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Bert Finds the Matchbox; A Nostalgia Trip
Topic Started: Oct 22 2015, 10:00 PM (23,062 Views)
guy64
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Milton Fox Racing
Jun 4 2016, 02:42 AM
Bert has a unique opinion on his parking space of the world. Does he ever go around the corner or take a vacation?
Bert's beat is a much larger area than the slice of Police Headquarters parking lot seen in these pix, but he never appears on camera while "working" there. Maybe someday...

"Hey kid, what's that 'vacation' stuff all about? Is that a thing?"
Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 12:53 AM.
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guy64
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One of our favorite Matchbox castings in yet another "New Superfast" edition...

Posted Image

This one has a decorated floor in the rear bed; painted a wood-ish tan color. Matches the tan interior, sort of. The tooling seems ok on this copy, although the top left rear corner of the bed wall looks like the mold might not have filled completely.

"You do know how to highlight the problems, doncha, kid?"

That's part of my job, Officer.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 05:51 PM.
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guy64
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If that blue 'Cuda from the Burger Zone 5-pack went with a "food" theme...

Posted Image

... maybe this pink New Superfast 'Cuda would go with... an ice cream parlor? A candy store?

"Whatever, kid. But if this guy's making a frozen yogurt run, I want chocolate."

That would make it three, Officer.

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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 05:53 PM.
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guy64
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A BMW with a little "bling"...

Posted Image

Not sure how I feel about these wheels. They're ok, I guess, though a little dated. Still, the model is done well, with tampoes, glass, body color, interior color etc., all well-chosen. It just works.

"Hey kid, if you ever get tired of those wheels, just remember..."

What could have happened? Yes, Officer, it's always a good day when that doesn't.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 05:56 PM.
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guy64
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That cool Benz rag top in silver...

Posted Image

... and again with a disappearing windshield, it's another one Bert will have to watch for. Really, when Matchbox doesn't paint the frame around it or at least tint the glass, the frame of the windshield becomes very hard to see.

But overall, this silver SL55 is pretty good. Nice wheels, good interior color (black), no crazy tamps, although silver paint alone isn't enough to represent headlights on a silver car, as this example demonstrates. Why MB didn't tamp a few black "accents" on them we can't say, but they did tamp in the "open" areas underneath the front bumper, something not done on the other two examples of this casting seen so far. So, there's that.

"I'll need to do a safety inspection of those lights, kid. You know how I hate headlight ambiguity."

I warned the driver about that already, Officer.
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Attachments: 8310MBMercBenzSL55_61c.jpg (33.24 KB)
Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 05:59 PM.
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guy64
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Bert wonders what's implied by the appearance of this one...

Posted Image

"Just what are you saying, kid? My parking lot's a dump?"

No, no, no! It's just another example of Matchbox diecast history, Officer. Nothing's implied. Besides, I'm not sure of the scale, anyway. You may not be able to get into the cab.

"Yeah, well, that's what you get for going all generic on me. It is generic, right?"

I think so... not sure really. The name "Site Dumper" is generic enough, so, yeah. I guess.

"Well, leave it here a minute. My desk is kinda messy..."
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:01 PM.
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guy64
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The Pontiac Firebird Racer in one of its less "racy" liveries...

Posted Image

... from 1993. Dunno what they were thinking at MB.

"I know what I'm thinking! I'm thinking of a black '82 Firebird that would be very embarrassed at having to wear tampoes like that!"

Yes, Officer, K.I.T.T. would certainly be appalled.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:05 PM.
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guy64
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De-tamped...

Posted Image

... and better for it.

Only issue left with this '95 Camaro (one of our favorite Matchbox castings, btw) is the interior color, a very bright blue. Kinda weird for a silver car to have a bright blue interior. Dark blue would be ok, black or dark gray would be more appropriate. But bright blue kinda makes the car look like... I dunno... like it's a UFO or something. :blink:

I've seen cars with light blue interiors, but they were usually painted blue on the outside. My parents' new '63 Nova station wagon was like that. Felt very cool inside, like you were floating in a swimming pool. But this...

"Kid, maybe you should dye this car blue!"

