous with Americans to the bald eagle, this is also a police car. And it does not usually get better than a police Mustang, but it does, because this one has a licensed livery. And best of all? It is the livery of the California Highway patrol, and their star emblazoned the side of the foxbody Mustang for just over 10 years starting in 1982. There is no other police deco that is as recognizable as this one, so we can be certain that the Bulli would have never been quite as stunning as this.
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It is superb to throw another (nearly) classic police car in the Matchbox vault, especially one as significant as this, but this car also opened up an entirely new aspect to the basic line: the 90's. I know what you are thinking, "Is he crazy? There are loads of 90's models Matchboxes!" and you'd be correct, but most of those were produced in the 90's. This is the first time that Matchbox has jumped back to the 90's from recent years, and this opens up a whole new world. This year there are two new models that were still being produced in the early 90's (CF Pumper and LM002), so it seems like a new decade is upon us. This Mustang is just the gateway drug.
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The casting is another area to compliment. It has been rumored that Miguel Lopez has moved to a separate department with Mattel, but at least he has a special model that we can commemorate his tenure with. The interior is full of small details, particularly the dashboard, and the even the rear shelf is equipped with emergency lights. The strobe lightbar is part of the window mold, but it looks flush and appropriate on this model. One advantage to this is that a different lightbar style can be produced for every casting. The headlights are part of the plastic window mold, so we always have a front fascia that is appealing without tampoes.
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Do I have complaints? Sure. The model is a bit large, so 1:64 is a lie (again). The entire model looks a little more long and lean than short and full, and that may be caused by the use of larger disc wheels instead of the smaller ones, which Matchbox should really use more often. With those quibbles aside, it is worth saying that I can picture this model in a 2010 blister without having to use too much of my imagination. That's praise.
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Some details up-close:
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(I love the 5.0 badge)
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A photoshoot with a Premiere version of the 1987 Thunderbird demonstrates how far along Mattel has come with clean execution:
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I guess the Mustang is a fan of the PIT maneuver!
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A rozzer from the same batch:
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CHP Galore:
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Lastly, the 1:1
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Thanks Miguel,

Nic
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Outstanding! Both the model and the write-up. :thumbup:
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Stampede
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Team Canada
Awesome review and photography, Nicolas!

This model was certainly one of the best (if not the ) best release of 2014. Unfortunately, my copy had a few minor problems, one being the rear bumper not attached properly, and some paint loss on the door. Even with these problems, I am not disappointed in the model!

Hopefully we'll see more licensed liveries on this model (as there was no shortage of departments that bought the SSP), but I can't help but feel that a separate piece for the lightbar would have opened up more possibilities (although Mattel would never let that happen). Slicktop maybe?

Finally, I'm missing that CHP Monaco!
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W Gee
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Station Wagon
thanks for the info ,eagerly waiting to find this one
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
Liking the picture of the three CHP cruisers - Buick, Dodge and Ford. I am looking forward to finding the CHP Mustang for my collection. It is proof that when Mattel wants to, they can produce a top notch $1 car for the lineup. The write up and pictures are great - makes me want to find one right now! :) And makes me want to tune in to an episode of the old Highway Patrol television show that I grew up with.
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
The 1:1 photo reminded me of the main "flaw" I see in this otherwise beautiful model (I'm not a car guy, so details about car bodies and styles usually escape me, blissfully): CHP cars all have white roofs. And, none of the Matchbox versions do.

Having spent time in California, working with CHP on accidents and roadside/vehicle fires, I'm surprised it took your Showcase article to make me realize just what it was that wasn't quite right about this model's appearance. Otherwise, this is another example of why I believe Matchbox is still worth the hunt.....

(All else aside, I realize the constraints Mattel has on costs, and getting the roof right would be problematic because the white on the roof doesn't include the window posts. But still, it makes them all just not quite right....)
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daniel60
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Personal Luxury Car
Love the set up and I have tried to copy it to no avail. :thumbup:
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Douglas
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SUV
Excellent showcase once again Nicolas,

Like others, I think this may be my favorite of the past year as well.

