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Bert Finds the Matchbox; A Nostalgia Trip
Topic Started: Oct 22 2015, 10:00 PM (23,066 Views)
guy64
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One more "official" vehicle for Bert...

Posted Image

Call us crazy, but we're always glad to see another edition of the '97 Tahoe. It's a bit small at 1/67, but this one still has plenty of room for carrying Bert's 1/64 furry "assistants". This vintage of Chevy SUV also has a peculiar sort of mundane coolness about it, and the mud tires... well, why not mud tires for once? Who knows where those dogs will need to go? Speaking of which, it's great to have a "K-9 Corps" edition of the Tahoe, and the other deco choices for this one--glass and interior colors--are spot on. Good job, Matchbox! :thumbup:

Only thing is, the tooling is showing some serious wear. The front edge of the hood is way too thick, preventing the grill from seating properly. On this copy the wind shield opening is formed well, but on other examples we have the top edge is rough. It would be great if MB could refurbish the tooling.

"Kid, I'd rather they just redo the thing completely."

If they did that Officer, they'd probably make it even smaller than 1/67.

"Oh, yeah. Good point."
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:23 AM.
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Douglas
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I wouldn't mind them doing a later Tahoe than this, of course scale is not as important an issue for me, though I would like them to do the model with a light bar for emergency vehicle use.... I suspect Bert likes flashing lights on the roof as well. :D
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guy64
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Lots of black on this one...

Posted Image

... but no white. Yeah, it's a civilian Range Rover. Bert can't use this one for official business.

BUT... it's 1/64! MB also made optimum use of the tampo budget with head/tail lights and the front name badge. Mud tires for roving on the range, neutral tint in the glass, good interior color, all great choices. Our only quibble is the transparent side pillars, but that's fixable for anyone who doesn't mind dinging the collectability factor a tad.

Oh, did I mention it's 1/64? It is! Well, that's what the base says, anyway.

"And you trust that, huh kid?"

Well Officer, that's why I have you in these shots. What do you think?

"Mmm, close... pretty doggone close..."
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:25 AM.
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guy64
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Douglas
Apr 9 2016, 05:15 PM
I wouldn't mind them doing a later Tahoe than this, of course scale is not as important an issue for me
But, otoh, you certainly wouldn't mind if MB made the casting 1/64 scale, right? I mean it wouldn't prevent you from buying the model if--for some strange reason--it happened to be 1/64, right?

Of course it wouldn't!

See that, Matchbox? You don't have to avoid 1/64 scale any more!

Now, isn't that fact positively liberating?

"Kid, you're not expecting Mattel to listen to you, are you?"

(Sigh.) Not really, Officer, but I gotta try. Even though I'm probably... :beatit:
Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:26 AM.
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funeralxempire
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guy64
Apr 11 2016, 06:59 PM
Douglas
Apr 9 2016, 05:15 PM
I wouldn't mind them doing a later Tahoe than this, of course scale is not as important an issue for me
But, otoh, you certainly wouldn't mind if MB made the casting 1/64 scale, right? I mean it wouldn't prevent you from buying the model if--for some strange reason--it happened to be 1/64, right?

Of course it wouldn't!

See that, Matchbox? You don't have to avoid 1/64 scale any more!

Now, isn't that fact positively liberating?

"Kid, you're not expecting Mattel to listen to you, are you?"

(Sigh.) Not really, Officer, but I gotta try. Even though I'm probably... :beatit:
HW did a Honda DC2, but since it's 1:64 I only need one. If it was ~1:60 I'd need at least a dozen (the 2000 Civic is 1:58 or so). HW did their Supra JZA80 at 1:64, so now I need more of the older MBX one which is 1:58. If I was as picky over stuff not being 1:64, I'd probably just stick to TLV/Kyosho/GL/HW100% and other 'true 1:64 scale adult collectible diecast models'. Matchbox doesn't have to avoid 1:64, but there's no reason to assume that them sticking strictly to 1:64 would significantly alter sales. You'd buy more, I'd buy less and most everyone else would fail to notice. That's why they don't listen, us folks who are picky about scale are a tiny minority of adult collectors who combined represent a small minority of overall sales for MBX/HW/Tomica/Majorette/other toy brands.

