So why has this model piqued my interest?
I have never cared one iota for the Isuzu Amigo. Not for the real ones, and not for the Matchbox miniature. I couldn’t tell you how many versions Matchbox did of the Amigo, nor could I tell you when they stopped producing it.
But here it is. In the 2013 basic range. And apparently re-tooled, and has a new MAN#. It is such a curious choice for the current basic range, and that has peaked my interest. It might peak the interest of others as well, or at least Matchbox hopes it does. The car is no longer made, I hardly see any on the roads, but it is cute little model, and that profile might be unique compared to other Matchbox models (and that side profile is an important element to selling these to kids).
Matchbox said there are some changes to the re-tooled casting, and they wanted to see what collectors had the keen eye to see the differences. I would of course love to figure those changes out, but it is kind of hard when I don’t have another Amigo to compare it to. So I will post the pics, and you guys can figure it out.
So what are the changes?
(If you want an older Amigo to find out, you can get them here…)
Matchbox Isuzu Amigo (2013 Mainline):
i think the word is pique, not peak.
Awesome car. i need it. peaked its the right word..
Pique is a soccer player lol
“Piqued” is correct. Totally missed that. Late night editing strikes again…
Hmm I'm perplexed as to the differences between the old and new casting. I have the old version in hand that's white with orange interior and blue/orange 'splash' design on the sides that came with a matching speedboat w/trailer.
The only changes I can discern other than color, is that the license plate on the back is now smoothed versus having unreadable bumps/characters on the back that the old version had, and that the spare tire on the back is just that, a more detailed wheel and tire versus the previous 'covered spare' design with light texturing to it. Also the casting around the side windows, mostly at the rear appears to be smoother, but that could be thicker paint on the new one? Everything else appears to be identical but this can't be the only change? Base dimensions seem the same, rear hitch is still intact, base is black vs. chrome but that's no change in tool…?
The previous model had suspensions, maybe that explains the MAN change?
I like it a lot. I like for it's simplicity. Its very nice and decent rather than being “look at me, my tires are white, I can drive through snow and my side design will scare the kids away”. Its nothing like that. I don't know about kids but it doesn't scare me at all. In fact it makes me want it more and more. I didn't have the previous version so I can't tell the differences but it does look 'fresh'. I'll definitely pick this up when I see this in stores! Thanks for the look!
– Black Wind, SwiftysGarage.
adding to what was said already: the new version has more plastic and less Zamac. Check inside the cart floor and you're gonna see that the former version has 1/3 of the cart floor of plastic (from the inside/chairs) and the rest(2/3) is Zamac. The latter version is all plastic cart floor inside.
late reply, nit i just picked this model earlier. i can now tell the difference. the majosr difference cannot be seen in the photos, as there is no view of the bed. but here they are:
1. rear deck/bed is now plastic, and part of the interior parts. the old amigo had a diecast bed that is part of the body.
2. there are gas cans on the rear deck.
3. the spare wheel is now part of the chassis, the diecast body having a nocth where the wheel slides. the old amigo has a hole where you can “pin the spare wheel.
4. new chassis(as indicated in point 3)
overall this is still a fine model. and its one of my favorites from when i was younger.