Blair, I noticed that white roof missing too, but I chalked it off as being an extra tampo hit (putting it over the limit) causing the compromise, but it still works for me as a fine Mbx model.

What I'd love to see is an FHP version (Florida Highway Patrol), they were one of the biggest buyers of the SSP Mustangs, I remember them well on the roads here.

This is a 91, and a bad screen capture of a video, but it's a cool car, however, I have no expectation that they could get the two tone paint (black and cream or tan) to look accurate enough with just a couple tampo hits.
I guess they'd have to paint the body the lighter color, and tampo the sides black, which would leave an inaccurate light colored hood and front end, so I don't know, maybe a premium series with more tampos.
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cody6268
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Minivan
I will be getting this one, but will Greenlight ever do this one on their SSP casting? I have the San Francisco version, and I have nothing to say against it. It is an excellent model. But, the GL cost me $5, and the Matchbox is $1, so of course the Matchbox isn't going to be as good.

I think I need to make a trip to Dollar General, as others seem to have had the best luck there recently.
Edited by cody6268, Jan 17 2015, 06:41 PM.
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Sirentoys
Fullsize
Yes MB has been skipping the white roofs on the CHP units for quite a while.

The other issue with this casting is the rear quarter window is flush with the body and is partially blacked out. On this casting because the window is recessed it make the window opening too large.

As for Florida. IN the good old days MB would use a mask and ad a second color.

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Jeff
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
Thanks for the kind words everyone! I always love to hear all of your comments and what the model means to you.

The missing white roof does not bother me too much, but it can make it look a little "off". An FHP version would be entirely possible in the Supreme Heroes range, so we can hope. :toy:
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bigcollector07
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Midsize
Since I'm from Florida, I would love to see it someday the FHP vehicle in any version, though. More importantly, many thanks Nicolas for your informative report in the CHP Mustang.
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
bigcollector07
Jan 21 2015, 08:55 PM
Since I'm from Florida, I would love to see it someday the FHP vehicle in any version, though. More importantly, many thanks Nicolas for your informative report in the CHP Mustang.
You are very welcome! :)

It seems as if a majority of the members here would like to see an FHP Mustang. Although it is not quite as recognizeable as the CHP's, it is pretty well-known and is more attractive in some cases.
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carcollector
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Thank's for the pics and the informative details about that Mustang Nicolas :thumbup:
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MRL
Microcar
Great write up and pictures. This casting is very cool.
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funeralxempire
SUV
How does this compare in size to the HW Fox body Mustang?
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
funeralxempire
Jan 29 2015, 11:21 PM
How does this compare in size to the HW Fox body Mustang?
Unfortunately I do not have a HW FB Mustang, otherwise I would gladly post a comparison picture.

Thanks guys for the compliments!
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
After I acquired a few of these (five, now.... b:ermm: ) I've become enormously enamored of this model. I think I like it better ( :shock: ) than even the recent fire engines!

I find myself ogling it and turning it round and round in my hands and marveling at the detail and overall appearance.

It's :wub:
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Barracuda68
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I'm hungry
mbx64
Jan 30 2015, 08:41 PM
funeralxempire
Jan 29 2015, 11:21 PM
How does this compare in size to the HW Fox body Mustang?
Unfortunately I do not have a HW FB Mustang, otherwise I would gladly post a comparison picture.

Thanks guys for the compliments!
I can post some...

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funeralxempire
SUV
Thank you Barracuda68, very much appreciated. :thumbup:

I've definitely got to find a few of these now. One to leave as is and a few other for track cars, so long lightbar. :D
Edited by funeralxempire, Feb 3 2015, 08:02 PM.
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mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
b2young
Feb 3 2015, 05:07 PM
After I acquired a few of these (five, now.... b:ermm: ) I've become enormously enamored of this model. I think I like it better ( :shock: ) than even the recent fire engines!

I find myself ogling it and turning it round and round in my hands and marveling at the detail and overall appearance.

It's :wub:
Don't you love it when that happens? That is what the hobby is about. I love to read that you enjoy the five models so much. :lol:

Thanks for the picture comparison Barricuda! That was helpful for me as well. I actually think the Hot Wheels does a better job with the front end being a littler "fatter".
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