Who knows, in a few years as 3D printing (and scanning) becomes cheaper and more sophisticated it might not matter what scale they were initially done in. Just scan your item, scale it up or down as needed and make a copy. That might even allow for stuff only released in 1:43/1:72/1:87 to be recreated to suit both our collections.
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guy64
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funeralxempire
Apr 11 2016, 07:54 PM
HW did a Honda DC2, but since it's 1:64 I only need one. If it was ~1:60 I'd need at least a dozen (the 2000 Civic is 1:58 or so). HW did their Supra JZA80 at 1:64, so now I need more of the older MBX one which is 1:58. If I was as picky over stuff not being 1:64, I'd probably just stick to TLV/Kyosho/GL/HW100% and other 'true 1:64 scale adult collectible diecast models'. Matchbox doesn't have to avoid 1:64, but there's no reason to assume that them sticking strictly to 1:64 would significantly alter sales. You'd buy more, I'd buy less and most everyone else would fail to notice. That's why they don't listen, us folks who are picky about scale are a tiny minority of adult collectors who combined represent a small minority of overall sales for MBX/HW/Tomica/Majorette/other toy brands.

Who knows, in a few years as 3D printing (and scanning) becomes cheaper and more sophisticated it might not matter what scale they were initially done in. Just scan your item, scale it up or down as needed and make a copy. That might even allow for stuff only released in 1:43/1:72/1:87 to be recreated to suit both our collections.
I'm curious, funeralxempire. Why 1/60 and not 1/64? (Just wondering.)

HW did the DC2 in 1/64? Was that a 100% Hot Wheels edition, or a regular blue card? Yes, there is high-$ 1/64 stuff available, but who can buy that stuff all the time? If the HW 2000 Civic was 1/64, I'd buy it in every color scheme I could find. As it is: Zip. Same with every other Asian car they made too big that I would have bought if it was 1/64.

I'm not suggesting MB (or HW for that matter) make everything 1/64, I know they can't do that. It's just that, when they could have with a given model, why not? I think there are a lot more people who would rather have as many models as possible at 1/64 than at 1/60 (not to mention 1/58). If that weren't true, there wouldn't be several companies vying for the 1/64 market.

Just doesn't make sense to me.

But then, I've given up on Mattel making sense, especially with Matchbox.
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funeralxempire
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guy64
Apr 12 2016, 12:39 AM
funeralxempire
Apr 11 2016, 07:54 PM
HW did a Honda DC2, but since it's 1:64 I only need one. If it was ~1:60 I'd need at least a dozen (the 2000 Civic is 1:58 or so). HW did their Supra JZA80 at 1:64, so now I need more of the older MBX one which is 1:58. If I was as picky over stuff not being 1:64, I'd probably just stick to TLV/Kyosho/GL/HW100% and other 'true 1:64 scale adult collectible diecast models'. Matchbox doesn't have to avoid 1:64, but there's no reason to assume that them sticking strictly to 1:64 would significantly alter sales. You'd buy more, I'd buy less and most everyone else would fail to notice. That's why they don't listen, us folks who are picky about scale are a tiny minority of adult collectors who combined represent a small minority of overall sales for MBX/HW/Tomica/Majorette/other toy brands.

Who knows, in a few years as 3D printing (and scanning) becomes cheaper and more sophisticated it might not matter what scale they were initially done in. Just scan your item, scale it up or down as needed and make a copy. That might even allow for stuff only released in 1:43/1:72/1:87 to be recreated to suit both our collections.
I'm curious, funeralxempire. Why 1/60 and not 1/64? (Just wondering.)

HW did the DC2 in 1/64? Was that a 100% Hot Wheels edition, or a regular blue card? Yes, there is high-$ 1/64 stuff available, but who can buy that stuff all the time? If the HW 2000 Civic was 1/64, I'd buy it in every color scheme I could find. As it is: Zip. Same with every other Asian car they made too big that I would have bought if it was 1/64.

I'm not suggesting MB (or HW for that matter) make everything 1/64, I know they can't do that. It's just that, when they could have with a given model, why not? I think there are a lot more people who would rather have as many models as possible at 1/64 than at 1/60 (not to mention 1/58). If that weren't true, there wouldn't be several companies vying for the 1/64 market.

Just doesn't make sense to me.

But then, I've given up on Mattel making sense, especially with Matchbox.
The DC2 was new to the mainline for 2016.

Why 1/60 over 1/64? Inertia. That's what most of the cars I liked to display were; I've slowly removed everything that's smaller than 1/61 or bigger than 1/58. Had they been consistent with 1/64 to begin with that would be where I'd want them to standardize, but since they hadn't the bulk of what I have will drive that preference.

I don't believe we have several companies vying for the 1/64 market at the toy price point. They're vying for the 3 inch toy market. While there might be as many people who want strict 1/64 as there are people who would want any other close size (1/60 for example) combined, all of those people added up regardless of what scale they'd prefer would still only be a small minority of adult collectors.

