Welcome folks to another week of Matchbox sneak peaks. I hope you are enjoying the new accelerated frequency of the reports. They might be a little short and sweet, but a little new stuff each week doesn’t hurt.
For this week’s sneaks we shall head for the hills. Or the deserts. Or the jungles. Or the safaris. Or wherever the off-roaders go. As you take a look at these off-road vehicles, all of which are new castings, you see that the Matchbox team was serious when they said they were diving deep into this “Unstoppable” theme. The wheels are bigger, the grills are meaner, and yes, the designs are younger.
There is no need to get into the debate that has occupied Matchbox forums all over the web, but it is my guess that some of our collector friends will not be too happy with these. That is of course everyone’s right, and I will even admit that a couple won’t make it to my collection. But I will say that while some of these are not the traditional Matchbox collector’s cup of tea, it appears Matchbox is heading into this new branding with a little more brand confidence. You can see the branding gap between Hot Wheels and Matchbox getting wider, and the audience for both getting more defined.
So of course the debate on the direction of Matchbox can rage on, but hopefully you can look at the creative direction the Matchbox team has taken with these models. If they are going to do them, they should do them well, and I think they did. I like them a lot. And remember, there is still a lot of collector-oriented models coming out. We will be showing the Lamborghini Gallardo Police shortly, and like many of you I am really looking forward to seeing the BMW 1M and Karmann Ghia. And don’t forget the 60th Anniversary Series.
So let’s move on with it…
(Images are provided courtesy of Mattel.)
MB864 International Scout 4×4
MB863 Vantom
MB865 Torque Titan (It fits with Convoy trailers.)
MB866 Flame Smasher
There is a lot more to come. The Gallardo in both 60th and basic clothes, the regular and chase versions of the Routemaster Bus, and maybe even the Renault Ambulance. I have also submitted some collector questions to Mattel, and will be sure to pass along their answers as soon as we have them.
But we are not done…
I also have the long-awaited MAN numbers update. The team knows that this has been a long time coming, and is finally happy to provide. I think it is prudent to say to all Mattel collectors that things are a little bit different now. Because protecting intellectual property is more important than ever (and probably more difficult than ever), Mattel is needing to keep things a little closer to the vest.
For that reason, a lot has to happen before complete lists can be released to the general public. That goes for MAN# lists, basic range lists, etc. They will still be coming, for both Hot Wheels and Matchbox, but maybe a little later than in the past. Dave and the team have said that they can answer questions about a specific casting, but are unable to release overall lists at this point. And note that if you do have a question about a casting, pass it on to me (lamleygroup@gmail.com) instead of emailing a member of the team directly.
With all that said, the team did provide a MAN# list of everything they can release at this point. There are still some gaps from MB731 on, and they will fill those in as they can.
What is provided here is a complete list of the MAN#’s for 2012, some refurbished tools, as well as an incomplete list of 2013 new models. They remaining refurbished MAN#’s and 2013 models will be released in future reports. Let me know if you have any questions, and we will see you next week…
Thanks for the update! I would love to know, in a future report, just how the revised castings have been revised.
Thanks for the pics and info.
The Scout looks quite nice with exception of the windshield seems too short:(
I like the wheels, color etc. JL made a good normal height 4×4 Scout so I can live with this. The 4×4 van I quite like for some reason. But those other two really are painful to look at. I can already hear the Convoy collectors 'discussing' the cab. I will say I prefer the tractor cab from a few years ago and that is saying something!
As for releasing information…there is so much more Hot Wheels 2013 info released compared to Matchbox that I do not quite understand the 'intellectual property' excuse.
John…please let us know about the website (will they actually post 120 jpegs this year), a catalog, booklet, virtual etc. I will not get my hopes up.
Jeff (94SS)
*freaks out in chair*
HOLY HELL I NEED THAT SCOUT!!!
Definitely getting that Torque Titan as well! Might get Vantom, gotta see it in hand.
-doomus
Jeff,
Because of some trip-ups recently, Mattel is releasing info about their lines a little differently. The details will emerge, just not how HW and MB collectors have been used to in the past.
Disappointed with the Scout, but I love Scouts so I'll get it. Probably do a couple customs to bring it back to stock (or stock-ish)
Where is the Scout? All you posted were generics. Not even good ones, an 8 year old could design better stuff. And when did Matchbox become Tonka, why all the stupid trucks?
The Scout is the yellow one. -_-
I don't mind three out of the four. Torque Titan is just over the top, too mad Max like. Not saying I will not get it cause I'm loyal to my brands. That said maybe Mattle should return the favor! Lensey even Tyco did respectful justice to their designs. I think I can speak for most if not all MB collectors when I say bring back what made Matchbox as big as the Hot Wheel brand. Listen some of the generics are not bad but in all honesty their going to sit on pegs and that is said! If Mattle is up on their sales they know what is selling and what is not! I am willing to bet you can go into any store and not find any of the Caddilac models, Dodge,Chevy or Ford for that matter. I've been collecting for a long long time. When I took my kids and take my kids I instill the quality of the classics and the beauty of new cars coming out. For as long as I could remember Hot Wheel was you Hot Rod producer and Matchbox your stock with some rods mixed in and then you had you modern vehicles too. If I wanted what you are trying to make now I would just go to Tonka or some other big wheeled manufacturer. I like off road but please in moderation. I'm not trying to bash MB like I said I'm loyal. All I'm asking is the same in return. I've heard a lot said about the MB brand trying to market to the children. That is all well and good but in that case they ought to be in the video game business. Know from experience kids play with cars from 3 to 6 maybe 7 years of age and they normally don't care what they look like unless it's based on a movie. Once those thumbs are ready video games become passion. My nephew is 4 now and he loves anything with wheels but at 4 he's itching to get on the gaming stations. So don't be confused your main consumer is the adult collector. Please stop turning your back on us!