Maybe, Officer. It needs something done to it.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:07 PM.
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microbuss
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guy64
Jun 10 2016, 08:16 PM
Bert wonders what's implied by the appearance of this one...

Posted Image
I think this looks like a dump truck made in reverse :lol:
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guy64
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Yet another (old) New Beetle cabrio...

Posted Image

... and yet another sure-fire way for MB to unload some more flower wheels. :P

But, like I've said before, it's a wife-unit thing. :rolleyes:

But it could have been worse. The color choices are good, and even though the wind shield frame is unpainted, the tint makes the frame visible. It also makes visible the fact that the wind shield seems to be "steeper" than normal, making it stick up higher. As far as I can tell, nothing is assembled crookedly. The parts are formed well (which means the tooling is holding up well), so we can't see any cause for it. This is the only example of this casting we have with this anomaly.

"Hey kid! Maybe it's one of those 'variations' that are 'RARE' and whatnot. Maybe it's worth big $!"

Ehhhh... somehow, I doubt it, Officer.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:09 PM.
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Hobie-wan
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That is a bizarre rake on that windshield.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

guy64
Jun 7 2016, 08:31 PM
If that blue 'Cuda from the Burger Zone 5-pack went with a "food" theme...

Posted Image

... maybe this pink New Superfast 'Cuda would go with... an ice cream parlor? A candy store?

"Whatever, kid. But if this guy's making a frozen yogurt run, I want chocolate."

That would make it three, Officer.

Officer Bert has been busy!

I would call that "taffy pink," although I think the official MoPar colors at the time were Panther Pink and Moulon Rouge, although I forget which was the Dodge and which was the Plymouth. But that is pretty close to a rare color option actually available on 'Cudas and Challengers.
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guy64
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That blue '70 Elky that Bert's been waiting for...

Posted Image

Good choice of wheels, and the black interior was a good, safe choice as well. This casting's seen a lot of use over the years. It might be a nice study to document how many different wheel designs have carried it, and also how many colors it's been issued in. For some reason, this metallic color really brings out the casting lines. :o

"Well, I won't let you change the color just to mask some itty-bitty casting lines, kid."

No worries, Officer. If they don't bother you, why should I be concerned?

"Yeah. 'Swut I said."
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:16 PM.
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guy64
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Took a while to find one of these...

Posted Image

... but then, after the initial lull they began appearing regularly. Not exactly a peg-warmer, but usually found right there, in the front.

I'm not a fan of the real car; especially of its looks. That grill reminds me of a Mario Bros. mustache, or the grin of Mr. Sardonicus. Ruins the whole front end for me.

But, the Fisker Karma is a notable car, and done very close to 1/64. MB did a great job on it. Paint and deco are perfect. That subtle blue tinge gives the dark, almost-gray metallic paint an unusual "presence". MB also did a fine job of representing the solar cell top. These wheels--generic as they are--nevertheless work perfectly with the car's overall style.

Assuming the 1/65 scale figure is accurate, it should be a tad larger for Bert, but he's not complaining. Like I said, the car is "notable".

"Just get it out of here while it still runs, kid. That's all I ask."
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:22 PM.
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guy64
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Once again, we get a superb model in 1/64 scale for a buck...

Posted Image

... and, it comes to us in that ultra-blue that reminds us of an old Gumby episode.

That is not a bad thing, btw. It's a good nostalgia, a warm, fuzzy mood that makes me want to get up and pour me another bowl of Frosted Flakes! (During a commercial, of course.)

Now, the wheels might have been better. These aren't bad, but as we've pointed out before there's a definite "hybrid vibe" to these. The wheels used on that met blue Audi RS6 seen up thread would be better.

"Well kid, as blue as this thing is, I'll take it as is. You know what could have happened."

Officer, I was hoping you wouldn't bring up that possibility (shudder). :unsure:
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:23 PM.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At least it's a wagon...
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guy64
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When Bert thinks "London Taxi", this is what he has in mind...

Posted Image

Well, ok, at 1/63 scale what Bert has in mind is just a skosh smaller, but this will do. It has all the classic elements; black body, silver grill, tamped head lights and turn signals, small-disc wheels, but... no tamp on the roof beacon!