Who has money for the high end stuff? Those in the hobby who demand a certain level of quality, detail and strictness in terms of scale seem to justify it. It doesn't seem to make much sense to buy stuff that doesn't meet your parameters and then beat your dead horse yet again over how it's no good. Especially when leaving the unsuitable stuff behind will expand your budget for stuff that doesn't annoy you. But, expecting collectors to make sense is like expecting toy manufacturers to.
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Douglas
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guy64
Apr 11 2016, 06:59 PM
But, otoh, you certainly wouldn't mind if MB made the casting 1/64 scale, right? I mean it wouldn't prevent you from buying the model if--for some strange reason--it happened to be 1/64, right?

It's not as much a scale issue for me as that I prefer collecting 3 inch or smaller size models, (fitting Jammers cases :lol: ) not that I don't have some bigger also, but I think vehicles like the Tahoe would work anyway at 1/64, and still fit the 3" range.

I know I don't usually get the bit bigger than 3" HWs pick ups, because to me they seem too big for a $1 HW's, crazy I know, but still, I might get it anyway if it's an emergency vehicle paint scheme, or something else that grabs my attention. :D

On the other hand, even the 3" bugs me sometimes, when it comes to what should be tiny little cars, like Mini's, and VW's bugs, to me they should be scaled down more than the 3" companies usually do, so they look more realistic with other 3" cars and trucks,
Edited by Douglas, Apr 12 2016, 05:15 PM.
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guy64
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funeralxempire
Apr 12 2016, 04:09 AM
Why 1/60 over 1/64? Inertia. That's what most of the cars I liked to display were; I've slowly removed everything that's smaller than 1/61 or bigger than 1/58. Had they been consistent with 1/64 to begin with that would be where I'd want them to standardize, but since they hadn't the bulk of what I have will drive that preference.

Thanks, funeralxempire, I had a hunch that's what it was: "Inertia" as you put it. That's always a problem when anyone wants to tweak a traditional practice.
Edited by guy64, Apr 12 2016, 10:35 PM.
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guy64
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funeralxempire
Apr 12 2016, 04:09 AM
I don't believe we have several companies vying for the 1/64 market at the toy price point.
True, we don't, at the toy price point, and that was part of my complaint. But my point was, when newer diecast companies go for the current "collectors" market they aim squarely at 1/64 scale (as far as the 3" zone is concerned, anyway). 1/64 scale has tremendous appeal, and I don't think it has any less appeal in the $1 range.

As for buying "stuff that doesn't annoy" me, The items that I have which are outside our current scale window were acquired long before companies such as M2, GreenLight, Auto World and others existed. I never bought anything just to complain about it, but only because it was the closest I could come to 1/64 at the time of purchase. (Unless it's a Bug. Then all bets are off.) Lately the availability of newer (though pricier) castings has indeed refocused my buying habits--away from Mattel products (including Matchbox)--which I doubt Mattel would find desirable.

So, you see, as a collector, I do make more sense than might be apparent. :02:
Edited by guy64, Apr 12 2016, 11:03 PM.
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guy64
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But enough about scale policy! Let's talk FOOD...

Posted Image

... or, at least food-related vehicles.

This is the other Burger Zone '57 Chevy, which also came in a play set. Even with the same body color it's a bit more elegant than the BZ '57 seen earlier, having chrome bumpers (instead of black) and more "controlled" BZ graphics, which leave room for the stock Chevy side trim tampoes. Both have the same dark red interior.

But, I still miss the red and yellow checks of the other version so we're glad to have both.

"The sight of either one makes me hungry, kid. What's that mean?"

That means it's working Officer.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:29 AM.
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guy64
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A favorite casting of one of my favorite cars...

Posted Image

... in a color that is not exactly a favorite. :P

Oh well, I like MB's '71 Camaro enough that I'd probably buy the $1 version no matter what color it came in. And the black interior and hood stripe go well with the gold, so, not bad. At least it's not dirty-dishwater gold.

"But kid, it's not 1/64."

No, Officer, and I'd much rather it was, but at 1/62 it's not that far off. (See? I'm not impossible to please.) :D

Besides, it stacks great on a certain '70s-modern transporter...

Posted Image

(Please ignore the GreenLight 1/64 scale ringer.)
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:32 AM.
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guy64
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One that almost escaped us...

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It would have, if a certain older sister of mine hadn't been dabbling in diecast collecting when this one was a current issue. She bought a few "toys" for her son, and next thing you know she's buying anything that she finds appealing. As a trained illustrator she was being drawn in by the diecast artistry. It was all gathered into a couple of Jammer cases until the son dropped "toys" for music, and from there on out it's been guitar, guitar, guitar. She got tired of storing the cases and decided to make a B-Day present of them to me. (You should see what else was in those cases!)