Swifty's Philly Wheels
I'm but I meant to add this. It is said that competition is good for business. So why would you not use both design teams to compete against each other to boost sales for both products? Listen I'm not favorable of all Hot Wheels models either. I can say this the ones I do like I usually get more than one of I can not say that much about MB vehicles anymore. Except for police, fire and construction. Keep in mind some collectors and hobbiests are using vehicles for dioramas and HO type layouts.
Swifty's. Philly Wheels
I don't get this “it's for the kids” excuse that keeps getting tosses around. Tomy makes a boxed and numbered line of diecast that are made for children, but are realistic and diverse enough to be collectable.
What we really are seeing is Matchbox being treated like a test subject. Realism was tried, and now migrated to Hot Wheels. Now Mattel is just using Matchbox as a training ground for design school graduates.
The 60th Anniversary was designed to fail. When the line tanks because of the 4 dollar price tag then Mattel can through it in our face that realism doesn't work. Meanwhile Hot Wheels has a Renault 4 in the Boulevard series.
I'm excited to see the T34 Cabriolet … and like the best news stories it seems to get delayed until the last possible moment so you'll stay watching the entire news program. I sure hope they get the bumper guards right and choose colors that were available in the 1960's Volkswagen line (ie Sea Blue or Ruby Red). And I would still really like to hear more details about its design & development phase. Pretty please???
100% on the money! I agree totally Mattel is ruining the Matchbox name in my opinion! It stinks!
Philly Wheels
Thank for the list. Far too many generics for my liking, meaning far less for me to collect. Mattel's loss.
As for MAN numbers, perhaps John you could forward this list of MANs already issued in the 900 series. Unless we tell Mattel, I can forsee these being issued again as well:
901 SHOVEL NOSE TRACTOR SUBWAY
902 FORD MUSTANG 1999 SUBWAY
904 CHEVY TAHOW 1999 TACO BELL
905 CHEVY CORVETTE 1997 TACO BELL
906 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP TACO BELL
907 CHEVROLET BELAIR HARD TOP TACO BELL
912 BEACH BURGER KING
913 DESERT BURGER KING
914 JUNGLE BURGER KING
915 WATER PUMPER BURGER KING
916 RESCUE HELICOPTER BURGER KING
917 TROOP CARRIER BURGER KING
918 FIRE TRUCK BURGER KING
919 POLICE CAR BURGER KING
920 RESCUE HELICOPTER BURGER KING
921 DUMP TRUCK BURGER KING
922 SNORKEL FIRE TRUCK MCDONALDS
923 DODGE DAKOTA MCDONALDS
924 FORD CROWN VICTORIA MCDONALDS
925 INTERNATIONAL PUMPER MCDONALDS
926 WRECKER TRUCK MCDONALDS
927 AMBULANCE MCDONALDS
928 FRONT LINE 4X4 BURGER KING
929 MOBILE COMMAND BURGER KING
930 SUPPORT TRUCK BURGER KING
940 FORD F 800 DELIVERY VAN (White Rose only)
941 FORD F 800 DELIVERY VAN w/Container over Cab (White Rose only)
942 FORD SUPER TRUCK
943 PLYMOUTH PROWLER CONCEPT VEHICLE (White Rose only)
944 1996 GRAND PRIX PONTIAC Stock Car (White Rose only)
945 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD Stock Car (White Rose only)
950 MICKEY MOUSE FIRE ENGINE
951 DONALD DUCK BEACH BUGGY
952 GOOFY'S BEETLE
953 MINNIE MOUSE LINCOLN
954 MICKEY MOUSE JEEP
955 DONALD DUCK JEEP
956 PINNOCHIO TRAVELLING THEATRE
957 JIMINY CRICKET OLD TIMER
958 GOOFY CAR
959 GOOFY TRAIN
960 DONALD DUCK ICE CREAM
961 MICKEY MOUSE CORVETTE
962 POPEYE SPINACH WAGON
963 BLUTO ROAD ROLLER
964 OLIVE OYL SPORTS CAR
971 '00 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN with Vee Roof Light
972 CHEVROLET IMPALA with Vee Roof Light
973 '98 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Coupé
974 '57 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Hardtop
975 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONCEPT CAR Convertible
976 FORD F-350 Pick-up
977 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
978 FORD F-350 MINI PUMPER
979 '64½ Ford MUSTANG Soft Top
980 '57 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Convertible
981 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONCEPT CAR Hardtop
982 '98 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Convertible
983 '64½ Ford MUSTANG Convertible
984 Bradley M 2 Fighting Vehicle
985 M 34 2.5 Ton Truck
986 Amphibious Personnel Carrier
987 M 4 Sherman Tank
988 M 3 A 2 Half Track
989 Abrams M 1 Battle Tank
990 Willys-Overland JEEP ¾ TON 4 X 4 W/ TRAILER
991 M 60 Tank
992 Seagrave Meanstick Ladder Truck
993 SPONGE BOB BOAT
994 CORVETTE SWAP TOP
995 PORSCHE 968 SWWAP TOP
996 FORD MUSTAND SWAP TOP
997 REAL TALKING TOW TRUCK
998 REAL TALKING POLICE CAR (CROWN VIC)
bring back the old lesley castings and the vintage vehicles