"What? Why'd they leave that off?"

No telling, Officer.

"They tamped the beacon on that red one that has lights and a grill."

Yes they did, Officer.

"It woulda been perfect!"

I know, I know. Another missed opportunity for perfection, all due to a missing beacon tamp.

"(Sigh.) I guess it still wouldn't have been perfect. Wrong scale."

Well, Officer, I suppose back-handed consolation is better than none.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:26 PM.
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Douglas
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guy64
Jun 6 2016, 07:37 PM
One of our favorite Matchbox castings in yet another "New Superfast" edition...

Posted Image

This one has a decorated floor in the rear bed; painted a wood-ish tan color. Matches the tan interior, sort of. The tooling seems ok on this copy, although the top left rear corner of the bed wall looks like the mold might not have filled completely.

"You do know how to highlight the problems, doncha, kid?"

That's part of my job, Officer.
Guess I haven't been around to visit at Bert's garage in awhile, since I missed this one, and I missed out on it when available in stores it seems too... I don't remember it at all, especially with having one of my favorite Matchbox style wheels, the style being similar to the original 1969/70 "Transitional SF" style that these copy is probably why I like them so much.
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Pete
Subcompact
guy64
Jun 18 2016, 03:13 PM
...no tamp on the roof beacon!

"What? Why'd they leave that off?"

No telling, Officer.
Perhaps the roof beacon has been deliberately missed - maybe the taxi is off-duty or already carrying a fare? (The light is only on when its free to hail).
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Diecastdriver
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Hi Bert,

I have not seen you in a very long time.
Its good to see you are still doing your thing.

Diecastdriver
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guy64
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Thanks, Diecastdriver. I'll relay your message to Bert. (He's a bit shy.)
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guy64
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A very early "post return" acquisition...

Posted Image

"Post return" being my return to the diecast collecting hobby.

At the time (early '80s) this was the only 1/64-ish Countach I could find. It always struck me as a bit crude in execution; not at all like the pre-SF MBs I was accustomed to. But, I really like the Lamborghini Countach, so it came home.

"Seems awful big for 1/64, kid."

It is, Officer. BAMCA lists it as 1/54 scale

"So, how come the pic?"

It's for reference. Why? You feel overworked, standing there?
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:30 PM.
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guy64
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I guess we all know what the tampo budget was used for on this one...

Posted Image

It wasn't for head lights, the beacon or the grill, obviously.

"Well, kid, you'll just hafta break out the silver Sharpie again."

Yeah, Officer. Lights and the silver grill are doable, at least. I'd never be able to render that signage by hand.



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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:32 PM.
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guy64
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Tamps are done right on this one...

Posted Image

MB didn't rely on silver body paint alone to render the headlights and turn signals. They gave all that a complete tampo detail treatment, and still tamped the beacon!

The full disc wheels are a great choice too, almost as good as the small disc wheels on that black one seen above. Dunno if the London Taxi has ever been operated in silver by a taxi company, but it sure looks good.

"Yeah, yeah kid, it's pretty, but what is it with you and these taxis? Now how many more of these do you have?"

I've lost count, Officer, but ease off, will ya? I missed MB's original London Taxi casting.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:35 PM.
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guy64
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Bert's tired of taxis, so...

Posted Image

... he gets a "non-taxi" in blue. And, it's that special solid blue that "takes me back" to more innocent times.

This is another early-post childhood purchase made for the slot car track. Like the Countach, this De Tomaso Pantera is way over 1/64 (1/56 per BAMCA), and also the only model of this very cool car that I could find at the time that was anywhere near the size I wanted. This casting is more detailed and generally crisper than the Countach.

Later on I would stumble onto a Tomica "Pocket Car" rendering that is much closer to the Perfect Scale. (The Tomica is 1/61 iirc.)

"Appreciate the big dose of blue, kid, even if it is too big."

Well, Officer, the car may be too big, but I figure Officer Bert can never have too much blue.
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Edited by guy64, Jul 15 2017, 06:41 PM.
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