This red F-100 is--I think--the oldest issue of the '56 Ford casting that we have, certainly one of the cleanest. We're really glad MB hasn't treated this model the way they have some others; that is, issuing a couple versions and then retiring the tooling.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Hmmmm....put a pizza sign on the top, and it's Papa John's Camaro in diecast all over again!
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guy64
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Papa John's and gold Camaros? I missed that commercial.

But then, I haven't had TV on my cable for several years now. :D
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guy64
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Another appearance of the you-know-whats...

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... FLOWER WHEELS!

"Folks, s'cuse me while I duck outta here for awhile..."

I know you're wary of another flower wheel rant, Officer, but there's no need to seek shelter. This is one example of flower wheels being... well, vaguely appropriate. The Pepe Le Pew motif is an apt reference. Yes, I know Flower the skunk is a Disney character, but Pepe has been seen sniffing flowers in at least one of his films (as the flowers next to him wilt in his wake).

Only, in this case, it's the "flowers" that stink.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:37 AM.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

guy64
Apr 15 2016, 09:30 PM
Papa John's and gold Camaros? I missed that commercial.

But then, I haven't had TV on my cable for several years now. :D
Posted Image

which led to:

Posted Image

which now seems to be pretty hard to find....haven't seen anyone else show one off in years, the last being Wyatt when he finally got one to post on the JLCollector site.

:D

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guy64
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From the "Around the World" series of 2004...

Posted Image

I'd be very surprised if we still had the "camera" that came with it. What the VW Concept 1 has to do with Stonehenge is beyond me, and I probably got this one with tampo removal in mind. Either that, or I was shocked to find a version of the casting with non-flower wheels on it.

Or, the wife-unit was with me and had one of her "Look! A BUG!!" moments. That's been known to happen.

"Kid, they did the blue glass thing again."

Yup, and they don't have the light bar issue to fall back on, either.

"Well, no emergency lighting means it's not a fleet vehicle, which means I don't hafta drive it."

I can sense your relief from here, Officer.
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guy64
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Never expected to find this one...

Posted Image

And the VW Concept 1 looks so cool in black. Plus that oversized VW badge on the side makes a real "VW" statement. The smoked glass and dark interior all work well together. It's a beauty among Bugs.

But then they had to "spoil the ride". The spoiler(s) shouldn't be too hard to spot, either.

"No need to tell me kid, I know what the problem is. But you should be getting used to it by now."

Well, Officer, with this one there's an additional factor to factor into our factoring. You may have noticed that these particular flower wheels are different from any others we've seen before. Look at the tires.

"What about the ti... oh! They're taller than usual!"

Yup. "Higher profile" is the tech term, I believe. And you know what that implies?

"It implies there could be twice as much flower wheel tooling as we fea... er, thought."

And that means...?

"That means it could take... twice as much time for the tooling to wear out."

Yyyyyyyyyup!
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:42 AM.
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microbuss
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Stonehenge?
Am looking for the 1957 Chevy BelAir with Carhenge on it! ;)

the Auto Transport am missing the tractor for it!
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poorvanner
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*In Memory Of*
guy64
Apr 18 2016, 08:28 PM
Well, Officer, with this one there's an additional factor to factor into our factoring. You may have noticed that these particular flower wheels are different from any others we've seen before. Look at the tires.

"What about the ti... oh! They're taller than usual!"

Yup. "Higher profile" is the tech term, I believe. And you know what that implies?
I have never noticed that before. A non-low profile tire.
But then, I don't have this VW casting, or any like it.
But, I do wonder if that tire/wheel shows up on any of the castings that I do collect, that are graced by the presence of flower wheels. :duh:
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guy64
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The high-profile flower wheel will show up again under another VW casting, Brian.

Funny thing, I don't think I noticed them either, until years ago when I began uploading these pix to photobucket. :blink:
Edited by guy64, Apr 20 2016, 06:33 PM.
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guy64
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Let's take a break from ugly round things...

Posted Image

This Concept 1 came with a storybook that had very thick cardboard pages. We got it on sale as I recall. I've never seen it in this color as a regular issue, and I wasn't able to find it in the BAMCA database. (Doesn't mean it's not there somewhere, I just couldn't find it.)

It's a nice color of green, but the casting has some issues. Tooling wear is beginning to appear as casting lines running under the headlights and into the bottom corners of the wind shield. The rear wheel arches are not completely formed, either. Too bad, given the great choices of glass, interior and body colors. Still we were glad to find this less common Concept 1 version (especially on sale).
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Edited by guy64, Jul 13 2017, 02:43 AM.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

:thumbup:

Ah, the Rabbit in Bug's clothing... <sigh>
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microbuss
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you knows the owner did get that Camaro back B)
Also Matchbox made a VW New Beetle in orange but both logo were printed upside down! :lol:
Also made one for Taco Bell too
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